Recommendation for a simpleton

Hi ... would welcome some help/recommendations from the group.

I do not own nor have ever used Sat Nav/GPS or anything similar. Usually
use OS Landranger or Explorer maps. However I have been recommended to
buy an inexpensive unit plus the relevant card for a trip we're planning
to make to New Zealand later this year. As a friend recently returned
from there wrote:

".... if you have a GPS I'd take it and get the NZ card. We forgot ours
but bought a cheap one out there. It was an absolute boon and made life
very much easier. We didn't get lost and didn't have our heads buried in
maps half the time."

I'd prefer to get one before going so I can get the hang of how to work
it.

I have Googled but the subject seems a minefield for illiterates like me
so any help, buying recommendations and general advice would be very
much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Tom
--
Leigh
Deepest Dorset

On Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:51:49 +0000, Leigher wrote:


Most of the simple ones seems to have very similar facilities. In UK the
main difference seems to be the map sources, but maybe somebody has
experience of equivalents in NZ. Reviews in Which seem quite good, or
there are equivalents on computer mag websites.

I've used a Garmin Nuvi 300 series (now obsolete) for three years, and
have been very satisfied with it, especially compared with a Tom Tom 1 I
borrowed from a friend. The call to 'turn left (or right)' at 0.2 miles
before the actual turn seems to annoy some people, but the count down in
feet displayed on the screen makes it possible to get the correct turn if
there are several possible in a location. These are discontinued, but
can be got very cheaply from some sites.

Good idea to get one to play with before having to use it in anger - they
all have peculiar idiosyncrasies which you have to learn to get the best
out of them. I always make sure I have paper maps in the car. These can
be essential if, say, a road blockage makes a diversion necessary. The
GPS will want to route you back on to the 'best' route (ie the main
road), as fast as possible, but you may want to back road to well past
the scene of the blockage. The display of the GPS (and its map ref
display) makes it easier to be certain where you are on the map at all
times.

Keith

That's very helpful Keith. Very much appreciated,

Tom

--
Leigh
Deepest Dorset

Leigher wrote:

You don't say what you want the satnav for, i.e. driving on/off road,
walking, all the above, etc.

Sorry, it would be mainly for driving on road but there will be some
good walking too (I hope) however am not unhappy at using maps for the
latter. Just don't want to waste time getting lost and missing sights
due to one or other being buried in a map book. Also to preserve marital
harmony, if possible:-))

Tom
--
Leigh
Deepest Dorset