gps question

Forgive the lazywebness of this, but I'm planning on doing some more long urban walks this year and I'd like to track myself in a geeky GPS way. I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations on handheld GPS doodahs, not too expensive, good for walking about and logging your every move in overly obsessive detail. Thoughts very gratefully received. Or maybe I should try Hoosgot.

Comments

[rich]

have you tried a (new-ish) nokia loaded with nokia maps? most of the nseries ones have gps (although not the n81)

you can install the sports tracker app- kind of a nike+ setup, but gps driven:

http://www.nokia.com/A4388200

or install zonetag and upload pics with geotags. there's an article here:

http://thenokiablog.com/2007/12/30/photodriving-and-geotagging-with-the-nokia-n82/

and this might be of interest:

http://bliin.com/

[Natasja]

If you have a Nokia phone with a GPS (like the N95 for instance), it might be interesting to check out a Sports Tracker. It's software for you Nokia which lets you use the GPS to track in obsessive detail details you never knew you were interested in.

http://research.nokia.com/research/projects/SportsTracker/

[Tom]

Looks like the technology's not quite there yet (unless you have a compatible phone), but before splashing out on a new GPS thing, it's worth being aware Google's My Location could soon put GPS on your phone for free...

http://gigaom.com/2007/11/28/google-my-location/

[Rob Sawkins]

How about the Garmin Edge 350? I know it's primarily for bikes, but you can always stow it in a pocket. Have a look at Grant's Prague Bike Blog and marvel at the repository of useful maps he's built up via uploading his routes to Google Maps. http://praguebikeblog.blogspot.com/2007/07/pigs-ducks-nuclear-physics-satellites.html

[Chris H]

Depends what you're going to be using it for - do you want a screen, maps, colour? Do you want it to log for hours/days and then download to the computer? Instant updates of where you are to your blog? Describe the problem, not the solution :)

For a full-on GPS, http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikel_maron/2058990005/ really impressed me - Venice is a hard GPS city.

[Russell]

thanks everyone - Chris, of course you're right about the problem/solution thing but that's not how people work is it? I want to buy some GPSness, I don't have a specific problem. I want something that's roughly in the right area and then see what it'll let me do.

[Timo]

Most GPSes don't work well for urban walking, they lose connection when you're next to buildings, in the 'urban canyons'. Look for the latest GPS technology to get the best reception (SiRFIII).

I can't stand most of the Garmin/Magellan technology, they are dinosaurs when it comes to connectivity, interaction design and such.

If you're willing to go a bit super-geeky I like this GPS receiver from sparkfun:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8301

It simply records your movements to an SD card, so you can then match it to flickr photos, visualise on Google Earth, etc. Plus it's got switches!

[Kyle]

Full disclosure: I'm biased because I work at Garmin, but I'd highly recommend the Forerunner 205 or 305. They're wrist-worn GPS watches meant to track walking, running, biking, etc.

I've used a 305 on photo excursions in urban environments; just turn it on when you start and it keeps track of your every step. When you're done, you can upload the tracks and review everything on Google Maps (or Google Earth); geotag your Flickr photos, etc.

[Rob Hinchcliffe]

Russel, I have my eye on oen fo these:

http://www.gearthstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=1-TSII

But, having said that, I also have an iphone so am waiting for this:

http://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_gets_actual_gps_receiver-news-386.php

I did have a Blackberry pearl and was using a very cheap (£35) GPS puck bought from Tottenham Court Road and a bit of Blackberry-compatible software to synch with and track my movements. Worked relatively well but like someone else said, in built up areas you tend to lose the signal a lot. Let us know what you choose eventually.

[Dougal Campbell]

One really cheap route is to use a Boost phone with Mologogo[1]. I've got a Nextel phone (i730) with Mologo installed, and it posts my location[2] to my web site, where my path is plotted with Google Maps.

As for "real" GPS, I'm waiting for the release of the Dash[3]. It sounds really sweet.

[1] http://mologogo.com/
[2] http://dougal.gunters.org/maps/molo/
[3] http://www.dash.net/

[Dave Fleet]

Hi Russell,

I have the Forerunner 305, which I use to track my runs in "overly obsessive detail" at http://torontorunner.com.

If you're more into walking the Forerunner 205 might be better for you - essentially the same thing minus the heart rate monitor.

Both the 305 and 205 are wrist-mounted - you wear them like a watch.