Help with Garmin ETrex H GPS System

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Ian Kerr
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Help with Garmin ETrex H GPS System
Hi guys,
Planning a trip to Scotland in October to do some photography! Will be visiting Skye, Cape Wrath, Glencoe and a few other remote posts has anyone experience of the above Garmin GPS system? Will be following a map but GPS would be handy. Also is anyone aware if one bought in USA will work in UK? Thanks Ian.
 
IIRC the Etrex H is the basic yellow cased one with no built-in maps.
If thats the case, it should work without any loss of functionality anywhere you have a clear view of the sky.

ETA: I bought an Etrex Vista several years ago in the US. The only problem with that is the built-in base map was North America instead of Western Europe.
 
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It'll work fine, but make sure you've set it to 'British Grid' (via Setup -> Units -> Position Frmt)
 
Not sure if this works with the very basic - yellow - model, but there are maps available on't interweb that you can download onto a micro SD card. If your unit has a slot for such cards then just plug it in and you have decent, not quite OS quality, maps. As I say, not sure if the basic models have the slot, but my Legend does. Sorry, but I can't find the link to the map page - Google is your friend!!!
 
Thanks to all for your help up till now. Would I be wise buy a UK version and a better one that maps can be loaded on to?
 
The Etrax H won't take maps regardless of where you buy it from.

It's main functions tell you where you are (grid ref/altitude) and where you've been (track log). If you want to load routes into the handset, you'll need some other Mapping/GIS software and data cable to do so.

I use Mapyx Quo, which is free software, but you have to buy the map tiles - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FiSCJSW5fo&feature=related

I use an GIS/Etrex most days at work, so any questions just ask :)
 
As [user]mickledore[/user] said, you can buy maps on microSD for most of the newer mapping models, it's just the bundled map that's different depending on what side of the pond it's from. The Garmin mapSD's are extra $$$.
Some of the older mapping Etrex models (IIRC) have to upload maps from a CD via an RS232 serial connector, and I don't think the s/ware will work with USB.
 
Thanks for info. Think I am going with the Garmin Vista or Legend! Have to do a bit more homework on them.
 
http://www.smc.org.uk/ContourMaps.php

Go here for your contour maps, they are free and are designed for walkers.

Forget Garmin maps you don't need them and they cost a small fortune. I use a Garmin Etrex Venture cx which has a micro Sd card in it. Make sure whatever you buy has a card slot, most will have the suffix CX which indecates a card slot.

As for software I think the one I use is called maptogps it's shareware and it's the simplest software that transfers maps with no fuss by the USB connection on the gps unit.

Forgot to say, I got mine off eBay for £50 in brand new condition.
 
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