I've never used a GPS before. The BB200 would appear to be a good time to use one!
I'm keeping it simple, Garmin, no one else.
One of the "hiking" models seems to be the best choice due to being able to use AA batteries.
So...eTrex 30/Oregon 600 or Dakota 20?

Or, is a breadcrumb one going to be ok, in the dark, in Mid Wales, miles from anywhere? ;-)

I've got a Dakota 20 with Dave Barter's maps on it, more than up to the job!

eTrex 20. More than capable.

Dakota 20 here ... but I don't think you can go wrong with the eTrex 20 or Dakota. Much comes down to whether you prefer a joystick or touch screen.

I used an etrex 30 for years. The line is rock solid.

Etrex 20 with ioffer map, more than happy.

Etrex 20 here just don't buy a cheap bike mount off eBay there rubbish.

I used an edge200 with breadcrumb trail only in 2013, still managed a good time but would have made up 10 mins I reckon with better Nav!

Garmin Oregon 300 with OS maps here, a lot like the dakota but bigger and fair bit heavier, does the job very well. I bought a couple of mounts off ebay for around £2 and they attach with two zip ties and are really solid, just slides on to the back of the GPS.

Cheers all. That helps a lot

Whichever you choose, make sure you work out how it works beforehand.

Someone turned up at the HTR with a borrowed GPS, though not having used one before. He couldn't work out how to load the route.

Garmins are fairly perceptive to use, but to get the best out of them takes some practice.

Richpips wrote:Whichever you choose, make sure you work out how it works beforehand.

Someone turned up at the HTR with a borrowed GPS, though not having used one before. He couldn't work out how to load the route.

Garmins are fairly perceptive to use, but to get the best out of them takes some practice.

That is a a very good point! I had tested my edge200 breadrumb trail thing before I used it...but due to the low speed at times on the BB200 compared to when I tested it, I er discovered that I'd left a setting on somewhere that whenever I was very very very slow or stopped, I'd see the whole route on the screen (which when it's only a few hundred grayscale pixels showing a 200km route) wasn't very helpful!

I ended up with the etrex30, good deal from Cotswolds.
....then I bought a cheap mount of ebay....

A new mount from Garmin has just arrived! ;-)

Can't say I'm finding it that easy navigating around the 30, think I need lots of practice before October...

I sold my eTrex and bought a Dakota. I find it much easier to navigate ... it must be easy 'cos I can do it

Sorry, I know this doesn't help you at all.

Dakota 20 from Go Outdoors on special offer.

Simple enough, AA batteries last a fair while and is yet to break - cannot complain.

Polisherman wrote:I ended up with the etrex30, good deal from Cotswolds.
....then I bought a cheap mount of ebay....

A new mount from Garmin has just arrived! ;-)

Can't say I'm finding it that easy navigating around the 30, think I need lots of practice before October...

I have the Etrex 30. What are you having trouble with?

I ended up with the etrex30, good deal from Cotswolds.
....then I bought a cheap mount of ebay....

A new mount from Garmin has just arrived! ;-)

Can't say I'm finding it that easy navigating around the 30, think I need lots of practice before October...

I bought an etrex 30 as a GPS novice and with the help of

http://www.rambler-info.org.uk/gps/howt ... trex10.htm

Soon got the hang of it.

Cheers for that website link.. easy to understand info!

Ian, I'm getting there with it. I'm off to the west coast of Scotland with it next week, so that should help!

I have a long term project/ride I want to do but it requires going off piste.
Long section of HAB with no path showing on the OS map although I don't quite believe this.
How does say etrex cope with this?
I would of course take a map for this bit but just wondered how gps copes if I want to go from A to B and it cant find a path to lock onto? Can you see sufficient detail to be able to relate to your surroundings?

It doesn't have to lock onto a path. If you use the garmin is maps is just a single layer drawing with your purple line on top. If you draw an "as the crow flies" route that's fine. Straight through a reservoir if you fancy.

They can be a bit fuzzy at full magnification (a Dakota anyway) but perfectly serviceable.