I'm looking to do something fun with GPS for a final project for a programming class. Not entirely sure what yet (and I have a few weeks to decide); but regardless of the end design of my project, first on my to-do list is buying a GPS device of my own.
I've been toying with a family members obscenely old Garmin for awhile, and got tired of writing down coordinates by hand to process later.
So, #1 on my list of requirements is the ability to store locations to memory - preferebly a memory card, though I could do directly to a computer. Being able to specify a set interval to capture at would be great; being able to press a button to capture the present location is better (for my needs at least, I realize most people might prefer this the other way around).
#2 is price. Since this won't see all that much use after I'm done with it, I don't want to drop $1000 on a GPS. I'm willing to pay a premium to get a decide with the features I want, however I hope I can get that for a couple hundred, instead of several hundred dollars or more.
#3 is usability. Battery life, not-so-crappy screen, understandable controls, etc. I don't want to spend a whole ton of time learning the basics.
#4 is file output. I have no idea what to expect for output for the saved locations. Ideally, a single structured file would be good (.csv, .mdb, etc). I could deal with a seperate file for each location if necessary; I just wouldn't really enjoy it.
And for the purposes of my project I want to gather coordinates via two methods - 1 a standalone device that I then upload the stored locations to a computer from, and 2, a computer-connected receiver that I can capture in real-time with - I'll probably just pick up a Microsoft Streets & Trips receiver for that, unless whatever device I purchase can be hooked up to a PC as a real-time receiver.
Anyways, any suggestions? Based off previous forum posts and various reviews I see that the Garmin 60 or 60CSx are pretty solid, and seem like they would fit my needs. But is there anything cheaper worth considering?
Thanks for the feedback.
I've been toying with a family members obscenely old Garmin for awhile, and got tired of writing down coordinates by hand to process later.
So, #1 on my list of requirements is the ability to store locations to memory - preferebly a memory card, though I could do directly to a computer. Being able to specify a set interval to capture at would be great; being able to press a button to capture the present location is better (for my needs at least, I realize most people might prefer this the other way around).
#2 is price. Since this won't see all that much use after I'm done with it, I don't want to drop $1000 on a GPS. I'm willing to pay a premium to get a decide with the features I want, however I hope I can get that for a couple hundred, instead of several hundred dollars or more.
#3 is usability. Battery life, not-so-crappy screen, understandable controls, etc. I don't want to spend a whole ton of time learning the basics.
#4 is file output. I have no idea what to expect for output for the saved locations. Ideally, a single structured file would be good (.csv, .mdb, etc). I could deal with a seperate file for each location if necessary; I just wouldn't really enjoy it.
And for the purposes of my project I want to gather coordinates via two methods - 1 a standalone device that I then upload the stored locations to a computer from, and 2, a computer-connected receiver that I can capture in real-time with - I'll probably just pick up a Microsoft Streets & Trips receiver for that, unless whatever device I purchase can be hooked up to a PC as a real-time receiver.
Anyways, any suggestions? Based off previous forum posts and various reviews I see that the Garmin 60 or 60CSx are pretty solid, and seem like they would fit my needs. But is there anything cheaper worth considering?
Thanks for the feedback.
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