Recommend me a GPS reciever!

In My Humble Opinion
1

As some folks know, I’m going to Afghanistan in September. I was ponderign the merits of buying body armor, but asked a friend who’s going to Iraq who had been in Afghanistan before what he would recommend.

He told me to skip the body armor and instead build a survival pack, about the size of a fanny pack ("bum bag"for UK, Aussie, and Antipodeans) with waterproof matches, a compass, powerbars, a basic first aid kit and a GPS unit.

I have little to no idea what to look for in one of these, but I’ve been looking on U.S. Cavalry and the like and it seems there’s a large range to choose from. I just need a basic unit that will get a reliable signal, and should be waterproofed and ruggedized. Is the basic USD 199 unit from the sporting goods section of Amazon likely to stand up? Your thoughts are appreciated.

2

Quick question. You’re in Lima Peru, and going to Afganistan? Are you in the Armed Services?

I have a Garmin GPSmap 60csx. I like it very much. Altimeter, and compass included.

It’s pretty expensive at around $450, but it seems to be a pretty tough unit. Waterproof too. Not sure if you could call it fully ruggedized though.

Not sure what kind of maps you can download for that area.

I would really recommend going to Garminsweb site to do some research

3

Foreign Service, occasionally armed. Garmin is a good company, and I’ll take a look at their site.

4

I would recommend a Garmin as well, if you are looking for an inexpensive, waterproof compact and rugged unit. I recently got some eTrex Legend receivers for work for $140. There is no difference in accuracy until you start spending in the thousands. Also, accuracy figures that include WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) correction will not be obtainable in Afghanistan.

It is also worthwhile doing some research into nearby or local market units (India? China?) to see what types of equipment work the best where you will be heading. Though GPS is global, an American unit is not likely to come with any useful basemapping (may be available for purchase on CD-ROM).

5

Add condoms to your emergency pack: you can use them to keep sand out of your gun and for sealing / waterproofing stuff like bandages - much more convenient than clingfilm

6

I’d like to tack on another question related GPS selection.

I like the Garmin Nuvi series and some of the comperable TomToms… Do any of them have a video input, as in the ability to play ipod video?

7

My Garmin Nuvi can’t do video (good thing too, what with it mounted on the dash).

8

seconded on the condoms. Wow. SWA? Try to get a VERY small crank powered flashlight (the one you shake could work as well), and also an extra set of batteries. Enjoy your baby wipes, and bring a comb.

9

I use Garmin GPS60’s in amateur study of local historic sites. These are sub-$199 and have the same 12 channel engine many others use. They’re sturdy and pretty compact. I’m happy to recommend them.

But it depends on what you want to do with them. Are they for handheld or vehicle use? Do you want to be able to buy software maps and load them into the units? Of course, availability of good maps for Afghanistan would be a deciding factor.

You might visit gpsinformation.net, lotta good info there. And of course the product reviews that amazon.com customers post.