01-27-2009, 08:41 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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I'm Looking for a GPS Gadget...
I'm looking for a particular type of GPS gadget, and I'd like some input from Pocket PC Thoughts readers. I saw one of our banner ads here for Radio Shack advertising a gadget from Bushnell called the BackTrack (see? advertising can be helpful!). I did a bit of reading on it, and it seems to be the exact type of thing I'm looking for. When I was on vacation in Japan in early 2008, there was more than one occasion when I had trouble finding my way back to our back-alley rental condo at night. The funny thing is that I brought a TomTom GPS with me, assuming (yeah, exactly) that even without maps it would still do basic point A to point B guidance - and it did not. Talk about technology failing me! So I've on the hunt for a cheap, simple GPS device that will allow me to mark a geographical point then be able to find my way back there again. This Bushnell Backtrack looks like it will do the trick, and it's not too expensive at $79.95 CAD from an online store. Any other devices I should be considering?
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01-27-2009, 09:25 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 378
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Nice find, actually I would like something like this too! It has SiRF Star 3 which is extremely nice and is "weather resistant".  One thing I would research if I were you would be how long this thing lasts. It uses 2 AAA batteries so unless you buy rechargeable ones, wouldn't it be slightly troublesome? It would be nice if you found one with a replaceable Li-Ion which might make traveling and charging a little more convenient. I'm just suspicious how long these AAA batteries can power a GPS unit.
As an aside, if you are a Windows Mobile user going to Japan, you should have probably considered Super Mapple Digital (http://www.mapple.net/smd/). It's probably one of the best GPS softwares for Japan and has a native WM client.
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01-27-2009, 09:56 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 6
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The BackTrack does look interesting - do you know how big it is? I guess big enough to hold 2 AAA batteries, but I can't find any specific size information. I'm wondering how "pocketable" it is.
I know that Garmin has some lower-end hiking models that don't even have mapping capability - those would probably also fit what you're looking for. For instance, the eTrex H, which is $99.99 US.
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01-27-2009, 10:35 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 4
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More expensive, but might be more useful
I do a lot of hiking and biking and when I'm in a new area, I use my Garmin GPS to map the trails that I'm on. The cool part to this is that you can track how far you've gone, view a map of your path, then download it to your computer.
Garmin GPS's also have a backtrack feature to them that will guide you along the same route you took, not just the direction back to where you started. This is especially handy when hiking because its generally frowned upon to make your own trails.
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01-28-2009, 01:04 AM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2
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Look for yesterday's gear
My old Magellan 4000XL will do this, and those can be found used for under $40 (USD) now if you watch for them. Sometimes the latest gadgets fail to see the forest 'fore the trees and leave out basic functionality that should not be removed.
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01-28-2009, 02:07 AM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,503
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Um, won't a GPS phone do this, and with maps to boot? Mark the location as "Home", then from wherever you are just enable directions to "Home". Depending on the software, you can get walking directions even.
That said, I like the Garmin GPS devices a lot. Though they're quite a bit more expensive than the Bushnell, they offer a lot of functionality.
__________________
Baka. Soku. Zan. - The justice behind the dysORDer.
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01-28-2009, 03:01 AM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,291
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I'd look at a low end Garmin etrex. You'll get a lot more functionality. I just looked on Amazon and the cheapest is about $100 but the backtrack is only $53. I'd say the difference is the backtrack is a one trick pony, but therefore has a very simple interface the Garmin will do what you like but will do lots of other things and have a bit of a learning curve.
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01-30-2009, 12:27 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 99
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng
Um, won't a GPS phone do this, and with maps to boot? Mark the location as "Home", then from wherever you are just enable directions to "Home". Depending on the software, you can get walking directions even.
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Any hints how to do this? I want to be able to tag a location when I park the car at Disneyland. I don't want to use something like breadcrumbs because that sounds like I would have to retrace my steps. I want to be able to tag a location as "parked", then later in the day get directions (back) to it no matter what my new location is.
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01-30-2009, 05:13 AM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng
Um, won't a GPS phone do this, and with maps to boot?
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The problem are maps. Maps are expensive, and in the case of Japan for instance, I doubt I'll go back there again in my life. I actually tried getting maps for my TomTom GPS, and for an entire two-week period prior to my trip, TomTom's online store was down for maintenance, so I couldn't purchase anything. AUGH! Really frustrating. So I want something simpler than having to load up maps onto my device.
And if you're going to suggest a real-time map solution, data roaming is too expensive (not to mention my GSM phone didn't work in Japan of course!) and trying to get a local SIM and data package is more hassle than it's worth.
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01-28-2009, 07:00 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brainiac 5
...do you know how big it is?
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I couldn't find any actual specifications, but if you look at the user's manual on the Bushnell site, you'll see a couple of photos showing its size relative to the hand holding it.
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