Buying a GPS

[lozzyrob]

Hi All,

I am looking to buy a GPS. From my research it would seem for my needs the best suited model is the Garmin Etrex 20. The best price for purchasing one is online through Ebay but it would have to be shipped from the UK.

Does anyone know whether this would be a problem? Are there any country code restrictions to consider like there are with EPIRBs? Or will it work just the same no matter which country you use it in?

Thanks,

Laura

[keithy]

There are no country restrictions as such. Although, if you bought the topo versions (eg etrex 30T), they will only provide the topo maps for the country they are being sold from. If you just buy the plain GPS unit, it will work here and overseas without problems. The issue will come from Garmin's limited warranty. I've never had to test this with any of my Garmin GPS devices, but Garmin will not accept "Online auction confirmations" for warranty verification. They need the original invoice from the store that you bought it from.

So if you buy from ebay, at least make sure you get an actual invoice/receipt for warranty purposes. The warranty is only for 12 months from purchase, but without the original invoice, they might refuse to honor it.

I've noticed that the etrex 20 price hasn't come down since the announcement of the eTrex 20x/30x and eTrex touch 25/35 series. The eTrex 20 price was floating around the $195 mark for a while, but it's been climbing up - most likely due to the falling Aussie dollar.

If warranty is an issue for you, have a look at this mob from NSW http://www.nofrillsgps.com.au/garmin-et ... ndheld-gps I've bought from them before, and while the eTrex 20 is out of stock with them, if you preorder it, they include free delivery ($10 or so to Melbourne from recollection). Their price is currently $224.85, so just under $20 more expensive than the UK ebay option.

Once you get the eTrex 20 though, this is a previous post of tips on using it: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=15200#p269919
And a post on making a DIY bumper case for it viewtopic.php?f=21&t=20683.

[Hiking Noob]

Hmmm, I was about to suggest having a look at Ryda but it seems they are the same store as No Frills linked above.

I recently got a Magellan GC and it is fine for what it is but you can't fit a full Aus wide topo map on it so for your needs it is probably useless, the update was a bit of a pain in the bum too.

[keithy]

Hmmm, I was about to suggest having a look at Ryda but it seems they are the same store as No Frills linked above.

Yes, same mob. But funnily if you order from Ryda, you pay the $9.95 shipping, but if you order from NoFrillsGPS, with it being out of stock you get free shipping. No Frills also has an eBay store, but I don't think they've had the etrex 20 on there since it's out of stock.

[lozzyrob]

Thanks fellow bushwalkers- excellent advice.

[Hiking Noob]

If I can work out how to use a section of the topo maps from maps4me the Magellean will be the bargain of the year, it was free with a Navman GPS which is actually really good, was a steal for $200.

[walkerchris77]

Suunto wont except warranty jobs either if you buy from ebay.

I brought an e20 from bcf and they price from ebay but it had to be from an actual retail shop that advertised on ebay. I just printed it out and showed them. Saved $79 .

[keithy]

Suunto wont except warranty jobs either if you buy from ebay.

Probably depends on the seller, and if you get an actual invoice as well. Quite a few retailers now use eBay as another selling platform. For example, Ryda have an eBay store as the seller nofrillssydney. They provide a tax invoice for their products, so you can claim a manufacturer's warranty.

For Suunto I deal directly with Amer Sports for a warranty issue for one of my Suunto Core watches, bought through Ryda on eBay, and they had no issue with the invoice or the warranty.

Of course, if you are buying from a private person, or a non-authorised dealer, you won't get the invoice, and Amer Sports don't have to honour the warranty.

[walkerchris77]

Yeah thats what happened. Lesson learned.

[Big Foot]

Garmin 64s from Johnny Appleseed is a great buy. I use OzTopo maps with mine they are quite detailed

[Hiking Noob]

If the budget can stretch a bit more MD have the garmin-gpsmap-62s for $300.

http://www.mountaindesigns.com/store/ca ... ts/100597/