Thread: GPS units ... help needed

To get full use from a GPS you need to get the computer side set up well and be systematic with naming waypoints and tracks. Always save then clear the track when you get back to your car so you don't have a big spider web zig zagging across New Zealand ! The computer program you need is Garmin mapsource, which is good now. It's possible to edit, join and generally work with tracks, select just useful info to load onto your handheld and clear out the junk. Things have improved over the last 2 or 3 years so although you can search forums direct advice is easiest. I hope you do like gadgets because loading maps can be confusing (was to me). Tony Savage may help out even if you didn't buy the unit from him. If you have problems, post on here or elsewhere.

Tussock is correct, the 550 occasionally loses reception or gives an offset location for a while but just use common sense and you'll be right. The touch screen is poor and the camera is not as useful as you'd think. However, scrolling round and adding and editing waypoints is good and I think general useability of this model is good.

iphones and android phones seem to be pretty good and a dedicated $800 gps unit has to really earn its keep:
rugged
replaceable batteries
easy to use mapping software
local NZ topo maps
Once smartphones catch these, our GPS will be obsolete.