RFI: GPS for birding

On some recent group birding trips I have had a number of people inquire about my mobile telephone-sized Global Positioning System (GPS) and hence am interested in people's experiences with hand held GPSs as part of their birding 'kit'.

Since purchasing my Garmin Geko 201 a year ago, I've now found it to be valuable addition to my fauna survey work and wondered what other peoples findings were.

I've noticed that Birds Australia, Bird Observers Club of Australia, outdoors shops, marine outlets, map shops and dedicated GPS retailers all tend to sell just a single brand of GPS (Magellan, Garmin, Leica etc) which of course effects the availability of GPS to birdos.

As I'm planning on advising the Bird Observers Club of Australia on some education material regarding GPS purchase and use etc I am keen to hear answers to the following:

1. Which MAKE and MODEL GPS? - Which GPS did you buy
2. What type of retailer did you purchase your GPS from?
3. How much did you pay?
4. Given that it is for birding, why did you buy that particular make and model? (compact?, cheap?, easy to use, only one available?..)
5. Is it EASY to use? (yes/no and why)
6. In your opinion, what are the good points/features for this make/model?
7. Are there any problems or difficulties with the unit? (battery usage, complex to understand, hard to read screen, inadequate instructions...?)
8. Do you just use your GPS for determining grid and locality references for atlassing and bird censusing or do you also download data gathered into you pc for home or work?
9. Would you recommend your GPS to others?
10. Comments - any other comments?

By mid October I'll endeavour to collate the responses and post a summary to the list

Please post to me directly.

cheers, Martin

(I have no connection with any GPS retailers or manufacturers but am just a birdo who uses GPS)

Martin O'Brien
Threatened Species & Communities Section
Department of Sustainability and Environment
2/8 Nicholson St. (PO Box 500), East Melbourne  3002


Tel: 9637 9869
(prefixes: Interstate 03 International 613)
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