Bushwalk Australia

As mentioned in an earlier thread, I have just got myself a new GPS and I am wondering how other GPS users carry them when they are using them in the field.

Tony

Either in the pocket of my jacket or pants, or in the zip lid of my pack.

I have two waterproof camera cases. One on each side of my hip belt. One has my camera and the other my gps. Great little Lowepro cases. They have waterproof zips and their own little rain cover (like a little mini pack cover) that tucks underneath in a flap for fine weather.

When using a GPS, I wear a shirt with a top pocket, and keep the GPS in that, and attached by a cord around my neck. Its the same place I keep a compass and more often than not a small digital camera - so it helps to wear a shirt with two top pockets. However, most navigation is visual - so the GPS is more often in my map pocket in the pack.

Dave

Thanks for the replies and ideas, I have done some looking at camera bags but so far I have not found one to suit my GPS. Keeping it in my shirt pocket might work but my new GPS is quite heavy, I did some walking on the weekend with the GPS in my jacket pocket and my pants pocket, with some of the scrambling I do I would be worried about loosing it if it was in my pants pocket and I do not always wear a jacket.

I found a nice little Lowe GPS bag that straps to one of my pack shoulder straps, this bag has some nice features as it has two parts, one that straps on to the shoulder straps and the other clips onto it via one clip and a piece of stretchy cord, this allows the GPS to be used while still in its bag and clipped on.

But as usual not everything is perfect, the Lowe bag is a bit small, when the GPS turned on some of the buttons get accidentally pressed. Another problem is the bag is designed so the buttons can be pressed and the screen can be viewed while the GPS is in it but the proportions of the bag do not suit my GPS and it blocks part of my screen and I still have to pull the GPS out to read it.

I have done some modifications to the Lowe bag, I have made a bracket (not finished) to stop the buttons getting accidentally pressed but I will have to do some cutting and sewing to lower the part that is blocking the screen, for now pulling the GPS out is not really a problem.

I used the clip with carabiner that Oregon comes with attached to the shoulder strap for a few walks but it got a few too many scratches for my liking. Since then I've been using a zpacks CF shoulder pouch. Not padded like the other options mentioned but it is made with the 1.26oz/yard cuben which seems pretty tough and should stop scratches which is what I was mainly after. The device itself is pretty rugged.

That's a good set-up, Tony.

Mine sits in one of the mesh pockets of the balance pockets - clipped on, of course. If I drop the pack for a sidetrip, it goes in shirt pocket with the strap around the neck. Handy and secure.

Bluegum Mic wrote:I have two waterproof camera cases. One on each side of my hip belt. One has my camera and the other my gps. Great little Lowepro cases. They have waterproof zips and their own little rain cover (like a little mini pack cover) that tucks underneath in a flap for fine weather.

I own two of those Lowepro cases the same as you have, I found them far from being waterproof, very disappointed with the case.

I own two GPS units, A Garmin Oregon with the carabiner attachment, usually clipped onto my shoulder straps on my Oneplanet McMillan backpack and the other a Twonav Sportiva normally in one of those useless Lowepro cases that I find not waterproof, Splash proof yes, but in constant QLD downpour, useless. Luckily both GPS units are waterproof.

I've recently purchased a Aarn bodypack. From now on I will use the side pouches on the front balance pockets.

I just put a screen protector on mine and when recording a route leave it in the lid pocket of the pack.