Holux FunTrek 130 GPS
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Holux FunTrek 130 GPS $499.99 (incl topomaps)
I’m not a regular user of GPSs and those that I have used have been older models. Small screens, fiddly buttons and limited functionality.
Comparing the Holux FunTrek 130 to my previous experiences of GPSs is like comparing a modern motor car to a Model T-Ford.
The Holux is a small, light unit that fits perfectly in the hand – even a gloved hand. The vast majority of the front face is an LCD screen. A strong backlight and chunky font makes it easy to read, even in the noonday sun.
There are only two buttons on the Holux – one on each side, one of which doubles as the on/off switch. Pushed once, these two buttons each bring up an on screen menu. From there, all control is via the touch screen. If you’ve used a smart phone or a tablet computer this will come naturally to you.
On older GPSs, some of the small buttons were fiddly to use with cold or gloved hands and the touch screen on the Holux suffers a similar problem where ‘fat fingers’ can accidentally select the wrong option on the touch screen.
The functionality of the unit was daunting, yet pretty addictive. As I pushed up a steep little streambed through thick regrowth I was watching the screen which had a topomap display that showed where I would intersect a track.
The unit also comes with a mount for the front of a bike. I went out for a blast and was able to have a range of data literally at my finger tips including speed, rate of climb/descent, direction, altitude, distance traveled and elapsed trip time (it even adjusts for stops). It was fun to later review the top speed for the day, and replay the ride on a time/altitude graph.
The unit comes with software that enables you to download/upload tracks and maps between the unit and a PC.
One of the downsides of this unit is that it did tend to eat through the battery charge quickly. You’d only get one day of full-on use out of it before you’d need to charge it. The unit comes with an emergency battery charger for use in the field and suggests taking another fully charged battery for longer trips.
Overall this is a unit with all the bells and whistles, that still did its basic job – locating your position – really well. The touch screen menus are intuitive and easy to use and the design stylish and functional.
I’m still a map and compass man, but playing with the Holux opened my eyes to where technology has got to. Four stars
- Richard Davies
I’m not a regular user of GPSs and those that I have used have been older models. Small screens, fiddly buttons and limited functionality.
Comparing the Holux FunTrek 130 to my previous experiences of GPSs is like comparing a modern motor car to a Model T-Ford.
The Holux is a small, light unit that fits perfectly in the hand – even a gloved hand. The vast majority of the front face is an LCD screen. A strong backlight and chunky font makes it easy to read, even in the noonday sun.
There are only two buttons on the Holux – one on each side, one of which doubles as the on/off switch. Pushed once, these two buttons each bring up an on screen menu. From there, all control is via the touch screen. If you’ve used a smart phone or a tablet computer this will come naturally to you.
On older GPSs, some of the small buttons were fiddly to use with cold or gloved hands and the touch screen on the Holux suffers a similar problem where ‘fat fingers’ can accidentally select the wrong option on the touch screen.
The functionality of the unit was daunting, yet pretty addictive. As I pushed up a steep little streambed through thick regrowth I was watching the screen which had a topomap display that showed where I would intersect a track.
The unit also comes with a mount for the front of a bike. I went out for a blast and was able to have a range of data literally at my finger tips including speed, rate of climb/descent, direction, altitude, distance traveled and elapsed trip time (it even adjusts for stops). It was fun to later review the top speed for the day, and replay the ride on a time/altitude graph.
The unit comes with software that enables you to download/upload tracks and maps between the unit and a PC.
One of the downsides of this unit is that it did tend to eat through the battery charge quickly. You’d only get one day of full-on use out of it before you’d need to charge it. The unit comes with an emergency battery charger for use in the field and suggests taking another fully charged battery for longer trips.
Overall this is a unit with all the bells and whistles, that still did its basic job – locating your position – really well. The touch screen menus are intuitive and easy to use and the design stylish and functional.
I’m still a map and compass man, but playing with the Holux opened my eyes to where technology has got to. Four stars
- Richard Davies
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