GPS help (GPS for Christmas!)

N

Necrodamus

Joined
May 4, 2009
Messages
388
OK I know this might seem a bit off-topic but actually I put it here because recently Jeff was asked which GPS he prefered and I cant find that thread.
(If someone could link in that thread I would appreciate it!)

I'm looking for input on Namebrands and Models. I want to hear all opinions of what you have actually used.

My wife is going to purchase me a GPS for Christmas and I want a good one.
I have used a cell phone as a GPS (Dont do it!) and I have used a cheaper GPS that I wont name. I have some GPS skills but Im no pro. I want something that can help on streets as much as off-road.
Budget is $200-$250.
 
Garmin Venture HC. Best unit I have used to date.
 
What Jeff said. I had a Legend and it is ok, great for learning on, use it in my classes to teach high school age students. But the VentureHC is the unit I use. It is amazingly accurate, easy to use, small, and with the lithium AA batteries has lasted a long time without changing the batteries.


HAK
RP#354
 
Having a compass in it is REALLY handy. Otherwise you have to move for it to know which direction you are facing. Unfortunately this feature is only in the more expensive models. It's worth it.

I've had a Garmin eTrex for a long, long time. Taken a beating and kept ticking. Christmas '07 I was given a Garmin Rino 530 HCX. I love it. It locks onto signals a lot faster. I just wish Garmin would smarten up and make their Astro dog tracking system compatible with the Rino system. I'd love to have GPS tracker on my German Shepherd just in case we get separated in the woods, but I don't want to have to carry two GPS units.

I mainly use them for geocaching and some mapping of trails.
 
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Agree on the internal compass but if I have a GPS on me I ALWAYS have a compass ;)
 
The compass feature is especially useful for geocaching. With my old eTrex I had to be moving for it to show which direction the cache was in. With the 530HCX I can just turn around while standing still.
 
I am a daily user and I've tried them all. The model most people in my profession have settled on now is the Garmin 60Cx, I've been using this model for about a year and a half now and am very satisfied ( I have another three at the office). It's rugged, waterproof, good on batteries, very readable colour screen, a micro-SD slot for uploading maps and storing extra data, and the data connection is via micro-USB so no special cable required to transfer data.

Probably the biggest plus though is the high-gain antenna which really makes a difference when under canopy.

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I got mine on sale at Canadian Tire for over 50% off, at 220 $CDN, they are selling at Walmart right now for about 329 $CDN.

I'm going to treat myself to an early xmas present and pick up a Blade-tech pouch with teck-lock ...

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i use the garmin zumo 550, perfect for me, i use it on my motorcycle the most but works in a car too, hooks up by bluetooth to my helmet for directions phone and music.

take it easy
cricket
 
mckrob said:
The model most people in my profession have settled on now is the Garmin 60Cx, I've been using this model for about a year and a half now and am very satisfied
Click to expand...

:thumbup: Totally agree - except mine is the CSx model; and I have been using it since they first hit the market back in 06-07, mainly for geocaching.
 
I love my Garmin 60Csx! I've also heard good things about the Garmin Oregon 300 but I don't have any personal experience with it.
 
WOW! Thanks guys, now I have a lot more research to do.
I was down to like 3 models but now Im up to 5.
Lots of great info here!

Right now Im looking closely at the Venture, Legend and Vista.
That 60CS looks really sweet but a bit out of my price range at most of the sites I have checked.
 
my blackberry works pretty good. just use google maps... i also have another app on there that show the topagraphy!
 
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