GPS Recommended for Hiking and Occasional Geocaching . . . ??

ralphtt

ralphtt

Joined
Dec 21, 1999
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About ready to drop some serious coin on a handheld GPS. Leaning toward Garmin due to success I've had with their NUVI line for automobile use but read conflicting reviews on some of the latest handhelds designed for trail use.

Anyone out there using a Garmin handheld with good results? Especially the Oregon 600 or even the GPSMAP 62.

Also, the GPSMAP 64 has just been released but won't be shipped until late this month. Might be worth waiting for . . . ??

Your recommendations and comments will be much appreciated.

Thanks . . .
 
I bought a Garmin Etrex HCx in 2007, didn't know anything about them. I talked to buddy of mine that did, he told me what to look for and the etrex hcx had everything I needed.

I got it from a major online seller of everything. The cost was around 250.00.

8 months later it was on sale at walmart for 150.00. Price drops on these things quick.

The newer ones are pretty much the same as the older ones except for screen size, memory (internal/external), color(screen), input, and battery life.

Some have a radio and camera now. You can get on Garmins web page and compare them and see what you need versus what you want.

As for a recommendation, I've used mine since 07, it's been through 20+ states and 6 countries, cold, heat, wet, and dry dusty places with no problems.

It's really easy to work and understand. It's been dropped multiple times and so far (knock on wood) no issues.

If you do get one, don't get the maps on sim cards, get the CD from garmin with all the USGS maps on it. It will be a lot cheaper in the long run and you can load what you want on it instead of the area on the card.

Garmins the way to go.
 
I use the Garmin 60CSX and it works great. I get an map overlay from my local wildlife and parks of the walk-in hunting areas. It makes it super easy to find spots way out in the middle of nowhere. IIRC it's the model the mil used for a while.
 
The GPSMap series is excellent. But it's heavier and bulkier than the less expensive handhelds.
The eTrex series have screens that are much too small for me.
I'm trying to figure out which model my kid has. An Oregon maybe. It lacks the specs and features of the more expensive series, but the icon-driven menu is easy to use.

Some general tips:
You're on the right track by picking a Garmin, IMO.
Use the side-by-side comparison at the Garmin website to help you compare features and specs.
The cheapest models don't have built-in compasses, so they won't tell you what direction you're facing unless you're moving; I would automatically exclude any models from consideration that don't have an electronic compass.
Take note of battery life when comparing models.
The cheaper units and older units mostly do not have memory card slots.
Only certain units have jacks for an external antenna. This is fairly important if you spend time in deep forests or steep canyons.
The GPSMAP series has extensive drop-down menus, while the touch-screen models use an icon-driven operating system, more like a smart phone or Android tablet.

If I were buying one today, it would probably be one from the GPSMAP78 series. The 78 series floats, weighs slightly less, and has a longer battery life.
 
Been using my 60cx Garmin for many years. Backpacking, Camping, Geocaching, On my motorcycle to navigate, Or just day hikes cause I wanted to know how far I went.
Never had a problems battries last a long time and if you use the rechargable once just carry an extra pair and you are done. Never had a problem hiking in canyons or forest.
The more features it has the less battery life it has. Large screen takes lots of power. If you need to wear glasses a large screen might be just what you need. Compass is fine but I got one on me all the time so never cared for it on the GPS.
 
Found the kid's Garmin to check the model number, and it's an Oregon 450. Got it on some super-duper overstock sale a while back. I think a particular store found their shelves loaded with them at the time a new model was being released.
 
As a former Garmin retailer the 60 series is phenomenal. I have a 60CSX that has been thru the ringer. Bombproof. Unfortunately Garmin doesn't have firmware or software upgrades anymore since they discontinued it. It was the best they ever had IMHO. I also have the etrex HCX and Rino 520 and they are good. The Rino radio stinks big time.

The new units are touchscreen which means you have to take off your gloves to operate which is a pain. I've refused to upgrade because the old ones I have still work great.
 
My Garmin is the older GPSMAP76S. Not sure when they were first released but I've owned it probably ten years. I took it out to use it last year, to map a new hiking path in the city park, and incredibly every time I got to a certain spot in the trail the GPS screen would go blank. Reboot the unit, start at the trailhead again, and same thing at the same spot. Took it home, swapped batteries, brought it back and same thing, a black screen.
I was ready to toss it and spend a bunch of money on a new one, when I decided to search the internet and find out if anyone else had the same problem. Sure enough, it seems the problem was created by a new type of satellite with a slightly different signal that would freeze up GPSMAP76 units.
Would you believe it, after ten years, Garmin had a firmware download to fix the problem? On a ten year old consumer-grade GPS! Updated the unit with the upgrade and now it works like new again. Saved me four hundred dollars. Thanks Garmin!
 
This thread is interesting to me as I am considering a GPS unit and know next to nothing about them. Do any of these instruments give the actual GPS coordinates vs a map and location?
 
Bo T said:
This thread is interesting to me as I am considering a GPS unit and know next to nothing about them. Do any of these instruments give the actual GPS coordinates vs a map and location?
Click to expand...

Yes, practically any GPS unit will tell you the actual coordinates, in various Latitude/Longitude formats and UTM. And they will display the coordinates on a map on the unit screen - how this works and what sort of map is displayed varies by unit.
Furthermore, you can collect any GPS coordinate, save it as a "waypoint" file, transfer it to a computer, and view it in practically any commercial mapping software program.
 
Just wanted to add, unless you go through the calibration process for the electronic compass each time you use it, I wouldn't trust it.

I've used other GPSs and have found them to be(electronic compass) of as much 180 off.

YMMV
 
i bought my garmin gpsmap 62s for $200 a few weeks ago and used it maybe on 5 hikes so far and i like it a lot. i like the buttons-based menu system rather than touchscreen since i hike in winter a lot and don't want to keep taking my gloves off.

it's pretty fast at acquiring satellite signals too (only thing i have to compare it to is my older etrex h model from a few years ago though)...can't say much about anything else though since i just have the screen display my utm coordinates and i reference my paper topo map most of the time with those coordinates.


Bo T said:
This thread is interesting to me as I am considering a GPS unit and know next to nothing about them. Do any of these instruments give the actual GPS coordinates vs a map and location?
Click to expand...

yes, my garmin gpsmap 62s does. i really only use my gps for the utm coordinates actually and i still prefer to look at my paper topo map.
 
im using the gpsmap 62 sc and I like it. I got some of that screensaver film for I-pads , and cut it up to the gps screen size, then stuck it on. it rattles round in my daybag , so this has kept it in good condition.
one thing is : the map card is quite different to the paper maps I usually use , and I find it a bit harder to follow, so I found out how to make my own overlay maps of the area I will be hunting . its way better. also I have added sea maps of were we dive which is great too.
I don't think I would want one of the newer touch screen ones.
 
I hane a garmin H2o and it is too dang complicated. so much so that I quit trying to use it.
 
dipbait said:
I hane a garmin H2o and it is too dang complicated. so much so that I quit trying to use it.
Click to expand...

Isn't the H2O from Lowrance?
For simple, I recommend one of the basic touch-screen Garmin models, like the Oregon or Dakota series.

-----------

Just one more quick tip,
When shopping for accessories check out Gilsson brand products. External antennas, power adapter cables, etc. Good quality and a fraction the cost of Garmin-brand accessories.

OK one more,
Here is the link to the Garmin external antenna at the manufacturer's website. The important part isn't the antenna itself; the good stuff here is the list of "Compatible Devices" showing every Garmin unit ever made that has an external antenna jack, information which isn't easy to find when comparing GPS units. https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod1326.html
 
I'd like to get one of those Trimble handhelds. Prices start at about $1500. :D

I've always been curious about the DeLorme PN gps as well, but never had a chance to use one.
 
Even though they are not made any more, I would suggest you to find and buy and old GPSMap60... either the CX or CSX. The new 62 series Works well but it has a few drawbacks that for me are important. The first one is that it has a "better" screen which doesn't work as well as the other models under the sun. The second and main drawback is that you only get a mini-USB port on the backside, which is, by definition, weak.

In the older 60 series, you had the mini-USB and a round big 4 pin plug that allows you to power it from your 12v cigarrete lighter plug on the dash of your car while driving. I use mine for offroading as well paired with a RAM Mount fixed to the dash. And THIS is a big plus. My Pals with 62's cannot power it like I do and rely only on batteries all the time. I will try to get a picture of it tonight so I can show you what I mean.

If you can find it, get the 62CX, the CSX only adds a barometric altimeter and a electronic compass, which are both not needed and not reliable. Also they batteries don't last as long.

Mikel
 
An interesting thread
I am learning alot

How long do batteries last
And how to recharge them?

"i really only use my gps for the utm coordinates""
Do you need maps in the GPS for UTM coordinates
How do you transfer the UTM to your paper maps
Manually?
 
I have an older Garmin 62s. I think the GPSMAP series is the way to go. I never bought the added map cards, but there is a way to add custom maps. Typically I scour my state and local web sites for park/forest maps in .pdf format. Warning, if this is your first handheld, the learning curve can be a little daunting. Basic operation and menu navigation, loading custom maps, using Basecamp on your home PC, overlaying tracks on Google Earth, etc. There's a lot to learn and practice. And if you're like me, who can go a few weeks/months without using it, you have to re-learn it all over again. :p It's a fun hobby though and if you spend a lot of time in the outdoors, it's a great piece of gear to have. Get the 64 and a topo card.
 
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