GPS units

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guitardemon

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
288
So I've been thinking about giving geocaching a try for a little while, and the latest thread has finally given me the push to try it. I have a GPS for my car, but I'm pretty sure this wont work for geocaching. I was hoping someone could give me some advice on which GPS's are good. I am on somewhat of a limited budget, so cheaper is going to be a big plus here.
 
Start your search with the Garmin eTrex I just picked up an eTrex Legend H for $99. at best buy. Small, submersible, can handle pretty heavy cover, has map functions, 18 hours on 2 AAs and track back. I've had good luck with Garmin. Check out what the geocaching crowed is using.
 
I don't know much about geocaching....

But, I do know a bit about GPS.

And I know even more about paper maps, and how they have yet to be replaced.

So....

Bone up on your map and compass, paying particular attention to UTM. This will allow you to understand the foundational concepts of maps and coordinate systems, and how we find direction, then to that, you can add GPS skills that will give you that extra edge.

But note - GPS does not replace proper maps, and if you fail to understand real map and compass work, you are setting yourself up for failure.

Try....

Back Country Navigation for the Hunter, Compass & Position Plotting
by Dick Blust, Jr.,
http://www.kifaru.net/plot_blust.htm
http://www.kifaru.net/navigate1.htm
http://www.kifaru.net/compass1.htm
http://www.kifaru.net/GPSing.htm

And then later, you might buy the John Carnes book.... "Using Your GPS with the
Universal Transverse Mercator Map Coordinate System" which is a great value, and it comes with one of his map tool/roamers. Which are quite nicely made.

If you would like to get a taste of his writing, try....

http://maptools.com/UsingUTM/

And then, as your Jedi like navigation skills grow....

Land Navigation Handbook by WS Kals

Marion
 
I have a Magellan Explorist 210 in my BOB, easy to use and navigate with but for unsurpassed accuracy I use my old Garmin GPSII+.

NO maps or Memory cards but next to my compass it's what I'd go to for recordin' and backtrackin'.
 
what I like about my garmin is that you can download free maps from various sources if it takes memory cards.
I got a topo map of all of Canada off the net and so far it has been dead on
 
OREGAN400t:thumbup: it's the only way to fly water proof the 3 meters for an hour tough touch screen paperless cacheing have transmiters to monter heart rate anchor depth water temp and you can get tracking units to put on your dogs while your hunting so you always know where they are and thats just some of it.
 
Last weekend I used my old school Magellan 315 which is about as basic as you can get. It's one of those things where you can go to the moon as long as you spend enough.
 
guitardemon said:
So I've been thinking about giving geocaching a try for a little while, and the latest thread has finally given me the push to try it. I have a GPS for my car, but I'm pretty sure this wont work for geocaching. I was hoping someone could give me some advice on which GPS's are good. I am on somewhat of a limited budget, so cheaper is going to be a big plus here.
Click to expand...

if its a garmin you can load caches onit but i would recommend a preium membership so you can do pocket quierys and drop them straight on it.
 
I have an old Magelln 315 as well... Took me on many new backpacking trails and back... Right now i use the garmin 60cx. If you are using ONLY for geocaching then there are some units that would do better as they can down load the hints and info... But if you want backpacking hunting and just a tough unit i would go for the 60cx or csx.

Sasha
 
Thanks for all the recommendations. For my car I have a mio c220. Apparently I can use it to geochach. I'm not to sure how well it would work though. Ive seen a few of the Magellan 315's on the bay for pretty cheap, would one of these be worth while, or should I really be looking at one of the newer more expensive units?
 
The Garmin eTrex is a good starter as well as the Magellan 100 or the 200 which is what I use. These can be had for about $100 bucks or less. I like the Magellan 200 cause it shows roads, highways, airports and such. If you want to spend a little more I suggest getting one that has the option to connect to a computer. This way you can update it and be sure you have all the current information.
 
+1 on the E-Trex Legend...great little unit I am actually trying out up here in Portland. I like it....easy to use and weather proof. If you wanna drop some cash, go for a Brunton Atlas. I have both the standard Atlas and the Atlas MNS. Both have all kinds of nifty lil widgets installed. I will get more info when I get back to Austin.
 
And I know even more about paper maps, and how they have yet to be replaced.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's a fact. The GPS is my backup but I have to admit they're damn handy.
 
if your geocacheing with it the two top things to look for are high sence ativity and paperless cacheing . in the long run look at the customer sevice record garmin has always been more helpful to me. but thats IMO. but for all that is good make sure it has good tracking . clouds tree cover and deep valleys will keep units with out the X from seeing where you are.
 
Garmin ETrex Vista HCx. If you go with the garmin, make sure you have the HCx it has unbelievable accuracy and you will never loose your signal. I had the none HCx Vista before, and now have the new one. Best one IMO. I like to Oregon, but a touch screen is kinda scary for me. When my fingers get cold, they dont work as well.
 
i use a stylest when i have gloves on:thumbup::D the vista HCx is in my pack as backup. but i don't think either one could hold a candle to the 60csx the quad anttn on it is the tits
 
eastr77 said:
OREGAN400t:thumbup: it's the only way to fly water proof the 3 meters for an hour tough touch screen paperless cacheing have transmiters to monter heart rate anchor depth water temp and you can get tracking units to put on your dogs while your hunting so you always know where they are and thats just some of it.
Click to expand...

Not really the unit for someone on a limited budget
 
I have an old Garmin GPS12, no maps or any of that. For geochaching thats all you need to go with a good map. It gets 24 hrs on 4 AA batteries, does track back, MOB, you can load lots of waypoints and all that. Its discontinued but the point is you don't need a $400 unit to get out and back. I would Love a Oregon or a Colorado, but its not gonna happen for a while. There is one on ebay for $40
 
I have a Lowrance Go2.

It is a GREAT low cost unit, the only down side is, it is not good if you are over 40 because the screen/fonts are too small for aging eyes.

I love the thing, but my close vision makes me hate it.

If I were 30, I would have ZERO complaints.
 
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