Hand help GPS?

midnite-penguin

midnite-penguin

Joined
Nov 6, 2007
Messages
244
I'm completely new to GPS - I have never used one, never held one, etc. Although they have always spiked my interest and I've wanted one for hiking in new places as well as some geocacheing(sp?)

Can anyone suggest me an affordable model that will take care of my basic needs for hiking/camping/geocache? I don't need something that has maps of the moon's surface. Just something that will cover my butt in the states(i'm in the mid-atlantic).

Any idea of what features to look for? and which to avoid? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hopefully by spring I can have all my hiking/camping gear in order for a great spring/summer.

Edit * i was looking at these models, but like i said I'm open to pretty much anything under $200 *

http://www.campingsurvival.com/gage201gps.html
 
Garmin ....if you want a great unit with out spending alot I really like the GPS V Model. it has been discontinued but it was released early 2000 and was just discontinued a year ago or so and it is water proof vertical or horizontal viewing ,walking /hiking/offroad atv/ automotive / horseback/geocaching ...it will fit your needs for years to come and a lot of options still readily available...upgrade able and WAAS approved.I have owned 2 unit over the years one for car & other for atv.
 
midnite-penguin said:
I'm completely new to GPS - I have never used one, never held one, etc. Although they have always spiked my interest and I've wanted one for hiking in new places as well as some geocacheing(sp?)

Can anyone suggest me an affordable model that will take care of my basic needs for hiking/camping/geocache? I don't need something that has maps of the moon's surface. Just something that will cover my butt in the states(i'm in the mid-atlantic).

Any idea of what features to look for? and which to avoid? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hopefully by spring I can have all my hiking/camping gear in order for a great spring/summer.

Edit * i was looking at these models, but like i said I'm open to pretty much anything under $200 *

http://www.campingsurvival.com/gage201gps.html
Click to expand...

If you are looking under $200 then look closer at:

Garmin Vista non-color


or break the bank by going $6 over your limit and get this:

Garmin Venture Color

You will also have to buy the map sets CD if you want greater detail but you do not have too.

Things you want no matter what system you buy are the new SirfIII chipset if you want to spend extra or its equivilent and no matter what you want WAAS. No questions about WAAS its a must have. The high sensitivity chipset in nice, real nice, especially if you work under a lot of tree cover.

KR
 
Avoid Magellan. Their customer service sucks. After sending it twice, multiple calls to someone who seemingly only understood a few phrases in English and unanswered emails I tossed my defective Magellan X plorist 100 in the trash and chalked it up as a learning experience.:thumbdn:
 
hollowdweller said:
Avoid Magellan. Their customer service sucks. After sending it twice, multiple calls to someone who seemingly only understood a few phrases in English and unanswered emails I tossed my defective Magellan X plorist 100 in the trash and chalked it up as a learning experience.:thumbdn:
Click to expand...

My first GPS in 82? was a Magellan. One of the first commercial GPS made if I remember correctly. A Meridian. I used for 2 hours and brought it back and got a Garmin 45. I have had many GPS's since then and all have been a Garmin until just recently. I was never impressed with Magellan's interfaces or designs. My newest GPS is the Delorme PN-20. It is excellant but outside the price range you are looking for. I recomend anyone look it over if you are looking for a device in that price range.


Again, some of this is very user specific.

YMMV,
KR
 
I had my garmin 60cx stolen about 3 weeks ago from my car.. So i looked at all the GPS units out there and im going back to my 60cx as i think its still the best out there. But i already got the maps so it would be about $270 to buy the new one. Yes its nice to have the maps and the direction. When you got you would find it realy makes a diffrence for Geocaching. Find new roads when you go hiking too.

Sasha
 
As mentioned, look for SiRFIII and WAAS, although the latter is standard now. When the SiRFIII chip was released, the now-obsolete older chips found their way into off-brand units.

I bought a Cobra 100 off eBay for $40 NIB and while reception is sketchy under heavy canopy, you'll learn the workarounds which are always useful. I've used it hiking, driving, geocaching (addictive!) and even for caching supplies - works just fine and now I know what I'd like to have in my next one. Then a 'Streets and Trips' package for the laptop........
 
hollowdweller said:
Avoid Magellan. Their customer service sucks. After sending it twice, multiple calls to someone who seemingly only understood a few phrases in English and unanswered emails I tossed my defective Magellan X plorist 100 in the trash and chalked it up as a learning experience.:thumbdn:
Click to expand...

I agree. Stay away from Magellan; they suck in comparison to a Garmin.
 
I think the Garmin eTrex Basic yellow will do everything you have in mind, $100. And for a little more money the eTrex Legend is great, with the thumb stick and mapping capability, $130.

For a larger price step up, the GPSMAP76 series has more functions, a different type of antenna, and larger screens.

There's also the GPSMAP 60 series. Gets good reviews, but I've never used one.

And most of the models have upper-end versions that include things like built-in compasses, memory card slots, and color screens.

Your best resource for shopping is the Garmin website, especially the ability to list any models side-by-side with direct comparisons of specs and features.

Lowest prices are often at www.gpsnow.com . And accessories can be purchased for reasonable prices at http://www.gpsgeek.com/ , and their Gilsson brand products.
 
I have used the Garmin Etrex (the first yellow model) since 2001. In 2005 I got a Legend C and it is a great model, The current model is Legend HcX.
It has almost all features the Gpsmap 60 C has.
My next unit will be a Gpsmap 60 CSX, just because it has bigger display and external antenna. You can also use the fancy units for road navigation, it all depends on what maps you load into it.


If you really really want to have a GPS unit with maps and stuff the Legend HCX or Vista HCX or the Gpsmap 60 CS or CSX are the best ones.

A Venture HC is just below 200 bucks. I can not find any difference between Legend and venture.

Good luck. Get a good unit from start otherwise there might be features that you want that is missing. One good way to learn how to use the unit is to start with www.geocaching.com It is really fun.
 
I just sold a Gamin Map 76 unit. It was solid and dependable on land and sea. I wanted to upgrade to color so I have the Gamin 60csx unit now. This picks up satellites twice as fast as the map 76 did. I hiked under lots of tree cover last weekend and never lost a signal. My only gripe is the detachable clip. It looks a little fragile to me. Wouldn't take much to snap it off. I prefer the buttons on top of unit rather than on the sides. Something to consider if you plan to place the GPS in a waterproof bag.
 
Why place the GPS in a waterproof bag? It is waterproof, ot at least close to. The gpsmap 76 is made for sea use and floats, the gpsmap 60 is more for land use. The have the same features but for different uses (at least what Garmin thinks).
 
nodh said:
Why place the GPS in a waterproof bag? It is waterproof, ot at least close to. The gpsmap 76 is made for sea use and floats, the gpsmap 60 is more for land use. The have the same features but for different uses (at least what Garmin thinks).
Click to expand...
I use them for sea kayaking so they see breaking waves from time to time. I don't care what the manufacturer claims, they will leak eventually without the extra protection. Light rain or snow, no problem. Sea water, problem. I'm on my second waterproof VHF handheld radio, the first one died after I hit some surf conditions. These are extreme conditions and this is why I use a bag. If all you do with your gps is land nav you should be just fine. Sorry for the confusion.
 
I've had all the garmin e-trex series and my favorite bar none has been the summit. For hiking, the electronic compass is absolutely great and the altimeter comes in handy too. The only thing is the electronic compass saps batteries quicker. I never liked the maps very much. I just use waypoints and compass for most of my navigation.

Track back has found lost gear a couple of times.

Geocaching - seriously I really don't get it......
 
If you can afford $14 dollars more I would strongly recommend a Garmin eTrex Vista HCx.

1. 25 hour run time on regular batteries batteries

2. 2 AA batteries to power it (Use Enloop batteries for long storage for up to a year and longer run times)

3. Small to where you can put it in your pocket and take it anywhere.

4. Has the capability of Topo maps as well as Full street level navigation of the entire US and Europe. (which as of now I have all of US and Europe roads and topos on mine right now including Bahamas)

5. Be able to pick up signal in heavy foliage as well as indoors and have a quick acquisition time. (acquires very fast and I use mine indoors as well as outdoors in heavy or plain brush with no loss in signal)

6.Waterproof to at least 4 or 5 feet

7. Can run 100% off of a 20 watt solar cell on a cloudy day with no batteries in the event of battery failure.

Specs
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=8703

Vista HCX overview
http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthrea...rds=garmin+hcx&topic=0&Search=true#Post101088

$214 from E-bay NIB
http://cgi.ebay.com/Garmin-eTrex-Vi...yZ116223QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
kgd said:
I never liked the maps very much. I just use waypoints and compass for most of my navigation.

.
Click to expand...

I and others (cult following) have been running SAR teams on missions and navigating with a simple Garmin Geko 201 for 4 years. SMALL! cheap and great sat tracking. No map as we use topos (GPS screens too small for real navigation). We use manual compass of course for shooting beirings (electronics are unreliable).

If you are just looking for a basic GPS for positional info the 201 is a quality unit.

Skam
 
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