Handheld GPS

elkins45

elkins45

Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Messages
4,086
Anybody have any advice about choosing a handheld GPS unit for tracking hikes, marking fishing spots, finding campsites and other outdoors activities? I would like one that is compatible with computer maps so I can import and export my trips, but I don't know much about all that.

Any advice, including telling me the best place to do some online research?
 
Elkins45, I got the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx for Christmas but have not had a chance to get into it. I have a Garmin eTrex H I have used for about the last 3 years, but wanted something that I could download to as well. My brother is in L/E in Alabama & he uses the HCx model for SRT training and all of his favorite bass locations on Lake Guntersville. Check out Garmin's website & also go to OpticsPlanet.com.
Good luck with your search.
Be safe.
 
+1 on Garmin. I have a Garmin Etrex Vista HCx which replaced my way old Garmin 11[ or maybe 12]. Neither has failed to take me where I wanted to go or bring me home. I do carry a compass after becoming disoriented[lost] in Ontario while deer hunting 40 years ago.. pre-civilian GPS days but sure not pre-compass..oh, and every day does have a teachable moment.

I also use a Garmin auto GPS and one thing I like is you can talk to a person at Garmin.
 
not an answer to your question, but for those looking for a GHB option, a Garmin Nuvi 500 is loaded with topographical maps of the US, but not North America in addition to the traditional road maps... different terminology, though to store way points... there is another model (550?)that has North America
 
I got a Garmin Colorado 400i recently and have only used it a little but it seems to do the job, same uses as you noted.
 
Garmin has so many options out now that it's almost paralysis by analysis.
I have the old tried and true 60CSx. It's not flashy, but it works great, even under thick canopy.
mckrob, a geologist and BFC member, told me a while back that the 60CS line is still standard fare in his profession because they just plain work well.
I bought my unit based on his recommendation and have not regretted it. I track hikes, mountain bike rides, and kayak paddles with it.

My advice is to go to the Garmin website and start your search. There are other makers, but Garmin does it best IMO.
 
Guyon said:
Garmin has so many options out now that it's almost paralysis by analysis.
I have the old tried and true 60CSx. It's not flashy, but it works great, even under thick canopy.
mckrob, a geologist and BFC member, told me a while back that the 60CS line is still standard fare in his profession because they just plain work well.
I bought my unit based on his recommendation and have not regretted it. I track hikes, mountain bike rides, and kayak paddles with it.

My advice is to go to the Garmin website and start your search. There are other makers, but Garmin does it best IMO.
Click to expand...

I think I've pretty well limited my search to Garmin because I just discovered that the state of Kentucky has all of our very excellent geologic and land use maps set up so they can be accessed online and then exported to Garmin brand units.

Is it easy to use your 60CSx to record intermittent points (on a multi-day hike for example) and then export them so they can be viewed on a map? That's the main reason I want a handheld unit.
 
elkins45, just got an etrex VentureHC for Christmas and I have logged a few hikes with it. Its a little limited and it can't used an addin microSD card so I'd probably go with a little higher model. I'm still getting used to it but it is neat to "see" where you have been on a hike when you download the trip back to the computer. Open offer if you want to "test run" it.
 
I have a Garmin Dakota that I really like. There are lots of sites that have free maps that can be loaded on the Garmin GPSes.

Chad
 
elkins45 said:
I think I've pretty well limited my search to Garmin because I just discovered that the state of Kentucky has all of our very excellent geologic and land use maps set up so they can be accessed online and then exported to Garmin brand units.

Is it easy to use your 60CSx to record intermittent points (on a multi-day hike for example) and then export them so they can be viewed on a map? That's the main reason I want a handheld unit.
Click to expand...

My unit automatically records tracks, which can be imported/exported. And yes, you can record waypoints (up to a 1000 on the 60CSx, probably more on some of the newfangled units). I think any unit you buy today will do both.

Just as an example, here's a kayak paddle I recorded, and you can see I grabbed a waypoint at the tip of that island.

With GPS software (app) and a good signal, my iPhone will do the same thing, but it doesn't pick up as well as my Garmin.

routemap.jpg
 
Guyon said:
My unit automatically records tracks, which can be imported/exported. And yes, you can record waypoints (up to a 1000 on the 60CSx, probably more on some of the newfangled units). I think any unit you buy today will do both.

Just as an example, here's a kayak paddle I recorded, and you can see I grabbed a waypoint at the tip of that island.

With GPS software (app) and a good signal, my iPhone will do the same thing, but it doesn't pick up as well as my Garmin.

routemap.jpg
Click to expand...

That's really cool. I assume you have to leave the unit on continuously to get a track like that?

I'm planning a week-long hike so I figure I'll need to string together a bunch of individual waypoints and then turn off the unit between points if I want the batteries to last all week. How long can you leave your unit on before you have to replace the batteries?
 
Guyon said:
Garmin has so many options out now that it's almost paralysis by analysis.
I have the old tried and true 60CSx. It's not flashy, but it works great, even under thick canopy.
mckrob, a geologist and BFC member, told me a while back that the 60CS line is still standard fare in his profession because they just plain work well.
I bought my unit based on his recommendation and have not regretted it. I track hikes, mountain bike rides, and kayak paddles with it.

My advice is to go to the Garmin website and start your search. There are other makers, but Garmin does it best IMO.
Click to expand...

+1 for this. We use the 60 series for our field work. Personally, I have a Garmin 60cx. They are rugged and easy to use. Garmin has recently released the 62 series, so you might be able to find the 60s at a reduced price. The 62s add a number of bells and whistles, including the ability to communicate wirelessly with other Garmin 62s. Battery life is quite good. I usually get 3-4 days of pretty continous use on mine, depending on battery brand. I do however turn it off periodically to save battery life. They use 2 AA batteries, so pack some extra. I'm not sure if you'd really need to leave it on continously for a week long hike, unless you are going completely off the trail. That would eat up a lot of memory in the unit. A GPS is not a substitute for your brain. Be alert, look at your surroundings and be sure you can read a map! A GPS is still a mechanical device and they have a habit of failing right when you need them:o
 
BenchmadeBoy said:
I'm not sure if you'd really need to leave it on continously for a week long hike, unless you are going completely off the trail. That would eat up a lot of memory in the unit. A GPS is not a substitute for your brain.
Click to expand...

I want to use it to record a track of my hike, not necessarily to locate where I am. I'm pretty sure I'll know where I am without needing a navigation aid, but I would like a reliable track of my journey on a map, plus speed and distance covered statistics.
 
elkins45 said:
I want to use it to record a track of my hike, not necessarily to locate where I am. I'm pretty sure I'll know where I am without needing a navigation aid, but I would like a reliable track of my journey on a map, plus speed and distance covered statistics.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. The software that comes with the Garmins is called Mapsource. Whenever I go out for a hike/job etc. I'll use the GPS to create a tracklog of where i've been. You can then upload the log into Mapsource or even Google Earth and have a record of where you've been with distance etc. I do know that there are more powerful programs that allow you to manipulate the data further, but Mapsource does the basics. Garmin also has a series of very good topo maps. They are pricey but they can be uploaded to the unit in a series tailored to where you are going. I do know that there is lots of free map data out there. I'd love to know more myself. You could also check out Groundspeak, which is the GPS/Navigation equivalent to Bladeforums.:thumbup:

edit: This is the model I have.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=309
 
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