Recommend me a GPS

digitalurbancamo

digitalurbancamo

Joined
Nov 28, 2012
Messages
520
I am in need of my first GPS for hiking. I have been looking at the Garmin Etrex 20 and was about to pull the trigger on it when I realized it might be a good idea to see if any of you have any thoughts on the Etrex 20, or something else that may work better in the same price range. This is kinda a short lived thread because I need to buy my new GPS soon because I am going on vacation next month (Upper Peninsula Michigan). I am by no means a new hiker but I am however new to hand held GPS's. Any info on the topic would really help.

Thanks:D
 
I have been using the GPSMAP 62S for a couple years now mostly for geo caching but I have used it to find my way through big cities like Portland, OR where I don't know my way around. One thing I've noticed about it verses other people's gps units while geo caching is this thing doesn't seem to be affected by trees unless they get super dense but for the most part it never loses it's signal and usually is connected to enough satellites to get me to within 6 ft of whatever coordinate I have entered into it. I started out looking at the etrex 30 but I found the signal strength and little bit bigger screen of the one I got to be more what I was looking for. I also like the buttons being on the front of the unit so I can easily use them with my thumbs. I did a lot of searching and got mine for quite a bit less than they normally sell for.
 
I have an etrex Summit HC, I bought a couple of years ago. Nice little unit. I bet there are newer smaller options available now.
 
Garmin 60csx. Discontinued, but can be found on the secondary market for a decent price. Quality unit that gets fantastic reviews. I've used mine for years; no need to upgrade.
 
You can find some good deals on Garmin Oregon 450's these days since the newer models are now out. Seen them as cheap as 200 at online stores
 
I like Etrex 20 for the robust design but also, uses both USA satellites and the GLONAST Russion system. Lock up is super fast and foot print is small on my kit.

I have Garmins .... Etrex 20, Montana , Oregon, 62ST and Etrex HCx + a few NUVI's

All the above recommendations are good but you will not be dissapointed with the Etrex 20 :D
 
for what your looking to do with it the etrx should searve admirably, i would suggest geocaching between trips to keep your skills sharp
 
You might also check out hiking style gps applications for your smartphone if you have one. Youll need to find one that supports offline maps when there is no cellular coverage available. Some of the newer smartphones like the samsung galaxy note have the russian GLONASS satellite system as well. I'd only recomnend this solution to the tech savvy though since you need to get the right smartphone and the right application pair as well as deal with battery optimisation (turning off unused features on the phone) to get a good experience. That said if you are already packing the hardware this is the cheapest and lightest solution.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top