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Which GPS?

quietmike

quietmike

Joined
Nov 26, 2006
Messages
42,898
I'm looking at joining the 21st century and getting a GPS unit. It would mainly be used in the woods for hiking, hunting, and possibly geocaching, but I would like it to be able to work in my truck as well.
From the specs and reviews I've read it looks like the Garmin 60csx would be a good pick, but I wanted to get some opinions here before I lay down the cash.

Which ones do you like? If you were buying a new one today, which would it be and why?
 
Mike,

I'm suddenly back in the market for a GPS myself, as my 60CSx was stolen from my truck. I am very pleased with the performance of this unit, especially in regard to holding a signal in challenging conditions. The topo maps from Garmin aren't as detailed as I would like, but apparently there are a lot of free maps available for download now.

My first impulse is to buy another one, since I have software and accessories for it. My only caution here is that Garmin recently changed out the chipset in the 60CSx. Mine was the older model with the SIRF III chipset. Apparently the change was based on litigation, not performance enhancement. I have no data regarding the new chip.

I have heard that the new "H" varients of various Garmin GPS units are getting good marks in this regard as well. (Meaning you could still get excellent performance from the eTrex VistaHCx or the Rino 530HCx if you wanted the features associated with those units.)

My hunting partner and I have discussed moving to the Rino models to gain the radio function and the ability to "see" each other. Once concern is that the Rino uses a rechargable battery rather than AA's. The run time is reduced as well.

Oh well. Still crunching data. (And figuring what knives to sell to pay for it!)

-- FLIX
 
One thing about the Rino that I have heard from a large number of hunters, they really liket he ability to see where eachother are at, but the radio is really bad. If your looking at the rino, wait until they update it once or twice more.
I have been using the eTrex VistaHCx for some time now, and love the unit. with the upgradable mapping discs you can get and the memory chips, they are really great. There are four of us that hunt together and we all use this unit. I never loose my satelites, so my tracking works like a dream. I would certainly stick with Garmin though. I was recently talking to a guy at REI about Magellan, he had nothing but pour things to say about them.
 
I have a 60CSx that I love. I have thought about moving to a Garmin Oregon though. If so, I'd personally go with the Oregon 300 and add my own maps as I have the cash. Some of the other Oregons come preloaded with topos and such.

Check here

or

here for some good info.
 
Oregon 300 here too. Love the touchscreen. I'm also looking to play with the new custom maps feature that Garmin came out with recently.
 
I'm a bit of a handheld gps geek as I got my first one over 10 years ago.( And lost it, ironic huh?:jerkit:) Of the handhelds available today i definitely have to recommend the Delorme PN series. I bought a PN-20 bundled with topo USA 7.0 about a year ago at www.tigergps.com and I can say it is a great performing gps. The maps are the best i have seen and for $29 a year you can get a subscription to download unlimited color aerial imagery as well as a few other types of imagery that are to large to fit on the bundled dvd. The only thing I dislike about the PN-20 is the 2 gig SD card limit. It won't take anything bigger. That and it is a little slow drawing maps due to the cpu speed and only picks up 12 sats whereas the PN-30 and 40 pick up 32 perhaps allowing faster acquisition . If I was you I would get the PN-30 bundle. I believe it is offered with Topo USA 8.0 now; it has a faster cpu for map drawing ( which I've read online is an issue with some users although I have not had a problem with my PN-20 drawing maps fast enough to keep up with the speed of my truck) and takes the newer High density SD cards so you can cram much more of the great color imagery on it. Delorme also offers the PN-40, but last i checked it is much more expensive than the PN- 30 and as I recall the main difference between the two gps's is the color of the plastic and the PN-40 has either an electronic compass that works even when you're standing still and or a barometer I can't recall offhand which. Also, every other gps I have owned before i got my Delorme was a magellan, and the little 210 gray screen model I have is short on memory but otherwise works great with the maps I bought separately for it. I absolutely do not recommend the Bushnell Onix! I have owned one I found in brand new condition at a pawn shop and soon found out why it was in a pawn shop. It's is the most non-user friendly gps I have ever owned. That and the downloads were very expensive in the long run. I got rid of it as fast as I could. Anyway, good luck and remember to take a compass.:D
 
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I have to add my endorsement to the Delorme PN series. I have had a PN-20 for some time now. At this point, I would get a PN-30 or PN-40. I especially like that I can load detailed topo maps and aerials to my GPS.

I'm a geologist, and I find this a useful tool for field work. When I go out in the field, my PN-20 can document my track, and I can coordinate my track with my photos. Then I download all to the PC for use in my report.

I would not even consider one of the other GPS makers.
 
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