GPS
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Parruthead
Member
We have a Garmin Map 60CS and we love it . Check out WWW.Geocaching.com and Im sure you'll find all the reviews you need.
Steve in PA
Member
+1 for geocaching.com.
I use the etrex Legend (blue) and it works great. Its a good all around starter GPS, but even experienced geocachers use it. They came out with a new version that allows the use of SD cards for extended memory.
I'm looking into upgrading to a GPSMAP 60CX myself.
I use the etrex Legend (blue) and it works great. Its a good all around starter GPS, but even experienced geocachers use it. They came out with a new version that allows the use of SD cards for extended memory.
I'm looking into upgrading to a GPSMAP 60CX myself.
countertop
Member
I've had an eTrex Legend for about a month now and love it.
Very easy to use (especially compared to my other GPS). Small and compact too.
Only 1 complaint - it takes too long to get its bearings on start up - or any time it loses signal (often in the woods)
Very easy to use (especially compared to my other GPS). Small and compact too.
Only 1 complaint - it takes too long to get its bearings on start up - or any time it loses signal (often in the woods)
http://gpsinformation.net/
They answer questions you won't even think of to ask. Pretty good source of info.
About any GPS will work well for Geocaching and woods walking. Garmin and Magellan are the 2 heavies in the market. Which is better is a Ford/Chevy type debate. Both have their good and bad points and which are good and which are bad depends on the individual user.
I recommend a couple of things to look for. One is get a GPS that has a built in road map database. It's not necessary for either Geocaching or woods walking but you'll find the more you use your GPS you'll eventually want the built in roadmap. The other thing is a very nice feature is an SD card slot. You'll be able to DL detailed maps on the SD card and insert which ever card for whatever region you're in.
My primary use GPS is a Garmin 12MAP which I've had for about 7-8 yrs. It's no longer made. Doesn't have a lot of the gee-whiz stuff of the newer GPS units but it still works fine and gets me to where I need to go. I've seen no need to upgrade as long as it continues working fine. When it does quit working someday I'm not sure what I'll replace it with. I like some of the features on the Magellans and I also like some of the ones Garmin has come out with.
My other GPS is a basic Garmin yellow Etrex. It doesn't have built in base maps. I bought it cheap from a guy who wanted to upgrade to a map GPS. I carry it when hunting instead of my 12MAP because it's smaller, lighter, and I don't need the basemaps of the 12MAP when in the woods. I also use it hooked up to my laptop when running Streets and Trips or Street Atlas when traveling for more detailed road maps. My wife also carries it Geocaching. It doesn't work under tree cover quite as well as my 12MAP but that has to do with the Etrex line and their antenna design. It is very rare to lose sats with the 12MAP but the Etrex will sometimes lose sat signals under heavy tree cover, particularly after a rain when leaves are wet.
My brother has a Garmin Vista with the barometer and electronic compass. He said if he was to buy again he'd get the Legend. He never has seen a need for the barometer and electronic compass eats batteries quicker.
Whatever GPS you get also get a 12V power cord. All GPS units eat batteries, some quicker than others.
They answer questions you won't even think of to ask. Pretty good source of info.
About any GPS will work well for Geocaching and woods walking. Garmin and Magellan are the 2 heavies in the market. Which is better is a Ford/Chevy type debate. Both have their good and bad points and which are good and which are bad depends on the individual user.
I recommend a couple of things to look for. One is get a GPS that has a built in road map database. It's not necessary for either Geocaching or woods walking but you'll find the more you use your GPS you'll eventually want the built in roadmap. The other thing is a very nice feature is an SD card slot. You'll be able to DL detailed maps on the SD card and insert which ever card for whatever region you're in.
My primary use GPS is a Garmin 12MAP which I've had for about 7-8 yrs. It's no longer made. Doesn't have a lot of the gee-whiz stuff of the newer GPS units but it still works fine and gets me to where I need to go. I've seen no need to upgrade as long as it continues working fine. When it does quit working someday I'm not sure what I'll replace it with. I like some of the features on the Magellans and I also like some of the ones Garmin has come out with.
My other GPS is a basic Garmin yellow Etrex. It doesn't have built in base maps. I bought it cheap from a guy who wanted to upgrade to a map GPS. I carry it when hunting instead of my 12MAP because it's smaller, lighter, and I don't need the basemaps of the 12MAP when in the woods. I also use it hooked up to my laptop when running Streets and Trips or Street Atlas when traveling for more detailed road maps. My wife also carries it Geocaching. It doesn't work under tree cover quite as well as my 12MAP but that has to do with the Etrex line and their antenna design. It is very rare to lose sats with the 12MAP but the Etrex will sometimes lose sat signals under heavy tree cover, particularly after a rain when leaves are wet.
My brother has a Garmin Vista with the barometer and electronic compass. He said if he was to buy again he'd get the Legend. He never has seen a need for the barometer and electronic compass eats batteries quicker.
Whatever GPS you get also get a 12V power cord. All GPS units eat batteries, some quicker than others.
Garmin Map60C. Great unit! Love geocaching as well. Check out www.geocaching.com for more info and their forums for used gps sales. BTW, Garmin warranty service is excellent! Turnaround on a damaged-by-kidlet case was approx 1 week including mailing time both ways.
Big Calhoun
Member
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- Oct 16, 2006
- Messages
- 554
If you have a PDA, save yourself a few dollars (few hundred) and get yourself a BlueTooth GPS unit and software. There is navigation software (TomTom) available as well as software aimed at geocaching. Been using this setup for 4 years, across 3 vehicles...absolutely LOVE IT!!!
dpote
Member
My wife and I love geocaching. We're getting back to doing it every weekend.
We use a Garmin 72. It's an older model, and is fairly inexpensive. It has all the features for geocaching, and hiking (everything you need, nothing you don't). It's antenna works fairly well under heavy canopy and performs outstanding everywhere else. Caches are uploaded with a computer serial connection, which is fast and easy.
That link for gpsinformation.net, is excellent.
The 60CS is the ultimate!! We really want one of those, but alas must wait until the G-72 breaks.
Have fun with the caches.
Dave
We use a Garmin 72. It's an older model, and is fairly inexpensive. It has all the features for geocaching, and hiking (everything you need, nothing you don't). It's antenna works fairly well under heavy canopy and performs outstanding everywhere else. Caches are uploaded with a computer serial connection, which is fast and easy.
That link for gpsinformation.net, is excellent.
The 60CS is the ultimate!! We really want one of those, but alas must wait until the G-72 breaks.
Have fun with the caches.
Dave
SamTuckerMTNMAN
Member
GPS is great, remember the basics
Hi there,
I was resistant for a long time to the gadgetry of GPS/Computers, but have since found a use for them and now encourage others to get into the field as well. Here are some things that may be helpful;
1.) the color models are awesome and help in distinguishing national park lands, etc. Also 'sunlight readable LCD' screen (very cool, saves battery)
2.) I use an eTrex legend C (c for color) and it is GREAT. I chose it over the vista c (built in compass) because mine gets 36 hours battery life over the vista's 12 to 18.
3.) I have used mine on lakes and rivers, deep mountain valleys, in the rain, at night, and on road trips. Rarely does it fail to gain a signal, although it does take a minute if its been off for awhile.
4.) When letting it access signal stand still and give it open air, then you can move or get inside or whatever.
5.) BUY THE HANDHELD solar chargers on Ebay and get AA NiMh batteries. This way you can stay in the field indefinitely and never run out of battery power!
6.) Always keep back up navigation aids; map and compass, knowledge of terrain, etc. EQ failure is always possible, loss, damage (although they are tough), or EMP blast
7.) I love the rhino units that beam positions to other friendlies with same unit, but battery power is less....the transmitter GPS (walkie talkie) also seem cool, but that's a bummer if something happens to it, now you lost comm and nav
8.) Using in tandem with computer is great too. I recommend the National Geographic Backwoods Explorer topo software. For about $50 you have the whole US in detailed topo format, AND you can convert the screen easily into a 3D flyover for scouting terrain via virtual 'helicopter' or re-ride your motorcycle trip
9.) Radio comms to friend can allow for great lightless, night rendezvous even without fancy rhino 'beaming technology', just transmit coordinates on semisecure channel, or use a scrambled code of some sort.
Well I hope that helps some. It does take time and practice to learn to use, and buying the software from the company to download maps into the unit itself is really imperative! That's an expense I didnt consider at first. The raw basemap is pretty lame.
Good luck!
ST
Hi there,
I was resistant for a long time to the gadgetry of GPS/Computers, but have since found a use for them and now encourage others to get into the field as well. Here are some things that may be helpful;
1.) the color models are awesome and help in distinguishing national park lands, etc. Also 'sunlight readable LCD' screen (very cool, saves battery)
2.) I use an eTrex legend C (c for color) and it is GREAT. I chose it over the vista c (built in compass) because mine gets 36 hours battery life over the vista's 12 to 18.
3.) I have used mine on lakes and rivers, deep mountain valleys, in the rain, at night, and on road trips. Rarely does it fail to gain a signal, although it does take a minute if its been off for awhile.
4.) When letting it access signal stand still and give it open air, then you can move or get inside or whatever.
5.) BUY THE HANDHELD solar chargers on Ebay and get AA NiMh batteries. This way you can stay in the field indefinitely and never run out of battery power!
6.) Always keep back up navigation aids; map and compass, knowledge of terrain, etc. EQ failure is always possible, loss, damage (although they are tough), or EMP blast
7.) I love the rhino units that beam positions to other friendlies with same unit, but battery power is less....the transmitter GPS (walkie talkie) also seem cool, but that's a bummer if something happens to it, now you lost comm and nav
8.) Using in tandem with computer is great too. I recommend the National Geographic Backwoods Explorer topo software. For about $50 you have the whole US in detailed topo format, AND you can convert the screen easily into a 3D flyover for scouting terrain via virtual 'helicopter' or re-ride your motorcycle trip
9.) Radio comms to friend can allow for great lightless, night rendezvous even without fancy rhino 'beaming technology', just transmit coordinates on semisecure channel, or use a scrambled code of some sort.
Well I hope that helps some. It does take time and practice to learn to use, and buying the software from the company to download maps into the unit itself is really imperative! That's an expense I didnt consider at first. The raw basemap is pretty lame.
Good luck!
ST
Thefabulousfink
Member
GPS Use
I used GPS a few times, but not enough to recomend any perticular model. However, if you are getting into GPS I do have a couple things you might consider reguarding its use.
1. GPS is great for tracking where you have been. It can tell you distance traveled, elevation, and get you back to your starting point with no problem.
2. GPS can tell you exactly where you are in long/lat. This can be completely useless if you don't know long/lat, have a map the shows long/lat, or have a map programed into your GPS of the area that you are in.
3. GPS isn't as good for going from where you are to somewhere you haven't been unless you can program in a map, or have a map with you.
And finally,
4. Learn to use a map and compass and allways bring them with you. Remember GPS is electronic and electronics can break/fail, allways have a back up. If you know how to find your location and heading using a map and compass you will get much more out of your GPS.
I don't own a GPS, I have just used ones that my friends have. Setting off on a day hike from camp, even an idiot can find his way back. However one time we got lost on the Pacific Crest Trail (the trail had been moved several miles and the US Forest Service map showed the old trail) I was able to take a sighting off of several hill tops and find our location on the map faster than my friend with the GPS.
I used GPS a few times, but not enough to recomend any perticular model. However, if you are getting into GPS I do have a couple things you might consider reguarding its use.
1. GPS is great for tracking where you have been. It can tell you distance traveled, elevation, and get you back to your starting point with no problem.
2. GPS can tell you exactly where you are in long/lat. This can be completely useless if you don't know long/lat, have a map the shows long/lat, or have a map programed into your GPS of the area that you are in.
3. GPS isn't as good for going from where you are to somewhere you haven't been unless you can program in a map, or have a map with you.
And finally,
4. Learn to use a map and compass and allways bring them with you. Remember GPS is electronic and electronics can break/fail, allways have a back up. If you know how to find your location and heading using a map and compass you will get much more out of your GPS.
I don't own a GPS, I have just used ones that my friends have. Setting off on a day hike from camp, even an idiot can find his way back. However one time we got lost on the Pacific Crest Trail (the trail had been moved several miles and the US Forest Service map showed the old trail) I was able to take a sighting off of several hill tops and find our location on the map faster than my friend with the GPS.
redbone
Member
All depends on what you can spend. If possible on your budget, I highly recommend the Garmin color models. I have a Vista Cx and have no complaints at all. Use it in the car, the boat, hunting, and on the trail. I previously used a Legend B&W model extensively, and found it awkward when used with the downloaded maps from Topo USA - it's just too difficult to distinguish detail on the maps. If you're not using the downloaded maps, probably anything will do just to provide a lat-long.
It's great to mark a GPS waypoint at a downed deer, walk out to the truck to get the cart, and not have to hunt around looking for the deer (and not have to mark the deer and the trail with orange tape, either....
And +1 to what the FF said, especially his 4th point!
Enjoy!
It's great to mark a GPS waypoint at a downed deer, walk out to the truck to get the cart, and not have to hunt around looking for the deer (and not have to mark the deer and the trail with orange tape, either....
And +1 to what the FF said, especially his 4th point!
Enjoy!
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