Which GPS should i buy?

[ssjrmk]

I was wondering what gps's everyone was using? I am looking for one that is easy to use and will get me out of the bush if i am lost with the least amount of problems. I am not to worried about lots of other options. Any info would help. Thanks.

 

[Rob1334]

Garmin etrex legend, very easy to use, can load detailed areas of where you ride, not a lot of extra un-needed features, and the price is right if you shop around, less than 120 US. It is the same chip set you will find in your more expensive models, but for the a lot less you can have the same accuracy as the expensive models. Any other questions let me know, have been a GIS specialist for the last 8 years.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

Here is a place in Calgary that has pretty good prices, or for you to use as reference. I myself am looking at the Etrex Legend H, been putting one off for a couple years now and think maybe a guy should buy one.

GPS

 

[pipes]

I've got the Garmin 76CSx and have had not problems with it. Picked up on line at GPS City Calgary

 

[dooski]

I like the rino 530 with the gmrs radio built in and is compatable wirh other radios

 

[scesfiremedic]

Stick with a Garmin! I have an Etrex Legend Hcx (I've had all Garmins - still own 3, all different models) and they are flawless!

I'd highly recommend GPS City in Calgary as well!

 

[ssjrmk]

Rob1334 I was wondering if you could tell me what routable detailed basemap means? I was also wondering what Auto routing is? I noticed that the eTrex Legend does not have these features, Do i need these features?

 

[arff]

I am looking for a new gps as well. The one I have now is 6 years old.
GPSMAP® 60CSx how is this model?

 

[Rob1334]

Rob1334 I was wondering if you could tell me what routable detailed basemap means? I was also wondering what Auto routing is? I noticed that the eTrex Legend does not have these features, Do i need these features?

Good question....I usually don't add much besides chits and giggles, so here's my chance haha.

Routable basemaps are just the highly detailed maps that come on the GPS unit itself when you buy it. It is part of the cost to get the CD's to get your area, but I like it because you can load in detail regions that you use, have computer access then on the program that the CD's come with to pull your layers(data) off of the GPS unit and use it on such programs as google earth.

Auto routing is the when you create a "route" or tracking feature on the GPS. It is the cookie crumb concept behind it, and is still easy enough to do on an etrex, you just have to go in and turn it on each time, takes 20 seconds to do once you learn it, again, not worth the extra couple hundred in my opinion.

The reason that I went with the Etrex is that it is a good little hand held, and face it unless you have friends who have the rhino series that one is not cost worthy, the high end models are not worth it unless youa re going to pull the data off of it and use it for something else (or actually in better terms use that extra info back out in the field in creating your own basemaps), etc

If any of ya have questions on these I will do my best to keep checking back on this thread....

 

[arcticdodge]

Was wondering Rob1334 what would be a good GPS for Geocaching. I am wanting 4-5 of them for the kids and myself. Would like something simple to use as my two kids are 5 and 7 and the brother in laws is 12. We were looking at the magellan triton 400, but are hearing some horror stories about it and are being told to stay with Garmin any help appreciated:d

 

[Rob1334]

I am looking for a new gps as well. The one I have now is 6 years old.
GPSMAP® 60CSx how is this model?

That is a good unit as well. I like this unit just because of the electronic compass on it, you can be standing still and it will lock out the signal from the satelites and give you your heading, while still keeping track of your position form the satelites. (when you aren't moving, the satelites have a harder time calculating a non moving position, hence when you stand still you might notice the direction change slightly...)

Another nice feature is that you can add a microSD card to it, and lets you take more data with you and lets you collect more data. Nice if you have different bas maps loaded on different cards, swap and go.

Finally, the other nice thing is that the external antena, sometimes it will help you in heavy areas, under tree canopies, etc. I have never had problems with mine, but it is suppose to be help.

I would say this would be my second choice in a unit or a great upgrade unit, still ease of use like the etrex series, plus benifit of color screen if you like that (personally I don't as the black white screens are easier to read for me, and when you add a lot of detail to a screen it sometimes takes longer to focus on details such as topo lines when they are in color, again, thats just me..)

 

[Rob1334]

Magellan is a nice unit, used a lot in aviation with great success...

Go with the Garmin series for a lot of reasons:

First, they are kids and kids have a way of abusing things. Garmin holds up to a lot of abuse, I use mine on the fireline along with my expensive trimple, and it does everything I need for on the run use that my $4,000 unit does. Shock proof, water proof, takes heat well haha, just a very good rugid unit for years of use.

Second, they are very easy to use.

Third, out of the box the only thing you migh tneed to do is turn on the WAAS setting. (A group of satelites that you can tap into that have base stations they check accuracy with).

Fourth, you are buying 4-5 total, and that can get costly fast. You get a lot of nice features packaged in the ETREX series.

I would look at maybe getting just the basic etrex series such as the etrexH for maybe the younger ones, and maybe go with a higher model for yourself, as you learn them you may want a little more out of the unit than them. Look at either a legend series or HCx series for yourslef, unless you are satisfied with the lower etrex h model, which might help with learning the unit itslef and teaching it then to them(or them teaching it to you! haha jk)

 

[N0fx_oo]

I am looking for a new gps as well. The one I have now is 6 years old.
GPSMAP® 60CSx how is this model?

I ve had a 60csx for two years now. Had it in -40 , had it covered in water on more then one occasion. Super rugged, keeps the signal anywhere. Garmin is the way to go. software to download maps can be expensive. great model highly recommended.

 

[arff]

I just looked at a rino 520 hcx. I have the old rino 110 now this was I could use the radios.

Any thoughts on this unit.

They all cost 30 bucks right...

That's my story same as quad parts.

 

[Puba]

Magellan is a nice unit, used a lot in aviation with great success...

Go with the Garmin series for a lot of reasons:

First, they are kids and kids have a way of abusing things. Garmin holds up to a lot of abuse, I use mine on the fireline along with my expensive trimple, and it does everything I need for on the run use that my $4,000 unit does. Shock proof, water proof, takes heat well haha, just a very good rugid unit for years of use.

Second, they are very easy to use.

Third, out of the box the only thing you migh tneed to do is turn on the WAAS setting. (A group of satelites that you can tap into that have base stations they check accuracy with).

Fourth, you are buying 4-5 total, and that can get costly fast. You get a lot of nice features packaged in the ETREX series.

I would look at maybe getting just the basic etrex series such as the etrexH for maybe the younger ones, and maybe go with a higher model for yourself, as you learn them you may want a little more out of the unit than them. Look at either a legend series or HCx series for yourslef, unless you are satisfied with the lower etrex h model, which might help with learning the unit itslef and teaching it then to them(or them teaching it to you! haha jk)

Is it possible to get the Rhino 530 American series in Canada?

 

[catmando]

I have a Garmin 520 and if your looking for simple and not to expensive the etrex is a great chioce,I had a couple as well and they are great .Go to gps central and compare all of them.It is a great site with good info.
catmando!

 

[CATPRIDE]

Garmin 520 or 530 all the way. Plus get the bushwacker well worth the KA-CHING

 

[arff]

Catpride I will be getting the 520 with color.
You mentioned bushwacker?

 

[HHWELD]

We as well are looking for a gps , never needed one before, but we are now able to go farther and more "exotic places", would be nice to know where we are going.