Which Handheld GPS?

by **adv** » Mon May 14, 2012 6:47 pm

Doesn' t seem to be much conversation on the forum about a good, solid handheld GPS for finding your way around - I want one for hiking as where I go Sprint reception, unfortunately, does not. Been looking at the Garmins, but open to all suggestions. I want one for when out in the woods ( and yes I take maps)
Feedback gratefully accepted.

by **zommoz10** » Tue May 15, 2012 9:00 am

For about the past 10 years, I've used garmin etrex vista. They've come a long way since mine which has a US road basemap and b&w LCD display.

Mostly I use it for work, in conjunction with a laptop that uses mapping software. So it's basically used as an antenna but I use it to log waypoints and exporting waypoints and connecting to the computer has been easy. It's also waterproof (haven't tried it).

I don't know if it's the best but it does the job for me. It's easy to learn and the altimeter and speedometer are very handy and accurate. (For me anyway) I'd recommend it.

by **adv** » Tue May 15, 2012 5:22 pm

The etrex is definitely at the top of the list. Thanks for the input.

by **zommoz10** » Tue May 15, 2012 7:18 pm

Kinda sprised nobody else wants to chime in on this subject.

Where is everybody?

(tap tap)
Is this thing on?

by **ImfromtheGovt** » Tue May 15, 2012 8:16 pm

Garmin eTrex. Garmin Montana.

Download the Google maps into your smartphone for use off line? I do. You can also get an app like Backcountry Navigator Pro for offline topo maps on your smart phone. I have that one too.

There are tons of great options. Find what works for YOUR needs...

by **austin93906** » Tue May 15, 2012 10:15 pm

did all the research i could, bought a Garmin 62st. ended up returning it and getting the Etrex 30. much happier with the Etrex. cost less, seems to be so much more accurate, i use it for Geocaching a hell of a lot, and it gets me right to the Caches. easy to use, i can geocache for days on one set of batteries, and theyre AA's, so i still only need one type of battery in my preps.

by **adv** » Wed May 16, 2012 3:27 am

austin93906 wrote:did all the research i could, bought a Garmin 62st. ended up returning it and getting the Etrex 30. much happier with the Etrex. cost less, seems to be so much more accurate, i use it for Geocaching a hell of a lot, and it gets me right to the Caches. easy to use, i can geocache for days on one set of batteries, and theyre AA's, so i still only need one type of battery in my preps.

Austin, can I ask why you returned the 62st?

by **kmcdon3960** » Wed May 16, 2012 6:23 am

I use a garmin dakota 20.
It's color, touchscreen, waterproof. You can load any 3rd party maps on it that you want. It's extremely accurate, has a 3 axis compass, barometer, and wireless data transfer.

I use it with the garmin wireless HRM when cycling. It's kinda like the montana's smaller brother. You can probably get them for less then $300 now.

by **austin93906** » Wed May 16, 2012 6:30 am

The accuracy (hopefully just due to the built in 100k topo's being complete shit) was so far off its not funny. It would usually tell me i was a few hundred feet off a road when walking or driving on the road. When sitting at home, it told me i was about 200 feet west and 600 feet north of my actual position. All the while the satellite screen said the accuracy was within 13 feet. I would be driving, and taking a curve, while the road on the screen was straight. The roads were far out of place and not even shaped correctly on it.

And 13 foot accuracy was the best it ever indicated. Not bad, pretty normal actually, however no matter what it indicated, the road position was incredibly far off.

Now when i switched to the Etrex 30, all my problems were solved. This unit usually gives me accuracy within 7 feet using both GPS and GLONASS (a nice feature, as this is the only unit i know of that has GLONASS support) and with the money i saved, i was able to buy the 24k topos of the west coast and nevada on DVD, which everything seems to be spot on. When Geocaching, youre looking for a small thing in a big area, and the placements on the map are dead on, which makes me love this system.

by **Projo** » Wed May 16, 2012 7:58 am

I like the Garmin GPS 60CSx here is a review.
http://www.consumersearch.com/gps/garmin-gpsmap-60csx

by **Jamie** » Wed May 16, 2012 8:08 am

Any Garmin with a built-in map will do more than most people need, and meet your stated needs nicely...they start at a bit over $100, and go up from there as you add bells and whistles.

Jamie

by **Mudinyeri** » Wed May 16, 2012 10:55 am

Projo wrote:I like the Garmin GPS 60CSx here is a review.
http://www.consumersearch.com/gps/garmin-gpsmap-60csx

Agreed. Pretty much the granddaddy of all "off road" GPS units and still hard to beat.

by **ElevenBravo** » Wed May 16, 2012 9:33 pm

Maybe a little late, but the Garmin Dakota 20 has map cap, and also an e-compass so it will give MUCH better headings to waypoints than units without... Its what Im saving my change for... (gpscity.com has it for $199 right now...)

Andrew