Hand held GPS

[chipsndust]

Thinking about getting one. We have a Garmin in the car, which I like.

I'd like a handheld to take hiking, kayaking, and in my XUV.

Anybody have one they really like?

 

[wdchyd]

Lots of choices for GPS's out there....

I started out with Magellan's at first but have grown to love the Garmin's....

The Garmin Astro I use exclusively now because it's use is for the Dog Tracking with my beagles.......

Magellan's menu screens were easier for me to figure out when I first started out but Garmin (and others) have seemed to have a lot more different models to choose from.....

Just make sure you get a GPS that has capability of built-in topo maps......Color screen is nice too.....another must for me is the batteries have to be interchangeable with my flashlight and 2-way radios (size AA)that way you'll likely never have need for batteries when needed most......:thumbsup:

 

[frogfish]

I just bought a Garmin Oregon 450, touch screen, waterproof, able to download maps to it, waypoints, compass, accept micro SD chip...Runs on 2AA batteries. So far I've been very pleased with it. REI had it on sale for $249 a week ago (might still be on sale)

 

[chipsndust]

Anybody familiar with the Garmin GPSMAPS 60?

 

[Car Doc]

Garmin is the way to is all I can tell you they all are good and made in KS another plus its made in USA.

I have a Garmin 3plus gps its old old school as far as gps goes now and its still got more stuff than I will ever use I still love it!

Its only a matter of 3 months before the next model comes out so buy the biggest baddest one now and have the features you need later on jmho.

 

[Vineyard Dave]

In my last career in outdoor retail I sold GPS'. We arried Garmin, Magellan and Lorance. All make good quality products but the Garmins are the clear leader in the field. They are the most intuitive to use, rugged and reliable.
I have a Garmin ETrex Legend, an older model but I love it. Were I to replace it any time soon I'd be seriously looking at the Garmin GPSMAP 62s .

 

[Tig]

I really like my Garmin etrex Venture HC. Colour screen is readable in daylight. Lots of handy features and the companion PC software is OK too. I use it mostly for ice fishing, although I'm happy with it for boating and back country trips.
Base maps are quite spartan when it comes to detail. Upgraded maps make a big difference.

 

[charlz]

Anybody familiar with the Garmin GPSMAPS 60?

I have the 60CSx and love it. It has what the 60 has plus color, barometric altimeter and the sensitive receiver. I use it on my dirt bike in the mountains and desert and I have never lost signal. It gets a ton of hammering and vibration and takes it all without missing a beat.

In the desert I trace out trails in Google Earth, download them as tracks to my GPS and then go ride them. Great way to navigate to exact areas. I also download the tracks back to my PC so I have accurate trail maps.

You do need Topo map software to make it useful though. City maps if you want to use it on the street. The screen isn't quite large enough for street navigation but it will beep at you when you need to turn.

 

[orezok]

I have a Tomtom and its a good and accurate unit, but they kill you on the map updates. i would not buy another just for that reason

 

[whistlepig]

I have a Garmin 60CSX also. I purchased specifically it for it's quick satellite aquisition, ability to see the screen in bright daylight (color), and it's ability to pick up satellites under a thick forest canopy. It's one of the best rated units for these functions. I use it for hunting, fishing, and also have a handle bar mount for it on my Polaris Sportsman. It's a very rugged and extremely trustworthy unit. Mine hasn't been abused but it's been dropped, soaked in rain, bounced around, and just plain used. I have fishing and hunting hot spots marked on it that are over 500 miles away. Year after year it takes me back to them within just a few feet. I don't have mapping software but I do have software to link it to my PC. I also Google Earth places of interest, boat ramps, etc., on my PC and then download them to the 60CSX before I go there. The Google thing does work very well.

 

[jinman]

Here's a picture of our Garmin GPSmap 60Cx this spring on our trip. This was crossing Death Valley. The only issue with it is you'll have to buy a memory chip and extra MapSource maps from Garmin to have any great road details. I have all of North America on ours. I think if we make another trip, I'll buy a new TomTom or Garmin Nuvi for the car instead of staring at this little screen. For offroad or marine, I think it's hard to beat the GPSmap 60Cx

 

[chipsndust]

Thanks for the responses.

I have no experience with the handhelds, but my research was leading me to the Garmin GPSMAP 60CX, so your feedback is reinforcing that.

The only negatives I've heard are:
1. You need to buy additional (expensive?) map software for your areas of interest.
2. The interface software can only be used on one PC.

Within reason, I don't mind the cost, if it will perform the functions i want, but the "one PC" limitation could be a problem.

Any comments on the "negatives" (are they true?)

 

[whistlepig]

Thanks for the responses.

I have no experience with the handhelds, but my research was leading me to the Garmin GPSMAP 60CX, so your feedback is reinforcing that.

The only negatives I've heard are:
1. You need to buy additional (expensive?) map software for your areas of interest.
2. The interface software can only be used on one PC.

Within reason, I don't mind the cost, if it will perform the functions i want, but the "one PC" limitation could be a problem.

Any comments on the "negatives" (are they true?)

It is true that all the mapping software is optional and expensive. I can't say for sure if the interface software is one PC or not. I've only used it on one PC. The interface software isn't that expensive. There is kind of a line between GPS units. For me a hand held is something that is handy, easy to carry in the field, ultra dependable, and instant at what you need it to do in the field. Pull it out of your pocket, punch a couple of buttons, and the coordinates are there. My GPS is full of way points that I have created and these places are not something one could find with software.

 

[wdchyd]

It is true that all the mapping software is optional and expensive.

Not true anymore:thumbsup:.....check out this website.....GPSFileDepot - Custom Maps, Ximage hosting, tutorials, articles and more for your GPSr

I've used this software on 3 different units and it works great.....all I needed was a MicroSD Memory Disc, (9.88 at Wallyworld).....and the file download is free.....

The Garmin Astro, I believe, takes the same software as the other Garmins....including the Garmin GPSMAP60 Series.......

Here's a screen shot of the Garmin Astro Dog Tracker I use.......

 

[jinman]

We bought one copy of Garmin's MapSource software and installed it on our desktop and laptop for travel. It works well on both. I like the ability to build a route on the computer and download it to the GPS. But alas! The little screen and beeps my hearing doesn't hear are two great disadvantages for road navigation. Even so, the ability to pinpoint our location on a map is one of the features we use most.

 

[jimmyj]

I have a Garmin Etrex and it's great except when I'm in the forest under heavy tree cover. It can't find the satellites in those conditions.

 

[chipsndust]

Thanks for all the responses and good ingormation. I ordered a GPSMAP60CX.

wdchyd:
Thanks for the link to GPSfiledepot.

 

[whistlepig]

Not true anymore:thumbsup:.....check out this website.....GPSFileDepot - Custom Maps, Ximage hosting, tutorials, articles and more for your GPSr

I've used this software on 3 different units and it works great.....all I needed was a MicroSD Memory Disc, (9.88 at Wallyworld).....and the file download is free.....

The Garmin Astro, I believe, takes the same software as the other Garmins....including the Garmin GPSMAP60 Series.......

Here's a screen shot of the Garmin Astro Dog Tracker I use.......

Thanks wdchyd. I'll be checking this out when I have the time. I already have the memory disc.

 

[wdchyd]

Whistlepig,

Been meeting up with other guys with Garmin Astro GPS while training the beagles and it's so easy for me to just give up my memory disc preloaded with the Topo Maps instead of showing them how to do it and I just go buy another at Wallyworld on the way home and preload another.......This AM I gave up the third one.....

 

[whistlepig]

Whistlepig,

Been meeting up with other guys with Garmin Astro GPS while training the beagles and it's so easy for me to just give up my memory disc preloaded with the Topo Maps instead of showing them how to do it and I just go buy another at Wallyworld on the way home and preload another.......This AM I gave up the third one.....

Well that is just about as much country kindness as one could ever hope for. Must be the Beagle dog blood in you. My father raised beagles for field trials. He was very good at it. Several field trial champion dogs. I used to work the dogs every night after school. It was one of my chores. Every now and then I think about working some beagles. But it's a serious full time job if done right. Beagle trials are all but gone around here.