Please recommend a hand held GPS

Mrwurm · Nov 16, 2005

Ok folks, after being lost twice this year, I've decided I need a GPS. I believe a hand held is the right term for what I want.
I want a unit that can comes with or can download lots of road maps. I want interstates and detailed road maps of certain areas. I also want the GPS unit to be portable so I can use it for treks into the woods. A few weeks back, I was with two friends, we traveled on our ATV's 25 miles into a state forest and had a hard time finding our way back as darkness approached. The roads we traveled do not show up on maps so I want to be able to log a start point and way points. I then want the unit to point the direction for the return trip.

I'm not sure if such a unit exists, any advice would be helpful.

Dozernut · Nov 16, 2005

How much do you want to spend? Garmin makes a nice unit, the 2720, that will do what you want. Here is a link to site that sells several models. Link

Rereading your post I don't believe the 2720 would do for a handheld GPS. Sorry, the brain is on idle on this cold blustery day.

HomeBrew2 · Nov 16, 2005

I have a Garmin eTrex Vista that I like. It has an altimeter and compass and reads to 0.1mph.
It's got 24MB of storage as I recall.
Don't get your hopes up in the woods ... they don't work when they don't get a clear shot of the sky.
Cheers!

Casco1 · Nov 16, 2005

Hi, I had absolutely no experience with GPS until this past August when I decided to buy one for our September vacation. I did some internet searching and decided on a Garmin Quest 2. With minimal time spent with the manual, maybe 1hr, this unit, right out of the box, took us from eastern Massachusetts to western South Dakota without one wrong turn. It comes preloaded with North America and has much memory to load ocean charts or topographical maps for cross country.
I also bought the external antenna about $25 which allowed me to place the unit above my rearview mirror to keep it out of the way.
PM me If you would like more info

beenthere · Nov 16, 2005

Try Forestry Suppliers for GPS units used in the 'woods' and a new product they carry "Garmin Quest". It may give you some good ideas of where to look further.

I have Microsoft Streets and Trips in my car, working off a laptop. I find it VERY good and easy to use. Updates regularly, including construction sites. Not exactly what you want in the way of portability, but is an option for field use. Cheap at $130 for software AND the GPS unit for the dash.
Also, all the states are included so one doesn't have to pay for "just three states" of which only one might be of interest.
(that doesn't include the laptop, however /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

thcri · Nov 16, 2005

Jerry,

For about two years I had a Garmin Vista. Loved it. Used in on my ATV, for traveling and geocaching. About a year ago I upgraded to a Garmin GPSMap60CS. I love it. I use for all the things I use to and now use it for traveling. The autorouting feature is great. To get all the benifits of auto-routing you need to buy Garmins City Select North America. It has a color screen and you can hold 56 meg of memory for maps. Gives you about three states. But you can move them and put others on. Good page to go is www.geocaching.com. There is a forum there and you can ask all kinds of questions. But the Map60CS is a great all around unit. You can save some money and get the c version also.

Check pricing on www.gpsnow.com, www.gpstiger.com, www.gpsdiscount.com and there is others out ther also. Any questions just hollor.

Also Magellan makes some good units also. Check them out too.

murph

ps: I still store my bucket upside down /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ksmmoto · Nov 16, 2005

I have had Garmin GPS V for two years now and it is great. Very good GPS for off roading on ATV's, Dirt Bikes and Snowmobiles. It doesn't hold as many maps as some, I can get about half of lower Michigan in mine. Have to download from laptop to ad new maps.

Check out this web site:

http://www.cycoactive.com/

I bought the Tourtech mount and combined it with a ram mount as shown on the web site.

ksmmoto

Mrwurm · Nov 17, 2005

Thanks, I'll research the models that were mentioned and check the web sites mentioned. Also, the forest trails we travel are abut 12 ft wide, so I do get line of sight to the sky.

Cottonhawk · Nov 17, 2005

Check out Magellan SporTrak. It's may be what you are looking for.

kc5dlo · Nov 17, 2005

I have a Garman ETrex legend and love it. Its accurate, has mapping, and is small enough to put in your pocket.
A GPS is something that I wanted for some time to use while sailing or just riding around in the truck. About a year ago I read a post on here about Geocacheing. It sounded interesting so I borrowed a GPS from a friend and gave it a try. I was hooked and decided to get my own GPS at that time. Its like when I finally bought my air compressor for home, I did not know how I did without it for so long. I use my GPS daily and would be lost without one. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

kensfarm · Nov 17, 2005

The GPS superstore..

http://www.megagps.com/

"I want to be able to log a start point and way points. I then want the unit to point the direction for the return trip"

I know the fishing boat systems have this.. should be available.

"after being lost twice this year"

Don't forget the bread crumbs! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SkyPup · Nov 17, 2005

I've used a Garmin GPS III+ for the last 15 years on all my motorcycles, trucks, cars, boats, etc. and it has been absolutely first class, water proof, cold proof, shock proof, go anywhere anytime and find your way there and back. Have the topographical USA maps downloaded into memory to locate remote streams, lakes, sinkholes, off shore deepsea fishing spots, etc.

They no longer make the GPS III+ but the newer GPS V is even better.

Panache · Nov 17, 2005

Also consider TVNAV . They are knowlegable and have a Yahoo group GARMINGps with lots of information. I have a Garmin GPSmap 76S. GPS Info has a lot of information of the different systems available and some comparisons between units.

Mrwurm · Nov 18, 2005

Thanks folks, I was pretty set on the Magellan as one of my friends has one. But, I did some more research and ended up buying a Garmin GPSMap60CS. It was on the more pricey end but I really liked the sharp color screen, 56megs memory, and all the bells and whistles.

Thanks for the recommendations.

Jstpssng · Nov 19, 2005

You bought a really nice unit. I've had several Garmins, from the old GPS12 to the "76" and have found them all to be good units. You will find the "Tracklog" to be invaluable for what you describe; turn it on when you leave the truck, and don't shut it off. That way you can follow your trail out at the end of the day, it works much better than a trail of bread crumbs. I keep my unit in my cruising vest pocket while working, and rarely lose satellites. (No doubt you bought a holder for your ATV, instead.) If you don't havea 12 volt adapter, I've found NIMh rechargeable batteries will last about 2 days per charge in most Garmins.

You may want to download waypoints, routes, or tracklogs to your computer. Click here for a user friendly download program. The best part is that it's FREE.

Have fun.

LMTC · Nov 19, 2005

First, allow me to state my level of knowledge about these things is essentially zero.

Offhand, do any of you know of units that will operate on batteries for treks on foot, and also operate from the vehicle's 12v system for long trips? Will some of the battery run models plug into the system with a charger, as a cell phone does? This has been a very interesting thread for me, so thanks to all.

shvl73 · Nov 19, 2005

I might have even less knowledge than you but, I've seen these Garmin Quest

HomeBrew2 · Nov 19, 2005

My Garmin eTrex Vista, as well as the other little Garnins, I believe, use AA batteries. I use NiMH rechargables which last quite a while for trips. Garmin also offers a car package that has a dash mount and 12v adapter, though I didn't get it.
Cheers!

wushaw · Nov 20, 2005

I have used two different model Garmins for the last six years and I would recommend still carrying a plain old compass when you trek into the woods for a backup.
Completely relying on a GPS for simple navigation can cause you to loose your way if batterys go dead or unit failure.

Jstpssng · Nov 21, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...would recommend still carrying a plain old compass... )</font> I agree 100%. I use my GPS daily for work, but and rarely look at my compass anymore; but still have one with me at all times, and another in the truck.
Weekends, especially during deer season, all technology newer than I am is left behind. Otherwise it's hard to remember if I'm working or playing.