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My ‘ol Eagle Explorer took it’s last bearing this weekend. In a search for a new unit, I’m curious to see what others on this site are using. What do you love about it, what would you change if you could. This is not meant to ruffle feathers as a “Best GPS” debate. Objective information is valued. P.S. Do we have WAAS here in WI?
I use a Garmin eTrex Legend. It’s got all the features I need, plus it’s small and lightweight, so I can hang it around my neck while hunting without it becoming a bother.
The mapping features are nice as well, for non-geocaching use, although I wish there was a way to rotate the display 90 degrees. It fits nicely in an alcove in my car’s dash, but only on its side, so I have to turn my head sideways to read it.
I’ve never used one, but I’m sure the Magellan users will be piping in shortly to tout their features…
BTW, I’ve tried using the WAAS function, and have found no advantage from it. I think it’s only most useful in open areas, such as out on the water.
We own a Maggy 315, a Maggy 330, and a Lowrance GM100. We never hunt with anything other than our Lowrance. Yes, its heavy, yes it eats four batteries to everyone else’s two. Yes its an older (but still produced and sold) model.
But it has NEVER failed to lock on in ANY situation, including where all the other GPSRs around me are loosing lock.
Plus, its got the most customisable screen I’ve ever seen. Its almost like building your own GPSR with the features you most want.
I’m using a Garmin GPSMAP76 and love it. Had a Garmin 48 before and upgraded to MAP76 about 6 months ago. It’s lightweight, will run an entire weekend and then some on the new Lithium Ion batteries(they’re kinda pricy, but well worth it)and I’ve enjoyed the mapping functions more than anything else. There isn’t anything I’d want to do in geocaching or sailing that this unit hasn’t been able to do (except perhaps finding an address and routing, but it wasn’t meant to do that anyway.)
Some people complain about having to hold the unit vertically to get best signal reception, but I haven’t seen that as a problem – I can watch the map and keep an eye on where I’m walking at the same time.
I download maps from Mapsource (Garmin) and although I have some issues with Mapsource, they are pretty minor. I can also upload tracks, routes and waypoints to Delorme’s Topo USA and view where I’ve been on the computer. I can also hook up the unit to work interactively with TOPO so I can see my position on the computer screen thru the MAP76.
There are loads and loads of customizable features on the unit so you see only the data you want to see. WAAS is available as well, but several casual tests of WAAS showed little if any improvement over non-WAAS capabilities. Screen size is great and I can zoom in/out easily. Sat lock is probably better than average and I usually hae a lock on 4-6 birds with normal-moderate tree cover with EPE of < 20 feet. I do sometimes lose lock, but the unit beeps at me when that happens. Hope that helps.
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Originally posted by GLSailor:
I’m using a Garmin GPSMAP76 and love it… Screen size is great…One of my employees just bought a GPSMAP76 for caching, and I agree, its got the best screen I’ve seen yet on a handheld GPSR. Nice unit!
I have owned two Garmin Etrex units and am pretty much fed up with them. I love the fact that they are small, which is what drew me to them in the first place, but I have a heck of a time getting a good lock in the woods. Since the woods are where I do most of my geocaching it kind of makes them a little useless for me. Right now, I have my sights set on a new Garmin 76S. It’s getting great reviews and seems to have most of the features I’m looking for.
I’m also using the Lowrance Global Map 100.
I have to repeat everything the Cache Cows liked about their GM100.
If your using the Eagle Explorer, then your already familiar with the size of the GM100, they use the same body.
I think Garmin had better maps, and more accessories, but I prefer the performance of the Globalmap 100.
I have a Garmin GPSIII and like the way it mounts on the dash and is portable. WAAS wise I would replace it with the Garmin GPS V. I also have used a Garmin GPS 12 and love the way it locks sats under deep tree canopys! Inexpensive & great for hunting and Geocaching!
Some of us use the Garmin eMap. It does pretty good in the woods and when it doesn’t, I hook up an external antenna, stick it on my cap and that does the job nicely. It has the advantage of having a pretty decent base map in it and accepts Mapsource maps which will then show the small roads and often many old access roads and some trails. I’ve added a 64 meg memory stick to mine and have the entire state and much of Illinois loaded into it. It fits into the shirt pocket nicely. Price is right, <$200 and often <$150 on eBay. Don't be afraid to buy a refurbished one. That is essentially what I have and it works great.
Steve Bukosky
WaukeshaI am using a Lawrance GM100 also.
As stated above, it seems great to me.
I feel it outperformes my brothers etrex and my dads emap. Although if you also want to use it for traveling, the emap has many more features for the road. Like what exit is coming up.
Also as for the batteries, I bought an adapter plug for use in the car. Which saves alot on the batteries.I have the Magellan Meridian (waterproof) and a 64mb memory card & 32mb to hold VERY detailed maps.. then I have the MapSend program, which sits on my computer and I can use EasyGPS to download all of Wisconsin’s waypoints from geocaching.com.. and have them both on my GPS and computer.. I can find addresses, dirt roads and all that fun stuff.. it goes into 100 ft detail mapping so I won’t ever miss a turn (grins)..I have the street/trails map of Wisconsin totally on my memory card so I can sail around the state without looking at my atlas. I then can print custom maps of my day trips.. keep track of where I’ve been as well as easily use geocaching.com’s waypoints. I had to buy a car cigarette adapter as well as a car mount that sits on the dash.. I figure this unit should meet my needs and I wouldn’t have to upgrade for abit.. screen is small but easily seen while driving.. I had to turn off 2/3rds of the screens because I didn’t know how to use them (grins).. but I figured that the 3 screens I’ve chosen helps me get the job done.
~The Lil Otter
(hopes she made sense)I started with a Garmin 38, moved to the yellow etrex, and quickly traded it in for the eTrex Venture.
It’s the perfect GPS if all you want is to geocache. It has just the right features and uploadability.
I was thinking about getting a GPS III + or V for in the car (I travel alot).
Are any of you using the 76 or emap in the car??
I’d like to upgrade to a Garmin V from my eMap only because of the autorouting feature.
Steve Bukosky
WaukeshaWell…after a long, drawn out researching bender, I decided on going with the Meridian Gold. It seemed to have the most features I was looking for; 12 parallel channel receiver, mapping capability, waterproof for kayaking, reasonable price, and the point that sold me…upgradable memory.
I ordered it through TigerGPS.com on Tuesday morning, and by 9:30am Wednesday I had it in my hands. If anyone is looking for a good recommendation for a place to order online, my hat is tipped to Derek @ TigerGPS.com; great speed, painless ordering procedure, and great follow-up.
I’m still getting acquainted with the MariGold, it’s like we’re on our second date. I’m heading up north for some bug dropping, and geocaching so I’ll be back next week after the shakedown with a report. Thanks for all of your help and input. It’s great to see what works for some, may not work for others. Great discussion!
[This message has been edited by beggymike (edited 08-23-2002).]
Probably won’t influence anybody’s purchase now but I just got my Garmin V in the mail. Got the software loaded and went out to try to get lost. What a unit! Only complaint is the lack of memory. I can’t for the life of me figure out why they were so stingy on that. Bought it new on eBay. It’s the deluxe model with the whole country unlocked. Got it for about what the left over V’s are going for and I figure it cost me less than what I’ve got stuck in my eMap, which I am planning on keeping. It fits in the pocket so much nicer than the V.
Steve Bukosky
Waukesha
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