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Right now I’m using a Garmin eMap circa 2000. It gets the job done, but it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles of the newer units. I was thinking I might want to upgrade in the near future. I’ve noticed there is a lot of different units on the market and I was just wondering what everybody’s opinions are.
My budget will be between $150 and $300. I know that is a big range, but sometimes the simpler units work just fine. I would be using it strictly for caching.
On my current unit I have to specify a cache to look for. Are there any that show nearby caches that I have entered/downloaded? I’d love to go to an area and go “look, there’s 4 caches within half a mile!”
Color screen would be nice, but not a necessity.
I’m not sure if I would need something paperless capable. When I hunt, I usually just need the coords, size, d/t ratings and hint. I tend to jot those down in a notebook, but if there are units that display this info as well, I might be interested.So, what do you think? Can you guys come up with some suggestions for me?
I have an Etrex Vista HCX and it does all the things you are looking for except paperless, it works great has the high sensitivty reciever, color, maps, takes a memory card, but I can’t recommend it to anyone because of 1 major flaw, the rubber gasketringseal thing around the outside of it. Left mine in my car this summer, came out and it had deformed and I do not believe it is water proof any longer. Great unit, but if you forget like I do, you may have the same issue.
I can say that Garmin and Delorme both make feature rich units in this price range that should do what you want. I would tend to steer clear of other brands due to service issues. Look at their websites and pick out what you want, then start shopping!
I think I will stick with a Garmin, now to figure out which one! I think I’ve got it narrowed down to:
eTrex Legend HCx ($191) [no electronic compass]
eTrex Vista HCx ($240) [boatload more expensive]I’m leaning towards the Legend due to the price, but the no compass thing is kind of a bummer. I suppose I could always carry an ‘analog’ compass 🙂
I’ve gotten half of my finds on ol’ reliable (legend HCx) and it still does a great job. IMHO the magnetic compass doesn’t really help and for the most part, I keep it turned off on my Colorado.
I’ve got the eTrex Legend HCX and it works very well. Doesn’t do paperless, but I use the iTouch for that. I was in a similar spot debating between the two eTrex units and just couldn’t see spending the extra for altimeter and compass (the only difference at the time from what I remember).
Garmin has wonderful customer service. Electronic compass is nice, but…..keep in mind that you have to be moving for the compass to work.
DawnI have the Vista Hcx and had the same problem with the gasket without leaving it in the car. The adhesive just stopped holding and I had to clue it back on. It is very reliable even in heavy cover. I recently purchased the Oregon 400t refurbished for about $300. I love the paperless caching feature, but the receiver is not nearly as good as the Hcx in heavy cover. I got my Vista at Walmart for about $200 7 months ago. If you don’t need the paperless feature I’d recommend the Vista or Legend.
@codejunkie wrote:
I’ve got the eTrex Legend HCX and it works very well. Doesn’t do paperless, but I use the iTouch for that. I was in a similar spot debating between the two eTrex units and just couldn’t see spending the extra for altimeter and compass (the only difference at the time from what I remember).
Same here. We just upgraded to the Legend HCx 2-3 months ago, and other than you can’t go paperless unless you have another device along, no problems. You’re right about the difference, CodeJunkie. That’s what I remember form the research I did for the Legend. Ordered from walmart.com It came in less than a week and cost less than $200.
@sandlanders wrote:
@codejunkie wrote:
I’ve got the eTrex Legend HCX and it works very well. Doesn’t do paperless, but I use the iTouch for that. I was in a similar spot debating between the two eTrex units and just couldn’t see spending the extra for altimeter and compass (the only difference at the time from what I remember).
Same here. We just upgraded to the Legend HCx 2-3 months ago, and other than you can’t go paperless unless you have another device along, no problems. You’re right about the difference, CodeJunkie. That’s what I remember form the research I did for the Legend. Ordered from walmart.com It came in less than a week and cost less than $200.
What? I was right? Can I share this with my wife? Frame it maybe? 😆 😆 😆
If/ when I get a new gps or back up, this is what I would get.
GPSMAP 60Cx
No altimiter or compass. I have turned off my compass as I got tired of doing the recalibrating dance. Somewhere on here a few weeks back, someone posted a deal on one for about $200 butI can find the post.Before I would buy the Vista, I would go for the 60Cx as well (or 76Cx if you like a bigger floating unit.) Under $200 the Legend HCX is probably the best bet.
For those who don’t have one, the electronic compass we are talking about is one that accurate (to a point) when not moving, unlike the normal compass screens on your GPS which use your movement to determine direction. Some people like them, some don’t, but they do seem to require frequent calibration. If you see someone turning their GPS in circles (or themselves in circles), they are calibrating the compass. My personal preference is a good, old-fashioned magnetic compass, which is attached to my GPS lanyard.
To answer the question “What GPSr to buy” … if your willing to spend a little more … I’d highly recommend the Garmon Oregon 400t.
I’ve only had mine a couple month and I don’t cache as often as I did years back … but the thing is amazing.
It makes caching about as effortless as I could imagine it being. I use to use an older GPSr (happens to be an eMap for me too), a Palm with Cachemate, and my car-mounted Garmin Nuvi to get me the parking lot. Had to load the GPX file into the eMap, convert the file to load it in Cachemate, and run the file thru GSAK to get it the way I wanted it for the Nuvi. Now I just plug in the Oregon’s cable, drag the untouched GPX file to the Oregon, say “Yes” to Replace, unplug and go.
I’m actually caching more because of it. I update the thing every week or so, since it only takes 3 minutes … and I keep it in the car. I’m always ready to go.
And of course the actual caching with the thing is so easy and simple with only one device. I sprang the extra bucks and got the microSD card with the maps and POIs … very handy for pointing the way to parking and finding where to have lunch later on (the Nuvi now stays in our other car).
Looks like PC Nation has them for $345.
My only suggestion, get an actual lanyard that can “loop in” to the small lanyard anchor point on the Oregon. I tried using the caribiner clip on the back of the GPSr, by hooking a large laynard on to the clip … just about drove myself nuts, because the thing is hang out from your body a bit and upside down all the time.
I have a Garmin E-Trex Venture HC. Paid $120 for it online at Walmart. Love it and use it a lot. Highly recommended for a starter GPS. While it does not have the paperless capability, I use my Garmin Nuvi and my Ipod to load cache descriptions onto for the paperless aspect.
Eventually when I have the moola, I’ll upgrade to a fancy GPS like an Oregon, but for now, I’m very happy with my E-Trex Venture HC.
A bit more about the E-Trex Venture HC, it does some of the following:
1) Click on “Find Geocaches” and a list of caches will show up of nearby caches.
2) Has a map that you can zoom in and out of that will show geocache icons. But it does not have a Topo map. That needs to be added. I don’t use it if I research my terrain online beforehand.
3) Electronic compass (otherwise known as a bearing arrow). You have to start moving for the compass to work.
4) WAAS enabled.
5) You can mark a cache as found on the GPS and it will be stored in the GPS as “found”. You can refer to that later for logging the find online. I used to have to write down the GC number of every cache I found with my old unit. I no longer have to do that.
It’s a great GPS for a starter unit.
Hey Glokr
Nice meeting you at the CITO event!
Two recommendations ( kinda)
http://reviews.cnet.com/gps/magellan-explorist-gc/4505-3490_7-34064119.html
New Magellan that I don’t think is out yet, but specifically designed for Geo-caching. Boatloads of features and has room for 10,000 geocaches and direct integration fro GC.com
The bad is I have personally had bad luck with Magellan but reviews on this unit are high and they seem to have fixed all my issues. Magellan pretty much gave up on there old units to focus on this one and the Triton’s fell by the wayside 200 bucks!
Second is my GPS
http://reviews.cnet.com/gps/garmin-oregon-450-gps/4014-3490_7-34001846.html
LOVE IT Garmin Oregon 450 Does everything you need to geocache plus garmins CS is top notch! ( they already replaced mine once because of a broken screen)
bad 300-400 bucks. But You seem to really like geocaching and a mistake people make is buy a cheap one, realize that they want more features and a year down the road end up upgrading to a more expensive unit. Forget that problem, save a few more weeks and buy a good one 🙂
Hope this helps….er well you probably already bought the etrex and I wasted my time 🙂 lol
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