What to buy … handheld vs. dash-mounted

[EnergySaver]

[zuma]

Hi,

I use an old hand held to find the caches, an Etrex Legend, which works fine. For navigation, I use a Nuvi 350 dash mount. Lots of advantages with the Nuvi, as the screen is safe to see and the controls are safe to use while driving. The screen on the 60cx series is useable for finding caches,and if you are not driving, but for my eyes, would not be very safe to use while driving.

I do not know the differences between the different Nuvi’s off hand,though I know that some have more and some have less features. I am very happy with the Nuvi 350, which is on sale on Amazon for 299 right now.

I love my Nuvi.

zuma

[hogrod]

why not get both? online you can get a nuvi 200W for around $250, and you can pick up a new color etrex VistaHCX with its high sensitivity receiver for under $230.

http://www.tigergps.com/garminnuvi200w.html

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=6015174

A huge advantage of a color handheld is battery life, its almost double what you get with an older greyscale gps. You didn’t say what maps you have for your eMap, but you could probably load those maps to the VistaHCX.

The garmin Nuvi models are always in the top 10 of most consumer reviews, you can check out garmins comparison page to see what model best suits your needs.
http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/us/ontheroad/nuviseries

[EnergySaver]

@hogrod wrote:

You didn’t say what maps you have for your eMap, but you could probably load those maps to the VistaHCX.

I have MapSource 6.11 current (which I see I could update to 6.13 with the free download). It’s a bit old … but if that would work with the VistaHCX, I like your thinking so far. Especially, who cares if the MapSource is a bit dated on some roads, since 99% of the driving would be the responsiblity of the nuvi.

This sounds great so far … but keep the ideas coming.
Does anybody know for sure if MapSource 6.11 will work with a VistaHCX? I believe the “data” is “MetroGuide USA 3.0”.

[TyeDyeSkyGuy]

@EnergySaver wrote:

1. I can auto-route to cache with a handheld (a dash-mount would only auto route me to a street location, since it wouldn’t have caches loaded on it).

Actually, the Garmin “C” series (dash mounted) lets you upload caches directly to it. It will auto-route you right to a cache, so technically, you could use it for both.

Also, the Garmin GPSMap 60csx (handheld) can be used either way. It switches between road and trail. I believe any of the Garmin GPS’rs with an “x” in the name can do this.

[Team Hemisphere Dancer]

I was faced with the same decision last year. I went for the 60csx because it was auto routing and I could take it out on the trail. To me it was an all in one unit that I could use on trips, hiking and caching as well as fishing and hunting. It was at the time a no brainer.

After using it for a while I have noticed 2 things.
1. The screen is a bit small for a dash mount, but my eyes are still young enough.
2. When I was out on a numbers run It would have been nice to have my second gps loaded with the same caches so I could just leave the 60 in the mount.(after 54 caches I thought I was going wear out the holder).

If you are not a power cacher, a nice shiny new mapping handheld it the right gps’r for you. But if your need is more based on getting you to the general cache area then I’d go with the Dashmount. For me I am glad I made the choice that I did. However when I get the itch to buy another I will get a dashmount as I already have 2 handhelds.

[furfool]

I just use my 60cx. I will get around to buying a dash mount for it, but in the mean time, I just stick it between the dash and the windshield behind the steering wheel. I don’t have to turn my head away at all. I can just glance down. I personally like the idea of just slipping it into my pocket when I need to leave the vehicle. I don’t like having to find a hiding place all the time. Here in Milwaukee, they have become somewhat of a hot commodity among thieves, so I like to pocket it. Sooner or later it will be standard equipment in a vehicle anyway.

[EnergySaver]

Great comments … keep them coming … you all are great at helping me thing this through!

My feelings at the moment:

1. I liked the thought of getting both, and thus getting the cheaper VistaHCX rather than the 60Cx. The only “problem” is that I’m guessing the functions and buttons on the Vista work like the lesser eTrex models … is that correct? I really, really like the way functions work and the buttons are layed out on my old eMap and my mappless GPS76 … not sure I want to give up the layouts/functions I’m use to … in which case the more expensive 60Cx would feel more like a “comfortable old friend” to me. Is my thinking right on this … regarding the functions / buttons?

2. I also was concerned with a dash-mount (such as the nuvi 200w) being tempting to break-in. I live in a more rural area, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have crime.

3. Most times when we travel away from our “known area”, it’s as a family … so there’s typically an extra set of hands that can look at a handhelds screen. It works well when my wife drives and I “navigate” with GPSr; but when we switch roles/seats, she’s not as comfortable with the GPSr.

Just to clarify … my idea of a “dash-mount” is a true “car only” unit such as the nuvi 200w … I’m not interested in taking a mobile GPSr and putting it into a mount. To me the reason I’m interested in the car only unit, is to have the larger screen and touch screen functions … the difference in operation, not the fact that it sits on my dashboard.

[3 Hawks]

I have a Vista HCx. I’ve never used a 60Cx, but I think the two models have the same functions. The button layout of the HCx is the standard Etrex layout. For me, I could not justify the additional cost of a 60 series when the HCx seems to provide the same functionality.

[rogheff]

Something to consider…

My wife works just over the Illinois border in Zion. It’s a sleepy little town. Two days ago, thieves went through her parking lot and smashed the windows of every car that had a dash mounted GPSr and stole them.

[TyeDyeSkyGuy]

@rogheff wrote:

Something to consider…

My wife works just over the Illinois border in Zion. It’s a sleepy little town. Two days ago, thieves went through her parking lot and smashed the windows of every car that had a dash mounted GPSr and stole them.

Good reason to put them in the glove box before exiting the car!

[hogrod]

@tyedyeskyguy wrote:

@rogheff wrote:

Something to consider…

My wife works just over the Illinois border in Zion. It’s a sleepy little town. Two days ago, thieves went through her parking lot and smashed the windows of every car that had a dash mounted GPSr and stole them.

Good reason to put them in the glove box before exiting the car!

I’ve heard thieves look for suction mount marks on windshields if no devices are visible, so there isn’t much you can do besides getting a factory installed unit that would be to much hassle to take.

If you leave anything in your car someone can take it, even in your trunk.

[EnergySaver]

CLOSURE …

Decide to go with the in-car equipment for now (maybe add a handheld at some future point) … went with the Garmin Nuvi 650 … turns out that via the Costco.Com website (not in the store), you can get one for $299 (due to an instant $150 off coupon), which seems to be an amazing price for the unit. So we’re waiting for the UPS man now.

[Team Hemisphere Dancer]

I think you made a good choice. Oh ya and Congrats.

[Cachew]

I am extremely interested if you can successfully upload geocache waypoints (as we know them, and as they come from gc.com) without any fussing around. Also, please let us know if you can successfully upload your existing waypoint libraries. I know they claim that you can upload custom POI’s, but I have a feeling that the format is different.

Thanks,
Cachew

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