Any reccomendations on buying a GPS?

Canaduck · Apr 24, 2005

Hi everyone!

Just wondering what your experiences have been with all the different types of GPS systems out there? WHat brand is the best one for your money? What bells and whistles are important to have and what ones aren't? ANybody know of any online sites with reviews and ratings and stuff?

Basically and info would be helpful!
Thanks,
K.

LeadPoison · Apr 24, 2005

The Garmin eTrex Legend is a very popular model. You can find them for about $145-$150 shipped. You can get the topographc software or road atlas software and download your preplaned routes and waypoints. Pretty cool knowing where to go without ever going to place.

muzzle · Apr 24, 2005

The Garmin Legend is what I have and it has been decent. It's small and easy to use.

kilowatt · Apr 24, 2005

I too have this Garmin eTrex Legend and they are cheaper now than a year ago when I got mine.

Brian

Lien2 · Apr 25, 2005

I have the Garmin eTrex. It's about $100, and does more than I need it to do. I just wanted something that will tell me where I am and where I need to go. Mainly keep me from getting lost and to help me find things (down game, camp, stands, etc.).
Works great.

Lien2

FamilyMan · Apr 25, 2005

One of the main differences to note is that the cheaper Garmin models do not have an electronic compass. Therefore, you have to be moving for the compass to work. If you do not want this inconvenience (i.e. you want to be able to stand still and still have the compass work) then you will want to consider stepping up to the mid-priced models.

Mark

WA_Wiki_Hunter · Apr 25, 2005

I bought the eTrex Vista last year and love it. It was the most expensive eTrex model, but that's because it has all the bells and whistles - compass, altimeter, mapping, and 24MB of memory. Still under $300.00 at a local store. I've downloaded all the maps I need for both Washington and Montana (USGS grids) and I'm nowhere near full. The only thing the Vista doesn't have is a color display. I'd recommend it highly.

FamilyMan · Apr 25, 2005

WWH

I have considered the Vista and I am interested in what you said about downloading USGS grids. Just what do you mean by "grids". What scale of maps did you download? (I would love to be able to download 7.5 minute quads, but understand that is not possible at this time.)

Mark

cabinfever · Apr 26, 2005

If you want a gps primarily for hunting and hiking than I'd get the etrex Summit. It doesn't have all the features that you really don't need, and that burns up battery life. I've owned my Summit for 3 years and it has never let me down. It also has the stand still compass reading. IMO, i dont really think the abilty to down load maps is all that great of a feature because you're viewing the maps on a screen that is only a few inches. Either way I dont think you can go wrong with any of the Garmin etrex series.

Mike