GPS for geochaching

[Chuck289]

I'm looking for a basic GPS unit for geocaching. I think i've settled on the Garmin eTrex Legend.
I was looking around on the GPS Store website and they have 2 catagories for handheld GPS units, Mapping and Non-Mapping. I still havnt quite figured out what that means? What exactly is or isn't being mapped?

 

[Unforgiven]

Generally speaking, mapping hand held GPS's will accept a certain amount of maps uploaded into their memory. Non mapping models do not allow map uploads. Depending on the model, it can mean the difference between looking at your Geocache waypoint on the screen by itself or seeing it with map and a good way to get close to it. Most mapping GPS's will accept street, or topo maps. If you plan to use them in heavy cover, (under trees, etc) I would suggest a high sensitivity receiver model.

 

[Chronos]

The legend has a built-in map, though it is a bit limited. I picked up a Legend for my son and loaded up a local set of Garmin Topo maps for his use. I believe the onboard memory on the blue Legend is 8MB, but the unit is non-expandable.

I've been using a Garmin 60CSx now for 18 months or so and love it. Expandable memory, so I've loaded street maps, topo maps, and even maps for my overseas trips. The 60CSx uses the Sirf chipset so it has excellent reception under heavy tree canopies, in canyons, etc. The Legend does not use the Sirf chip so it is more affected by these conditions.

 

[Chuck289]

Thanks for the info. Reception under heavy cover isnt really an issue for me. I would mostly be using it for geocaching in a city/suburban environment.

 

[Buster Bodine]

Hey Chuck,

My wife and I have been geocaching for over four years now, welcome to the game!

You may be surprised at what your GPSr decides is "heavy cover" sometimes. A cache hidden in a grove of hardwoods in a city park can be as aggravating as something 20 miles out in the boonies!

The Etrex is a good unit but I'd suggest a Garmin 60Cx or Cxs as a step up. Truth be told, you'll almost certainly decide you need to make the jump after you've been caching a fairly short time, so why not just avoid the "starter unit" and save some cash?

The real jewel for caching right now, is the new Colorado series of GPSrs from Garmin but I'd suggest you avoid them for awhile. Although the features for geocaching are awesome, Garmin's having a fairly difficult time getting their act together with the firmware/software and getting everything to sync nicely with www.geocaching.com software.

Be sure to visit GC forums, there are literally thousands of very knowledgable cachers there willing to help you get started and their advice/input is invaluable.

 

[Casebrius]

if you have a GPS enabled blackberry, there is some good GC software out for it. I tried a trial and it worked well. lets you search for caches, log them, all kinds of features.

 

[etc]

CSx60 is great, but I wonder if I should upgrade to the new Colorado series.

 

[schiesz]

When looking for a cheaper basic unit that works easily, i'd recommend a etrex legend HCx if you want expandable memory, or Venture HC if you can do without it. I have a venture cx, which is nice and fairly cheap, but the HC models have a higher sensitivity receiver. One thing that I find very important that you might not consider right away when looking at cheaper models is USB connectivity. I got my youngest daughter a geko 201, but it (and several of the older etrex models) only connect through serial. This is fine with older computers and desktops, but you really can't find a modern laptop with a serial port, and once you buy a USB to serial converter you might as well have gotten a better GPS that already had USB.

If you don't mind this limitation, an etrex H or most of the older monochrome etrex series should work fine for you.

BTW, the 60CSx has been considered the best model for geocaching for quite a while. The new Colorado and Oregon are probably equally as good, but are fairly high dollar comparatively.

 

[bobisculous]

Yep. I have a 60CSx primarily used for caching and am really happy with it.

If I had the money, I would likely upgrade to an Oregon...however I dont have the money.