I am looking for a Garmin GPS. I need an all purpose unit. I need one that I can use for Geocaching and driving. also would like to be able to use it on my ATV. I have a Garmin E trex. that i have had for a few years and it is about the cheapest GPS that one can buy as it contains no maps or anything. My current unit does not seem to be very accurate while geocaching, but maybe it is as accurate as the new ones are, i have nothing to compare it to. What do you guys suggest would be a good model for me. I prefer the AA battery format but does not have to be. Would like to stay as cheap as i can with one that serves my purpose. Thanks in advance.
GPS Help
- Thread starter Glock40
- Start date
Help Support Candle Power Flashlight Forum
gadget_lover
Flashaholic
The 60csx is pricy, but it does what you mentioned. I built a dashboard mount for mine and have used it for navigation and geocaching as well as finding banks, restaurants, etc.
The 60CSx typically comes without maps.... Well, it comes with a base map that only has highways and major roads. Expect to spend another $100 for the map software. Do NOT get the "NT" version of the maps. They render slower when you are navigating.
The 60CSx is not much more accurate than your etrex, but it will get a reliable signal and hold it much better, even in trees and other spots where you get a bad signal. The 60CSx does use AA cells and is quite happy on recargables. Mine has Eneloops in it.
I'm quite happy with mine, even though I got a dedicated Nuvi 750 for christmas to use in my car.
Daniel
The 60CSx typically comes without maps.... Well, it comes with a base map that only has highways and major roads. Expect to spend another $100 for the map software. Do NOT get the "NT" version of the maps. They render slower when you are navigating.
The 60CSx is not much more accurate than your etrex, but it will get a reliable signal and hold it much better, even in trees and other spots where you get a bad signal. The 60CSx does use AA cells and is quite happy on recargables. Mine has Eneloops in it.
I'm quite happy with mine, even though I got a dedicated Nuvi 750 for christmas to use in my car.
Daniel
BB
Flashlight Enthusiast
The new Garmins (like the 60cx types) have much more sensitive receivers and, potentially, will give you much more accurate locations in heavy brush and buildings than the older units.
The older units, for example, would never work inside a building or store. I looked at a 60cx and was surprised to receive and lock on quite a few satellites inside of the large REI store. I have a Nuvi 650 (car navigation) and it would even work (sometimes) inside of a concrete parking garage.
And, lastly, the new units also have WAAS--an extra satellite that transmits corrective data (for atmospheric variations and other issues) for more accurate fixes (US right now, other versions are in process for Europe and other places). Is intended for use by aircraft and ships for more accurate and reliable fixes and notification if one or more GPS satellites is/are transmitting bogus data (for whatever reason).
Since the WAAS transmitting satellites are geo synchronous, they are at the equator and for those of us in the US and Canada, these satellites are quite near the horizon and you may not get a good fix in valleys or with trees/buildings around... In some cases, these poor fixes actually result in less accurate locations than when WAAS is turned off.
-Bill
The older units, for example, would never work inside a building or store. I looked at a 60cx and was surprised to receive and lock on quite a few satellites inside of the large REI store. I have a Nuvi 650 (car navigation) and it would even work (sometimes) inside of a concrete parking garage.
And, lastly, the new units also have WAAS--an extra satellite that transmits corrective data (for atmospheric variations and other issues) for more accurate fixes (US right now, other versions are in process for Europe and other places). Is intended for use by aircraft and ships for more accurate and reliable fixes and notification if one or more GPS satellites is/are transmitting bogus data (for whatever reason).
Since the WAAS transmitting satellites are geo synchronous, they are at the equator and for those of us in the US and Canada, these satellites are quite near the horizon and you may not get a good fix in valleys or with trees/buildings around... In some cases, these poor fixes actually result in less accurate locations than when WAAS is turned off.
-Bill
I still use an ancient Garmin GPS III+ with a 3rd party external, amplified antenna for off road trails in a jeep. It gets fantastic reception and locks in very quickly in deep woods with that antenna, has built-in maps, runs on AA cells, and still accepts detailed topo maps from the PC running Garmin MapSource cd's. It still works extremely well even though it has a tiny b&w screen and no WAAS. This unit and the similar GPS V could probably be found on ebay VERY cheaply. But, it has very little memory and it doesn't "talk" in a choice of 13 voices. 
Check out the new Colorado series units from Garmin. They are very cool. Or you can get another eTrex HCx model with the new SiRF III chip (like the 60CSx). I've had good luck with www.gpsdiscount.com
Roger
Roger
bobisculous
Flashlight Enthusiast
I have a 60CSx and could not be happier. I use mine primarily for geocaching and works great. You can get them reasonably priced too online. Stay away from Best Buy and the like. Charge way more, then you get taxed too.
-C
-C
Buster Bodine
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2006
- Messages
- 87
I've been geocaching for over four years now and I use a Garmin 60Cx. I thought about getting the CSx but the only difference between the two is that the CSx has an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter.
Price difference is a solid 100 dollar bill.
I already own several good compasses and the barometric altimeter is only there as a way to verify the pre-recorded altitudes in the GPS memory. Using an analog altimeter, I've never found the pre-recorded altitudes to be off by more than +/- 1 meter.
Like I said, I own and use a Garmin 60Cx.
But I REALLY REALLY want one of the new Colorado units. They eliminate the need for a PDA for paperless caching and also provide the capacity for user input "Field Notes" on caches. Also, the memory is phenomenal.
The 60Cx holds 1000 caches in memory and when you first start out, you think that's a lot.
hahahahaha
It'll make you sick how fast you use that up.
The Colorado holds 10,000 caches and loads via USB.
If you can swing it, get the Colorado. The learning curve will be the same either way.
Price difference is a solid 100 dollar bill.
I already own several good compasses and the barometric altimeter is only there as a way to verify the pre-recorded altitudes in the GPS memory. Using an analog altimeter, I've never found the pre-recorded altitudes to be off by more than +/- 1 meter.
Like I said, I own and use a Garmin 60Cx.
But I REALLY REALLY want one of the new Colorado units. They eliminate the need for a PDA for paperless caching and also provide the capacity for user input "Field Notes" on caches. Also, the memory is phenomenal.
The 60Cx holds 1000 caches in memory and when you first start out, you think that's a lot.
hahahahaha
It'll make you sick how fast you use that up.
The Colorado holds 10,000 caches and loads via USB.
If you can swing it, get the Colorado. The learning curve will be the same either way.
