Good GPS unit ?

[High Binder]

Hey guys, I know precisely dick about GPS units but I know I want one. What would be a good unit with color screen and ability to add maps that doesn't cost too much? I don't need tons of features but a few typical ones would be nice.

Any other advice would be awsome as well.

Thanks in advance

 

[christian77]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

Garmin GPS 60CSx

 

[hugo121175]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

I have the Rino530. The unit is tits. You can add your own maps, and use the "Tracks" application to add trails and roads to maps. It also has a two way radio, and you can see other people in your area on your screen. You can't go wrong with it.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=146&pID=8523

 

[skinney_7]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

I have a bushnell onix 400, very user friendly easy to set waypoints, large display screen, and you can purchase topo maps from the bushnell website to download onto your onix, battery seems to die fast unless you enter safetrack mode, (shuts down your screen but still accepts sat. data), you can also get XM/Sirius on this device. I have also heard good things abou the trimble nomad.

 

[Mo_Zam_Beek]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

A thought - read this book first:

http://www.amazon.com/GPS-Land-Navigation-Michael-Ferguson/dp/0965220257

Covers what a GPS is, how they work, basic vs expanded features, how to use a GPS, how to select a map, how to set up a map for use with UTM, how to fold a map, how to nav with a map, how to correctly interface your map with your GPS (datum - understanding and converting, compass types, selecting a compass, using a compass, how to nav with 1 or all 3.

I have the cheapest Garmin available (Etrex) and aside from wishing there was Qwerty Keyboard to punch in co-ords faster I see no reason to change having read this book.

Get a good compass. Carry a USGI quad map.

Minimum - down load the free USGI Topo maps from ITunes as well as the free Peak.ar application (tells you the name of the land features that you see)


Good luck

 

[NRF]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

I have never used one or don't know anyone else that has.

Can you tell me how good they will function when your in a wilderness location. I am sure they are all ran off of satellites so I didn't know how much weather or terrain effects them??

I have a Colorado hunt coming up and am interested in one as well.

 

[High Binder]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hugo121175</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have the Rino530. The unit is tits. You can add your own maps, and use the "Tracks" application to add trails and roads to maps. It also has a two way radio, and you can see other people in your area on your screen. You can't go wrong with it.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=146&pID=8523 </div></div>

Oh, that is cool! Thanks for the info! Pretty obvious why it's called a Rino.

 

[High Binder]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mo_Zam_Beek</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
http://www.amazon.com/GPS-Land-Navigation-Michael-Ferguson/dp/0965220257
</div></div>

For $0.01 for a used copy, that's a no brainer. Just ordered it and it cost a whooping $4 total after shipping. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Mo_Zam_Beek]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NF41780</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have never used one or don't know anyone else that has.

Can you tell me how good they will function when your in a wilderness location. I am sure they are all ran off of satellites so I didn't know how much weather or terrain effects them??

I have a Colorado hunt coming up and am interested in one as well. </div></div>

GPS signals are compromised by several things. Not the least of which is overhead obstructions (read dense trees). Generally speaking yeah it works just fine as long as you have 3 or more Sats. Then again it is an electronic device. This is why we carry a map, a compass and know how to look at a draw, peak, saddle, what have you in front of us and then recognize it on a map.

A fun practice game that incorps several skills that I play with ORShooter is you get a GPS co-ord for, and an azimuth off of the compass from the shooting position to the UKD target. You must range / read wind / make the shot with your optic only. Sliding point scale, 5 rounds max.

Great game. You just move the target when your done and email co-ords to the other guy.



Good luck

 

[hugo121175]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shot In The Dark</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hugo121175</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have the Rino530. The unit is tits. You can add your own maps, and use the "Tracks" application to add trails and roads to maps. It also has a two way radio, and you can see other people in your area on your screen. You can't go wrong with it.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=146&pID=8523 </div></div>

Oh, that is cool! Thanks for the info! Pretty obvious why it's called a Rino. </div></div>

Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opc55y-RG6Q

 

[DIBBS]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

I would concur with Doorkicker's recommendation of a Garmin 60CSX, having used one for several(5+) years. Fortunately, through my employer, I have USGS quads for the entire state loaded on the unit. However, being electronic, you also need to have a map and compass available, because equipment fails, batteries die, you take a fall and put a rock thru the display screen etc. Also, in rough terrain, you can not maintain the 2.5 to 3 mph required to use the compass on the GPS Unit to navigate to a particular point. My best results have been to use the goto function, and use a hand compass to navigate to said point. They're excellent for navigating in unknown areas due to having topogs/roads/streams etc. Periodically several of the large wholesalers have had these for 280-320, but I haven't checked prices recently. I like to have it with me anytime I'm exploring outdoors.

 

[KTDLS7]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

ShotInTheDark,

I've been using GPS before it was commercial (there were 3 SVs), and have used many units from Trimble Pathfinder (survey) to consumer units. I presently have a Garmin Rino 530HCx for general outdoor use and have no regrets. Receiver sensitivity is most impressive, and the intergral FRS/GMRS radio has some unique features. Yeah, it does have some "fluff" on the main menu like some cell phones, but the unit performs. Go to the Garmin site and download the owner's manual for all the goodies.

ktdLS7

 

[anny]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

The Bottom Line: The TomTom Ease succeeds in being a good low-cost GPS device for first-time navigators, and its small size and good battery life make it.

 

[PDXGS]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

Hi All,
I own three GPS units currently and have owned about twelve in my life. I currently use GPS units for everything from wilderness search and rescue operations to daily driving navigation. The most reliable and rugged units I've been around have been the Garmin 60CSX units( this is my current SAR unit)as well as the Garmin eTrex HCx units. I'd suggest that you stay away from the newer Garmins with the larger screens as they're not as rugged and tend to be power hogs. Garmin is about to launch some new units so the price on the 60CSX has been dropping. You can load topo map programs into most of the better units by simply inserting a map data card (Topo). Cabelas just put the 60CSX on sale this week.
NOW READ THIS!
Any GPS is is only as good as your ability to use it and it's batteries. So, read the manual and carry spare batteries. I'd also suggest learning how to use a map and compass, if you don't know how to already. Our SAR team spends a lot of time searching the Oregon Coastal Range looking for hunters who carry compasses and GPS units but have no clue about how to use them...

 

[awp762]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

Get a waterproof garmin unit & don't look back.
I've use 3 different garmin units & a few from other manufacturers. Garmin units win hands down for features & durability.

I use them on the road & on my ATV. When they get covered in mud i just rinse them in the sink or pond & keep going.
Currently using a zumo 550.

One thing to remember is that if you get one with pre-loaded maps & it has a memory/data card slot; make sure it is compatible with high capacity memory cards. a quick call to garmin's 800 number will give you the answer.

Also if you get one with preloaded maps get the lifetime map update; it pays for itself quickly.

As far as getting signals in dense areas or bad weather. If you turn the unit off it will just take longer to get a signal when you turn it back on in dense areas but will still work. I use an external antenna on my atv just to get the signal quicker. It also get a stronger signal with the external antenna. I've used it with & w/o the external antenna both wotk well. I've used it in snowstorms, dense forests, rain, etc w/o losing the signal.

Like everybody else said it is an electronic device. I keep a compass & topo maps stored in a waterproof container just in case it ever fails.

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

Garmin's rock. The avaialble topo maps and other mapsets they have are killer. The new stuff out is superb. I just got Panty 6 a Garmin nuVi 765T with Lifetime Maps updates. Everytime she goes out with stupid Yahoo Maps, MApquest maps she prints up, they are never correct. The little 765T gets her from teh front door to wherever she needs to get to with precision, as well as 3D directions.
The Zumo is killer but cost is up there with a new rifle by the time you load it with the good mapsets. IF your interest is pure trail, look hard at one of the waterproof handheld models and get the topo mapsets. You can also use teh 'Streets' mapset as well and if you can get a SD card into it toggle between both mapsets. Again the cost is not 'cheap' but can be done for under 500 bones

 

[High Binder]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Switchblade</div><div class="ubbcode-body">MApquest maps she prints up, they are never correct.</div></div>

You've never been truely lost until you're Mapquest lost.

 

[Lindy]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

For hiking, I think the Delorme PN-40, bundled with TopoUSA 8.0 software, is the best deal around. The TopoUSA software covers the entire United States, and you can download any selected segments to the SD card in the handheld. So, there are no additional maps to purchase.

It will take SD cards up to 32 GB, which is enough map space on a single card for several states.

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=29387&section=10461

It's not the best unit for car navigation - I use a TomTom for that - but for hiking, it's magnificent.

 

[High Binder]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

Awesome guys, I'm going shopping today. Thanks for all the help and info guys!

 

[djw442]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

Another vote for the Garmin 60CSx. I use it everyday had have had no problems, well other than the one I lost. But on my seconf one now an would not hesitate to buy another if i needed it. Just a few weeks ago BassPro had them on sale for $199.00, which is a hell of deal.

 

[SLVGW360]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

What will you be using it for? For general getting around the Garmin Etrex are pretty good.

However, I am with Lindy. The PN-40 can't be beat. Delorme offers base map data (USGS 7.5 min quads, aerial photos, etc.) that you can download to your hearts content for something like $40 dollars for one full year. If you really want to get into it you can go the Xmap route. This is Delorme's GIS system with three different versions. This will allow you to cut maps that also include data layers for things such as landownership, game information, etc. There are lots of government sources for free data to put on you unit.

FWIW

RB

 

[rmfield]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

Garmin has a couple of new ones coming out this year (thats why the 60 series units are on sale everywhere). You might want to hold off and see what improvements they offer.

 

[RobertB]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

I use the magellan 1500. I use it daily for work (survey) and love it. You can get the triton 300 model for about a bill. But since I use mine so much(it stays on my belt daily so I look like a dork) I upgraded to the Triton 1500 and love it. If they had the 3000 the day I bought it I probably would have gone that route. The 1500 is touch screen with several options and a flashlight. Like I said I love it cause it works great everyday.

 

[Nailz]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

I will agree with Lindy, I have the Delorme PN-30 and with the $30 yearly subscription for all the maps you can download, it's a screaming deal...

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Good GPS unit ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dibbs</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would concur with Doorkicker's recommendation of a Garmin 60CSX, having used one for several(5+) years. Fortunately, through my employer, I have USGS quads for the entire state loaded on the unit. However, being electronic, you also need to have a map and compass available, because equipment fails, batteries die, you take a fall and put a rock thru the display screen etc. Also, in rough terrain, you can not maintain the 2.5 to 3 mph required to use the compass on the GPS Unit to navigate to a particular point. My best results have been to use the goto function, and use a hand compass to navigate to said point. They're excellent for navigating in unknown areas due to having topogs/roads/streams etc. Periodically several of the large wholesalers have had these for 280-320, but I haven't checked prices recently. I like to have it with me anytime I'm exploring outdoors.</div></div>

Like my 60CSX. Still have my Magellan Platinum and it works great but the 60CSX works a lot better for getting distances with its tape measure function. You also have the baro, weather, terrain, etc

dibbs, you can set the function of the compass to "time out" and become a basic compass under 2.5 MPH after your desired seconds or minutes.
page 49
http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/GPSMAP60CSx_OwnersManual.pdf