I bought a new GPS... Mistake?

[Victor N TN]

Hey guys. I had been thinking about a new Garmin GPS that Midway had listed for about $400. It had all the bells and whistles. The day after Christmas we went to the new (at least to us) COSTCO store in west Knoxville. Inside of 10 minutes in the store I spotted a big display for the Magellan eXplorist 350H. Long story short, I bought it. I think the price they had on it was ballpark of $180. I feel like I have fallen down a dry well. The first 3 days I spent at least 10 or 12 hours a day trying to figure this thing out.

Now this is my 3rd GPS. It isn't like I didn't have any idea what it was. But I was LOST, sitting at my own desk. Maybe I should get one of grandkids to show me how it works.

Does anyone here have any experience with this model? I've looked at youtube videos and tried to download maps off the computer.

I have been able to make a little headway. Maybe 1% of what it can do. But both the other units I have had I was underway in a matter of an hour or two. Neither of my degrees prepared me for this kind of abandonment.

If anyone can help me, I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.
Victor

 

[Johnnny13]

I am can pretty much tell you how to do anything on a Garmin. You could always list it on Ebay or something and then purchase a Garmin. Sorry I couldn't really help. Best of luck with it.

 

[flounderv2]

No offense but that is pretty funny. Its hell getting old. Good luck!. Im in the market for a new GPS this year as well and Im leaning towards the New Garmin Monterra (going to wait a few more firmware revisions until the bugs are worked out) Although the EARL is pretty tempting at its price point.

 

[Jumper]

I know how you feel. With mine when I first bought it, I found it was easier to understand it If I was moving with it in a car or boat etc. You can see what it does which helped me learn it.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

 

[Tact999]

I bought a new GPS... Mistake?

Garmin is the only GPS I would recommend. Magellan is crap, just my experience.

 

[Victor N TN]

Johnny and Flounder,

Don't get a Magellan. Don't get a Magellan. Don't get a Magellan.

This is probably a good LITTLE device. (Emphasis on "little".) The screen is slightly smaller than a standard Zippo or Scripto cigarette lighter. OKOK... How about the same size as a standard box or matches. When you actually turn it on, the screen comes up and measures 1 3/8" X 1 3/4". The display in the store was considerably larger. You got a large "card" from the display then as you were going through the checkout, a runner went to get your device.

When GPS units first came out, my friend Bob that passed away several years ago, had one of the Magellan units. That thing was as bad as trying to put a Japanese stereo together with instructions in Chinese.

One day I may learn.

Victor

 

[elfster1234]

If you get a gps, make sure its a garmin with lifetime map updates.

Johnny and Flounder,

Don't get a Magellan. Don't get a Magellan. Don't get a Magellan.

This is probably a good LITTLE device. (Emphasis on "little".) The screen is slightly smaller than a standard Zippo or Scripto cigarette lighter. OKOK... How about the same size as a standard box or matches. When you actually turn it on, the screen comes up and measures 1 3/8" X 1 3/4". The display in the store was considerably larger. You got a large "card" from the display then as you were going through the checkout, a runner went to get your device.

When GPS units first came out, my friend Bob that passed away several years ago, had one of the Magellan units. That thing was as bad as trying to put a Japanese stereo together with instructions in Chinese.

One day I may learn.

Victor

 

[spswatip]

Victor:

Costco allows you to return your purchase of any electronic device for any reason within 90 days of the date you bought it, which you probably already know, but maybe you don't if Costco is new to you. If I were you I would just go take it back and get a Garmin....

 

[Victor N TN]

Victor:

Costco allows you to return your purchase of any electronic device for any reason within 90 days of the date you bought it, which you probably already know, but maybe you don't if Costco is new to you. If I were you I would just go take it back and get a Garmin....

Uh... NO I DIDN'T know that.

It just so happens that We have to be close to there for a doctor visit this morning. I think we may just go by and ask.

Thanks so much for that information. You are correct in assuming that we are relative new comers to the COSTCO experience.

Thanks again,
Victor

 

[Victor N TN]

OK... If I get back that money to go toward a new Garmin, what model does everyone like? I don't want the Rino version with a radio combo. But a slightly larger screen than what I have would be great.

Thanks in advance.
Victor

 

[kraigWY]

Bite the bullet and hire a teenager.

 

[flounderv2]

OK... If I get back that money to go toward a new Garmin, what model does everyone like? I don't want the Rino version with a radio combo. But a slightly larger screen than what I have would be great.

Thanks in advance.
Victor

Depending on on your needs/wants/budget. I would probably go in this order with the understanding that the pricepoint gets higher as you go down the list.

eTrex $110-$199
GPS Map or Montana - Prices on these range from $349-$530. The Montana has a larger screen and less battery life while the GPS Map models hav a bit smaller screen, better battery, and I believe better signal quality due to the antenna but dont quote me on that.
Monterra - Newest, Latest and greatest. Still has some bugs but they are working on it, Also runs on android OS so you can download a ton of other apps that will interface such as geocaching, outdoor apps, etc. Anything that would run on an Android phone runs $640-$700 depending on map selection. <- I plan on picking one of these up in the next few months hopefully. Do I need all of the functions for my use. Nope, but Im also a gadget guy and have an addiction to functionality. Not to mention, Im an IT guy so Im looking forward to the Android hacks that come out for this thing over the next year.

You can do comparisons of the different model specs on the Garmin webpage here. https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-trail/handhelds/cOnTheTrail-cHandheld-p1.html

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

Bite the bullet and hire a teenager.

LOL...............or maybe a 6th grader. I have the Rhino and although it's not what you desire has been a good unit and pretty darn simple to operate. I also have BC Navigator on my Nomad that is even more detailed but obviously too heavy and bulky for backcountry. What I am finding though is that I am using the darned IPHONE with the various maps and Google Earth instead of either.

 

[Victor N TN]

kraig, Our grandsons will be here this weekend. The oldest is in high school.

flounder, With this refund I might be able to make the $350 mark.

EXTREME, I have a dumb phone. All it does is make calls.


I found the receipt and all the stuff that came with it. My wife even found the box and paperwork. When I get out of the doctor around lunch time, I'm going to stop by the COSTCO and ask what they think about it. Then 3 miles down the road is Gander Mountain. I'll stop in there and see what they have I can handle and look at.

Thanks for all the help guys.
Victor

 

[timelinex]

kraig, Our grandsons will be here this weekend. The oldest is in high school.

flounder, With this refund I might be able to make the $350 mark.

EXTREME, I have a dumb phone. All it does is make calls.


I found the receipt and all the stuff that came with it. My wife even found the box and paperwork. When I get out of the doctor around lunch time, I'm going to stop by the COSTCO and ask what they think about it. Then 3 miles down the road is Gander Mountain. I'll stop in there and see what they have I can handle and look at.

Thanks for all the help guys.
Victor

Nothing to ask.... You didn't even need the receipt or box. Just the product itself and your membership card. Costco is great!

 

[flounderv2]

Heres a massive 1 page comparison of all the units, options, and MSRP prices.
Handheld GPS Comparison : GPS Handheld Navigation : Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance, Delorme Comparison : GPS CENTRAL Canada GPS Sales

Outdoor Gear Lab results are usually pretty spot on with their comparisons and reviews of most outdoor products.
Rating Scores - The Best Handheld GPSs - OutdoorGearLab

 

[roggom]

I have a Garmin Oregon, it is all that I need and nothing I dont. I like the ability to add custom overlays of my hunting area. Anything you can overlay on a google earth map, can be imported to the Garmin.

I had an Etrex, which was nice, but didnt have an active compass. It gave bearing by tracking my movement. The Oregon (450T) has the compass feature.

I am a rather frugal guy, but saving a few hundred will not get my ass out of the middle of the forrest. No need to go "over the top" on a GPS, but this in not a place to skimp.
The etrex along with a compass will get you where you need to go, the Oregon, Colorado, Montana have nicer features.

 

[ZombieMonkey]

Costco sometimes will have pretty good guides on their website for some of those products or one of their associates can actually show you how to use it if you want to try to use it. That's one of the best things about Costco is that their employees generally are pretty good since they take much better care of them than at other places. Plus as has been mentioned, Costco stands behind their products and will take that back without any hassle even without a receipt since they can look up all of your purchases from your membership card.

 

[RFtinkerer]

Get a touch screen Garmin. I switched to the Montana 650t last year and it is much easier to use than any other I have had.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-...dheld-atFILTER_FEATURE_TOUCHSCREEN_01-p1.html

 

[TheGerman]

Costco will take back pretty much anything if it doesn't look used/destroyed.

Also, are you using the GPS as a road turn by turn unit or something to use to go hunting/shooting?

If you're off road with it, I recently got a Garmin Oregon 450 and got the 'grid' property maps for 5 western states with it. It color codes everything for you like a plat map separating private, public, BLM, state trust, indian land, etc so you'll never wonder if you're ina spot that you legally can hunt or shoot. It also shows the geography for all access roads down to little washed out dirt roads that are more beaten paths than anything to navigate through the terrain with.

 

[Tact999]

I love my Garmin Montana 650t. I use it pretty much daily for work.

 

[Victor N TN]

I love my Garmin Montana 650t. I use it pretty much daily for work.

Tell me a little about how complicated it is to get everything going. Of the ones I'm looking at this one is the most expensive. It also has the most doo-dads and bells and whistles. They have it MSRP like $600. You know of any place that run them cheaper?

Thanks in advance.
Victor

 

[TheGerman]

Tell me a little about how complicated it is to get everything going. Of the ones I'm looking at this one is the most expensive. It also has the most doo-dads and bells and whistles. They have it MSRP like $600. You know of any place that run them cheaper?

Thanks in advance.
Victor

When I got the Garmin Oregon (relatively the same thing) I was surprised how 'dumbed down' it was compared to ipads, ipods, etc.

You turn it on, it connects to satellites and everything is touchscreen. Mine has 2 'pages' worth of buttons for things like the map, waypoints, settings. Nothing spectacular and not overwhelming. Using it is pretty easy as well and the setup book it came with is a whole 5 pages.

Question is, do you NEED everything the Montana 650t comes with? A Oregon 450 can be had for less than $200 with 90% of the same features and a slightly smaller screen.

 

[DIBBS]

I have an older Garmin 62 CSX if I remember correctly. I've been happy with it, and that series, just wish it had a LARGER screen for my old eyes. With the memory card, I have the entire state USGS maps loaded onto it. this hunting season I saw a newer version, and the owner had the whole states' landowners and parcels on it. I may have to look at buying that data!

 

[Victor N TN]

Does anyone have any experience with a Garmin GPSMAP 62stc ?

 

[JohnnyC]

Does anyone have any experience with a Garmin GPSMAP 62stc ?

The 62 series is all the same base. The T indicates it comes with topo maps loaded. The C indicates that it has a camera. The st and stc have about double the internal memory capacity than the S or the plain 62.

I've got the S because I knew I was adding my own topos to it. I haven't run into an issue having 1.7 gigs of memory as opposed to the 3.5 that comes on the ones with pre-loaded topos. They all also have SD slots for expanding memory.

Here's a comparison of 4 of them. Basically one of each type of range as you can get the camera but no topo, topo but no camera, neither, or everything.

Comparison of 4 Garmin 62 series.

I really like mine. It does everything I want and more stuff than I ever use. Usually I run a Foretrex 401 and do most of my work on the back end before dumping the data to it. However, hunting on unfamiliar land the 62s with the PLAT topos are a lifesaver. It's never gotten me lost and has always been fast an accurate. Whenever I've verified with map and compass, I've always been happy with how close they are. I'm not putting a JDAM in the 3rd floor, 6th window in from the northwest corner, so it's more than adequate for my needs.

 

[Victor N TN]

I went ahead and ordered the Garmin GPSMAP 62stc. Midway had been running them on sale for the last month. This is the unit I WAS going to order before I got the Magellan. The regular price was $499.99 with the sale price it was $382.49 By the time I take the other unit back, I think I'll have enough Christmas money left to pay the credit card bill when it comes.

Anyway, I went ahead and ordered it. So I guess in a few days I'll be taking the Magellan back and playing with the Garmin instead.

I really want to thank everyone for all the help trying to make this choice. I was so frustrated trying to get that Magellan unit to work I was about to pull out what's left of my gray hair.

Thanks again.
Victor

 

[RFtinkerer]

Good choice. You'll be happy with it.

 

[mdesign]

My friend has the 62stc from Midway and seems it seems to work very well. Kind of thinking about getting one myself.

 

[Victor N TN]

My friend has the 62stc from Midway and seems it seems to work very well. Kind of thinking about getting one myself.

I got the last one on the sale price. I pulled that page up a few minutes ago and the price is back up to $499.99 Maybe they'll have them on sale again soon.

Thanks again to all those with more tech savvy than I have. I I really appreciate all the help. Whether I went with your model or not. I still appreciate the effort and the help.

Thanks,
Victor

 

[Victor N TN]

Hahaha... Those people are FAST. I just got an email from Midway saying my package had shipped. In all likelihood it has been boxxed and labeled waiting on UPS until Monday. But that's pretty fast anyway.

I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

 

[JohnnyC]

If you plan on using it at all for hunting, I HIGHLY recommend huntinggpsmaps.com

 

[Redmanss]

Although the EARL is pretty tempting at its price point.

Vapor ware still, but at least they're giving updates. I'm hoping they're shipping before my next leave in April so I can get some time with it before taking it into the mountains in August. I'm hoping to pair it with a Garmin 62, using the Earl at base camp for the most part while I move around fishing different lakes in the area.

Good choice Victor on going Garmin. I've used others for work, and I've come back to Garmin every time on my own dime.

 

[Victor N TN]

It's been a few days since I posted a note as to how things are going. I had to go have blood drawn yesterday so on the way back we went back by Costco and went in to return the Magellan unit had bought there. I had everything that came with it in the original box. My wife had the receipt. (It was bought on her card.) The lady asked a couple of question and then asked if we wanted store credit or cash...! Took less than 3 minutes from walk up to walk away. Costco gets a really big vote from me.

We got home and I was sitting at my desk and the mail man walked up to the door. I noticed he had a Midway USA NITRO EXPRESS box in his hand. I opened it up and there is the Garmin unit. I put batteries in it and turned it on. I walked outside and within a minute it had 5 satellites.

I haven't done much with it. But I'm really looking forward to learning all about it.

Thanks again to everyone that helped me in this decision making process.
Victor