[Bueller44]

Heh guys, looking at getting a GPS. What is the best bang for the buck. I want to be able to use it in the city or traveling - street maps- but also be able to use it for geocaching - handheld?

Do I go with one of the car type with a 3" screen or do I go with a handheld.

I would be nice to key in an address or way points?

Thoughts?

 

[Old Navy]

Here's some previous info on that subject matter;
http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1206&highlight=gps

 

[RogueClimber]

Here's some previous info on that subject matter;
http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1206

Hey I was copying that link too

http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1206&highlight=gps

 

[usmc xterra]

With all the smash and grabs going on, Handheld is only way to go. Then also if you break down in the woods, you mark the spot, take most direct route out and find your way back with a fix. MC

 

[RogueClimber]

With all the smash and grabs going on, Handheld is only way to go. Then also if you break down in the woods, you mark the spot, take most direct route out and find your way back with a fix. MC

Wrist held even better!

 

[xterra4me]

I just got a Magellan eXplorist XL. I liked the big color screen, biggest for a handheld. I also got a good price by trading up. Magellan has a trade up program. I had a Magellan Map410 and it was starting to flake out. Magellan, through their support group, will take in a trade up. It only cost me $240. Magellan support is not very good. But the product is really rugged. It is rubberized, water repellant and seems to have good technology and features. They have a product called MapSend that is software for the GPS. It also uses SD Memory cards for inputting maps, routes, waypoints, etc.

I connect it to my laptop and use it with DeLorme's Street Atlas 2007 Plus. I create a route with the Street Atlas connect my GPS and it tracks my route and gives me directions. It works well.

 

[Bueller44]

Thanks for the link guys, I had read it actually. I should have said that I had read it.
I am wondering if all GPS units, regardless if they are handheld or portable Auto units have the ability to enter in way point / longitude and latidtude.

I know that the handhelds like the Garmin GPS 60 cs is like that, but would the Garmin Streetpilot also have this ablilty or are they just preloaded street maps?

And again the same question in the reverse, can you load street maps onto a handheld like the Garmin GPS 60cs?

I have no experience with GPS, and I have been reading the details of different ones, but have not found the answers to my questions yet.


Thanks for you help.

 

[drebit]

I am wondering if all GPS units, regardless if they are handheld or portable Auto units have the ability to enter in way point / longitude and latidtude.

Do a little more searching and you will find that most of the car based GPS units can not store waypoints. They are primarily meant for street navigation to a destination.

 

[Bueller44]

I am doing research into GPS units. I have come across the Garmin iQue 3000 / 3200 etc. How do I know if these are just good for street navigation?
Is there a word or term that tells me that it is only good for street in your car? Not all mention long and lat?
Can you just download different software to help?

So far the best units look like the Garmin 60Cx or CSx.

 

[usmc xterra]

All I know is, 3 years ago I was doing this same research. I wanted a unit for OFF ROAD, and Boating, biking and hiking. After it was all said and done It was Garmin hands down for ease of use and software availability. Most fishermen use Lowrance. So it was a hard step.

Afterwards I was happy I went with Garmin. I can transfer SD cards from one unit to another (Garimin 60 CS to my Garmin 188C) smoothly. I can add extreme detail to the hand held with the USB link and as long as I have my laptop, I can change the detail anytime, but it hold enough to go 650 mile trip easy. I seldom re program it. However, the new Garmin that replaces my Handheld takes SD cards! Whoooo that would be the sheet! But to expensive to update just for that as I have no problems now. I carry the handheld 100% of the time, for last 3 years I have dropped it, soaked it, left it in the sun on dash, I mean I have abused this sucker like Consumer Reports would only dream. It's Garmin all the way for me!

And a side note, at same time my Father in law Bought a Lowrance, the software was so expensive (Double Garmin's) he wouldn't buy It, so my dumb ass (I was trying to avoid the expense that's why I went Garmin) bought it for him. His unit is very hard to operate and navigate the screens as compared to my garmin, where my father of 73 can work it no problem.

Stop in a store that sells GPS's look at the accessory rack, Garmin!

MC

 

[xterra4me]

Garmin is a good way to go. I stuck with the Magellan because they have a trade-up program that was unbeatabe. It is easy to use, but their MapSend software is expensive. But if I was to buy from scratch, I would, at this time, go with Garmin. Magellan has a great unit, software is expensive.

 

[Grunzen]

If you already have a PDA another option is the Garmin GPS 10. The ant. is Bluetooth so no wires and it can use all the Garmin topo maps as well as street maps of the entire world. I do find it a little harder to deal with than a dedicated handheld but it is a good compromise between car and woods. I found mine on ebay for 150 a whole 100 off the retail.