handheld gps

so the Geocaching thread got me thinking about getting a handheld gps. recommendations? something not too expensive

 

Whats not too expensive? I would go with a garmin for sure. I have the 70CSx

 

between 100-200. preferably closer to 100

 

Yep, get a Garmin. I have a Venture HC that I got refurb for $75, but I would rather have one with an SD card slot to load all the maps. These units supposedly also have a stronger antenna to locate satellites faster, and I can tell a difference.

 

Go look at the Garmin iQue 3600. They are fairly cheep on Ebay. This gives you a full PDA and used SD card. There is a newer version, but it will be slightly more money.

 

garmin...ftw. they have some really nice hand helds that work really well.

 

Garmin Etrex series are fairly cheap

 

I've got a garmin summit HC. I mainly use it to keep track of the miles while out on the quad. Also, to find my way back to the staging area in the dark. I haven't figured out all the features yet.

 

i was lookin for that at $129. thats what i'm leaning toward at the moment. can anyone recomend better for the same price or less?

 

Nd. I am an avid geocacher, my first gps was a garmin gpsII, I now have a garmin etrex vista HCX, I got it online from walmart, accepts micro hd card, maps are really expensive, but if you want to geocache, 99.99 at wally world will get you a non bells and whistle gps that will do fine. the newer ones are great, geocaching is a fun thing to do out doors. Any questions, let me know. Good luck.

 

I have a garmin emap for hunting... it works pretty well! no complaints and i've had it several years.

 

i very well may bug you at some point

so obviously garmin is the way to go based on what i've read....

 

Yeah, and the HcX models are nice. I got the software for free Also, check around for refurbs if you don't mind them.

 

My friend has a DeLorean and I hate that thing...

 

i dont mind refurb

 

I bought a Garmin EtrexHC for 108$ from Walmart, it is color and has internal memory. They "Garmin" get you with the "maps".. trying to sell you Terrain maps, and lakes & rivers, and even Roads... you can get them for free online if you hunt.

http://www.ibycus.com/ibycustopo/#Download
apparently, it's no longer there.. So I found it below. the 800MB file
http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/19

You have to import the map file once you download it, and it doesn't work "perfect" but you can load the quadrants (about 3 at a time in the 24mb EtrexHC) and it has all the rivers and bodies of water from 2008. Road map has had all the roads I have looked for. Load the waypoints from GEOCACHING.com directly to your GPS.. and off on the hunt you go.

Hope it helps,
Sam

 

Excellent info!

 

i've had an ETrex Legend for almost ten years. i use it mostly for marking boundaries and deer trails on my family's property. i've also used it on highway trips a few times and on some hikes in the state parks where i'm not familiar with the terrain...gets me back to the truck everytime. it has worked excellent for me over the years. i bought the topo maps from Garmin a year or so after i got the unit. i recommend the map upgrade for better orienteering. my only complaint with it would be battery life. i only seem to get about 9 or so hours out of a regular set of AA's. if i use the expensive lithium batteries...more like 16 or so hours. it's not as fancy as some of the newer models Garmin offers, but it does everything i need it to.