New GPS

[jtown2829]

I'm thinking about getting a Garmin ETrex Legend hand held GPS. Anybody know if they are any good? I want to get a hand held so it's easier to move from boat to truck and so forth. Are there any better ones that won't break the wallet?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: New GPS

The Legend is a great unit. Also look at the etrex Vista if you want an electronic compass and barometric altimeter which don't come with the Legend. The Vista Cx also has a microSD card slot for virtualy unlimited memory. The extra $75 for the Vista is worth it in my opinion. Only look at the color versions of these units, the B&W versions are way hard to read.

 

[ksubigbuck]

Re: New GPS

Look at the Garmin 276. It is a dual purpose GPS that is made to be used in the boat and the truck. It has a much bigger screen than the handhelds, and also takes mapping cards. The 376, 378, and 478 are the same as the 276, but with some higher-end features.

 

[chuck_050382]

Re: New GPS

I really like my Garmin GPS 60 CX. For boating, road trips, and geocaching its a great unit.

 

[jtown2829]

Re: New GPS

Thanks for the advice guys. I think it's between the Vista CX or the 60CX. I'm leaning towards the 60.

 

[64NHALF]

Re: New GPS

Check out this Garmin product, I have been eyeballing this one for myself, I would like to use it also in the Water, Woods, and depending on it's limitations even on my Motorcycle for road trips "Garmin GPSMAP 76CS (Color Screen! Waterproof!)"

Does anyone have any input for the GSPMAP 76SC?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: New GPS

Does anyone have any input for the GSPMAP 76SC

Great unit, but pricey compared to the Vista which has similar features, just a smaller screen. It all depends what you're going to use it for. I hike alot and I don't want to carry around something as big as the 76. Personally, I think the VistaCx is the best All Around unit out there compromising size for portability at the same time with the color screen, it's usable for boat and vehicle navigation too.

 

[Boatist]

Re: New GPS

I have a Garmin GPSMAP 76 that I bought the second year they were out. The unit works perfect but I would never never buy again. I looked at the ETrix first but the screen just too small. My Garmin GpsMap 76 came with a decent base map that has all the marine buoys but today units come with a base map so bad can hardly find San Francisco Bay and have no Buoys.

The reason I do not like my GpsMap 76 with a the decent base map is it is very hard to see when driving in the car. Only time you can really see it is if the sun is hitting the screen or at night if you turn the lamp on. The unit is still pretty small so hard to read names. If you want a 12 volt lighter plug that at least $30.

Before you buy at least look at the Lowrance H2O and the color H2O C.
The units are cheaper than the Garmin and come with a great base map. Has all the buoys and you can see it. It has a bigger screen than the Garmin GpsMap76 and it comes with a free lighter plug. Still small enough to put in a case and on your belt. Fits nice on my dash.

Get what you want but in my book the ETrix is to small to see while driving down the road and on the boat only a option if your 18 and have 20/20 vision.

For me I do not need the electronic compass on such a small screen. First I have a compass on the boat and do not use a compass for steering in the car as I drive down the road. Hicking with my gpsmap 76 have to take 2 steps then the compass comes up.

Lowrance also has units the same size with the compass and Barometric Altimeter if you need that. However when you see 4 satellites you get elvation good to about 200 feet and do not have to enter the Barometric pressure every day for it to be correct. Lowrance unit has 16 satellite channels also instead of 12. However 12 should be enough.

Bottom line is look at the Lowrance H2O C and H2O and compare before you buy. Also ask your self while your looking at the Etrix if you really think will be able to read while the unit is on the dash.

 

[coletrain6000]

Re: New GPS

I have a Garmin Etrex Legend C. It comes loaded with most major navigation aids and bouys marked on-screen. Yes the screen is small, but its is a handheld device! Dont bother with a unit without a color screen. Color is a must have for determining difference between land/sea roads/rivers. It tracks satellites pretty quickly upon start up. I have locked it to an accuracy of +or- 7ft. It is pretty accurate on the speed and very accurate on distance traveled. I love that I can put it on the dash of my truck, on the console of my boat, or the top of my backpack and it tells me where I am with no wires no fuss. The best investment is getting a set of rechargeable batteries for it. I also got the 12v adapter for my truck. I use it all the time. I have 50 or so spots marked, like fishing spots, trail heads, buddies houses. I even used it in the jungle in Cosat Rica.

 

[Big Keepers]

Re: New GPS

I have a Magellen sport pro I think its called? It does what I need it to. Very affordable too, less than $300.

 

[64NHALF]

Re: New GPS

Well I have been looking around the past couple of days and I finally made my decision, like anything else that you look at and research over the web it can be overwhelming. It's hard to think that just about 15 years ago (or less) you would have bought something that your family owned (cause that is all you knew). but now with the internet and places like this there is so much more you can educate yourself with and hear all the good/bad and otherwise. So now that I have gone on for about 7 lines, I just bought a Garmin GPSMAP 76CS (in the box factory refurbished) for less than $185. w/ shipping! So I hope I have done right, and I am sure I'll have to spend weeks looking at that dang manual to figure out what it does.


Oh wait, I don't need no stinking manual............

 

[Boatist]

Re: New GPS

With that unit what you need is to buy a map as has the worst base map I have ever seen. also if your going to use in day time need to build a black box to put it in so you can read the screen. Very very dim compared to Lowrance H20 C.

 

[64NHALF]

Re: New GPS

With that unit what you need is to buy a map as has the worst base map I have ever seen. also if your going to use in day time need to build a black box to put it in so you can read the screen. Very very dim compared to Lowrance H20 C.

I see what you mean about a bad base map, it only shows highways and a few main roads, well here goes another $100. As far as the screen goes, it is not too bad, looks pretty good unless the sun hits it just at the right angle, then it is hard to see, I think it being in color helps out quite a bit.

 

[chuck_050382]

Re: New GPS

Now that you have it, check out geocaching. Its a great game/sport. We like to hike and tromp around in the woods any way and geocaching at least gives us a goal to our rambling about.

 

[64NHALF]

Re: New GPS

Well let the games begin............. For some reason I am getting horrible satellite reception in my area, I put fresh batteries in it, powered it up, and waited and waited and waited, nothing could not acquire a satellite, I tried everything, even drove around the area, got a good signal once (9 satellites locked in.) then nothing, so I have called Garmin, tried the muli-button restart, nothing. So I am going to send it back to Garmin. We'll see what happens next (fingers crossed).

 

[64NHALF]

Re: New GPS

Well I got my unit back last week, Garmin said they could not fix it so they swapped out for a new one! plugged 2 AA's into it, took it out side, fired it up, and within 5 minutes I was locked on to satellites galore, plugged my external antennae in and boosted the reception through the roof. I then let it sit for 25 more minutes before moving it, took it into the house and was still hitting 3 satellites. Needless to say I am very impressed, now I just need to find a good Topo ans water map (the base map bites).

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: New GPS

You got a 170, 260, or 289 in that 64 1/2? I had the same color/year with a 170, stock AC, later upgraded to a 200.

 

[Jim Kirkham]

Re: New GPS

had similar p[roblems w/my GPSmap76, finally upgraded to the map76color...not at all pleased with it. very slow to correct direction...simple and easy marking fishing structures, (as long as you are willing to make a half dozen passes trying to later relocate)