Hrethgir

I went to give a try on a couple nearby one the other day on my scooter (just sold that today), put my PDA with the GPS software under the seat, attached the receiver to the rear carrier, ran a headphone cord from under the seat to the speakers in my helmet, and headed out. And as soon as I started the scoot up, it started raining. It was light, so I went anyways. But then it got heavier and even a little hail, so I turned around and went back home. Although I got a decent idea of where one of the caches is, but I didn't get a chance to look for it. Rain + 50 degree weather + wind + motorcycle gear = skipping caching and going home. Once the weather gets better and I get my handheld unit, though, the mountain bike and future motorcycle will be getting some work in!

OK, I think I know what I'm going to get: the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx. I want Garmin so I can directly download locations from geocaching.com to the unit, it has a color screen, small size and weight without really sacrificing screen size, high sensitivity receiver, and while it's about twice what I wanted to spend, I should still be able to find it reasonably priced on eBay or somewhere else. It also has expandable memory and the cable is USB instead of serial. Thanks for all the advice, guys, I'd rather spend a little more now and be happy in the long run that cheap out and outgrow it quickly.

Actually, the Geko I'm watching on eBay has a PC cable, but that other stuff makes a lot of sense. I've been out one with my friend soup, and I borrowed his Magellen something-or-other with a monochrome screen, and it got the job done, but I'm sure that a color screen would be easier to use. I'm actually watching a couple of map60c units on eBay, and I've played with that one a little, and it seemed nice, but the weight kind of concerns me. I know, I'm being kind of picky, but I want something I can easily use/carry on a mountainbike but that I won't outgrow, and I also don't want to spend too much, either. But if I can grab a map60 for a really good price, I'll go for it. I'll keep my eye open for a Venture HC, also. Thanks for all the advice, guys, I really appreciate it!

Thanks for the advice there. The more sensitive receiver is a good point. Now, I was looking at the eTrex H, which is the base-base model, is that one any better than the Geko? Seems like the only difference between them is the receiver and the eTrex H weighs twice as much. Don't really need maps, I already have turn-by-turn in the car, so whatever i end up with will be used either on foot on on my bicycle. Will the high sensitivity receiver really make a huge difference?

Wow, that title doesn't sound as good when you read it as it did in my head. Hmm, anyways.... Hey all, I'm new to geocaching, just got my first GPS unit (Pharos Ostia on a Dell Axim X30 PDA) a few months ago, and was originally using it for directions and whatnot. But one of the guys I carpool with (he's on geocaching.com as "soup") got me interested in in GC. We actually went out today and I got my first two finds, and only needed help with one of them (oddly, it was the easier on). But what I noticed is that the handheld unit of his I was using was great, since we were on bicycles, while my PDA unit needs to stay with the car (cable unit, receiver get's it's power from the cig lighter, not the PDA), so it's good to get me close, but I want something portable so I can still navigate my way to a cache onces I leave the car. Now, I wondering, how much stuff do you really need a handheld to do when it's only task will be short walks in the park looking for a hidden box? I'm looking at a Garmin Geko 201, seems like it will work quite well for me, but is that a unit I'm going to quickly out-grow, or should it be good for years to come? I'm thinking all I need is the ability to save waypoints and a compass/distance reading, and I'm good to go. Anything I'm missing? Sorry for the Wall of Words. Cliff Notes: I'm brand new to GC, looking to get a handheld to supplement PDA GPS in car that is not able t be used outside of the car. Will I outgrow the Garmin Geko 201 quickly, or will that be a good handheld for me to use for years to come?