Cato

I have had a Magellen 315, and I now own an Magellen eXplorist 400, and a Garmin Geko 201. I certainly like my eXplorist 400 with the mapping capabilitys etc. However, I also love my little Geko 201. So small and compact, ability to download waypoints from the computer etc. I am not sure why a couple of people have had battery life problems. No problems with battery life with my Geko 201. Maybe they have the Geko settings on the wrong battery type? Alkaline vs. NiMH ??? I would not use less then 900 mAh NiMH batteries in my Geko though. And if I come across batteries more powerful then that, I will use them. Maybe a problem with the batteries themselves?? Or maybe a defective Geko., although nobody I know that has a Geko has ever had a problem. There are a few people locally who use Gekos geocaching and they have no complaints. (Except for one person with a Geko 101 who wishes they had bought a 201. 101's can't be hooked up to a computer.) The Geko 201, in my opinion is almost a pefect beginning geocaching GPSr. (I don't believe in a pefect GPSr.) I would not sell mine. Just make sure you get the one that has a little ridge going part way around the on-off button. On that newer model, the on-off button is also recessed a little more to protect the unit from coming on accidently. This was a problem with earlier units.

Hi: I wouold say that no matter which you go for, Magellan or Garmin, in general you will get a good unit that does the job. In these forums you will find groups of people that are strong Garmin supporters, and groups of people that are strong Magellan supporters. There have been long back and forth debates from supporters of each, and I doubt very much that the arguments are going to stop any time soon. You can look for these arguments for and against both Magellan and Garmin in the archives of these forums. Then there are the people, like me, that like them both. Chevy, or Ford, they both do the job. I have owned several Magellans, and own a Magellan eXplorist 400 at the moment. I also have the adapter for it that allows me to use three AAA's if I wish. Having the option to use either the rechargable, or AAA's is great. I use the rechargable when I go out, but keep the adapter loaded with fresh Duracells in the case on my belt ready to go if I need them. I also own a Garmin Geko 201, that for its size and what I want it to do, is a fantastic little GPSr. I like them both. Wouldn't want to give up either of them. Just do your research on them, don't rush out out and the the first one you think you will like, decide what you need it to do now, and what you might want to use it for later, and then decide. And have fun.

Perhaps I am mistaken but I believe that the newer Gekos no longer has the problem with the power button that the earlier Gekos had. The newer Gekos have a minor design change that recessed the power button more into the case, and also redesigned the case a bit to have a little ridge that goes 50% - 60% of the way around the recessed button. This gives much better protection from it getting accidently turned on. I bought a small sturdy cell phone case that fits my Geko 201 perfectly, like it was made for it. In the year that I have had my Geko 201, using it for geocaching, and during back-packing and canoeing trips, I have never, not even once, had it turn on accidently. Pictures that I have seen of the first Gekos that came out did show the power button sticking up more, and it had no little protective ridge around the button. Just maked sure that you buy one of the newer Gekos, not one of the earlier ones, and there should be no problem with it turning on accidently. Check that the power button is recessed more then the other buttons, and the little ridge is there, before you buy. Even though I just went out today and bought the Magellan eXplorist 400 Wilderness Package, I still love my little Geko 201. No, it's not for sale.

Posting Error. My Apologies. Don't know how to delete the post, or even if it is possible to delete. All I was able to do was edit the post to give this apology. Sorry.

I have both a Magellan Sportrak Map and a Garmin Geko201. They both do what I need them to do. But the little Geko is so much handier. I didn't need the extras that the Geko 301 had, so didn't see the need to spend the extra money. But I wanted more then what the Geko 101 offered. The Geko 201 is perfect for me with its ability to hook up to the computer to download waypoints. I may buy better units in the future, I am thinking about a Magellan eXplorist 400. But I think the Geko201 will always be a bit special for me. It will be a classic I think. So small, lightweight, accurate, etc. Always take along extra batteries of course, no matter what unit you buy. A few extra sets of AAA batteries for the Geko take up little room and add little extra weight. And add a compass and topo map for back-up if you are heading off-road into untracked wilderness.