[Beginner looking for a GPS]

I was introduced to geocaching over the past weekend. I joined the site and was amazed by the large amount of caches in my area. I'm looking at purchasing a GPS. My budget is only $150 and I want something fairly easy to use. What GPS do you recommend? Thanks!

 

The Garmin eTrex Venture HC that I use does not have a lot of bells and whistles, but works great for geocaching. It has a high sensitivity receiver, USB, color screen, "geocaching mode", decent battery life, and takes AA batteries. Together with a case and NiMH batteries it'll still come in below $150. I bought mine for $115 but Amazon has since raised the price to $130.

 

Check out the Delorme PN-20 at www.delorme.com. It is a little more money that you stated you wanted to spend, but you will be glad you spent the extra if you can. It comes with Delorme's Topo 7 map package and is a great little unit. You will be glad you got the map program and the extra functionality.

[DeLorme rebate - too techie for newbie?]

Hi. I'm new here and was doing some research as to which GPS to buy. I have no recommendations as I've never owned a GPS but in my research I see that there's a rebate that starts tomorrow (when purchased through certain sellers). $20 for the PN-20 and $50 for the PN-40 (which Walmart now has for $328 before rebate).

 

I see many posts that say the Garmin CSX and DeLorme PN-40 are both pretty savvy devices and with the rebate are about the same price point, but I'm a novice so I might just go for something less intimidating....any advise if I want to spend about $150 or less?

 

Question: would any of the units have maps available for rural Ireland? When I called DeLorme to confirm that the rebate was good if the unit was purchased at Walmart they said there's only comes with USA maps.

 

Thanks. Maureen

 

You cannot go wrong with the PN-40! It is not that hard to learn to use and there is great help on this forum and from Delorme. The Topo 7 software that is packaged with the unit is a big plus and remember Delorme has been in the mapping business for years. I have used Garmin, Trimble, as well as Delorme both personally and at my work. In fact we have over 30 PN-20's and PN-40's. You will be happy you made the investment in the PN-40. Hope this helps a little.

[DeLorme rebate - too techie for newbie?]

I think everyone is right on this debate about the difficulty level of the PN-40/Topo7 package, because it depends so much on the individual in terms of patience, persistence, and comfort with things techie. TWolpert hits the balance pretty well IMO: the PN-40 does the basics in a reasonably straight-forward manner that are no better or worse than the difficulty in learning to use any other handheld GPS. It's the depth of features--mainly associated with the imagery capabilities--that makes it more complicated. If set aside until one feels ready to take them on, the PN-40 is a doable venture for a newbie.

 

It is mostly the Topo7 software, and particularly the imagery downloading and detail map creation process that is the complicated part. Somoeone aptly pointed out that comparing Topo7 to Garmin's Mapsource software was like comparing Word to Notepad. As with Word, many users will employ a fraction of Topo7's capabilities. And that's fine. If one doesn't bite off more than one can chew, the meal goes well. (If you're curious about what the process of downloading imagery data and creating a detail map looks likethis Flash tutorial illustrates the process. Note that the steps aren't all that complicated--it's knowing what to do when that can be very confusing the first time through.)

 

As Rich implies, other GPS models don't offer the extra imagery capabilities and so one doesn't have to bother with a whole level of complexity. This makes the GPS much simpler to master--something lost, but something gained. As Roddy says, there are directions, tutorials, and online help available to get a new user up the learning curve. Delorme themselves have said that the PN-40 is not aimed at the first-time GPS owner. That doesn't necessarily preclude someone from jumping in to the deep end of the pool, but it does acknowledge that many GPS owners would be most comfortable starting with something more basic. I used to try a little more actively to deter someone from starting off with a PN device, but Delorme has begun to make it possible to do some things with the PNs like loading detail map files and geocaches without having to delve into Topo7, which makes the learning curve less steep (if still pretty long).

 

In the end, the prospective buyer will have to determine what she thinks is the best match for her particular needs and temperament.

 

Edit to add: I think Rich's opinions and advice are the gold standard. He's among the relatively few of us who has extensive use of many different GPS models, and is well-situated to offer critiques of pros and cons from first-hand use. I have always found his opinions to be objective and well-informed. Most of the rest of us are experts on the model we own, but have limited knowledge about competing models.

 

Hi all,

 

I am new to this forum, but couldn't resist commenting on this one. I have used Garmin, Trimble, and Delorme GPS units. Hands down the Delorme PN-40 is the best of the lot for both geocaching and professional use. We have over 30 of the PN-20's and PN-40's. The PN-40 is no harder to learn than the Garmin units! It is packaged with TOPO 7 which is a great mapping program for geocaching and traveling.

Having the map package come with the unit is a huge advantage over Garmin. Also for a minimal subscription of $29.00 per year, you can download all of the aerial photography you want and USGS quad maps plus from Delorme.

 

Remember, anything new looks a little complicated until you are used to it. A year or two down the road you will be glad you spent a little extra to get the features of the PN-40. I am not a GPS expert and vividly remember when I started out. I was really confused with all the units.

 

Also there are a lot of great people on this forum that are experts and very willing to help. Also Delorme is always willing to help and are are great company. I sound like a Delorme rep., but be assured I am only a happy user.

 

Hope this helps a little.

[Delorme PN-20 GPS]

Does anyone have the new Delorme PN-20 GPS? If so have you compared it to the Garmin GPS Map 60Csx?

The Garmin has the SiRF III chip and the PN-20 does not. That is what has prompted my question.

[Mapsource Topo Us]

I have a Garmin 60CS and have been considering purchasing the Garmin MapSource Topo US. I found it very decently priced on Amazon.com but the reviews for the most part are not good. Does anyone have experience using this with the 60CS and what advise do you have? I plan to use this for geocaching and hiking in Colorado.