ptmmatssc

We don't agree on Garmin or Magellan, we don't agree on a compass or maps or anything else but we all pretty much agree on the need for the PC Cable. well apparently "we all" don't agree . i know that a GPS unit that has a pc cable can do much more than one that doesn't . If some one finds 2 different units at about the same price and one has pc ability , fine , buy the one that does . But , all I am saying is you don't "need " it if your just trying out the sport. I have never had one and I have done everything I wanted/needed to do with it . I spent several years in the army using gps . We needed to use it in order to find our food, ammo , and unit locations , and not one unit was pc capable . When units started coming out in the civilian market with pc cables I thought that was a neat little extra , but never got one intentionally because the need wasn't there . Would I buy one now? Well , when I picked up my explorist the ones that did have the data cables were more expensive , so I passed . As far as someone mentioning getting a pc at a garage sale for $50 , that missed the point . some people don't want a pc , and if you did that you just added $50 to the cost of your gps. Like I said before , I'm old school , I beleive if it ain't broke don't fix it . If you have something that works for you now , great , if your needs change down the road , trade up . in no way am I slamming data cables or any units , just saying that if there is a choice for someone just starting out , not knowing if they are going to stick with it , just get a model that does the job well , and if the prices are equitable between a non data cable and a data cable version , go ahead and get the data cable one .

Wow , all these responses to the original post . I must say , after reading the post again , I still stand by what I originally said . I personally use geocaching as a way for my kids and myself to get out and explore the outdoors . The fact that there may be a "treasure " at the end of a hike is just a plus . I use an explorist 300 and it works just fine . My kids love the fact that they can put the coordinates in themselves and really have mastered how to use it . down the road we may get a unit with pc capability , but do we need it? Not really . If I want to load coordinates in a flash then race from cache to cache , maybe I need something better . I already use the exp 300 I have now for certain hunting spots as well as some scenic areas . Has always worked fine . I hope the people that are pushing the pc capabilities don't do that with everything else . I mean , if someone was interested in trying out golfing , would they recommend the Tiger Woods signature series or a lower end set of clubs to see if they really like it ? And what about people (like a freind of mine ) that doesn't have a pc? Does he buy the pc capable unit then have to spend the extra cash on a pc ? I have read alot of analogies involving jeeps and rubicons etc. but what all this boils down to is this . When someone asks for a simple unit just to do some geocaching people should not be pushing anything more than is needed for the task . After all is said and done , all the geocachers that I have run into and spoken with have said the same thing regardless of the gps unit they use , they all do it to get out and explore the great outdoors and spend quality time with their families . Isn't that what it's really about ? Sorry if this seems like I,m a little gruff , but have been on the receiving end of "you really need this to do this " just to find out I didn't and ended up not liking it enough to stick with it ( golf clubs , skis, bowling balls) . Again this is my opinion (lol , except for the clubs , skis , and balls) .

I guess what I said was not stated clearly enough . In no way was I saying that people shouldn't buy the higher end models , just that you don't need them to to get introduced into geocaching . For some people a little goes a long ways . When I started shooting/hunting did I buy a $5000 wetherby ? no , i bought a simple ironsight remington. Now I own several high end rifles and pistols with numerous enhancements , but I started out low cost and minimal to see if I would like it first and learn what I could do with what I had . I am just saying that telling people to get more expensive and /or more technical models to start with may steer some away or get some to spend extra money on something that they find out they don't enjoy . lower cost units without pc interfaces do the job , and if someone really gets into it they can upgrade to a better model/brand .

As a so called "newbie" to geocaching , I would hate to think that anyone would tell others NOT to get GPS units such as the explorist 300 etc. . Just because they do not link up to a pc does not mean they don't do the job . I guess it's just my opinion that someone SHOULD know how to put in coordinates into their GPS unit instead of just relying on a pc to do it for them . Isn't part of the fun learning about what your unit can do and how to do things yourself ? I guess I may be old school about this , I still do a lot of compass and map work , so may be biased . By the way , was doing this back in the early 90's , courtesy the US govt and did plenty of their form of geocaching . I guess what I'm trying to say is , you don't need to have a top of the line model to go geocaching , all you need is a functioning unit and a little knowledge . And before I forget , not everyone runs window$ , some of us would rather run other distros so the pc link would be worthless anyway . that's just my opinion , take it for what's it's worth .