texasgeoman

It comes with the latest version of the topo and road maps. If you want more up-to-date maps in a year or two, you have to buy the latest version of Topo. The $30 subscription is if you want satellite views, or some other more detailed maps? I'm a little fuzzy on that, because I've never used the subscription. With Garmin units, there are various sources of free maps. And in some areas, people make map files with trails and things, and then make them available online. Those kinds of maps won't be compatible with the PN-40. IIRC, the free maps available for Garmin units aren't routable, but if you buy the Garmin maps they are. The PN-40 maps are routable; I rarely use that, though. It works okay, but I wouldn't want to depend on it to get me through an urban area. with all the "free" maps out there, why would I get one of the more expensive Garmin units that come with topo maps preloaded, compared to the same model without maps? Am I missing something here ....? thanks, paul

hello! I'm also looking to buy a GPS (my first - other than the Nuvi I plan to keep for use in the car). Budget right now is not a problem, and I'm looking at a couple of higher-end units: Garmin Montana and Garmin 62st for example. My use would be for hiking, geology field trips, and occasional geocaching. The Dakota 20 has the same list price as the GPSMAP 62 ... difference is touch screen? Everything these days is going with touchscreens, and it works well on Blackberries, tablets, etc. How well does it work on GPS? Some people refer to "mapping" - does that mean ability to read topo maps, for example, or does it mean somehow making your own map of an area? Also, some units are described as "pre-loaded" with topo maps, and others say "additional maps can be loaded". What are pros and cons of "pre-loaded" vs adding later? How are new maps loaded? Do they reside on microchip or loaded into units memory? AND, some units advertise 3Gb memory, others only 500 Mb... why the big difference, and what does it mean for the user? thanks! paul

Thanks! (I wish more people believed I was a geologist!) Yes, I'm planning to keep my Nuvi as my car unit, and want the new hand-held for hiking, field trips, and occasional geocaching. Budget right now is not a problem, and I'm looking at a couple of higher-end units: Garmin Montana and Garmin 62st, for example. One thing I'm curious about ... many newer units use touch-screens. Everything these days is going that way, and it works well on Blackberries, tablets, etc. How well does it work on GPS? You mention "mapping would be a boon" but I'm not sure what that means...? Ability to view topo maps? Ability to make your own maps? Some units are described as "pre-loaded" with topo maps, and others say "additional maps can be loaded". What are pros and cons of "pre-loaded" vs adding later? How are new maps loaded? Do they reside on microchip or loaded into units memory? Some units advertise 3Gb memory, others only 500 Mb... why the big difference, and what does it mean for the user? thanks! paul

Wow, THANKS! I'm afraid, tho, that a lot of what you said is lost on me! TTMaps, satellite data in NAD1983, USDA Spatial Gateway, GDAL in the .ecw format, etc. etc. ....? I think at this point I'm more of a plug-and-play kinda guy! Budget right now is not a problem, and I'm looking at a couple of higher-end units: Garmin Montana and Garmin 62st for example. One thing I'm curious about ... many newer units use touch-screens. Everything these days is going that way, and it works well on Blackberries, tablets, etc. How well does it work on GPS? Also, some units are described as "pre-loaded" with topo maps, and others say "additional maps can be loaded". What are pros and cons of "pre-loaded" vs adding later? How are new maps loaded? Do they reside on microchip or loaded into units memory? Some units advertise 3Gb memory, others only 500 Mb... why the big difference, and what does it mean for the user? thanks! pau

hello World! I'm new to the forum, new to geocaching, and trying to learn as much as I can. Am reviewing all the FAQs on "which is the best GPS unit", etc., and finding a lot of it overwhelming. So, here is a more pointed question: What GPS brand/model would you recommend/use for a geologist who is interested in finding his way around field trip guidebooks (most of which include lat/long info for geology stops), as well as a geocaching tool? Any geologists out there? THANKS! paul geoman@Lx.net