[Down to 4!]

Well after reading posts and talking to stores I have the choice narrowed down to 4 units. All four are Garmin. They are:

 

Legend $249

Vista $349

Map76 $349

Map76S $449

 

The question is both the legend and Map76 have 8 meg of RAM. Is that enough? The Vista and Map76 have 24 meg.

 

Is reception on one better than the others?

 

Also does anyone know if the fishing hot spots show things like boat ramps, fuel docks, etc. for local lakes?

 

Should I just forget the boating side. Most lakes I will go to are small. I was thinking it would be nice to go to a new lake and not search for the boat ramp.

 

Thanks for your time. I'm buying one on Friday or Sat.

Brian

[GPS Unit Confusion - Help Needed]

From what I have seen it appears that both brands are good. There seems to be more Garmin in the Milwaukee area though.

 

How big of deal is RAM? If a unit like the Map76 model that has 8 meg vs. the Visita that has 24 meg. I know you should get the most but would I be sorry if I bought 8 meg? I plan on downloading from my pc and I don't see myself using the GPS to drive cross country.

 

Maps? This is the big item for me. As I mentioned all of them are probably good for hiking. What about boating and seeing local lakes, dams, boat launches etc? This is where Garmin seems to be ahead in offering more CD choices. Since I don't know what I'm looking for it is difficult and when you ask the clerk says I don't know....

 

Thanks for helping a newbie!

 

Brian

[GPS Unit Confusion - Help Needed]

Hello,

 

I need your help. I'm looking for a GPS unit and can't narrow it down. I talk to stores who have their preference or don't know about them. I am looking at the Magellan Meridian Platinum, Garmin GPSMap76 and the Garmin E-trex Vista.

 

The uses that I am looking for is boating on local lakes, hiking, and Geocaching. I'm lost on which one to get. The Map76 has less RAM than the E-trex but I like the keys on the top. People I talk to say keys on the top are bad since they can be push accidentally or you won't see the menu since your hand is over it. I ask if they have used it and they say no.

 

I know all 3 should be fine for hiking and it is the boating I'm looking at. I want something that will show local lakes, rivers etc. I don't want to buy one and find out it isn't what I wanted or the added software won't give me what I need.

 

How do I know what to buy? What would I need in the future? What is your opinion on these choices. I would like to buy one in the next few days so I appreciate your feedback. The more I look the more confused I get.

 

Brian