ZachNLiam

I see so many comparisons of the Magellan Gold, and the like, to the eTrex series. I think it's a totally unfair comparison. I see the eTrex line as the "works good and is incredibly small" line, and others like Magellan's Gold and Platinum as comparing more to Garmin's 76 and gpsmap 76 line. I've owned a Legend (and my son has a yellow eTrex) and they've worked great. But there's no doubt that my GPSV and GPSMAP 76 blow them away for reception. They're MUCH bigger, and have a different (BIGGER!) antenna! I have always used Garmin, but I would never say Magellan is bad because I didn't have good luck with their cheap model. If you want better than average reception get a BIG GPS FROM EITHER BRAND. It'll work better than a small one! But it won't fit in your pocket as easily!

The first gps I owned was a GPS45. When the GPS38 came out it was much cooler, and I got one of those. This was the mid-90s and my friend and I would call each other, give the other their coordniats, and we'd try to find the other one. Rarely were we closer than 300 feet. Of course, that wasn't the 38's problem, that was SA. But I remember taking the 38 outside into the open and coming back after 10 minutes HOPING it had a lock on the location. I now own a GPSMAP 76 and a GPSV (and my 9-year old son has an eTrex), and I start to wonder if something is wrong if they haven't locked on in about 15 SECONDS. The differences are staggering. If you only bought a basic eTrex yellow, you would be AMAZED at how it blows away the old ones. But if you get a GPSV, and the maps, you won't believe how far it's come.

Right now, if you buy a basic GPSV (with only one region unlocked), once you receive the free upgraded maps they're offering to unlock ALL the regions for only $50. That means you can buy one for $399 (price at WalMart), and get ALL the maps unlocked on the website for an additional $50. That's a $65 savings over buying the deluxe. I don't know how long this offer will stand, and apparently if you don't take advantage of it when it's offered, it's gone. lol. I haven't got my new maps in the mail yet, so I can't confirm this... But the GPSV, I believe, is absolutely the BEST all-around GPS made right now (for both caching and driving).

That's a great point. I don't know if you've seen Singer's (I think its theirs) high-tech sewing machine that does all kinds of automatic designs... They use a Game Boy Color as the computer part. They developed their own cartridge for it, and the machine plugs into the "link port" on the gameboy. They obviously don't have any agreement with Nintendo on this, because you're required to BUY a game boy to use the machine! I thought that was pretty funny. I'm sure it wouldn't take much for Garmin or Magellan to make a GBA cartridge to plug right in, based on a handspring-type receiver. hmmm....

I got my 9 year old son the eTrex. I lucked out and found one "open box" for $79. I also noticed (at least last weekend) that Fry's had them for $99. I haven't seen them at Wal-Mart as cheap as the other post mentioned, but maybe they vary by region? He loves it. I only wish I could have got him the Legend. He's envious of my GPSV and GPSMAP 76. He totally understands the maps and everything. I'm even considering getting him an eMap (if I can pick up one cheap) and letting him trickle down his eTrex to his little brother (age 6). It's been VERY educational for him. He's been hiding little caches in the backyard, setting the waypoints, and then making me find them after work!

I forgot to mention the eMap in my previous post. The screen resolution (total pixels) is less than the V, but it has a nice big screen, memory isn't an issue, and it seems like a really good deal. I wanted a handheld mapping GPS to go with my V, and decided on the gpsmap 76, mostly because the screen resolution was better, it floated (makes me nervous with my V on our raft - lol), and it's newer. But I would love to pick up a eMap cheap as a backup - great unit, and you should be able to get one pretty cheap (I think they're officially discontinued now). As far as reception, the eTrex models (all of them) use a smaller antenna than the 76 series and the GPSV, 3+, etc. They're designed to be extremely small, and there are sacrifices made to do this. Also, on the 3+. It seems like a good unit, but has VERY small memory (1.4M, compared to 19M on the V), and the screen resolution is considerably lower than the V. It also won't do turn-by-turn directions, etc. On the eBay thing - I bought my V from Wal-Mart ($399), and my gpsmap 76 off eBay ($265 on a "buy it now"). I bought it from someone who was selling quite a few of them, and had a very good rating. I noticed the "up for bid" gpsmap 76's were going for $260-$300, so I snagged the buy it now, since I was going to pay that anyway!

I forgot to mention the eMap in my previous post. The screen resolution (total pixels) is less than the V, but it has a nice big screen, memory isn't an issue, and it seems like a really good deal. I wanted a handheld mapping GPS to go with my V, and decided on the gpsmap 76, mostly because the screen resolution was better, it floated (makes me nervous with my V on our raft - lol), and it's newer. But I would love to pick up a eMap cheap as a backup - great unit, and you should be able to get one pretty cheap (I think they're officially discontinued now). As far as reception, the eTrex models (all of them) use a smaller antenna than the 76 series and the GPSV, 3+, etc. They're designed to be extremely small, and there are sacrifices made to do this. Also, on the 3+. It seems like a good unit, but has VERY small memory (1.4M, compared to 19M on the V), and the screen resolution is considerably lower than the V. It also won't do turn-by-turn directions, etc. On the eBay thing - I bought my V from Wal-Mart ($399), and my gpsmap 76 off eBay ($265 on a "buy it now"). I bought it from someone who was selling quite a few of them, and had a very good rating. I noticed the "up for bid" gpsmap 76's were going for $260-$300, so I snagged the buy it now, since I was going to pay that anyway!

I like that George. Maybe something unique about our area (or caches - like Dragonfly) in the middle of the standard "geocahcing graphic." I was staying away from it, thinking of copyright, but we're not doing it to make any money, so I guess that doesn't matter!

I like that George. Maybe something unique about our area (or caches - like Dragonfly) in the middle of the standard "geocahcing graphic." I was staying away from it, thinking of copyright, but we're not doing it to make any money, so I guess that doesn't matter!

I just got it to transfer a LITTLE better. lol. This was just the first thing I thought of. Thanks for the feedback, Ron. Unfortunately I have to work the weekend of the BBQ, but maybe it could be discussed? Just doing my part.... Randy

I just got it to transfer a LITTLE better. lol. This was just the first thing I thought of. Thanks for the feedback, Ron. Unfortunately I have to work the weekend of the BBQ, but maybe it could be discussed? Just doing my part.... Randy

Someone mentioned we needed a logo. It got me thinking, so I made this in about 5 minutes with Illustrator. I would really like input from everyone; maybe a reference to the "must do" caches here or something. Or I can just stop and give up on this project! lol Here's the crude, quick thing I made... http://www.randyjensenphoto.com/gps/untitled-1.jpg

Someone mentioned we needed a logo. It got me thinking, so I made this in about 5 minutes with Illustrator. I would really like input from everyone; maybe a reference to the "must do" caches here or something. Or I can just stop and give up on this project! lol Here's the crude, quick thing I made... http://www.randyjensenphoto.com/gps/untitled-1.jpg

The Venture is kind of a "souped up" basic eTrex. It has a higher-resolution display, SOME memory (not really enough for maps, just for points of interest), and their new "click stick" interface, which is easier to enter names than the basic eTrex, but not as easy as other (larger) models. The Legend is the least expensive eTrex that you can legitimately load maps into. Of course if you buy a Legend ($250) and even an inexpensive Garmin map ($90), you're almost to the price of a GPSV (because it comes with MapSource). But the V is bigger. I really don't see much advantage in a Venture over just a basic eTrex. They do about the same thing. The Legend, however, does much more.

The Venture is kind of a "souped up" basic eTrex. It has a higher-resolution display, SOME memory (not really enough for maps, just for points of interest), and their new "click stick" interface, which is easier to enter names than the basic eTrex, but not as easy as other (larger) models. The Legend is the least expensive eTrex that you can legitimately load maps into. Of course if you buy a Legend ($250) and even an inexpensive Garmin map ($90), you're almost to the price of a GPSV (because it comes with MapSource). But the V is bigger. I really don't see much advantage in a Venture over just a basic eTrex. They do about the same thing. The Legend, however, does much more.

There's a link somewhere on the www.gpsinformation.net site that explains how to do this really well. Sorry, I just looked for the link and couldn't find it, but I have it on my hard drive, so I uploaded it to my own site. lol. Hope that doesn't upset anyone. If you want it it's here: http://www.randyjensenphoto.com/gps/ScenicRoute.pdf It mentions avioding highways, and changing the type of vehicle, etc. Hope that helps!

There's a link somewhere on the www.gpsinformation.net site that explains how to do this really well. Sorry, I just looked for the link and couldn't find it, but I have it on my hard drive, so I uploaded it to my own site. lol. Hope that doesn't upset anyone. If you want it it's here: http://www.randyjensenphoto.com/gps/ScenicRoute.pdf It mentions avioding highways, and changing the type of vehicle, etc. Hope that helps!

First off: I'm definitely a Garmin fan. Ever since my first GPS45 (way back in the mid-90s). Recently, I've been using an eTrex, eTrex Legend, GPSV, and a GPSMAP 76. For what it's worth, I think the GPSV is the best "all around" GPS made by anyone right now. It works great in the car (cheapest and smallest GPS to give turn-by-turn directions), comes with decent routing maps (be sure to get the free upgrade - much better). This saves some money because you get MapSource for transferring data and maps free. It also works really well handheld; nice screen, receives signals really well, and comes with 12v car cord, data cable, AND car mount. When I'm walking around I usually use my gpsmap 76, but that's because I usually have different maps loaded in it. If I were to only own one GPS unit there's NO question it would be the GPSV.

First off: I'm definitely a Garmin fan. Ever since my first GPS45 (way back in the mid-90s). Recently, I've been using an eTrex, eTrex Legend, GPSV, and a GPSMAP 76. For what it's worth, I think the GPSV is the best "all around" GPS made by anyone right now. It works great in the car (cheapest and smallest GPS to give turn-by-turn directions), comes with decent routing maps (be sure to get the free upgrade - much better). This saves some money because you get MapSource for transferring data and maps free. It also works really well handheld; nice screen, receives signals really well, and comes with 12v car cord, data cable, AND car mount. When I'm walking around I usually use my gpsmap 76, but that's because I usually have different maps loaded in it. If I were to only own one GPS unit there's NO question it would be the GPSV.

I think the MetroGuide and TOPO Garmin maps are very good. Before I got them I went after THREE caches where the stupid MapQuest maps took me to the WRONG side of a river. THREE TIMES! Both TOPO and MetroGuide maps showed the cache in the correct place. Granted, that's an isolated incident (well, 3 of them - lol), but the Garmin maps were WAY more accurate than MapQuest. I have a GPSV that I use on the dash of the car for turn-by-turn directions to the vicinity of a cache, then I get out with my GPSMAP 76 with TOPO loaded when the road ends. I like them both a lot.

There's a great freeware program available that takes exported Garmin MapSource tracks and plots them both as an elevation profile, and a real 3D view of the track. I can't remember where I found it, so I uploaded it to my own site if anyone wants to get it. Click on: http://www.randyjensenphoto.com/gps/height_dis.zip Any problems downloading, let me know! It works great. You simply transfer your track into MapSource. Then EXPORT the track as a .txt file. This program then reads this text file and plots it! I don't know if ALL Garmin units record elevation as part of their track, but I know the eTrex legend, GPSV, and GPSMAP 76 all do. I haven't tried it on my son's yellow basic eTrex yet. Hope that helps.

I haven't used the Magellan Gold yet. A geocacher in the area likes his, but I just purchased what I think it the closest Garmin to the Gold: The GpsMap 76. I've been very happy with it. It's larger like the gold, but very light and the battery life is great. It also receives signals much better than any of the eTrex models (bigger antenna I guess). Also, the screen is nice and big. But you have to get some of the maps (in my opinion). The MapSource maps are VERY accurate, where the basemap is not. I also use the GPSV in the car, and it's great to have the turn-by-turn directions on the GPSV to the vicinity of the cache, and then get out of the car with the 76 with TOPO maps loaded. Just my $0.02.

I haven't used the Magellan Gold yet. A geocacher in the area likes his, but I just purchased what I think it the closest Garmin to the Gold: The GpsMap 76. I've been very happy with it. It's larger like the gold, but very light and the battery life is great. It also receives signals much better than any of the eTrex models (bigger antenna I guess). Also, the screen is nice and big. But you have to get some of the maps (in my opinion). The MapSource maps are VERY accurate, where the basemap is not. I also use the GPSV in the car, and it's great to have the turn-by-turn directions on the GPSV to the vicinity of the cache, and then get out of the car with the 76 with TOPO maps loaded. Just my $0.02.

Without getting myself in trouble, if anyone needs any software, I might just know where to get some. lol. I have quite the connection. Sometimes before it's officially released! Email me if interested.....

Without getting myself in trouble, if anyone needs any software, I might just know where to get some. lol. I have quite the connection. Sometimes before it's officially released! Email me if interested.....