Gps Recommendations?

[+Chris311]

I was just wondering if one gps is better than another? We currently have a very basic Garmin Gps 72 and it seems that it goes all over the place when we get close to the cache. I don't want to go out and spend more money on a new one if it is going to do the same thing. We currently only use the Gps 72 for Geocaching so we don't need alot of bells and whistles.

 

Thanks,

Chris311

[+cary1952]

you should be able to get within 30-50 feet of the cache before it starts to go crazy. Most of the newer units are are accurate to 30. At what point does yours start to go crazy? Within that distance you should be using a compass i think. We need more info to help you!

 

Cary in S.D.

[+icefall5]

All GPSr's have the same accuracy levels. One unit is not better than another at that (unless you can get a military unit, which you can't).

[+JohnnyVegas]

Start looking when you get close to the cache, this could be 10 feet of 50 feet depending on the area you are in and how accurate the coordinate are that the cache owner used.

 

The GPS 72 like most GPSrs does not have a magnetic compass so when you stop moving it does not know were north is so it does not know were to point, while it looks like a compass it is not a real compass. I have only uses a GPS with a magnetic compass a few times, to me it is a feature that is a waste of money in a GPS.

[+Airmapper]

I own a GPS 72, it is a good unit and I like it, although I primarily use a more advanced unit for caching.

 

Does this happen mostly in tree or other sky cover? The 72 is bad about giving a very jumpy fix when it doesn't have a clear view of the sky.

 

One suggestion, if your not already doing this, is to hold the unit vertically, this aligns the Quad-Helix antenna to the best position to read the satellite signals.

 

Some units will give a better "fix", they are not more accurate, but will hold their accuracy better in conditions like sky cover and trees. You should be fine with your 72, but there are a few tricks you can do to improve your cache finding.

 

Find an area near the cache, where you have a clear view of the sky, and a good signal. Get the distance and bearing to the cache, and pace it off with a compass. This works better for short distances, but I've heard of several cachers doing it with success.

 

Hope that helps some.

[+StarBrand]

All GPSr's have the same accuracy levels. One unit is not better than another at that (unless you can get a military unit, which you can't).

 

Actually Trimble sells survey quality GPS reveivers that are accurate to within 3cm for around $6,000

 

Edited March 11, 2006 by StarBrand

[+CheshireFrog]

I was just wondering if one gps is better than another? We currently have a very basic Garmin Gps 72 and it seems that it goes all over the place when we get close to the cache. I don't want to go out and spend more money on a new one if it is going to do the same thing. We currently only use the Gps 72 for Geocaching so we don't need alot of bells and whistles.

 

I had a GPS 72 and found it to be very accurate. Here's a couple of things that might be affecting that:

 

1. The 72 has a quadrafilar antenna, which is most sensitive when oriented straight up and down. When you get close to the cache you start using your eyes more and you tend to let the GPS dangle, which will really knock your accuracy down.

 

2. As mentioned above, the compass and the north orientation on your 72 will not read accurately if you're not in motion. As Airmapper said above, if your accuracy is falling off due to cover, take a bearing from a clear area and proceed along that sight-line. A magnetic compass can be a big help for this. Another way to handle the lack of motion when close to the cache is to set your 72 to display distance to the waypoint and accuracy and move about in the area near the cache while watching the distance readout.

 

Hope this helps.