New here, need help picking a GPS

[+jeffrey.bean]

Hi all, I'm new to GPS's and geocaching.

I started looking for a gps to document my geneology finds, ie. family cemeterys, old foundation, etc. Then I found this site, and thought it would be a cool thing for me and my son to do.

 

I have found two units in my price range, they are:

 

Garmin etrex Legend and Megellan explorist 200

 

My question is, which one would you choose. To a newbie like me, both seem pretty much the same.

 

Thanks foa any and all input...Jeff

[GreatCanadian]

You are going to get a lot of differing opinions on this question! But out of the 2 you mention, I would suggest the Legend. Also, if you are an ebay user, check out your budget limit there. You'd be surprised how good a deal you can get. Good luck in your search.

Edited January 10, 2007 by GreatCanadian

[bootes99]

I was in the same situation a month ago. New to geocaching and no experience with GPS. I had a low budget of around $100 to get started. I went with the Magellan Explorist 300 because it has an electronic compass, and I couldn't be happier with the decision. I use the compass screen 100% of the time when I am within 200 feet of a cache.

 

The 300 is the same price as the 200. In fact I think Tigerdirect.com has them for $99 right now.

Edited January 11, 2007 by bootes99

[+PlaidPirate]

If those are your choices, go with the Legend. The Magellan 200 and 300 don't have PC transfer capablity I believe. Something you will want if you don't want to have to manually enter all your coordinates.

 

The 210 is usually about the same price as the 200, and it does add a PC cable.

[+GRNZOOM]

I have a Magellan. We still use it, good unit. When it came time to upgrade I went with the Garmin 60csx.

Why...number 2 on my list was customer service. If you read around on this forum we will discover Garmin's customer service is excellent while Magellan's is almost non existent.

Not that I expect any problems from the Garmin, but it's nice to know it's there.

Nick

[bootes99]

If those are your choices, go with the Legend. The Magellan 200 and 300 don't have PC transfer capablity I believe. Something you will want if you don't want to have to manually enter all your coordinates.

 

The 210 is usually about the same price as the 200, and it does add a PC cable.

 

I have to agree with Pirate. I only use my 300 every other weekend for geocaching. If I did more, I'd want a unit with a cable.

Edited January 11, 2007 by bootes99

[+jeffrey.bean]

Thanks for the input, I checked my paypal account and saw I had a little more money than I thought I had, so I went with the etrex venture cx. Cant wait till it gets here

[+PlaidPirate]

Good choice. I would have gotten that one but where I had store credit didn't have it. So I got the Magellan 500 instead. Working great so far.

Edited January 11, 2007 by PlaidPirate

[GreatCanadian]

Thanks for the input, I checked my paypal account and saw I had a little more money than I thought I had, so I went with the etrex venture cx. Cant wait till it gets here

 

Yes, great choice. Make sure you get a data card for it (they're cheap on ebay) and you probably have a digital camera with a cable that will fit the venture cx. It's the exact same gps as my Legend CX except for the housing color. You won't be disappointed.