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Help selecting GPS unit


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Yes, yet another "What GPS should I get" question. I've been reading the forum but am so confused with all the different options available. I'm looking for suggestions for a GPS that can connect to a PC (serial or USB), has an expansion slot for an SD or miniSD card, and can display detailed maps.

 

I'm hoping to keep the cost down and don't need auto routing, electronic compass, altimeter, or any extras like that. Color would be nice if it doesn't increase the price too much.

 

We have a Magellan Meridian Color and a Magellan eXplorist 500, but are quite willing to look into other brands anyone would suggest.

 

Thanks for your suggestions.

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I'd recommend the Garmin Venture Cx it can be bought for considerable less than the Legend Cx. The only difference in the two is the color of the unit and the Legend Cx comes with the memory card and computer cable and the Venture does not.

 

The Venture Cx can be bought for approximately $179 if you shop around. A 1 Gb memory card can be bought for $10.00 and the computer cable (std. USB cable) can be bought for less than $10. The memory card that comes with the Legend Cx won't be large enough if you get into loading many Mapsource U.S. Topo Maps later. The Venture Cx can do auto routing with City Navigator, nice color screen, 32 hour battery life on 2 AA, uses a micro SD memory card for expandable memory of maps, POIs, and can save tracks to memory card.

 

The Venture Cx is probably one of the best buys for the money for someone that does not want to spend a lot, but also doesn't want to outgrow their GPSr once they become more familiar with GPS technology.

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Lowrance H20 Plus. Around $230 and the plus package comes with mapping software, card reader and memory card.

 

A great unit with outstand reception at a bargain price (H20 alone is around $135).

 

It connects to a PC via the card reader. Not as easy as just clipping in a cable, but you get used to it after a while.

Edited by briansnat
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I'm looking for suggestions for a GPS that can connect to a PC (serial or USB), has an expansion slot for an SD or miniSD card, and can display detailed maps.

 

We have a Magellan Meridian Color and a Magellan eXplorist 500, but are quite willing to look into other brands anyone would suggest.

Do you know that your Magellans connect to a PC, use SD cards and display detailed maps?

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Definitely get a USB-connect unit. Newer computers don't even have serial ports, and USM is much faster than serial if you transfer maps.

 

Decide whether you want a mapping unit, and whether you want the SIRF III chipset. SIRF III is more sensitive than other chipsets, which means you will get a better signal under forest canopy or in canyons. Mapping adds to the expense of a unit, because the unit costs more, and because you have to buy topo maps--the base maps in these units aren't very useful. The SIRF III chipset adds more.

 

Both Magellan and Garmin are good, as are the other major brands. I swear by the Garmin GPSMAP 60 Csx, but it's pricey, particularly once you throw in the cost of topo maps.

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Magellan explorist 500LE can be had for less than 200 and usually comes with a coupon for Mapsend Topo 3D for $9.99 US. If you like your current 500 that is. I picked up the Explorist XL for 295. From reports I've read the current explorist and Garmin's are comparable in accuracy and foliage handling. The Garmin 60CSx is appealing to me but for the price I've no regrets going with the Magellan although i may regret should i have to deal with tech support much. :)

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I'm looking for suggestions for a GPS that can connect to a PC (serial or USB), has an expansion slot for an SD or miniSD card, and can display detailed maps.

 

We have a Magellan Meridian Color and a Magellan eXplorist 500, but are quite willing to look into other brands anyone would suggest.

Do you know that your Magellans connect to a PC, use SD cards and display detailed maps?

 

I do use all those features on my Meridian Color and love the unit, but was hoping for something less expensive, especially after you add in Topo maps. The eXplorist 500 I got for my daughter a couple months ago and she says that it is now completely dead. I did get her a refurbished 500 and I haven't had a chance to see her GPS for myself, so it could be just a bad battery or user error, but on the other hand I'm a bit leery about buying another one. While I haven't definitely ruled out another 500 I wanted to check what else is out there.

 

Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far.

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