New to Caching, What GPS should I get?

[BGHitman]

I just learned about geocaching and I want to know what GPS is the most practical for this sport.

[+fratermus]

I just learned about geocaching and I want to know what GPS is the most practical for this sport.

 

Depends on what you mean by "practical".

 

I picked out some GPS by pricerange and features and listed them here. I only have Garmin and Magellan listed, as those are the only ones I have held in my hands.

 

You can likely find them used in our garage sale forum and on eBay. There are some discontinued units that are really coming down in price like the Legend C.

 

It's hard to go wrong with a geocaching gps, unless you get one that won't let you enter or download coordinates.

[+imajeep]

Depends a lot on where you live and what you want to do. Here's what I'd suggest:

 

-- Definitely get a unit that connects to your computer, preferably by USB cable. Makes it much easier to download a bunch of geocache waypoints to your unit.

 

-- If you expect to cache in the woods, in canyons, or in urban areas, get a 'high sensitivity' receiver, like the Garmin 'H' models or the Garmin 60Csx. Tree canopy and canyon conditions interfere with GPS reception. Life will be a lot less frustrating if you can get a strong signal all the way into the cache.

 

-- If you are a hiker, go straight to the Garmin 60Csx. It will record a clean track of your hike while hanging from your belt. Most other units won't.

 

-- If you are a boater or fisher, go straight to the Garmin 76Csx. It floats.

 

-- If you just plan to use the GPSr for caching, you probably don't need a mapping unit.

 

Hope that helps!

Edited June 21, 2007 by imajeep

[+LeonW]

Easy answer. Get a Garmin 60CSx. It also floats when lithium batteries are used.

[+Miragee]

If you can wait a few weeks, get the Garmin Vista HCx. That is the newest release in the Garmin line. I prefer the smaller size of the eTrex models.

[+jbiciolis91]

I just started geo caching bout a week ago and I ordered the Garmin Legend GPS. It comes in monday but it looked the most pratical to me for the price but that is just my opinion. I dont know how much help this is but I will let you know when my Legend comes in and what I think of it.

[imaroon]

I like the new Rino models that Garmin just came out with, check them out

• Garmin Rino 520HCx
  
• Garmin Rino 530HCx
  

 

I just learned about geocaching and I want to know what GPS is the most practical for this sport.

[jdwest32]

I use the Garmin 76CSx.

 

It's a great unit. a bit pricy but you get what you pay for.

Geocaching.com supports Garmin only for transferring waypoints directly to the unit.

[CountyMounty129]

I just purchased a Garmin 60CS through ebay (bought it from edgegps.com) This is a factory refurbished unit and came with the 1 year factory warranty. Unit costs about 199.00 before shipping-this unit new is about 400.00. Very easy to use and user friendly. This is also a discontinued model as the 60CSx has been released. Do not be disillusioned by "factory refurbished" These are units that have been returned for what ever reason, generally buyer remorse, and sent back to factory and techs have gone through them and put them back to specs. They are in pristine condition and are in essence-new. beware anyone selling refurbished, u want "factory refurbished". Mine is awesome.