GPS upgrade suggestions

[+derrabe]

Well I am looking to upgrade my Etrex legend to something with more features. Here is ideally what I am looking for and would like to stay 200 bucks or less (ebay included)

 

- Better accuracy (currently the best i get is 16 ft)

- Better reception (really poor accuracy or complete loss of signal when in well wooded area)

- Turn by turn navigation for driving

- Easy download of waypoints and routes

- Would like color but not nessacary

 

I have been looking at the Garmin 60 cx but i am open to option.

[+JohnnyVegas]

The Legend was fine GPS in its time, but technology has left it behind.

IF you can wait a couple of months I would look at the new Magellan Trition 400. It has a color screen, Sirf III chipset (currently the best chipset offered in a hand held GPS) Use and SD card for storing maps and data such as waypoints. It will also support the use of National Geographic Topo maps, the tritons or the first to offer this feature. It will be selling for $200.00 at Tiger GPS. THere are some other threads in the forums that cover the Tritions.

[+Miragee]

Well I am looking to upgrade my Etrex legend to something with more features. Here is ideally what I am looking for and would like to stay 200 bucks or less (ebay included)

 

- Better accuracy (currently the best i get is 16 ft)

- Better reception (really poor accuracy or complete loss of signal when in well wooded area)

- Turn by turn navigation for driving

- Easy download of waypoints and routes

- Would like color but not nessacary

 

I have been looking at the Garmin 60 cx but i am open to option.

For that price, you could look at the discontinued Legend C or Vista C. Both units have better reception than the older Legend and they have easy-to-read color screens.

 

The City Navigator maps you need to also purchase will take the total price over $200, but not by too much. I got the maps in a combination package with the bean bag auto-mount and cigarette-ligher adapter for about $140.00.

 

The newer Legend HCx and Vista HCx have the higher sensitivity receivers, but those units cost more than $200 w/o the cost of the maps . . .

[+TrailGators]

Well I am looking to upgrade my Etrex legend to something with more features. Here is ideally what I am looking for and would like to stay 200 bucks or less (ebay included)

 

- Better accuracy (currently the best i get is 16 ft)

- Better reception (really poor accuracy or complete loss of signal when in well wooded area)

- Turn by turn navigation for driving

- Easy download of waypoints and routes

- Would like color but not nessacary

 

I have been looking at the Garmin 60 cx but i am open to option.

I would really recommend getting a GPS with the Sirf Star III chip. Garmin just came out with an HCX series and Magellan is coming out with a new Triton series that all use this high-sensitivity chip.

[+kenk]

I have been looking at the Garmin 60 cx but i am open to option.

 

I think you're already looking in the right direction. I have a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx and LOVE it!

 

To get the reception in wooded areas you'll need to get a GPS with the high-sensitivity chipset. Right now the only hand helds that have that are the Garmin 60 series, 76 series, and the eTrex "H" units. I'm not familiar enough with the new eTrex "H" units to know how they compare to the 60/76 series units. From what I can tell it may be a difference of the form factor and the antenna type.

 

Better accuracy - Except for better reception and making sure you have the WAAS turned on, I'm not sure what you could do to improve this.

 

Waypoint downloads - All (?) Garmins use the same software by default. I use ExpertGPS to manage my waypoints and find it easy to use. You might look into it at http://www.expertgps.com . I know there are other packages that are good too.

[+imajeep]

16 feet is at the practical limit of GPS accuracy. No matter what the GPSr reports, you're not likely to get better than 15 - 20 feet.

 

If you upgrade, I'd recommend a 'high sensitivity' receiver. SIRFstar III (a.k.a. SIRF III) used to be the only game in town. Garmin has added 'H' models to its eTrex line using a different high-sensitivity chipset, and these models are getting good reviews from users in these forums.

 

I use a Garmin 60 CSx. It's more expensive than $200, particularly when the cost of maps is factored in. But it pulls in a strong signal from almost anywhere, it's pretty rugged (several drops and no damage), and I like its screen and controls. So, I'd recommend that. After all, your children can do without braces on their teeth for a couple more years!

Edited August 13, 2007 by imajeep

[+EScout]

The eXplorist 500 is a color, full featured unit for as little as $175 new. It has an excellent high sensitivity receiver. As Johnny says, the Tritons will be out in a month, with the price of the 400 a great bargain at $200. . Since you are a Garmin user, get the Legend HCX, which is out now.

[+D@nim@l]

I just upgraded my old Legend to a Legend HCX on ebay for just a shade over $200, it has nearly all the features of some of the more expensive units, like 60csx but is way less. The receiver has lived up to the hype and the color screen and expandable memory is a bonus. It can do turn by turn but you would need additional software, but that would be the case for any other unit.

Edited August 14, 2007 by D@nim@l

[+briansnat]

I'd go with the new Legend HCX. 60CX is a good choice too, but if you like the size and form factor of you Legend you might want to stay with it. The 60 is a lot bigger and bulkier.

 

Also of your requirements for upgrading, I doubt you will find a unit more accurate than your old Legend. 16 feet is pretty good for any consumer grade unit regardless of brand or model.

 

I've gotten as accurate as 8 feet with my 60CSX, but I remember getting 8 feet with my old Legend under the right conditions. Most of the time my 60CSX is accurate between 15-20 feet unless I'm in a treeless area with a full view of the sky. Then I can get 8.

[+TrailGators]

16 feet is at the practical limit of GPS accuracy. No matter what the GPSr reports, you're not likely to get better than 15 - 20 feet.

 

If you upgrade, I'd recommend a 'high sensitivity' receiver. SIRFstar III (a.k.a. SIRF III) used to be the only game in town. Garmin has added 'H' models to its eTrex line using a different high-sensitivity chipset, and these models are getting good reviews from users in these forums.

 

I use a Garmin 60 CSx. It's more expensive than $200, particularly when the cost of maps is factored in. But it pulls in a strong signal from almost anywhere, it's pretty rugged (several drops and no damage), and I like its screen and controls. So, I'd recommend that. After all, your children can do without braces on their teeth for a couple more years!

It's the Cadillac of GPSs right now.