the jimmies Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Hello evryone, Our family is new to geocaching but have got the bug. We live in the UK and will be getting to within 400metres of caches using good, old fashioned Ordenance Survey maps so mapping is not needed. My budget would be £80-£120 G.B. pounds, which seems to translate into the same number of dollars as far as what it will buy in the USA. I'm looking for a unit which has the following features: 1) Good sensitivity 2) Reliable/rugged 3) showerproof ( we live in Scotland) 4) Has a "compass", desirable but not essential 5) Simple to operate 6) has an altimeter (not essential) Really I'd like to be able just to punch in co-ordinates and have an arrow show me which way to go, and maybe beep when I get to my target area. As you can tell I know nothing about these machines. I was tempted by the new Magellan Triton but have read bad reports. A SIMPLE user interface is a major requirement. Also the Garmin etrex seems OK but does it have a compass and altimetre? Can any one recommend a unit which will meet our needs? thanks daddy Jimmie Quote Link to comment
+RRLover Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 (edited) Hello evryone, Our family is new to geocaching but have got the bug. We live in the UK and will be getting to within 400metres of caches using good, old fashioned Ordenance Survey maps so mapping is not needed. My budget would be £80-£120 G.B. pounds, which seems to translate into the same number of dollars as far as what it will buy in the USA. I'm looking for a unit which has the following features: 1) Good sensitivity 2) Reliable/rugged 3) showerproof ( we live in Scotland) 4) Has a "compass", desirable but not essential 5) Simple to operate 6) has an altimeter (not essential) Really I'd like to be able just to punch in co-ordinates and have an arrow show me which way to go, and maybe beep when I get to my target area. As you can tell I know nothing about these machines. I was tempted by the new Magellan Triton but have read bad reports. A SIMPLE user interface is a major requirement. Also the Garmin etrex seems OK but does it have a compass and altimetre? Can any one recommend a unit which will meet our needs? thanks daddy Jimmie Sorry, but I've no suggestions as to receivers to buy, but 120 GBPS = about $233.46 @ this moment. Norm Edited February 10, 2008 by RRLover Quote Link to comment
+mtbiker278 Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 only the higher end units have both an altimeter and electronic compass (Garmin vista Hcx, GPSMAP 60 Csx). Both retail for around $250-300 and up depending on availaility. I believe the Garmin Etrex H has all the basics for a low price (~$99). I currently use a Garmin GPSMAP 60C with maps loaded on it. When I get close to a cache I use a regular compass from about 30m out. I get the bearing from my GPS unit and just eyeball my target. Seems to work pretty well since the readings sometimes bounce a lot. I hope this helps! Quote Link to comment
+Chuy! Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 The Etrex Summit HC has everything on your list; it is currently on Amazon for $183. The simple-to-use requirement is quite subjective but I find my Etrex Vista HCx simple to use. Quote Link to comment
+MountainRacer Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 At the current rate, £100 British is about $194 American, which will buy you a very nice unit. Just to throw in my two cents, I have a Magellan Explorist 300 that I've found to be reliable, hardy, and user-friendly, despite all the Magellan-bashing that goes on in these forums, and it only cost $90 on sale. Quote Link to comment
+kenk Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 (edited) You can find a factory refurbished Garmin Geko 301 for $79 + shipping on ebay, BUT it only ships to the Americas. Great little basic GPS with electronic compass and altimeter. I got one from this company for my son to use when geocaching. The company sent it and it works just fine! Maybe you can contact them and make special arrangements to ship overseas. Their direct web site is http://www.edgegps.com Edited February 11, 2008 by kenk Quote Link to comment
the jimmies Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Thanks for the helpful advice folks, What I meant about the prices was that what I can buy for £100 here in the UK, you can buy for 100 dollars in the US. US prices are much cheaper, hence I an looking at models that US people would buy for 120 bucks. Useful info. An electronic compass is not a big deal for me if it adds too much cost. I seem to be narrowing it down to a Garmin eTrex H or Gecko 301. Wul Quote Link to comment
LegendHCx Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Hello evryone, Our family is new to geocaching but have got the bug. We live in the UK and will be getting to within 400metres of caches using good, old fashioned Ordenance Survey maps so mapping is not needed. My budget would be £80-£120 G.B. pounds, which seems to translate into the same number of dollars as far as what it will buy in the USA. I'm looking for a unit which has the following features: 1) Good sensitivity 2) Reliable/rugged 3) showerproof ( we live in Scotland) 4) Has a "compass", desirable but not essential 5) Simple to operate 6) has an altimeter (not essential) Really I'd like to be able just to punch in co-ordinates and have an arrow show me which way to go, and maybe beep when I get to my target area. As you can tell I know nothing about these machines. I was tempted by the new Magellan Triton but have read bad reports. A SIMPLE user interface is a major requirement. Also the Garmin etrex seems OK but does it have a compass and altimetre? Can any one recommend a unit which will meet our needs? thanks daddy Jimmie I would suggest Legend HCx or Vista HCx (compass, barometric altimeter). Both are color units and trust me, I was there, a touch of color is big difference comparing to B&W. Beside being great GPSrs they provide mapping ability which is very handy. Even if you spend all the time in the woods eventually you will go on the road and you will appreciate autorouting and other mapping features. Yes, it is more money but cut smoking, booze and women and voila – here are the moneys! Quote Link to comment
+Red90 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Really.... Any of the Garmin etrex "H" models will do. A compass or altimeter are of little to no use with these units. So the etrex H for around $100 or venture HC for $150 which add mapping capability and USB connection. Either will do for what you ask and be as sensitive and accurate as ANY GPS made, regardless of price. Quote Link to comment
the jimmies Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 Thanks, I think I'll go for a Garmin eTrexH. I can't justify spending £200 on a unit with colour and mapping and I already have a compass. I worry that some of the latest models are not yet user feiendly enough for me. Seem to be prone to glitches and bugs. Also I'd resent paying £100 for a map card when I've already got so many paper O.S. maps. I'm a bit worried by folk saying that the only use the GPS tto get within 100feet of the cache. I reckon I can get to within 150 feet with a map, but then so far I've only looked for caches which are near good landmarks, like view points and hill tops. It would be a different matter in the middle of a moor. Hmmmm...... Quote Link to comment
+Miragee Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Your GPS unit should get you within 30' of the cache, and depending on who the cache hider is, your GPSr might get you within one foot, which is the case with one person here, who must have exactly the same GPS model I have. Quote Link to comment
Newb888 Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Really.... Any of the Garmin etrex "H" models will do. A compass or altimeter are of little to no use with these units. So the etrex H for around $100 or venture HC for $150 which add mapping capability and USB connection. Either will do for what you ask and be as sensitive and accurate as ANY GPS made, regardless of price. There were some '"filter"issues with the H line last year when they came out. Have they been resolved with the latest firmware? How's the new chipset compared to the SiRFIII? Quote Link to comment
+Barrettg Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Thanks, I think I'll go for a Garmin eTrexH. I can't justify spending £200 on a unit with colour and mapping and I already have a compass. I worry that some of the latest models are not yet user feiendly enough for me. Seem to be prone to glitches and bugs. Also I'd resent paying £100 for a map card when I've already got so many paper O.S. maps. I'm a bit worried by folk saying that the only use the GPS tto get within 100feet of the cache. I reckon I can get to within 150 feet with a map, but then so far I've only looked for caches which are near good landmarks, like view points and hill tops. It would be a different matter in the middle of a moor. Hmmmm...... Jimmies: First of all congratulations on the family's interest and enthusiasm with regard to Geocaching. My family took to it as well. My youngest Grand Son can't wait until the week-ends roll around so that we can go out and find some booty. (We take and we leave). Your comment ---> "I think I'll go for a Garmin eTrexH." I don't think you'll be disappointed. I am using a Vista HCx. I regularly get within 3 meters of the cache. Yes, 3 meters. The Vista HCx is a little more than the eTrexH, because of the color screen and a few other things, but you'll be more than happy with your choice. Go for it and let us know how you make out. The nice thing with getting a new unit, is tht you can always upgrade once you decide it's necessary, (if ever). Happy Caching and keep us posted! G Quote Link to comment
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