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Griffinlawnscapes
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Griffinlawnscapes

Griffinlawnscapes

Posted
Posted

Hi guys, I know you have probably had the questions asked time and time again... BUT,

I am looking into a GPS (of course) and alot of it confuses the crap outta me, I know i need one that can take the coords. and since i have trouble working a calculator. it will have to be easy to use... but it also has to be affordable.. so i need some help, as we are trying to make this a fun family thing. but i don't want to dump tons of money if the kids end up griping that they are bored... I would be happy with an older model that is easy to use...

thanks guys.. and please don't abbreviate stuff as i am not hip to the lingo..

 

Jeremy

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bittsen

+bittsen

Posted
Posted

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

I was looking at this... any thoughts??

 

Jeremy

 

When looking for a Garmin Etrex, you should make sure it has the H next to it. It will usually have HC or HCx next to the name.

If it doesn't have one of those extra letter combinations then it's not a high sensitivity unit and will be a little more difficult to cache with.

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Chi-Town Cacher

+Chi-Town Cacher

Posted
Posted (edited)

$100 or less, geocaching only, easy to use

 

http://www.mygeomate.com/

 

A single-purpose device for under $100. When you outgrow it you can give it to a friend to get them started on the hobby and buy something more capable...

I'll second Lee's suggestion for a Geomate Jr. being a viable option. If you're looking for something that's very affordable and requires no tech knowledge (I am speaking very literally when I say no tech knowledge required) it just might be what you're looking for. These things are so easy to use that I literally can have a small child say 10 years old trained on how to turn it on and how to find the nearest cache in like 5 minutes or less. The only thing I'd caution you about in regards to the Geomate Jr. is that that it's only use is for geocaching. So say for example you want a GPSr to keep track of which trails you took to get to your current position it will not do that. It does have a feature where you can mark any position you are at as "Home" and then when you are ready to return to that spot it will show you which direction it is and how far away it is.

 

I have a PN-40 that is my primary GPSr that has all the bells and whistles I could ever want, but I also have a Geomate Jr. and as far as reception goes I have to tell you my Geomate Jr. is just as good as my PN-40. It takes a minute or two to lock onto the satallites, but once it does it a great little geocaching machine. Oh, and one of the very sweet things this little geocaching machine has going for it is that it comes with 250,000 already loaded into it so you literally put in the batteries and literally in 1 or 2 minutes (well ok say maybe 5 so you can read the small owners manual that is included) you're ready to start your first geocaching adventure!

 

If you're sure that geocaching is the only thing you'd want a GPSr for then the Geomate Jr. may be a very good option for you. If you'd like to read more about the Geomate Jr. there is a thread that can almost always be found on the first or second page of this Technology forum. I believe the title of the thread that you'll be looking for is called Geomate Jr. owners thread or something very similar. There's a much shorter thread that you may want to read about the update kit for it, but it's the main thread that's about 6 pages long that I'm referencing.

 

Good luck in your search for a search for a GPSr that will be exactly what you want! :)

 

Edit to add: The price for the Geomate Jr. is $69.99 and can be bought either at this site's web store or REI.com. If you want the optional update kit (it's not required) then that's another $25.00.

Edited by Michigan Cacheman
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Motorcycle_Mama

Motorcycle_Mama

Posted
Posted (edited)

I would recommend that you look at the Garmin Venture HC or if you can swing it, the eTrex Legend HCx. You might be able to find a used one.

 

To avoid frustration, I would not recommend getting an old model. Buy lower end newer model (such as the Garmin "H" series) and you will have much better luck.

Edited by Motorcycle_Mama
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TotemLake

+TotemLake

Posted
Posted (edited)

Give me a break !! See my closed thread

Are you kidding me? Give all of us a break!

 

You had your say and it got locked for the tone of it.

 

Pipe down.

 

If I may suggest some timely advise for you.

 

Stop reading these threads and you'll see less stress in your life.

 

We go through this every year. Some program or news article comes along and we see a surge in What Should I Buy? threads. Relax, it'll quiet down until the next time it happens again. It's a phase.

Edited by TotemLake
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JDiablo

JDiablo

Posted
Posted

Oh nevermind, i will be mad if i buy it and can't figure it out.. I am gonna go with the Geomate... Thanks guys for all your help.. hope I run across some of you in north alabama while out geocaching...

 

Jeremy

From what I have read you are most likely making the best choice. Good luck and let us know how it went.
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Haitoman

Haitoman

Posted
Posted

Don't tell me to pipe down.

 

I'm not a 19 year old smart a**, I am 51 years old and run my own engineering consultancy. Timely advi©e is what you give to a schoolboy before he borrows dad's car.

 

"What should I buy" is a pinned topic supported by a number of charter members. This in laymans terms is a readme.txt for "What should I buy" and posters need to read this first.

 

Anyway, point taken I'm sure it will quieten down soon.

 

Give me a break !! See my closed thread

Are you kidding me? Give all of us a break!

 

You had your say and it got locked for the tone of it.

 

Pipe down.

 

If I may suggest some timely advise for you.

 

Stop reading these threads and you'll see less stress in your life.

 

We go through this every year. Some program or news article comes along and we see a surge in What Should I Buy? threads. Relax, it'll quiet down until the next time it happens again. It's a phase.

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Indotguy

+Indotguy

Posted
Posted

Give me a break !! See my closed thread

 

I'm all for being helpful but with all due respect to new players, there is an ENORMOUS amount of information related to GPS purchases to be had on these forum simply by scanning topics and reading. My advice? Buy, borrow or steal (not recommended!) a cheap GPS and go out and hunt some caches. Learn from experience what features you need, if and when you decide to upgrade. Attend an event or two and talk to others. Read the forums. Visit GPS brand websites and read, read, read.

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Griffinlawnscapes

Griffinlawnscapes

Posted
  • Author
Posted

guys if this is worth the time to argue about then i can make myself scarce for bringing it up.what you guys might not realize is new people don't have the knowledge it take to make a good decision and the post are usually full of slang concerning this adventure.. how am i supposed to know what muggles are and so on and so forth.... so if me asking a newbie question ticks some of you off, then i have to say don't read my posts... you knew going into this post that it was newbie questions by the title.. but i am sure i can find other places to go to find what i am looking for.. I came here for fun not to be ridiculed for my newbness...

 

Jeremy

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Rockin Roddy

+Rockin Roddy

Posted
Posted (edited)

guys if this is worth the time to argue about then i can make myself scarce for bringing it up.what you guys might not realize is new people don't have the knowledge it take to make a good decision and the post are usually full of slang concerning this adventure.. how am i supposed to know what muggles are and so on and so forth.... so if me asking a newbie question ticks some of you off, then i have to say don't read my posts... you knew going into this post that it was newbie questions by the title.. but i am sure i can find other places to go to find what i am looking for.. I came here for fun not to be ridiculed for my newbness...

 

Jeremy

 

It's not your fault, my friend!

 

However, I would like to offer a bit of advice which you can either take as intended or tell me to go jump in a lake:

 

Take time to read threads before asking a question. I know you want your answer now, but it may have been covered before in other threads. Not saying not to ask questions, MOST of us are more than happy to lend a hand. just saying some questions could be answered without asking.

 

Check the pinned topics at the top of each forums section. A lot of helpful ino there.

 

Be a bit more precise with your questions. Give info that will help with giving answers. If a GPS is what you want, state how much you can spend, what you want from the unit etc. This will help get you your answer quickly and by those who are able to answer.

 

Take the time to do your OWN research as well, when applicable!

 

WELCOME to our addiction, my friend! Having gone after and finding all 36 we searched out last night, I can tell you, this is GREAT FUN!! Do yourself a favor though, when you're just starting out, search for the easy finds! A 1/1 traditional cache the size of a small or regular is what you should try for frst, then work your way up as you become more familiar with the hiding styles etc!

 

GOOD LUCK and HAPPY CACHING!

Edited by Rockin Roddy
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