Buying first "real GPS"

[+smitty19983]

I have been caching with my Droid for a few months. I really do like some of the things that it can do. Access logs, descriptions, etc.

 

I am looking to purchase a GPS of some sort. I would really like to have paperless. I want to be able to access the descriptions, view a close cache. I can do all these things with my phone and use the combo of the two. Only problem is service on the phone. It is often spotty at times.

 

According to Garmin the Colorado, Dakota, and Oregon all have this capability.

 

I also have looked at the eTrex Vista HCx and it looks like a solid unit. Don't know if does all the things that I am looking for.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to buy a unit and not be happy with it and end up using my phone or buying different unit.

 

Thanks in Advance:

 

Smitty

[+Red90]

According to Garmin the Colorado, Dakota, and Oregon all have this capability.

 

Or the 78 and 62 series and the Nuvi 5xx series.

 

Also any of the Delorme models.

 

The Magellan Explorist GC.

 

Lowrance Endura series.

 

Lots of choices. How much do you want to spend?

[+StarBrand]

The Garmin Colorado, Oregon, Dakota and Nuvi 500 lines will all do what you want.

 

However the Colorado line has been discontinued - you stand to get a good bargain on a unit but it is obsolete.

 

Very soon Garmin will also come out with the 62CSx which will be fully paperless.

 

The eTrex line is not paperless out of the box.

 

Other units you may want to condiser include the Explorist GC, Lowrence Endura line, Delorme PN series.

 

Overall, i consider the Oregon series to be the best of the above with a second to the Endura units.

[+CortandTrent]

I am super happy with my Oregon 450. Easy to use and does pretty much everything I want it too.

[+OldA'sFan]

I have been caching with my Droid for a few months. I really do like some of the things that it can do. Access logs, descriptions, etc.

 

I am looking to purchase a GPS of some sort. I would really like to have paperless. I want to be able to access the descriptions, view a close cache. I can do all these things with my phone and use the combo of the two. Only problem is service on the phone. It is often spotty at times.

 

According to Garmin the Colorado, Dakota, and Oregon all have this capability.

 

I also have looked at the eTrex Vista HCx and it looks like a solid unit. Don't know if does all the things that I am looking for.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to buy a unit and not be happy with it and end up using my phone or buying different unit.

 

Thanks in Advance:

 

I have an Oregon 450 which I really like. It is easy to use, I love the touch screen, and it is very geocaching friendly (easy to download multiple caches and easy to upload field notes). With the new software beta upgrade the problem with WAAS seems to have been solved. The only drawback is the screen is not quite as bright as I would like, but certainly not a deal killer. If you are interested in paperless geocaching and a touch screen I would highly recommend the Oregon 450.

 

OldA'sFan

 

Smitty

[+Pirates of Prescott]

Go with a paperless model for geocaching. I have an Oregon and I like it. It's easy to use.

If I had a reason to buy another I wouldn't get a touch screen unit. There not as clear a screen.

I just don't feel right about pressing down on the screen. Check out the Garmin 62 series. There coming out soon if not now.

[flyjazz]

My suggestion is to go for the best bang for the buck. The various manufactures are constantly coming out with new models all the time,especially so in the last year. What was new and exciting is old and possibly out of date within a year. Save yourself some money and update every few years with units that have fallen out of fashion,yet still meet your needs.

[+smitty19983]

My suggestion is to go for the best bang for the buck. The various manufactures are constantly coming out with new models all the time,especially so in the last year. What was new and exciting is old and possibly out of date within a year. Save yourself some money and update every few years with units that have fallen out of fashion,yet still meet your needs.

 

I know exactly what you are saying. I have a buddy who is a HUGE fan of the Garmin 60csx.

 

 

Thanks for all the feedback. Please keep it coming. I want to make a purchase that I will be happy with for a couple of years for sure.

[+briansnat]

My suggestion is to go for the best bang for the buck. The various manufactures are constantly coming out with new models all the time,especially so in the last year. What was new and exciting is old and possibly out of date within a year. Save yourself some money and update every few years with units that have fallen out of fashion,yet still meet your needs.

 

I know exactly what you are saying. I have a buddy who is a HUGE fan of the Garmin 60csx.

 

 

Thanks for all the feedback. Please keep it coming. I want to make a purchase that I will be happy with for a couple of years for sure.

 

Many geocachers are huge fans of the 60CSX. It is a great unit. The updated version, the 62CSX will be out shortly. I played around abit with a Map 62 the other day and was pretty impressed. Granted I didn't use it for geocaching, but the feature set looked pretty nice.

[+Redwoods Mtn Biker]

A little disambiguation here. There will not be a 62CSx. The most comparable new model will be the 62s. There will also be a base model, the 62, and one with pre-loaded topos, the 62st. With all the free maps available, look for the 62s to be the big seller.

[+smitty19983]

Took the plunge today.

 

Purchased a Oregon 450. Had some Cabellas bucks and the 50 rebate made it a really good deal.

 

Cannot wait to use it. Hope it is easier then the Droid or I wasted my money.

[Allison Wunderland]

[Duplicate rant removed by moderator to keep thread on-topic.]

Edited June 13, 2010 by Keystone

[+thedeadpirate]

Here's the transcript, verbatim from Garmin.com <snip contents since the post is just prior to this one>

 

Your email correspondence just shows that Garmin was trying to work with you and you pulled the plug prematurely. They were even nice to agree to refund your money for the DVD as long as you show you returned your unit.

 

I'm not seeing how GARMIN SUX here.

 

*** If you're gonna spam this everywhere, then I'm just going to cut and paste my response.

[flyjazz]

deleted

Edited June 13, 2010 by flyjazz

[+coggins]

Took the plunge today.

 

Purchased a Oregon 450. Had some Cabellas bucks and the 50 rebate made it a really good deal.

 

Cannot wait to use it. Hope it is easier then the Droid or I wasted my money.

They have a rebate? More choices...

[+Redwoods Mtn Biker]

Rebate ends 6/20. Not valid at Amazon.

 

Good choice Smitty19983. I think you'll really like it.