What GPS Device do you use?

[+CacheKidz!]

My wife and I currently use c:geo on our HTC Hero. But we are looking to invest into a inexpensive device for our 10 year old daughter to use.

So, I would kind of like to find out what you use, or maybe started out with?

Thanks,

Cachekidz! - Chuck

[+dfx]

started with an fsc pocket loox n560 and used it for over 1500 finds. then upgraded to an oregon 450 and not looking back!

[+Rich1010]

My wife and I currently use c:geo on our HTC Hero. But we are looking to invest into a inexpensive device for our 10 year old daughter to use.

So, I would kind of like to find out what you use, or maybe started out with?

Thanks,

Cachekidz! - Chuck

 

I would suggest something like an Garmin Etrex H. It has no maps and some limitations but can be got cheap, especially second hand.

 

It's robust, splash proof unit and does the job perfectly. just factor in the cost of a data cable with this as manually inputting gps coords is a bit of a pain.

 

The amount you wish to spend also reflects on what uint to suggest

Edited October 6, 2010 by Rich1010

[+randco]

I will second the eTrex. We started with an eTrex Legend. Nice little receiver.

[+kywaterfowler]

My first GPSr was a Etrex Legend HCx.

[+Brooklyn51]

We started with Tom Tom One 125 and then moved to a Etrex Legend HCx.. a sweet little unit. We now use an Oregon 550 and love it. Have you looked at the Geomate Jr? We've never used one but it sounds like a good unit for starters too.

[+maristua]

I started with a Garmin nuvi 760 because this was the GPS I had. I found 3 caches and tried to find a few more when I realized I had to get a GPS that was better for geocaching.

 

I bought the Orgeon 550. Now I use my nuvi to drive to the location where the cache is and then I use Oregon 550 to find the right spot where the cache should be.

[+gcfishguy]

For a young'un I'd say watch check the online classifieds and get her one of the old eTrex models. I'd imagine one of the old yellows, green venture or blue legend would be going for next to nothing.

 

Even a brand new yellow H goes for as low as $80 on sale here in Canada, so likely $50 or so stateside.

 

If you find one that doesn't include a cable, they're available online, cheap. Buying a cable at the store will run you $30-$40.

[+dirkibub65]

I'm a newbee or greenhorn and started yesterday with geocaching...

 

I'm using the Nokia N76 with a bluemax GPS mouse (connected via bluetooth to the N76).

On the N76 I have the CeocacheNavigator programm (freeware) installed (via Nokia PC Suite).

 

With the CeocacheNavigator programm you can download adhoc caches nearby (when you have an Internet connection from your mobile) and instantly search for it. The programm shows you the direction with a compass (like the cheap etrex devices).

 

Advantage of the mobile (with internet connection): you can instantly log the cache (found or not found) and you can even look for hints, when you don't find it.

 

So far I did not miss a dedicated geocaching device

 

BR

Dirk

[+Yshf]

I would recommend the Magellan Explorist GC. It's pretty basic, but it works and the accuracy is really good. I currently use that and an Iphone.

[+JL_HSTRE]

I use a Motorola Droid with the GeoHunter app.

[+Mongo1965]

Picked up my Magellan Triton 2000 second hand at a pawn shop and love it.

[+John in Valley Forge]

I started out with a Bushnell Onix200. Not the best unit for caching, but I got a refurb unit online for $40.

Not long after, my family bought me a Magellan Explorist GC. I love it, though I miss the topo maps I had with the Onix. Still, all in all, the GC is a very nice unit.

[+dragonriot]

HTC Droid Incredible with c:Geo and Radar... I wouldn't use anything less... Standalone GPS units don't hold a candle to the capabilities of an Android phone with the right apps... except for +/- accuracy... but when you're within 12 feet of your actual location on GPS, do you really need to be more accurate than that?

[+dreamarcher]

Dakota 20 but I'm starting to think I should have got an iPhone. I see a couple minor advantages of having a dedicated GPS since I did some caching side-by-side with my buddy with his iPhone but overall I think the iPhone would probably be better.

[eseurat]

I started out using the c:geo app on my Android phone to see if I enjoyed caching. Then, since I got hooked and wanted to cache in back-country areas I decided to upgrade and got an Oregon 450.

[+TN83]

I use the magellan explorist gc, i use the magellan 100 (i know its old)but it was my first gps i didn't know anything about gps when i start in the game.....i'm reading the oregon 550 it will be my next gps pretty soon...

[+CacheKidz!]

We just got the Magellan Explorist 210 off of eBay for $71! It is new with all the "stuff" just no box!

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

[+Hiʻiaka]

Started out using our Garmin Nuvi 350, then upgraded to Garmin GPSMAPS 60Csx. Use C:geo on the Moto Droid on the fly and just got a GPSMAP 62st, which I really, really love so far!

[together4fun]

My husband and I have just started over the past weekend....

We have gone out on the hunt for a couple and we have been

really close! But while we are comparing gps'

 

We have a iphone, blackberry and a garmin nuvi(for the car) What are your opinions

on these items we have?

[+OldLog]

I have a Garmin Vista HCx. There are nicer ones out now that let you load a GPX file that includes the hints etc. No need to haul around reems of paper

Edited October 13, 2010 by OldLog

[+Jedi_Find_Trick]

I'm using a Etrex Vista C (old, but still works great). I also have a Samsung Moment (Android). I like c:geo, but if you're out of cell range you're hosed. I've started using Geobeagle and just upload my PQs to bcaching.com and then sync with Geobeagle. That way I can still use it without cell service once it's synced.

 

I typically use my Etrex though, and just use the Moment to read the details. Let's me go paperless with a lesser GPSr. My lovely girlfriend, uses her EVO 4G. That GPS is pin-point accurate, it's sick.

[+firesign3000]

My husband and I have just started over the past weekend....

We have gone out on the hunt for a couple and we have been

really close! But while we are comparing gps'

 

We have a iphone, blackberry and a garmin nuvi(for the car) What are your opinions

on these items we have?

I have both an iPhone 4 with the Groundspeak app and a Garmin Nuvi 760. The iPhone is decent for geocaching with that app, with the caveat that the best accuracy I could ever get with it was about +/- 16-20 ft. and the compass was wonky when at ground zero. Also without some kind of ruggedized case I think it's a bit to delicate to take into the woods, and also the GPS doesn't work that well under canopy. On the upside, as long as you have data reception the Groundpeak Geocaching app is outstanding for paperless caching. I use it quite often for that. Never tried geocaching with the Nuvi, although since you can input coordinates directly and has battery power you could use it, but I'd imagine it might be a pain. For geocaching I use a Delorme PN-40, which I picked up new on Ebay for $200. It has never failed to put me withing a couple of feet, if not right on top of, the cache, even in dense woods. It has good battery life (if you use LI-ION AA batteries or Delorme's rechargeable pack). The screen is nicely visible in direct sunlight. It's waterproof and shockproof. The software for it has a bit of a learning curve but not bad (Windows only, but it works fine in Parallels or Boot Camp with Windows on a Mac). Delorme's map subscription is a steal. $30 a year for all the maps and aerial/sat photos you can eat, which do not expire if you let your subscription drop. It does paperless cacheing (no having to go into the field with reams of printouts). Well worth considering. Delorme also has the PN-60 now which boasts some improvements over the PN-40, but you can find the 40 a lot cheaper.

[+P1623]

I use a Magellan Explorist 500LE. I got it at Canadian Tire for $119.99.

[+Mr. Wilson & a Mt. Goat]

I seem to have 3 GPS's now, 2 Garmins and a Magellan.

The one I mainly use is my Garmin Etrex Legend HCx. Started out with the Magellan Triton 400, still use it when I travel as it is paperless with PQ's.

The other one I use is the Etex Legend H, just a backup that I recently won.

[g_o_caching]

I started with a Garmin Nuvi 1350 and used that for a short time. I bought a Garmin GPSmap 60CSx and it works great. I bought a charger and 4 rechargable batteries and swap them as needed.

[+Minskie]

I use a Garmin Nuvi 260 and a Garmin Etrex Vista HCx

 

Can't ask for more than that! Awesome units that have all the features I will ever need and no real need for upgrading in a hurry unless they re-invent the wheel.

 

Good solid tools for the job. The Nuvi guides the car, the Etrex for on foot.

 

I also prospect for gold using a metal detector (Minelab of course) and I use the same setup with the GPS's for nugget hunting.

Edited October 24, 2010 by Minskie

[+MoonCatKDT & Peanut]

Dakota 20 but I'm starting to think I should have got an iPhone. I see a couple minor advantages of having a dedicated GPS since I did some caching side-by-side with my buddy with his iPhone but overall I think the iPhone would probably be better.

 

The problem with the iphone is no matter where you are, in a field or dense trees, you dont get better than a 20meter radius. Also, our phone seems to jump. one minute youre walking in the right direction and 63 feet away, and the next you're going in the wrong direction and you're 122 feet off. It gets irritating.

[+JesandTodd]

HTC Droid Incredible with c:Geo and Radar... I wouldn't use anything less... Standalone GPS units don't hold a candle to the capabilities of an Android phone with the right apps... except for +/- accuracy... but when you're within 12 feet of your actual location on GPS, do you really need to be more accurate than that?

You really don't. At the point you are near GZ, you use geosense, not gps. Totally agree, nothing compares to a smartphone!

 

 

On the upside, as long as you have data reception the Groundpeak Geocaching app is outstanding for paperless caching.

 

You don't even need data...that's what PQs are for

[+msrubble]

The Geomate Jr. is made with situations like yours in mind. Caches that have been around awhile are already loaded, and it is very simple. And accurate. But the data that's in there when you buy it gets out of date. If you buy an update kit, you might as well have bought a regular GPS with more functions.

 

In your situation, I'd recommend a Garmin eTrex Legend H, if you can afford it. You can find it new on sale for about $100 sometimes. Unlike the eTrex H, the Legend H comes with a USB cable. It has a very basic map built in (major highways). If you ever have to enter coordinates manually, the Legend is easier on your poor thumb and fingers than the eTrex H.

 

Another idea is to see what pawn shops have. Sometimes they have perfectly good older models for less than $100.

Edited October 27, 2010 by msrubble

[+Scubasonic]

have 2 Garmin Oregon 400Ts

2 Garmin Colorados 400

2 Garmin MAP 60csx

use a garmin Nuvi 500 in the car

[+kwcahart]

I use a nuvi 770 to get to the cache sometimes (way out in the brush of Texas), I now use a Garmin 76Cx, and just ordered a Garmin Oregon 450T yesterday for paperless. They are on sale at Cabelas. The Garmin 76Cx is a great GPS, it just doesn't do paperless, but it floats and I bought it for kayaking in the "glades".

[+astrowolf67]

When we first started, lots of paper, and a Garmin Etrex Legend. Currently, a Nuvi 205W for driving, Dell Netbook in place of the paper, and the same 4 year old Etrex Legend. In another week, the Nuvi 205W, and a Garmin Dakota 20.

 

David