+Worf's Pack Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 In Sept 2002 I bought an used Etrex for 60 bucks. I didn't want to buy somthing that I might never use new. Today we did our 100 cache and my etrex was telling me it was 60ft away. We were on top off a hill. My only real pet pieve is there is about seven times we wound up on the wrong side of rivers. I see logs when people complain that the coord's were 15 ft off. For me 45ft is a given. I NEED ADVICE ON WHAT GPS TO UPGRADE TO. Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 At this point you have enough experience to know what features you want. Any GPS including the one you have should be good enough. I normally leave WAAS of and I'm normally wihtin 20'. You should (but don't) have the same accuracy. Maybe you just have a GPS with a couple of screws loose. Quote Link to comment
+GeoKender Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 Perhaps it is the topo software you should blame and not the GPSr. I have found that the topo software is off and not totally reliable. Just my couple of pennies. Peace. Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 You really aren't going to get better accuracy with an upgrade, just more features. Not sure why your eTrex would consistently be so far off, but in theory, you shouldn't see much difference between your cheap eTrex and a brand new 60CS, or a Meri Platnium. Anyway, I've been using the eTrex Vista for the past 2 years and the eTrex Legend before that and I rarely have a problem, so its not a problem with the eTrex itself. Maybe something with your particular unit? Have you upgraded your unit's software recently? Have you tried a reset of the unit (careful, it will wipe out everything on it and start fresh)? Have you thought about sending it to Garmin for an overhaul (though that will cost you as much as the unit originally did)? Quote Link to comment
+Worf's Pack Posted June 5, 2004 Author Share Posted June 5, 2004 The last software update for my etrex was June 2002. I did it back then. since all my waypoints are also on my laptop I'll try a reset. But I do want to upgrade. My 9 year old is going to Sante fe this summer and wants to go caching with Granpa. He called dibbs on the etrex. I have a gps38 I use mostly as a compase while driving. I think I want a mapping feature, right now I bring my laptop along with delorme Topo and Street atlas(which I used in a plane once pretty cool). A usb port would be useful. How good is waas capability I thought that had to do with the FAA installing ground stations. Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 (edited) Well if money is no object, the Garmin 60CS is a veeeery nice unit. And since the 60 series came out, the GPS V is a great value. I've seen it as low as $299 nowadays. It's still the same excellent unit it was when it was almost $500. I'm partial to my eTrex Vista. I like its compact size and one handed operation. I've personally found little difference with WAAS on and off, so I don't bother with it. Edited June 5, 2004 by briansnat Quote Link to comment
+JMBella Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 I recently purchase a Magellan SporTrak color. I absolutely love it. I just hope I don't lose this one. As far as your eTrex, it sounds like you have a problem with the unit, or you need to reinitialize it. But don't let that stop you from getting a new GPS. Buying stuff is fun! At at prises like this you can't afford NOT to. (Sorry, my inner salesman just surfaced.) Quote Link to comment
+IV_Warrior Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 I just "replaced" my Etrex Vista with a Magellan Meridian Gold. Man that SD card sure is nice for storing tons of waypoints to be able to quickly upload a different set for a different area......Also, the screen size on the Gold is a bit bigger than the Etrex which is nice. Quote Link to comment
+Worf's Pack Posted June 6, 2004 Author Share Posted June 6, 2004 Took part of JMbellas advice "buying stuff is fun" Just ordered garmin gps 60cs. figured out how to put my e-trex in service mode. Just can't get it to reset yet. When I do I'll give it to my Son. Thanks for the Help Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted June 6, 2004 Share Posted June 6, 2004 I think to reset it, you turn it on and hold in all the buttons. Quote Link to comment
avroair Posted June 7, 2004 Share Posted June 7, 2004 I recently purchase a Magellan SporTrak color I recently wrote a GPS review for Scientific American among the units I tried out the: Magellan SporTrak color an excellent unit for suburban caching - the difference between roads and creeks is quite excellent! and the Garmin 60CS if you are looking for a rugged type with great functions. I also reviewed the sportrak map, etrex legend which are both dependable. The geko series may be too simplistic for your planned use. Quote Link to comment
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