Which Gps For Me?

[Joshuam]

I am trying to find the best gps for me. I used my uncles garmin but I am not sure of the model. It is the little yellow one. It was okay for except it wasn't very accurate and when you werent moving very fast the arrow that points you which way to go would jump around a little. I would also like some streets on the one I get. I dont need an $80 mapping software but I do want a gps with some base maps. What is the need for a compass in geocacheing? I am not sure if I would want a model with a good compass or not. I know that garmin makes a mount for bikes but does magellan? That is a somewhat important feature to me. What should I get?

[+The Southlanders]

I would suggest the Garmin Etrex Legend (the blue one) It has a nice display, its tough, it has very basic basemaps, enough memory to get the job done if you want to load Mapsource maps, and it is easy to use. I think you can get them for around 140 bucks online (sometimes cheaper). The Legends bigger brother the Vista is almost the same unit except it has more memory for storing maps, an altimeter ( which is useless for me) an actual compass (which is nice but not neccesary) and from what I have found an appetite for batteries compared to the Legend. We got our Vista for 200 bucks online.

Our Magellan Sportrack Pro is also a nice unit, I just prefer the Garmins over it. However the Magellan seems to get better reception under tree cover sometimes, although the garmin does fine most of the time.

[Neo_Geo]

What is the need for a compass in geocacheing?

No need at all. Most of us find the caches without one. The GPSr itself acts as one based on your movements.

 

The Garmin Legend is a fine unit that fits your needs and has quite a few bells and whistles.

[Joshuam]

Sounds like the legend it is then. How detailed are the base maps on the legend? Would you say they are as detailed as the maps you can get off of this site if you dont zoom in (on the site that is)?

[+The Southlanders]

Sounds like the legend it is then. How detailed are the base maps on the legend? Would you say they are as detailed as the maps you can get off of this site if you dont zoom in (on the site that is)?

I would say that they are less detailed than the maps on GC.com, the basemaps include interstates, US routes, most state routes (At least in IL) and major roads. Alot of secondary roads are not on there and forget the side streets. We did ok for a while with the basemaps, after a while we decided to get Mapsource which was 99 bucks and it is very detailed, I have no complaints about it.

[Joshuam]

Also, does the legend have waas? What about the regular yellow etrex?

 

If a gps has the better type of compass on it does that make it so that when you put in coordinates it can tell you which way to go without you moving and it wont jump around if you are moving slowly?

 

One last thing (I think), do all of these gps have a feature where you can have it show you to go on the exact route you came?

Edited November 24, 2004 by Joshuam

[+E = Mc2]

You'll find that each of us has opinions on which is the better reciever. Take your time and shop around before you plunk your money down.

 

For less than $200, I would recommend the Magellan Meridian Gold. It comes with a 16MB basemap built in, which covers a decent number of roads. The screen (and unfortunately, the unit) is larger than anything in the eTrex lineup as well. The Meridian Gold can be had on eBay for less than $150 if you wait, and roughly $160-170 if you are in a hurry. One sold last week for $130.

 

In the long run, I think you will be happy with the Gold, as seems to have an advantage in cover over the eTrex line. It also has SD expandability. Later on, you can purchase the mapping software and upload detailed (street level) maps of large sections of the country onto one tiny little SD card. It also will accept Magellan's DirectRoute software, which does automatic routing to your destination (again, something to think about for the future).

 

Another option would be to look for a Meridian Green with SD card and software on eBay. Here is one such unit with GPS, Mapsend Topo software, 16MB SD card, automobile mount, and cables that closes in about an hour, and still under $200. The 'green' only has a 2MB basemap (basically interstates and US routes only), but it also accepts SD cards for expanded mapping. It does not do autorouting, though. The SD expandability of the entire Meridian line is a selling point for me over anything else made by Magellan. (SporTrak, Explorist)

 

I'm no expert on the eTrex line, but I do have an eTrex camo (basic unit) that I carry with me to supplement my Magellan Meridian (Green) and Meridian Platinum. I rely mostly on the Meridians, as the eTrex tends to lose satellites unless it's held flat and face up. Turn it upside down (ie, hang around your neck) and it drops the signal...

 

As far as a compass is concerned, I never hit the trail without one and a map of the area. Should my GPSr's die, I have a backup method of finding the way out. Also, it does come in very handy when you get within a couple hundred feet of the cache. Using the bearing (to target) from your GPSr, you can shoot an azimuth to the cache and be able to see where it might be before you start 'chasing the arrow'. This has been a successful tactic for me many times.

[Joshuam]

I read a few things about the magellans I didn't like though. I am not sure if this is true of garmins aswell but I read you can't turn off the waas and also that is you lose signal it just estimates where you are going and doesn't tell you it lost signal. Also, the bike holder from magellan is twice as much as the one from garmin. The size is another factor. But the first two are the main ones and if someone could tell me those are not true or the garmin models do the same thing then I would really consider the meridian because I would like a detailed basemap.

[+E = Mc2]

Also, does the legend have waas?

In a word, yes.

 

What about the regular yellow etrex?

Hmmm. That I'm not so sure about. After further review of Garmin's website: NOPE

 

If a gps has the better type of compass on it does that make it so that when you put in coordinates it can tell you which way to go without you moving and it wont jump around if you are moving slowly?

The higher-end units, like the Meridian Platinum or eTrex Vista (I think?), have an electronic compass which does not require you to be moving for the needle to point towards where you need to go. It also consumes batteries more quickly. Truth be told, I'd rather rely on a good hand-held compass than the one on the GPSr.

 

One last thing (I think), do all of these gps have a feature where you can have it show you to go on the exact route you came?

Yes, they all will show your trail on the screen.

[Joshuam]

So the compass is what makes the vista go through batts quickly. Well, I am still leaning towards the legend. Do the lower model magellans have base maps as good as the meridian gold?

[+Sputnik 57]

There is a really good review of the Legend (and Vista) here. Click here to get to their home page and see other models they've reviewed, including the Maggie Meri-gold.

[+embra]

I read a few things about the magellans I didn't like though. I am not sure if this is true of garmins aswell but I read you can't turn off the waas and also that is you lose signal it just estimates where you are going and doesn't tell you it lost signal. Also, the bike holder from magellan is twice as much as the one from garmin. The size is another factor. But the first two are the main ones and if someone could tell me those are not true or the garmin models do the same thing then I would really consider the meridian because I would like a detailed basemap.

WAAS can be turned of in Meridians if desired (though I leave mine on all the time). The procedure is described in the FAQs in my sig line.

 

I'm not sure of the answer to your other concern. My impression is the assertion that Meridians estimate a position when they lack signal is an argument put forth by those who don't believe it is capable of better reception...but I may merely be showing my personal bias to believe that it *is* maintaining a lock.

 

I *do* know that my Meridian has sometimes lost signal and has duly reported so. So I think I'm safe in saying that if it does estimate position under poor reception conditions, it doesn't do so all the time. If that sounds like a lukewarm endorsement, it's only because I'm trying to stick to known observables. If you'll let me get a little more speculative, I can express good confidence in the data my Meridian provides me.

 

Bike holder: I use a RAM mount, which is much more substantial than the Magellan holders. I switch it between bike and car...great versatility and very reliable. I think it does cost a bit more, but over the life of the device the cost difference becomes small.

[+E = Mc2]

Man, I'm getting long-winded!

 

I am not sure if this is true of garmins as well but I read you can't turn off the waas...

Without using some of the 'secret' codes, (available at the Meridian FAQ on Yahoo Groups) you can't. But, why would you want to degrade your accuracy?

 

...and also that is you lose signal it just estimates where you are going and doesn't tell you it lost signal.

More or less a myth perpetuated by those who don't use them. It will continue to give speed and direction for a few seconds if you drive into a tunnel and lose signal. I haven't had a problem in the field on foot, though. You can set the unit to give an audible alarm on the very rare occasions that it does lose the signal, though.

 

Also, the bike holder from magellan is twice as much as the one from garmin.

Again, I cannot recommend eBay enough...

 

The size is another factor.

Definitely a factor. The eTrex lineup is, indeed, a nice little compact unit which will do the job admirably in most situations.

 

So the compass is what makes the vista go through batts quickly.

Yuppers!

 

I suppose it all boils down to which features you like the most. Perhaps the best advice I can give you is to take your time and try to get your hands on each unit before you make your final decision. Perhaps you can try contacting some of your area's Geocachers to see what units they are using, and go together, so you can get a feel for each type. Also, there is an event in Daytona Beach on the 26th, and another coming up in the Orlando area on the 8th of Jan which you might want to try attending. Events are a great way to spend a day or more learning about Geocaching in general, and getting to know the people who's logs you read.

[+E = Mc2]

Do the lower model magellans have base maps as good as the meridian gold?

No. The base model Meridian (aka MeriGreen/Yellow) has only a 2MB basemap. This covers Interstates, and most US Highways, plus a very few of the more major State roads. Of course, with the money saved purchasing a Green, one could buy the Topo software and SD card(s) to upload detailed street level maps... I've noticed that my Green doesn't process REALLY large maps as quickly as the Platinum model, though.

 

Check out this image... This is next to my computer, which is in the basement of my house. Notice the signal strength bars on the Meridians?

 

[peter]

Check out this image.

Any reason why the display of expected satellite positions in the sky looks very different on all three receivers? Usually the almanac is valid for a long period of time since the last lock and would be expected to show consistent data across the various receivers. Odd that no two of them agree.

[+E = Mc2]

Check out this image.

Any reason why the display of expected satellite positions in the sky looks very different on all three receivers?

Interesting observation! I Haven't the slightest clue as to why that is. I haven't been out in <quick double check>... almost a week, and the batteries were out for several days while I cycled them through the charger. Perhaps I left the the MeriPlat running (in the powered car mount) until I got home while the other were shut off in the field, if I even took them. That might be the cause.

 

Odd that no two of them agree.

If you think that's odd, no two of any of the GPSr's I've held could ever agree on what time it was! Also, after a second look, the two Meridians' clocks are off by a considerable margin (one by 3 days, 3 hours, the other by 3 days 5 hours), probably because the batteries were out for so long. Let me reset the clocks (IE, initialize) and see what happens... Yup. That was the cause. They all agree now.

[Joshuam]

You have the two magellans antenna's pointed where they should be but the garmin antenna is not. Probably only about %20 of my caches will be under tree cover (that is about the amount when we went out yesterday). I Like some of the features of the mag's I just can't get over the size.

[+briansnat]

Check out this image... This is next to my computer, which is in the basement of my house. Notice the signal strength bars on the Meridians?

 

The Magellans have a quad helix antenna which is better at picking sats up closer to the horizon, while the eTrex's patch is better at picking up sats directly overhead and not as good with sats on the horizon. The Magellans are probably finding sats out the window that the eTrex can't see. If you were in a giant tube with the top open to the sky and no windows, the results would probably be the opposite.

 

Also, as Joshuam mentioned, the Magellans in your photo are positioned for optimum reception while the eTrex should be flat for best reception.

 

I Like some of the features of the mag's I just can't get over the size.

 

That is key to me. I had a Legend and now have a Vista and like the compact size. They are both excellent units. I like being able to put the unit in my pocket when not in use. I bring my Vista everywhere and even use it to mark the location of my car in mall and stadium parking lots. If I had to cart around one of those Meridians I'd never take it out of the house.

Edited November 24, 2004 by briansnat

[+Marky]

Why does everyone forget to mention the Sportrak Color, especially when people are concerned with size. The Sportrak form factor is really nice and if you can get the $199 deal at Costco, you are getting a bargain: great color display, digital 3-axis compass, quad helix antenna, barometer (not used for altitude calculations) and a reasonable amount (but not great) of memory. When compared to any of the Garmin units under $200, it greatly outshines them all. I like them so much I bought a second unit so that I can have one for the car with DirectRoute maps and one for on the trail with Topo maps. Am I the only cacher that loves this one?

 

--Marky

[+E = Mc2]

You have the two magellans antenna's pointed where they should be but the garmin antenna is not. Probably only about %20 of my caches will be under tree cover (that is about the amount when we went out yesterday). I Like some of the features of the mag's I just can't get over the size.

In all fairness, you are correct. The best way to get a shot without having the flash reflect in the screens was at an angle. I've included another shot, below, that was taken with them lying flat. Again, in all fairness, you should note that the bars on the Meridian are outlined and not filled in. It is picking up signals in the basement (Window? What window??), but they are not strong enough, nor long lasting enough for it to be considered a 'lock'.

 

I'm not disparaging the eTrex line. I have and use one myself, and it is a decent unit which many thousands use to find Geocaches every day. It is at a slight disadvantage, though, when under cover. The Meridian series is a much larger unit, and that is something you should take into consideration. Personally I think that the Quad antenna, ease of use, larger screen, and especially the SD expandability more than make up for the size difference. Again, that's just my opinion. Like I said before:"take your time and try to get your hands on each unit before you make your final decision.". You are the only person who can decide which features are for you. Most of all, HAVE FUN!

 

[+E = Mc2]

Why does everyone forget to mention the Sportrak Color...

As far as this thread goes, I had a hard time finding ST Colors for less than $200, even on eBay, while the MeriGold is frequently available at or below $150.

 

Personally, when I made the decision to buy -yet another- unit, I did consider the ST Color. The deciding factors for -ME- were the lack of SD expandability, and the controls (which I suppose I could have gotten used to eventually). I'm waiting until the Garmin 60C(s) comes down in price before I consider a color unit.

 

Am I the only cacher that loves this one?

Imagine going to an event where (aside from Show Me The Cache, who uses a Map330) you are the only person using a Magellan receiver! Of course, the laugther died down when I was the first person to finish inputting the nine sets of coords for the event caches... Edited November 24, 2004 by E = Mc2

[+Marky]

Am I the only cacher that loves this one?

Imagine going to an event where (aside from Show Me The Cache, who uses a Map330) you are the only person using a Magellan receiver! Of course, the laugther died down when I was the first person to finish inputting the nine sets of coords for the event caches...

Hehe, funny. Out here in the S.F. Bay Area, I usually see an equal balance of Magellans and Garmins. Before the 60C(S) and 76C(S) models came out, I saw more Magellans than Garmins. Garmin seems to be coming out with more "interesting" new models lately, so that balance has been changing. I was even tempted to get a 60CS, but in the end I couldn't justify it. My STC did pretty much everything the 60CS did, so there was no reason to change (and I really do like the form factor of the STC).

 

--Marky

[tubemonkey]

The Sportrak form factor is really nice and if you can get the $199 deal at Costco, ...

I'm seriously thinking about getting one. I've yet to replace a defective ST Pro I had to return, so all I have right now is an eTrex Yellow. I picked up an ST Map combo w/ Topo for one of my sons and it has more than enough memory for his needs, but not for me.

 

I definitely prefer the SporTraks over the Meridians in all areas, except one -- no SD. It's a shame that Magellan didn't see fit to include this feature in the SporTrak series.

[+Mr Hedgehog]

I would have to add that for me the smaller size of the Garmin Etrex units is the key. I feel that the Magellan units, whilst being excellent GPSr's, are just too physically big for me to use comfortably in the field. I will add that all of my GPSr's are Garmin Etrex units (a Little Yellow and a Vista C),

and that the only experience I've had of Magellan units are when I have tried ones that belong to friends. Possibly it's a case of better the devil you know.

[Joshuam]

Okay, I have just about decided on the garmin legend. The size was the biggest factor. (lol, that is kinda funnny)

 

Is there any bike handle mount other than the one made by garmin that people use? I am just trying to consider my options.