Quality Used Gpsrs?

January 9, 2005

Two of my friends have GPSrs and so whenever i want to go i have to ask them if they want to go first, otherwise its a no-go. Also, there are some they found before i started and getting them to go to those is a hassle. I don't have lots of dough to spend and i was wondering where i could get a used GPS that is still good and if used GPSs tend to start deteriorating over age.

Also, not sure if i could ask or not, but does anyone have one they want to sell/ give away to a new and enthusiastic geocacher?

6.5k · January 9, 2005

might try ebay, pawn shops, the garage forum (gc.com).

deteriorating???

well used ones have no warrenty, and often have ware on the screen or case, but no gps don't usually reach 13months and break down.

1.5k · January 9, 2005

I would say the GC.com Garage sale forum and eBay in that order.

January 9, 2005

whats gc.com? won't come up...do you mean geocahing.com? looking around for that .......

January 9, 2005

One of the forum titles on this page is a garage sale forum. Scroll a little farther down from the main forum page.

2.4k · January 9, 2005

You could get a Garmin Geko 101 at outpost.com for $48.99. (They're $69.99 at Amazon, and higher at other places.)

It's a very basic unit with no PC interface capability, so you'd have to enter all your waypoints by hand, but it's a good low-price unit.

38.2k · January 9, 2005

You can get a brand new Gecko 101 for under $50 if you search hard enough. It doesn't have a data port though, so if you get serious about the sport you may want to upgrade eventually.

Or you can try this forum.

Edit: A bit slow on the draw with this. Hermit Crabs beat me to it.

Edited January 9, 2005 by briansnat

January 10, 2005

well if it helps at all, all i want is a reliable GPS that doesn't need anything special except that 1)its somewhat accurate 2) I can enter coordinates 3) i can save coordinates of locations (doesn't matter how little as long as minimum is like 10) 4)it can tell me which direction to go and have an accurate compass thingy

January 10, 2005

Sent pm. Magellan Trailblazer XL needs home. Feels unloved, envies attention given to compass and topo map.

38.2k · January 10, 2005

well if it helps at all, all i want is a reliable GPS that doesn't need anything special except that 1)its somewhat accurate 2) I can enter coordinates 3) i can save coordinates of locations (doesn't matter how little as long as minimum is like 10) 4)it can tell me which direction to go and have an accurate compass thingy

The Gecko 101 can do all that and its nice, compact device. For even semi serious geocachers though, the lack of a data port is an issue, but if you're just looking to try out the sport and not spend a lot of money its a bargain at under $50. You can always use it as a backup should you decide to upgrade.

Edited January 10, 2005 by briansnat

January 10, 2005

I agree that you should be able to find a unit for $50 or less. As others have noted you might wish to upgrade later, but name a piece of technology for which this isn't true.

All you need is a unit that can get you to within searching distance of the coordinates. If I hadn't given my Magellan 315 to a friend for use on his boat I would have sold it to you for the cost of shipping.

Here is one for just over $50 currently being auctioned at ebay for the next 19 hours.

Not saying you should buy this, just pointing out that $50 is about all you should have to spend for a geocaching quality GPS to get started.

January 10, 2005

thats the only problem so far --what GPS's are good and which are outdated? -- like is that magellan new and a good buy? i can't really tell

also, i appreaciate all the help so far, thanks a lot

Edited January 10, 2005 by Voncachstein

January 10, 2005

As with anything else, you have to be careful of what you buy used. If the GPS is not abused badly, there is no reason a used one won't work fine and won't last quite a while. As far as the Magellan 315 that was mentioned, it is a good solid GPS. I have been using one for nearly four years now, and it works just fine...like any other GPS it eats batteries like mad, so you just have to keep plenty of spares handy. Good luck.

January 10, 2005

thats the only problem so far --what GPS's are good and which are outdated? -- like is that magellan new and a good buy? i can't really tell

also, i appreaciate all the help so far, thanks a lot

The Magellan 315 is an older unit, that is one reason it can be had for around $50 if you look hard enough.

It isn't WAAS enabled though so you can't expect the same degree of positional accuracy as a WAAS enabled unit. It also isn't a mapping unit. There is no memory card etc. It is a very basic, no frills unit.

However, lots of people still use them and the only reason I got rid of mine and went with a newer unit was that I wanted the auto routing functionality the Meridian color offers.

For caching most people will just use the navigation screen that has the arrow pointing in a direction with the distance to the objective. Once you get to within a short distance from the cache you just have to start searching. The 315 does this just as well as any other unit on the market with the exception of lacking WAAS capability.

I think $75-$100 is the normal retail price for them so $50-$60 on ebay is a good value, but you should check retail pricing first as it has been awhile since I looked into it.

1k · January 10, 2005

One of the biggest downfalls to purchasing an older GPS would be that the memory battery inside has a life expectancy of approx 10 years or so. If you pick up an older unit and the battery craps out, you may need to send it back to the manufacturer for a replacement, which could set you back more than you paid to begin with. Just something to keep in mind...

Kar

January 10, 2005

I'm thinking about that Geko 101 or whatever the number was...what's everyone's opinion on that device?

1k · January 10, 2005

:rolleyes: If you were following this very post, you would easily see that it has been mentioned in three seperate replies...

Did you ever check you PMs to see that someone was willing to help you out with a GPS???

edited for: spelling

Kar

Edited January 10, 2005 by Team Shibby

January 10, 2005

Yes, i got the pm and im thankful for the offer but I'm going to check out my options first. Why pay for it to come all the way across the continental US if i won't need it? I'm thinking i might go with the Geko. Since i am getting into this ill need one that will last a while anyway,a nd it takes less batteries and lasts longer. So thanks to Briancm for the offer, but i will still have to do some more researching, thanks!

2.4k · January 10, 2005

Our first unit was a Geko 101. Here's how it stacks up to your selection criteria:

I don't have a lot of dough to spend

The Geko 101 would be about the cheapest new unit you could get. You might be able to buy a less expensive one used, but you'd be taking your chances.

The Geko is also one of the least expensive to run, battery-life-wise.

well if it helps at all, all i want is a reliable GPS that doesn't need anything special...

The Geko would be reliable. And since it has no data port, it definitely doesn't need anything special -- there's no download cable to buy, no mapping software to select, etc.

1)its somewhat accurate...

It is as accurate as the other models we have since upgraded to, without the bells and whistles. It will get you to a cache location as well as the etrex Legend will.

2) I can enter coordinates...

Yes, you can. You will have to do it manually. It takes a little bit longer to enter the coordinates into a Geko than it does with an eTrex, since the letters and numbers are in one long scrolling list rather than in a block layout. But it's not a huge difference.

3) i can save coordinates of locations (doesn't matter how little as long as minimum is like 10)...

Yes, you can. There's a "mark waypoint" function. You can save a lot more than 10 of them.

4)it can tell me which direction to go and have an accurate compass thingy...

It depends what you mean by "accurate". It doesn't have an internal compass. It can tell you which direction to go, as long as you are moving at at least a regular walking pace. If you stop moving, and then turn, the arrow won't turn with you immediately. You'll have to take a few steps for it to realize that you have turned around. This is the case with all models without an internal compass (and those tend to be pretty expensive), so it's not like it's a defect or anything.

6.5k · January 10, 2005

whats gc.com? won't come up...do you mean geocahing.com? looking around for that .......

yes thats what I mean, but didn't want to actually write it out.

Drop down and couple forums in the main page and you'll see garage sale

January 10, 2005

alright thanks welch and also hermit crabs for your great help. I'll probably get the Geko.

WARNING: Digression from topic!

But I'm sad to say, the area i live in is very scenic and such, but if i find about 15 or so more (it'll be like 30 finds for me) I'll have to start travelling at least like half an hour to do caches.... some of you avid geocachers should come to NEPA and start up some more caches in the mountains......there lots of them :huh:

3.8k · January 10, 2005

It isn't WAAS enabled though so you can't expect the same degree of positional accuracy as a WAAS enabled unit. It also isn't a mapping unit. There is no memory card etc. It is a very basic, no frills unit.[...]The 315 does this just as well as any other unit on the market with the exception of lacking WAAS capability.

My GPSMap60CS has WAAS but I turn it off. So if it doesn't come with WAAS, it's not a reason to avoid the GPS. :huh:

January 11, 2005

good point :huh:

January 11, 2005

2 cents worth and that's it. Just got the geko 101 from outpost.com for my son. It was about 57 bucks with s/h. It is all manual input but accuracy wise, just as good as my Magellan Sporttrak Map that was about 150 bucks more. The geko is waterproof and he is outlasting me on battery life. No connectivity but for $50 it is a very nice unit.

January 11, 2005

I have this exact one Here and it still works just as accuratly as my NEW Magellen Sport Trac Pro Marine that I got for Christmas. So I would say buy an old/used one, and if you realy get involved in GC, then upgrade when your wallet allows you to.

-Bandit

January 11, 2005

Having just checked out the geko I would say that is probably a better choice than the Magellan 315 I suggested because it is a new unit with a fresh internal battery and it is WAAS enabled which the 315 isn't.

January 11, 2005

thanks primofan for your valuable input, I ordered a geko 101 last night and hopefully ill be caching with it soon.

January 12, 2005

I like my Geko 101, it is a great little GPS, plus I bought the handle bar mount and I place it on my Mountain Bike so that I may peddle along and not have to hold it in my hands

6.5k · January 12, 2005

thats the only problem so far --what GPS's are good and which are outdated? -- like is that magellan new and a good buy? i can't really tell

also, i appreaciate all the help so far, thanks a lot

you may not care anymore but:

new (as of 4 years ago and beyond) one will be 12 (or more in some cases) channel parellel receivers. Older ones are fewer channel serial ones, like 8 channels. They will work, but are slower to update location and more prone to losing reception.

new ones will go out to three decimal places in decmin format. Older ones, like the 310 and older maggies only go to two decimals. You can use them that way but you'll end up searching a much bigger area. I think you might also be able to use UTM and get a little better, of course you'll have to make sure to use converted coords.

those are the two things I would look to avoid when buying a gps. you can still use such units of course, but it can be more difficult, and its not hard to find a 'new' style unit.

38.2k · January 12, 2005

thats the only problem so far --what GPS's are good and which are outdated? -- like is that magellan new and a good buy? i can't really tell

Garmin's website lists their obsolete models. Not sure if Magellans does that as well. One thing I do know is that the Magellan Trailblazer XL that was offered to you earlier in the thread is an outdated unit. I wouldn't spend much more than a few bucks for that one,

Edited January 12, 2005 by briansnat

January 13, 2005

I wouldn't spend much more than a few bucks for that one

Free is a very good price!

When it was given to me many years ago it encouraged me to use map and compass then, let alone in comparison to my Geko 201.

1k · January 13, 2005

The Trailblazer XL was my very first GPS and it was given to me by a friend as well. Geocaching was not around back then or I would have tried using it.

Also, back then it was a fairly new model, but I simply had no use for it. It sat in my closet for a couple years and I ended up selling it on eBay.

Glad to see that you picked up the Geko, hope it brings you to many rewarding caches!

P.S. DaveA, the 315 is still a popular unit. Up until Garmin and Magellan recently started releasing tons of new GPSrs models, MANY geocachers were using them. I bet there are still a ton in use every day guiding folks to cache after cache.

Kar

January 13, 2005

The Geko would be reliable. And since it has no data port, it definitely doesn't need anything special -- there's no download cable to buy, no mapping software to select, etc.

It is as accurate as the other models we have since upgraded to, without the bells and whistles. It will get you to a cache location as well as the etrex Legend will.

I got a Geko 201 for Christmas and was pleased as punch. After a late gift card came in the mail, I was able to return it and upgrade to a Legend. All I wanted was the mapping ability and had to sacrifice size to get it.

I really liked the Geko's miniscule size(I was afraid of misplacing it). I go backpacking occasionally and you'd be surprised at how many ways you try to shave weight off a 65lb pack. I may even get a Geko 201 again in the future to compliment my Legend and whatever else I may have(Vista-C?). BTW, get some high capacity nickel metal hydride rechargeable AAAs for that Geko and it'll be a decent setup.

January 14, 2005

P.S. DaveA, the 315 is still a popular unit. Up until Garmin and Magellan recently started releasing tons of new GPSrs models, MANY geocachers were using them. I bet there are still a ton in use every day guiding folks to cache after cache.

Kar

No doubt. It was my first unit and I only replaced it because i wanted auto routing. In no way am I badmouthing the 315, it is just that with the Geko 101 you get a comparable unit, a fresh internal battery and WAAS. The 315 does have a data port if one wishes to buy the cable though.

One annoying thing about the 315 is that unless one buys one with the latest firmware on it (I suspect most new in box units have that) you need the cable to get the latest firmware otherwise you have to move at 2mph or greater or the unit goes into averaging mode. That was annoying.

Quality Used Gpsrs?

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