Gonna Buy A Gps. Good Choice?

[Grilox]

I'm gonna buy a Garmin eTrex GPS with Waterproof Exterior (Yellow) Is this good for geocaching?

[+Seay me]

It's been said that the yellow etrex has found more caches than any other gps ever.

 

If you don't plan on doing any mapping on the unit itself it's a great unit for geocaching. It has a dataport also so you cna upload many waypoints to it rather than hand typing them all in.

 

I used the yellow for a couple of years til it got stolen. I'm now going to get a garmin map60c because we want the colorscreen adn mapping features.

[+Team GPSaxophone]

I think it's fine to get started, but if you have the money the Legend is a worthwile upgrade. It had better screen resolution and a built-in basemap. It all depends on how many features you want.

Edited February 2, 2005 by Team GPSaxophone

[+briansnat]

It will do a fine job. Its probably found more caches than any other model of GPS. However you can get a Legend for just a few bucks more these days and with mapping, its a far more useful GPS.

 

The Legend also comes with a data cable, which is a $30 add on for the yellow eTrex. You will eventually want the cable.

 

I've seen the Legend as low as $131 at amazon.com and someone mentioned paying $101 for the Legend at Gpsexplorer.com

[+Milbank]

The Garmin yellow it a great gps for geocaching.

 

The only reason I went with the Garmin legend was so I could install maps on it for work.

[Grilox]

I decided to get it, Thanks everyone!

[+Milbank]

I decided to get it, Thanks everyone!

Thats great!

Good luck with your first geocache.

 

have fun..

[+4knights]

I'm new to geocaching to and my father bought me a Cobra GPS 100 for Christmas. I haven't seen any disscussion on this line of GPSr and wonder if anyone else has had good luck with Cobra.

pandrmark

[+JohnnyVegas]

This should become an interesting thread now.

[+briansnat]

I haven't seen any disscussion on this line of GPSr and wonder if anyone else has had good luck with Cobra.

 

A forum search for Cobra will tell you all you need to know.

[+4knights]

I searched for Cobra and found just about all I need to know....Think I'll do some shopping.

[+robert]

The Legend also comes with a data cable, which is a $30 add on for the yellow eTrex. You will eventually want the cable.

The yellow is perfect for caching, but because of the included cable, the Legend is a better buy (along with the extra features, like a basemap which shows major roads, and the clickstick for entering data).

[Grilox]

I just found my first cache and the yellow worked like a charm. Thanks!

[+Milbank]

I just found my first cache and the yellow worked like a charm. Thanks!

[+robert]

I just found my first cache and the yellow worked like a charm. Thanks!

[+treasure_hunter]

First of all you do not want to buy a GPS that you cant creat a map on it, you need to get one that you can create a map using your computer. I personally recomend the Lowrance I-finder Pro. that is what I use and it has never failed me.

[+JohnnyVegas]

 

First of all you do not want to buy a GPS that you cant creat a map on it, you need to get one that you can create a map using your computer.

 

You really do not need to have a map on your GPS screen to find a cache, while it can be a good tool, it is not needed. The cable that is included with a GPS that supports map displays can be very handy for loading waypoint directly into a GPS. But you can buy the cables by themselves.

 

I personally recomend the Lowrance I-finder Pro. that is what I use and it has never failed me.

 

While Lowarnce has been involved with marine electroics for many decades, Their history in the area of handheld GPSr has not been a bright spot in their history.

I remember their early entry into the handheld GPS market, then all of a sudden they were not at the trade shows for long time (Outdoor Reatailer and the Shot show) What happens if they again decide in a year or two they do want to be in the hand held GPS market anymore, is there support going to go away.

Last august they showed up in the market again(For how long this time). As far as the I finder pro, it has not been around long enough to have much of a tack record.

Edited February 6, 2005 by JohnnyVegas

[+Ed Rad]

Being an experienced cacher I like the yellow eTrex. It's wasy to use and does what I need it to do....

Edited February 6, 2005 by Special Ed

[huzgrs]

For what it's worth - I have a Cobra 100, bought for $49 after rebates. I know there are some limitations like no data transfer, etc. however, It's accuracy is exeptional. I routinely get within 15 ft of cache location. I may eventually get one with data transfer, but for the money - it is a great unit

 

I guess it all depends on your ultimate use and how much is that worth to you.

[+JohnnyVegas]

Well. We now know who got the one that works

[+robert]

For what it's worth - I have a Cobra 100, bought for $49 after rebates. I know there are some limitations like no data transfer, etc. however, It's accuracy is exeptional. I routinely get within 15 ft of cache location. I may eventually get one with data transfer, but for the money - it is a great unit

 

I guess it all depends on your ultimate use and how much is that worth to you.

Exactly. Just like those who are getting the new Explorist models w/o data transfer. For some/many it's going to be just fine! In other words, YMMV.

 

[+WalruZ]

First of all you do not want to buy a GPS that you cant creat a map on it, you need to get one that you can create a map using your computer.

 

Not true. I use a geko 301 and am caching right along. I have mapopolis on the palm and that's how I handle mapping.

 

The GPS doesn't find the cache. You do.

[silverwolfe]

another question: I see the eTrex Legend mentioned, how about the eTrex VistaC ?? A friend may be selling his...... silverwolfe

Edited February 10, 2005 by silverwolfe

[+robert]

another question: I see the eTrex Legend mentioned, how about the eTrex VistaC ?? A friend may be selling his...... silverwolfe

if you're looking at the Legend, the Vista or Vista C is a nice upgrade. Vista adds a built-in electronic compass (which I love), while the Vista C adds the compass and color screen. If the price is right, go for it!

[+treasure_hunter]

I have to give my .2p I personally recommend the Lowrance I Finder Pro, I dont use anything but Lowrance, it has never failed me. I espeacially like it because you can build and upload maps onto it, you can also d/l waypoints. I wouldnt buy a GPSr unless you can build a map on it, thats a must.