Good Gps For Around $300?

[enthend]

I am new to geocaching (actually i haven't even done it yet) and i am looking for a good gps for around $300. I saw two that looked pretty good, the meridian color and the explorist 400. Can someone tell me if these are good choices? Thanks.

[+Renegade Knight]

Both are good GPS's though the 400 is too new to have a track record. It's explorist siblings are getting good reviews. The Meridian Color screen suffers a bit from being older and not as easy to read in the sun as other color screens. The GPS itself though is a good one.

[+Miragee]

Right now at GPS Explorer the Garmin eTrex Vista Color is on sale for $354.00 with $100.00 in rebates.

 

So, that is only $254.00 with $46.00 left over to put towards mapping software or gas to get to the Geocaches.

[enthend]

Why is it that at sites like thegpsstore.com the meridian color is $280 approximately, but at stores like circuitcity or bestbuy its $400? It doesnt seem to come with any extra software or anything.

[+tnfishdaddy]

Always cheaper online. I just ordered a Garmin 60c from amazon.com and after $50 rebate and using there $30 back for using their credit card, the 60c cost me $280 and change. I am in love. It blows my old Legend away. I highly recommend.

[+Jamie Z]

The Meridian color often gets bad reviews for the quality of its screen. Other people don't mind it. I haven't seen one, but read enough to know that I probably didn't want one when I was in the market for a new GPS.

 

I found an Explorist 500 for $280, which is the same as the 400 with a very nice color screen. I also bought detailed map software for it for ~$100, which would push you over your $300 limit.

 

I would suggest looking at the Meridian Gold, which can be found in the area of $180. It is a very good GPS, still highly regarded with a good history. That will leave you with some extra money to buy map software (anywhere from $40 to $100) and an SD card to store the maps.

 

For less than $300 you could have a quality GPS with maps and autorouting capability and more internal memory than you could possibly use.

 

It only lacks a color screen, which I admit is nice to have, but not necessary.

 

In the Garmin world, the eTrex Legend is often recommended. It sells for less than $200, still leaving you some money for mapping software. It's smaller and lighter than the Meridian, but won't do autorouting.

 

Jamie

[+ColoradoCary]

I just ordered the Garmin LEgend C for $228 delivered (includes the manufacturer's $50 rebate): http://www.shipdog.com/product.asp?i=GARLEGENDC

[enthend]

Does the Garmin eTrex Legend C have usb support and external memory cards? Because i read somewhere that garmin ones don't have that (not sure if it was all garmins or just certain ones). But that is a good price for it.

[+Greg2dot0]

I am new to geocaching (actually i haven't even done it yet) and i am looking for a good gps for around $300. I saw two that looked pretty good, the meridian color and the explorist 400. Can someone tell me if these are good choices? Thanks.

I would consider the Garmin GPSMAP 60c (or CS). With the $50 rebate available you can get the 60c for about $300 (Buy.com has it for $350 - $50 rebate = $300).

 

I absolutely Love this unit (CS). It's not perfect (an external memory card would have been nice), but besides that it does everything that I could want. I find myself using this in the car using City Select software, on my bike to track speed and milage and the original purpose of Geocaching.

[+wickedsprint]

GPS V is a good deal right now snce it comes with city select software for less than 250 bucks shipped.

[+sbell111]

Best Buy has GPS Vs on clearance for $199.

[enthend]

Im thinking about getting the etrex legend c now because it seems like a pretty good value and i dont mind saving some extra money

[enthend]

I got the Garmin etrex legend c, and im gonna get the over-priced city select this weekend when i get paid, and hopefully i'll be able to go find my first cache!

[joe_shmoe]

I rarely use maps for caching... so you can always wait on the maps if you don't want to spend the $$ right away.

[+briansnat]

Does the Garmin eTrex Legend C have usb support and external memory cards?  Because i read somewhere that garmin ones don't have that (not sure if it was all garmins or just certain ones).  But that is a good price for it.

Yes to USB support, no to memory cards. Personally I think memory cards are overrated unless you are someone who travels far and frequently. 24 megs supply plenty of map coverage in most areas and it only takes 2 minutes to load new maps with the USB connection if you are travelling out of your coverage area.

 

I got the Garmin etrex legend c, and im gonna get the over-priced city select this weekend when i get paid, and hopefully i'll be able to go find my first cache!

 

Its not really overpriced when you think of the cost to them to have accurate maps of the entire USA, keep them as current as possible, maintain a database of 5 million businesses and services and develop the sofware and routing capabilities.

Edited June 13, 2005 by briansnat

[+denali7]

vista c...period.

 

gpsnow.com

 

you won't be sorry