Which GPS to buy?

Trailhead00

Trailhead00

Explorer
Mar 9, 2005
375
1
48
Haddonfield, NJ
I didn't know if anyone could recommend a handheld GPS for a friend. It is going to be a gift. He will be using it more for fishing and hunting so I guess something rather rugged would be good. I don't know much about them so I thought I would ask on here. Thanks in advance for help.
 
RednekF350

RednekF350

Piney
Feb 20, 2004
5,058
3,328
Pestletown, N.J.
The Garmin 60CSX is the best handheld out there, in my humble opinion.
It gets a lock inside of a building, is easy to use, has an electronic compass, bright screen, waterproof, floats and you can add pre-programmed micro sd's of the navigational and topographic charts in a few seconds. You can also buy CD's containing large amps and pick and chose your uploads.
It has amazing battery life with two AA alkalines too.
I have one and I bought one for one of my sons.
Someone recently posted that Amazon has them for $299.99 which is a great deal.
I use mine at least 3 days a week between surveying and recreation.
Used it today by converting some 1927 State Plane coords to lat/lon and went out and found some corners.
 
Boyd

Boyd

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Jul 31, 2004
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Ben's Branch, Stephen Creek
I'm a happy 60csx owner as well. My only disappointment is the very low resolution LCD screen, but that's pretty common across the board for GPS'es of that generation. You didn't tell us what your budget is though. If money is no object, take a look at Garmin's new Colorado series. They have higher resolution screens, 3d maps, a new user interface and many other new features. I haven't used one myself, but the reaction seems pretty positive: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=11022

Or if you need something less expensive, you might look at the Legend HcX: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=8701
 
Teegate

Teegate

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Sep 17, 2002
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The Legend Boyd mentions is a nice unit also. Rob from work has that model and it worked well.

Guy
 
Sue Gremlin

Sue Gremlin

Piney
Sep 13, 2005
1,288
245
61
Vicksburg, Michigan
I second (or third? Or fourth? Fifth maybe) the recommendation. We LOVE our 60CSX. They are pricey though. If I were to get a cheaper one with less features, the magellan Explorist is a good one, too.
 
Boyd

Boyd

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Also another note Trailhead, since you seem to be new to this. The 60csx (and almost all GPS'es with the exception of the Colorado) doesn't include any "real" maps. Those are separate products which you have to buy, so keep that in mind when you shop. For outdoor exploring you will want the US Topo 2008 maps: http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/mapSource/topous.jsp

As Scott mentioned, you can get these on either pre-loaded storage cards or a DVD. The storage cards are easy - just pop it in and you're ready to go - but not such a great value. The cards are relatively small capacity and only hold one region of the US: http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/topo/region.jsp?RegionPK=25051

Unfortunately it appears Garmin has split NJ into two pieces, so to cover the whole state you'd need to buy both the Mid-Atlantic and Upper East Coast cards. Then if you wanted to use your GPS on a vacation in California (for example) you'd need additional card(s) as well.

But the DVD includes the whole country so the price "per square mile" is considerably less. Also, the cards can only be used in the GPS itself. But the DVD lets you view maps on your computer and display your waypoints and tracks on them. You can select any area of the country you want on the computer using MapSource and then transfer the map to your GPS. I would avoid the pre-loaded cards unless you feel your friend just can't deal with computers and software.

And you also should realize that the topo maps aren't "routable". In other words, you can't pick a destination and tell the GPS to guide you there turn-by-turn. If you want that capability you will need to buy yet another product, City Navigator: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1456&pvID=2743
 
Boyd

Boyd

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Jul 31, 2004
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OK - I see - you're right! I didn't look closely at the link I posted above. Garmin's regions 9 and 10 actually overlap by quite a bit. Region 10 cuts off at Atlantic City but Region 9 includes the whole state.

However, using the vendor you linked to, the full US Topo maps are available on DVD (note - it's a DVD and not a CD, so your computer will need a DVD drive) for $90 vs $70 for the pre-loaded card. So the DVD is a significantly better value - unless the person in question can't deal with computers very well. http://www.tigergps.com/garmintopo2008.html
 
M

Medford Piney

Explorer
Feb 25, 2008
121
1
Medford
I am waiting for these handhelds to come with the 24,000:1 series topo maps instead of the 100000 series. Guess I'm just spoiled using them at work all the time and prefer the better detail... Till then I carry my old megellen 315 and some printed topo maps of the areas I traval to...

If anyone uses a topo in the woods, I have a handy scale I made to pinpoint your position, you have to rotate it on an angle for northering use... I print it onto transparents to see thru to the maps..
 
Boyd

Boyd

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Actually it's already here - see the following thread about OziExplorer CE: http://forums.njpinebarrens.com/showthread.php?t=4912

You can put any kind of maps or aerial photos on a handheld that you want this way. And there are a variety of platforms it can run on. You have to make your own maps, but it isn't all that hard. And they have just released a new version a few days ago which I just installed on my iPAQ 310: http://www.oziexplorer3.com/ozice/dev/development_version.html

Also, Garmin does have some 1:24000 Topo maps, but just for National Parks. The only coverage in NJ is the Appalacian Trail/Delaware Water Gap area. See: http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/mapSource/topo24knpeast.jsp
 
Boyd

Boyd

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Well that's the difference between you and I Mark :) I wouldn't touch a place like that. Check out their policies carefully. That price is $20 less than Amazon, and:

Erwincomp.com:
Most merchandise unless it falls under the SPECIAL RETURNS may be returned within 30 days from the original invoice date for a refund. A 15% restocking fee will apply to all opened returns. Shipping and handling charges are not refundable.

DOA/defective products are returned for REPLACEMENT ONLY with the same product/model. Deviations from this policy may result in a 20% Returns Processing Service Charge.

Defective product must be in original factory carton with all original packing materials.
All miscellaneous materials such as manuals, accessories and cables must be included. If any of these materials are missing, your account will be billed accordingly.
If the product is found to be non-defective, an inspection fee of at least $25, or 15% per unit, will be billed to your account.
Click to expand...

Amazon.com:
You may return new, unopened items sold and fulfilled by Amazon.com within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. Items should be returned in their original product packaging. We'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error.
Click to expand...

Is it really worth it to save $20? BTW, I am not at all endorsing Amazon, I have never bought anything from them. Just posted that to show how policies can differ.
 
Teegate

Teegate

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Sep 17, 2002
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Very good point Boyd. You are the man when it comes to buying online.

Guy
 
RednekF350

RednekF350

Piney
Feb 20, 2004
5,058
3,328
Pestletown, N.J.
I have had very good experienes with thegpsstore.com Lightning shipping and good prices.

For marine and other electronics online, Hodges Marine is excellent.
I bought my EPIRB from them last year on a Tuesday afternoon and had it on my step the next day and no extra cost for the overnite shipping. Their prices were substantially less on the EPIRB too.
 
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