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11/07/2008 08:01:46 PM · #1 |
I did a quick search, but didn't find anything other than people talking about Geo-caching.
I'm looking for a good (relatively inexpensive) hand held GPS unit. I want to be able to turn it on and have it record my location in horizontal and vertical motion (while I travel). I then want to be able to downloaded it and overlay it on a map (road and topo). I also want to be able to input coordinates and be able to find the location.
This is mainly for wilderness rescue and for my personal use.
Thanks in advance. |
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11/07/2008 08:34:29 PM · #2 |
| Learn to read and use a map. GPS is to dependent on society. |
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11/07/2008 08:35:04 PM · #3 |
| I can tell you that I received a low end Garmin hand held unit a couple of years back and I would not wish it on you unless you live in the middle of a parking lot. The thing cannot acquire a signal with any sort of tree cover around. It is absolutely useless in the forest, so you might want to consider expending a little more money to get a higher end unit. |
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11/07/2008 09:18:46 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by d56ranger:
Learn to read and use a map. GPS is to dependent on society. |
The technology is here to stay - it's foolish to ignore it. While map skills are good, using a GPS doesn't make you dependent.
 NathanW, check out the Garmin and Magellan sites and browse their models. I looked into this briefly a couple of years back and seem to recall that I had it pretty much narrowed down to one of those two brands. Amazon.com is a great place to find reviews on individual units once you have some in mind.
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11/07/2008 09:28:02 PM · #5 |
My wife and I want to get a GPS sometime to do geocaching.
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11/07/2008 09:54:32 PM · #6 |
OdysseyF22 Thank you. I've seen the Garmin around, but wasn't sure if they were actually any good.
 d56ranger I do know how to read a map. I'm trying to make my life easier.
I want to be able to use the instant information gathered from a GPS unit to add to the GIS database that we use (I'm on the local fire department). It's a lot faster to just check the GPS than it is to figure out the lat and long by hand. |
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11/07/2008 10:57:35 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by rlewis:
I can tell you that I received a low end Garmin hand held unit a couple of years back and I would not wish it on you unless you live in the middle of a parking lot. The thing cannot acquire a signal with any sort of tree cover around. It is absolutely useless in the forest, so you might want to consider expending a little more money to get a higher end unit. |
Most of the GPS units have issues in heavy tree cover. The satellite signals are not all that strong, and the antenna is small. Same thing happens with satellite TV, they will not see through trees.
Many GPS units, especially car units, fake it by using the last known heading and speed to appear to be tracking when going under freeway underpasses and other brief signal losses. |
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11/07/2008 11:16:16 PM · #8 |
You won't be disappointed with a Garmin 60CSx. I love mine. I also have a basic Garmin eTrex and a Garmin Legend. The thing you want to look for is the "high sensitivity receiver." The SIRF chips make all the difference in the world in terms of acquiring and holding the signal, even under heavy tree cover. I have walked through our high school auditorium and kept a signal, even though there aren't even any windows!
I use it both in the car and while hiking/Geocaching. I loaded City Navigator 9 on it, and it has very detailed maps of all of North America. The auto routing works impressively well. I can't speak highly enough about it.
Originally posted by ambaker:
Most of the GPS units have issues in heavy tree cover. |
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11/08/2008 12:05:52 AM · #9 |
I'll second the Garmin 60CSx. It solves the reception issue under heavy tree cover and urban canyons with the newest chipset, the SiRFSTARIII. I use it backpacking and hiking the North Cascades in Washington State and have had no issues. In addition the Garmin City Maps and their new TOPO 24k Maps are some of the best.
Reviews |
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11/08/2008 12:12:46 AM · #10 |
I'll third the Gamin 60 Csx!
I have had the older tech models, eTrex legend and vista and while they work just fine, the 60Csx has teh Sirf starIII chip in it - much faster to acquire lock/position and a LOT more sensitive - you'll get an accurate reading in places that leave the older models as useless.
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11/08/2008 08:03:46 AM · #11 |
I'm looking at getting one of these
gamin oregon 200
love the big screen on it.
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