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I am looking to buy a GPS and was wondering what would be a good one to get. I would be using it for fishing and hunting. Any help would be nice.
What's a good GPS
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EHF is right. It just depends on what you like.
When I was shopping for them, I first bought a Lawrence I-Finder. It was cheap - $79 at Cabelas and was to be used for geocaching. I used it for two days and took it back. I didn't like the location of the control buttons, and the software seemed to me to be counter intuitive. Then I bought a Garmin E-Trex legend for around $135. I absolutly love it. The controls are VERY easy to use. It has a little "joystick" thingy that you operate with your them and works very easy. Since I bought mine, I've used a couple different magellens, and I don't like them as much - but I think that is because I am used to my Garmin. I've talked to guys though, that hate the Garmin for the same reason I love it, and who love the Magellens or Lawrence. It is a Ford/Chevy/Dodge argument. Each will do what you want and once you get used to using one, it will be great.
Were I buying one right now and had a couple hundred to spend, I would look seriously at the Bushnell. It allows you to download ariel images from GoogleEarth. It is WAY cool. I think they run like $400. I have not personally used one - but just seen them so its hard to tell.
For the $150 range though, check out the Garmin E-Trex Legend.
When I was shopping for them, I first bought a Lawrence I-Finder. It was cheap - $79 at Cabelas and was to be used for geocaching. I used it for two days and took it back. I didn't like the location of the control buttons, and the software seemed to me to be counter intuitive. Then I bought a Garmin E-Trex legend for around $135. I absolutly love it. The controls are VERY easy to use. It has a little "joystick" thingy that you operate with your them and works very easy. Since I bought mine, I've used a couple different magellens, and I don't like them as much - but I think that is because I am used to my Garmin. I've talked to guys though, that hate the Garmin for the same reason I love it, and who love the Magellens or Lawrence. It is a Ford/Chevy/Dodge argument. Each will do what you want and once you get used to using one, it will be great.
Were I buying one right now and had a couple hundred to spend, I would look seriously at the Bushnell. It allows you to download ariel images from GoogleEarth. It is WAY cool. I think they run like $400. I have not personally used one - but just seen them so its hard to tell.
For the $150 range though, check out the Garmin E-Trex Legend.
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if the gps is the only function that you are after the garmin e-trek is a great line of gps's. they are easy to use and pretty small so they do not take up much space. if you want the radio function as well get the garmin rhino's just don't skimp on the quality of batteries. use the best ones they seem to eat them up pretty fast.
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I like my Lowrance iFinder Expedition C (the iFinder Hunt C is similar). My Lowrances (I'm on my 3rd upgrade) seem to acquire satellites faster than most and I like the controls - especially on the newer Expedition/Hunt models. I don't like the buttons on the side some models feature. I want them on top, under the screen like a cell phone etc.
I also like the ability to load the topo maps on a SD card from your computer and then just plug in different cards - rather than a direct load to the unit. The topo map (MapCreate™ USA Topo accessory pack) is almost a must for the ultimate package.
I would agree that some of it is just what you get used to and I can use about any GPS once I figure out the menu but prefer the Expedition/Hunt over others.
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I also like the ability to load the topo maps on a SD card from your computer and then just plug in different cards - rather than a direct load to the unit. The topo map (MapCreate™ USA Topo accessory pack) is almost a must for the ultimate package.
I would agree that some of it is just what you get used to and I can use about any GPS once I figure out the menu but prefer the Expedition/Hunt over others.
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A 1 in 24 and a compass. :wink: They don't run out of batteries and a compass will still work if you take a dunk in a river.
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Daddy... what was a "compass"? :?
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:lol:
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I have had a couple Magellans and a Garmin; I would discourage buying a Magellan; I think the Garmin is a far superior product. With the car/street models, same way, I have a lot of experience with those and the Garmin is far superior. The newer USB loaded software for the Magellan is very onerous, nearly impossible to upload from GPS to PC with newer system. My $0.02.
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Like I mentioned in my initial post - one thing I love about my GPS is something another person doen't like at all. It all comes down to preference. Set your budget and go to Cabelas and compare models to see what you like the best - what features you like the best - and what seems important to you.
Like I mentioned in my initial post - one thing I love about my GPS is something another person doen't like at all. It all comes down to preference. Set your budget and go to Cabelas and compare models to see what you like the best - what features you like the best - and what seems important to you.[/quote:2c39d]GaryFish said:
Oh don't get me wrong the joystick is one of the things that I like about my gps. It's also the first thing that broke. And I've done some searching on the web and it seems that others have experienced the same thing.
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I have and love the Garmin 60CSx I believe. I got the topographical memory card for the areas i hunt/fish/hike/backpack. It is great. I have been down in canyons with rock walls, deep timber, and have never had a problem finding a satelite. It is a little pricey, but it works for me! By the way, i always have a Topo map of the area with a compass as well. i just don't want to forget how to use the compass with a map, I look forward to teaching my children someday.
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Is there a brand that gets better satellite reception better than any other one or are they about all the same?
Some of the new GPS's have different antenas. I will be upgrading soon.
If you buy a Garmin make sure is has a high sensitivity antena.
Magellan is coming out with a new model that has a better antena, and it also is a mp3 player.
The new magellan will be compatable with National geograpic maps.
So all GPS's are not created equal. Get one with the newer higher sensitivity antena. Other features you may want to look at is barometer (which will give you the altitude) and a compas.
GOOD LUCK
BD
If you buy a Garmin make sure is has a high sensitivity antena.
Magellan is coming out with a new model that has a better antena, and it also is a mp3 player.
The new magellan will be compatable with National geograpic maps.
So all GPS's are not created equal. Get one with the newer higher sensitivity antena. Other features you may want to look at is barometer (which will give you the altitude) and a compas.
GOOD LUCK
BD
I will offer another thought that has not been mentioned yet (at least not on this thread). You might consider getting a quality but cheeper GPS with fewer "frills". I like my Garmin E-Trex. Then spend some of the money you saved on some good map software for your PC. You can use it to print your own maps with GPS waypoints allready on them and you can use your PC to manage your waypoints ( like into files for different areas) and store them in your PC. This makes the GPS less clutered and makes your storage capacity essentially unlimited. You can also quickly set waypoints on the maps on your PC without ever being to that site then download them to your GPS. Also upload waypoints from your GPS to your PC. I recommend the National Geographic software. The only fault I have found in it is that the USGS maps in it are a little outdated.
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