Author Topic: question on gps brands (Read 870 times)

yota0434xtra · « **on:** May 12, 2006, 06:55:41 PM »

First off, hello it's my first post here. I have been thinking about picking up a gps for awile and have been reading these forums. What i was wondering is, garmin seems to be by far the most popular gps not only here, but most places i go on the web. Are they really that much better than the rest? Even with comparable options i rarely hear about models like the brunton atlas mns which seems to have all the bells and whistles of the garmin 76cx for instance.

Are garmin gps units just more widespread and therefore get reviewed more? I am just learning about gps and what i might be in the market for, but looking through the diffrent options and memory, removable cards and maping is confusing. From what i've seen garmin is by far the one that gets supported and updated so it gets a large following. Other brands there are no reviews for, and i just have the manufacturers info to go on. I have nothing against garmin and i'll probably end up with one, but i was just curious why it's rare to see other brands getting used.

Great info here so far i've learned a lot, thanks.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2006, 01:17:57 PM »

Welcome aboard!

Garmin sells more gps units then the other brands together. I bought a Garmin gps because that is what was recommended to me by a couple of outdoorsmen. My second gps was a Garmin because I was satisfied with my Garmin Legend. I felt that Garmin was on the right track. I read that Garmin has approximately sixty percent of the recreational gps market.

One of the experts also recommended Magellan. He had the basic Garmin eTrex and a mapping Magellan. He was happy with both units.

I have seen one Brunton gps unit. It was not water proof. I think it was similar to early Lowrance models.

If I was going to buy another gps it would be one of the Garmin x-series.

wijim · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2006, 09:47:09 AM »

garmin's are easier to use....compared to lowrance and magellan...imo.

i like my garmins....

Siskiyou · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2006, 07:18:48 PM »

yota0433xtra: I was just checking out the price on a Garmin 76Cx on the web. One location has it for $399. Along with that Garmin has a $100 rebate offer going until July on the 76Cx and 76CSx. That makes the price of the 76Cx $299. What a deal, to bad that I cannot afford another gps unit at this time.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #4 on:** May 29, 2006, 05:27:29 AM »

Siskiyou, has been very helpful for me. I got a Garmin 76C a couple of years ago. I was going to get an entry level model but decided to get a unit that would do what I wanted for the long term. There's nothing wrong with a basic unit. I didn't need the biggest and best or most capable, I just wanted to have options for my use. Siskiyou, helped me in my selection. Not by model but he took the time to explain things. He was really helpful. I would suggest comparing features and stats. One thing that is important to me is battery life. A three axis compass eats batteries so I decided that feature was out for me. As Sisk posts over and over "never leave your compass at home". Learn how to use a compass and topo map if you don't know.