Author Topic: Which GPS (Read 2200 times)

Dave in WV · « **on:** September 27, 2004, 03:28:48 AM »

I'm looking at buying a basic GPS unit. I'm considering the Garmin Etrex and Magellan Explorist 100. Both are priced the same in the Cabela's catalog. The Explorist has 14 channels and a backlit screen and the Etrex has 12 channels and I'm not sure whether the screen is backlit. The back track feature and tracking features are of great interest to me for use on public land. Any input from you gurus will be most appreciated. Dave

victorcharlie · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2004, 06:57:58 AM »

I'm not sure I'd call myself a guru, but I can provide a little input. I have a Garmin E-trex Legend, which has more memory than the standard E-trex. The advantage of more memory is that you can download map source topo, marine, or city maps, which have more detail than the base map. This probably isn't that important if your hunting, but would be better if you plan to use the Gps in the city, or on the lake.

I use mine for boating, hunting and city, and commonly attach the legend to my laptop while in the city. This gives me a 15" color display, and is very handy when traveling to a city I'm not familiar with, but the rental car people look at me kinda funny when they ask if I need directions, and then notice the GPS on the dash and the laptop in the passenger seat.

I guess the biggest thing, no matter what GPS you buy, is to use the unit frequently so as to learn the capabilities, familiarize yourself with the functionality, and generally learn to trust and understand what your looking at. Also understand that while the unit works 99% of the time, on occasion, in heavy woods or bad weather where clouds hide a clear view of the sky, the GPS may not be able to track the satellites. I still take my compass just in case.

The Garmin is a very good unit, and the only downside I have is that battery life could be better, and is around 14 hours.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2004, 03:24:13 PM »

Thanks for the input. I don't have a boat and since I retired from the ANG my travels are much less and where I go now I've been there before. A pilot in the unit has a nice unit with the antenna that sticks to the windscreen and worked well in a plane or auto. We used it in strange cities to get around and he used it as a backup to our nav aids in flight. Basic hunting is all I'll need it for and really to help find a spot I like in the dark without more walking than I need to do. :wink:

jgalar · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2004, 02:27:30 AM »

I have the Etrex basic unit and it sounds like for what you plan on using it for it would be fine. It is very simple to use. When going to events with big parking lots (ball games, state fairs etc) I will mark where I park the car then turn the unit off. I let my 1st and 2nd graders find the car using the GPS when we leave.

I also have a Garmin GPS 5. This is an awesome unit that you can put in your car and it will guide you to your destination by sending out beeps and screen changes. You can query it for directions and info to things like the closest Burger King to your location. You can download topographical maps to it. If you don't mind the extra money it may be worth it. I paid $500 when I bought mine its now $350.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jhtml?id=0020241&navAction=push&navCount=1&indexId=cat21350&parentId=cat21350&parentType=index&rid=&cmCat=MainCatcat20712

Dave in WV · « **Reply #4 on:** September 28, 2004, 02:38:39 AM »

Does your Etrex basic unit have a back lit screen? I didn't see it listed in the specs. Thanks for your input. Dave

Siskiyou · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2004, 03:04:36 PM »

Dave in WV: I appear to be on the same page as VictorCharlie regarding the Etrex Legend. The prices have been dropping on the Legend and you can find them around $130 on sale. It is worth the extra price because of the 8MB of memory and a good N. American base map pre-loaded on the unit. It has the size advantage of the original Yellow Etrex with additional functions. My Legend did not like a lot of cement(tall buildings). It prefers tall mountains. Or flat lakes.

I have had my gps for two years and have used it a lot. The key to having one with extra functions is taking advantage of those functions. I started out using the basic functions which are common with the Yellow etrex and have grown into the other function as times pass. My non-gps hunting partners have also benefitted from the maps I have printed out using the tracks and waypoints I have created with my gps. Garmin and other manufactures make different models of gps units. Many times the price difference of a slightly more advance model on sale is within a few dollars of the basic model in the display cabinet. I suspect the coming Christmas season will bring some good deals of gps units.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #6 on:** October 04, 2004, 02:54:23 AM »

I've been rethinking what I want and the Magellan Sportrak Topo seems very good for me. I've found one for $161.95 inc s&h online. It has the topo maps for North America in it. I talked to a friend at work about it and he recommended one with topo map capability. I figure I could carry a topo map and compass and keep track where I am and have a backup capability to get back.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #7 on:** October 04, 2004, 03:47:40 PM »

Dave in WV: I have looked at the Magellan Sport trak Topo. It clearly meets my basic criteria as a good gps unit. This opinion is only based on the specs. And not on field use. I would not object to owning one. I believe that I read an official test of a Magellan Recreational GPS and it scored very high.

I purchased a Garmin because the professionals (foresters and game wardens) I know use Garmin products purchased by the government or they purchased them on their own. There are benefits in speeding up the learning curve when folks have the same gps units. The problem is that all Garmin models are not the same. Or at least I do not see them in the same light. But they are similar enough that I have spent time on the phone helping friends load MapSource Topo on to their gps.

My father-in-law had a saying when confronted with a homework problem from his children, "read the problem first." My translation is read the manual and then take a walk around the block using your gps.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2004, 01:38:34 AM »

I just picked up a Magellan topo a few weeks ago and it is very good. The details on the internal topo are not that good but it gets you home. The internal compass only works while you are moving. So you should still carry a compass with you.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2004, 02:44:46 AM »

The price I listed is incorrect. It's $261.95. Pa-Joe, how long do your batteries last in your unit? A friend at work suggested the Magellan Explorist GPS because the batteries lasted his dad two days of long use. My co-worker was in the Marines and learned to use a compass well so he felt the topo map on the GPS was good but not necessary. He has a more basic GPS he uses. I'm going to keep my options open. Thanks for all of the input.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2004, 07:19:01 AM »

They say 14 hours but that is if you don't keep switching screens. I use mine on 2-3 hours runs then turn if off. Lasts about a week.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2004, 02:51:58 PM »

I was reading on Garmins web page that the E-trex legend C, or color display, batteries will last 32 hours. They are a little proud of the unit, and the price indicated it. I have no experience with the Magellan, but technology will leap frog, and I have heard at this time that the Magellan is now ahead of the garmin. This will change as both companies release new products. I have been very happy with my Garmin, it's very user friendly, so much so that my wife can use it......er..oh.....not to mean she's not smart......she's just not into the high tech stuff.....I haven't checked Magellans web page, but on Garmin's page, the firmware for the etrex is still being updated, meaning the product is certainly nowhere near end of life, and code is still being written for it. That's a sure way to tell if the unit your looking at is still viable, as if the code hasn't been updated in a year or more, that would be a good sign that the product is dead and has been replaced by a newer model. This is not necessaryly a bad thing, but no more bug fixes or updates also means they have taken the code where they want it to be.....solid......

Dave in WV · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2004, 04:45:47 PM »

Thanks again for all of the input. I've been reading reviews and the Gamin Etrex series seems to have several complaints about reception under tree cover. It wouldn't surprise me to find all units suffer from it. WV is the most heavily forested state and reception is important. I'm still open but the Magellan Sportrak Topo is looking better comparing features and price. I like the brighter colors some units have so they are easy to find. I definitely like the $100 price of the first units I considered. Most GPS units that are in a series seem to lose battery life as features are added. I guess there's no free lunch.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2004, 04:54:22 PM »

Clearly cost is a factor when it comes to buying a gps unit. How much will that gps cost you in the long run. Is there a good package deal?

GPS "A" basic unit cost $169.95. It comes pre-loaded w/a base map of the USA and Canada. It comes with a PC cord. Software is another $90.00 dollars.

GPS "B" basic unit cost $200.95. The PC cord is another $30.00, and software is another $149.95. It is pre-loaded with a base map of the USA and Canada.

Prices very on gps units a lot. Just a few minutes shopping around on the Internet will confirm the big price gaps. You will find "A" and "B" gps deals from the same manufacture. When pricing the same gps unit you will also find price gaps. I have found a couple of examples where a vendors was offering a gps model with a larger memory card for less, not more.

My gps came with the pc cord. It was a while before the Topo software entered the picture. Software is tricky. Normally you can only upload maps from the vendor who built your gps. You can upload waypoints and routes from other vendors software but not maps. Many mapping vendors say that you can upload using their software. But it is not clear that you cannot upload the maps themselves.

Even if you do not start out plugging your gps into your laptop and loading it with street or topo maps the recreational mapping gps is still a good deal. It becomes a better deal when your budget allows you to take advantage of it's function.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2004, 05:06:49 PM »

That is exactly why the Sportrak Topo looks good to me. It has the topo maps for all of NA in it and has the cord to connect it with my computer. It also has 16mhz of memory to upload into. I realize GPS units will be like computers and other consumer electronics and be "obsolete" tomorrow. Funny how the "obsolete" units keep plugging along and doing the job.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #15 on:** October 06, 2004, 08:44:00 AM »

Dave in WV: Your right on regarding modern electronics evolution into quick obsoleteness. A newer and brighter star does not always replace the slightly older and reliable tool. An example in the gps world is the Garmin GPSIII Plus. Two or three years ago the National Park Service sponsored Inter agency training for wildland fire mapping. The mapping of fire from a few acres to a million acres is an important duty in managing large fires when they are burning, and the rehab afterwards.

One of the primary criteria for attending the session was that the trainee have a GPSIII PLUS. I have a number of friends that work for the govt. and have them issued to them. What I found interesting was that at the time of the proposed training Garmin had dropped the GPSIII Plus and had introduced the the GPS V. I do not know but I rather suspect the instructor specified the GPSIII PLUS because that is the gps the instructor was familiar with and it was/is the most abundant gps unit used by land management agencies. (Non-surveying)

I have a number of friends who work for the government and they are still getting service from there older gps units. They are looking at replacing the older units as they go out of service with units with larger memories. The limited 1 MB of memory stores about 6 topo maps. A unit with 8 MB stores about 35 topo maps depending on the amount of human development in the area covered by the maps.

One of the people I consulted with when looking for a gps unit had two personal units, besides his government issued unit. He used a gps or mapping almost daily in his work. But his primary qualification was that he was a "hunter." His personnel gps units were the Yellow Etrex and a more complex Magellan. His recommendation for an old hunter was the Yellow Etrex. He said it would do everything that I needed. He was right, but he was wrong. A lot of guys my age avoid computers, and electronic toys. I have seen guys retire because the did not want to work in the electronic age. I have a little different out look. I will take advantage of the electronic toys that fit into my outdoor life style and add new dimensions to those activities. My lights may not burn as bright as the new kid out of college, but spotlighting is illegal.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #16 on:** October 06, 2004, 02:30:02 PM »

"My lights may not burn as bright as the new kid out of college, but spotlighting is illegal." If that's original I'd copyright it! :wink: That's priceless! :-D

The base models can't be upgraded so any improvements aren't available. That's a strike against them in my book. Since I have a basic knowledge of topo map use, the topo feature in a GPS is useful to get where I'm going with less effort. I'm not leary of electronic toys but know enough to not trust them with my life. A compass, map, and knowledge of how to use them could save your life in case your GPS bites the bullet. I help teach hunter safety and I recommend carrying a cell phone if you're in an area there's reception. (turned off while hunting of course) With a GPS if you had a heart attack you could call for help and give the exact lat. long. and save yourself. There's now a more reasonably priced ELT on the market. Set it off and satellites pick up the signal and someone will come looking. (great for wilderness areas)

I'm leary of the radio GPS combos since you have two battery drains with them.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2004, 05:39:25 PM »

Dave in WV: I have to agree with you. The combo radio's at this time are not attractive to me. The one thing that that I like about my Garmin Legend is that Garmin has updated the software(no charge) a number of times. One of the upgrades was to allow it to save a thousand waypoints. At the time of purchase it could only save five hundred. There have been a number of other upgrades. My original copy of Garmin's MapSource Topo was version 3.0. They have upgraded it to 6. something. There has been no cost to download the upgrades from the Garmin website.

I have no idea if Magellan offers updates, or not. Maybe somebody out there can provide some impute on that.

What surprises me is that a number of friends have not updated their gps software with the free manufactures downloads.

I agree with you on the cellphone. My cell phone works great in one area that I hunt in. I doubt that some of the other areas will ever see cellphone service. The one thing that will work is a CB radio if there is logging or logging trucks in the area.

Glad to hear that you help with hunter safety. I was an instructor back in the "70's." I gave it up after transferring. Found out kids are far better students then adults.

p.s. that was an orginal

Dave in WV · « **Reply #18 on:** October 07, 2004, 02:51:25 AM »

Thanks to everyone that has helped me with info and input. I sent a PM to Pa-Joe with a few questions about the Sportrak Topo and the info he sent back is to my liking so I'll go with the Magellan unit. Nothing against Garmin in my eyes. I just like the features of the Topo unit.

I did see downloads under support at the Magellan site for the Topo unit. I'll check them out when I get one. I'm sure I'll have questions later. Graybeard sure has a great site with great moderators. I really like all of the others that join in to help too. Stay safe and good hunting.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #19 on:** October 08, 2004, 08:10:42 AM »

Dave in WV and others: If you have or have friends with Sport Trak series of gps check the the cases for cracks, and bulging around the cases. They seem to develope hairline cracks around the screw heads on the back side of the case. I have seen photo's of the problem. Some folks are trying to figure out if this is a flaw in certain production runs. They are tracking it by the production number found inside the battery case.

Customers appear to be satisfied with Magellan Customer Service. Some people are being offered the opportunity to purchase the next step up in Magellan gps units or they are being sent another unit. They appear to be refurbished units.

Garmin problems: Some owners have had problems with the Etrex models with the Click Stick. They have returned the unit and received another unit from Garmin.

Another know problem with the Etex models is batteries. Or battery manufactures. This is also a problem in the handheld radio world. There are variances in the external size of AA batteries between different manufactures. One theory is that a slightly short battery drops out of contact causing the unit to shut-off. I encountered this problem with my Garmin Legend. I followed the return instructions and in a few days received another Garmin Legend. I am about 80 percent sure the unit returned to me was refurbished. I have had no problems with the unit. Garmins Customer service was quick, and satisfactory. This problem is not as common in gps units with the batteries mounted horizontally.

The battery size problem came to my attention about 15 years ago. We had refillable battery packs for our issued portable radios. We received some undersize battery packs which cracked when filled with one brand of batteries. In this case the radio people said the fault was with the battery packs and not the batteries.

If you have had problems with batteries or outdoor electronics we might want to start a Topic on the subject.[/b]

Dave in WV · « **Reply #20 on:** October 08, 2004, 02:02:16 PM »

Thanks Siskiyou. I ordered the Magellan unit. I'm sure I'll have questions later for you and the others. I'm looking forward to getting familiar with GPS navigation

victorcharlie · « **Reply #21 on:** October 08, 2004, 02:15:41 PM »

Honestly Dave, I don't think you could have made a bad choice picking either brand. I'm interested though, what model did you order, and what swayed you to that particular unit?

Dave in WV · « **Reply #22 on:** October 09, 2004, 03:48:48 PM »

I read reviews by owners of the Garmin and Magellan units I was interested in and then compared features and price. I could have ordered a unit that uses less battery power but not for the price with the features included with the unit I selected. I entered this with an open mind as to brand and changed from trying to keep it as cheap as I could to getting a unit that would do the job for a good while. Having the topo units already installed and an extra 16mb of memory to upload into really appealed to me.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #23 on:** October 09, 2004, 04:26:12 PM »

You have selected a very appealing unit. I will be interested in following along while you learn to use it.

The neat thing about the gps is that it keeps my learning curve moving. I spent sometime today loading a few additional topo's on mine, and creating a few "key" waypoints. I am gearing up for another week or so camping out and hunting. One key point is an old logging road intersection where seven roads intersect. It is a mess. Years ago I was familiar with this piece of dirt and thought I knew my way around. Then a big logging outfit moved in and built a bunch of roads. I hit that intersection late one evening after dark. I was about as close to being lost as I have ever been on a road system. Ran out two spurs to logging landings until I found the main road. All the roads were messed up so I could not tell one from another.

The Forest Service put up a bunch of temporary signs what disappeared in a short time. The world is full off bottom feeders.

Now that I think about it, I think I will create waypoints on three of the main spurs 1/4 mile from the intersection in case I am in doubt out there. One does not want to error out there. It is a least 50 miles to the nearest gas station, much less a fast food joint.

I might not make it out there this year but I want to be prepared, in case I do. My brother got two bucks in that country last year.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #24 on:** October 18, 2004, 02:40:05 PM »

FWIW, I canceled my order for the Sportrak Topo since it was back ordered indefinitely. I ordered a Garmin 60C from another vendor. About $90 more and doesn't have topo maps in it but a better antenna, longer battery life, color display, and touted easier to see display in bright light.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #25 on:** October 22, 2004, 04:12:45 PM »

I am jealous! Let us know how it works. I recently discussed the 60C with a LEO who was looking for a new gps. It sure looks good on paper.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #26 on:** October 23, 2004, 12:55:15 PM »

I'll keep you posted. It's my Christmas present from the Command Sgt. Major (wife) so I'm sure it will see limited use before Christmas. Any tips on down loading updates?

Siskiyou · « **Reply #27 on:** October 24, 2004, 07:12:38 AM »

My compliments to the Command Sargent Major.

I should give credit to my wife for getting me started in computers and my first gps.

My experience is downloading the updates for the Legend and maps to the GPSIII Plus. I created a Garmin folder in my documents, and download updates to the folder. The update comes with version number which I retain. After the download to the computer is made, I then load the update to the gps. So far no problems.

When I download the update for MapSource I store it in the Garmin folder. I then copy it to a CD so that I can load it on my slower laptop. I have a dialup connection so the download is time consuming. The update from the CD to the laptop is fast.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #28 on:** October 24, 2004, 08:13:23 AM »

I pulled the GPS out of my safe and loaded the update by the directions and it worked!!! :grin: I copied the instructions and printed them and just followed along. Thanks for the info. I may take the GPS to my friend's camp the first week of Nov. to mark more precisely a neighbor's stand and the one near his. We've got some trees marked with orange paint so we know the zone of fire but it's a WAG. I think the GPS would be a help to know for sure. I believe I can mark the stands on the unit and then use the GPS for a reference.

NavajoNPaleFace · « **Reply #29 on:** October 29, 2004, 05:33:24 AM »

I can't speak for other brands/models but I have the Garmin etrex Vista and bought it primarily for quad riding.

I don't care for the screen in that if it's at just the right (or wrong, I guess) angle the LED screen read-outs are very difficult to see, even with the back light.

Also, I can't recall the price but there is an adapter for it that you can plug into a DC or cigarette lighter outlet in/on your vehicle.

That extends the life of the batteries, of course.

I also noticed that if I simply lay the unit on the dash of my truck it easily reads the satellites through the windshield glass.