Which Hand Held GPS to Buy

[OGR81]

I'm trying to decide which unit to buy, for under $200. Compass, street maps, topo?? and will upload tp my PC

[BSA534]

Wish I could be of more assistance. I'm only really familiar with my 60csx but that is more that $200 especially if you add maps to the basemap. I didn't really know what I was buying when I ordered mine. Have you looked at the Garmin Etrex Legend series?

Do you have some models you are considering?

[jacksonb]

I found this web site to be very helpful when reviewing GPS models.

http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/

Personally, I am a Garmin fan. My first GPSr was a Garmin eTrex Legend, which you can buy for less than $200. However, after geocaching for about a year, I upgraded to the Garmin 60CSx, which was about $350. I think it is well worth the extra money.

[Q]

However, after geocaching for about a year, I upgraded to the Garmin 60CSx, which was about $350. I think it is well worth the extra money.

Why??? I mean, whut do it do mo better or what are the features you needed?

[jacksonb]

Most significantly, the reception is much better with the SiRFstar III chip in urban areas and under dense cover. I could not get a signal inside my home with my eTrex Legend, but I get a very good signal in my home with my 60CSx. That is very helpful when geocaching in a canyon or under heavy tree cover.

The second feature I love is the electronic compass. With the eTrex, you only have an accurate bearing when you are moving. It doesn't point very accurately when you standing still. The electronic compass on the 60CSx gives you an accurate bearing even when you aren't moving.

Finally, there are a few nice bells and whistles. I wouldn't have bought it just for them, but they are nice. The 60CSx has a few features specifically designed for geocaching and the screen is in color.

[Team_Pink]

I was under the impression that the 60Csx had the SiRFstar II chipset. Is that not the case?

[oenavigator]

:D

[mdlangley]

I just ordered my first GPS from this site. From the research I have done it is a good GPS and it is hard to beat the price. You might find one cheaper on eBay but I am a bit hesitant on ordering electronics off of eBay. If you use the coupon code EX400 when you order the total cost after shipping is $107.99. Hope this helps.

--Michael D. Langley

P.S.
I ordered mine on Thursday (yesterday) late night (11ish) and it left San Diego at 4:51 on a FedEx truck today (Friday).

Edit: Whoops! I never posted the web address. That was dumb of me. Anyway, the code will still work until Jan 31st. Sorry about that.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?InvtId=EXPLORIST-400

[BSA534]

I was under the impression that the 60Csx had the SiRFstar II chipset.

Everything I've read online says the 60CSx uses the SiRFstar III chipset. And if its on the internet its GOT to be true. :lol:

[GeoJeepers]

The Garmin website notes that the 60CS, 60CSX and the new ETREX H series all have high sensitivity receivers for better, faster, more accurate operation. The ETREX Summit HC is color, has the electronic compass, and I saw it end of last year on Wal-Mart.com for under $200. I'm not gonna say it is as good as the venerable 60CSX, plus it doesn't have as much memory as some others, but we have been very well pleased with ours. You might check out the Summit and the other ETREX H series models to see if there's one with a set of features you like best!

[jacksonb]

While there are a lot of features to consider, one that may not be top of mind is what kind of batteries are used. There are pros and cons to a unit that uses AA vs. a unit that has its own rechargeable battery. Cost is a factor. The ability to change batteries while in the field is another.

[4wheeling-1]

I also own a Garmin 60CSx, I bought the preloaded streets mini card which will take me anywhere in the great USA, it has a 3D highway screen, turn by turn directions and even beeps at me when it's time to turn, the reception is the best and I also have the waypoint projection option, the cord I use to power my gps in the car also charges my cell phone, pda, digital camera's and blue tooth earbud, it also gives points of interest in each town, it has the little treasure chest symbol for caches and it opens the lid on the chest when you find the cache, I can set up all sorts of different waypoints with tons of different symbols, this unit is just awesome, I paid 625.00 and think it is well worth it to me, that includes the gps, preloaded mini card and next day air so I could get mine for my birthday before AR-HICK got his, WITH ALL THAT SAID, my first gps was a garmin Etrex that cost 89.00, I still have it and I can get a DNF with it just as fast as I can with my 60CSx

[mdlangley]

I just realized that I didn't post the web address of the deal above. I added an edit but incase you don't want to scroll up here it is again.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?InvtId=EXPLORIST-400

The coupon code is EX400

[SJClimber]

Try the Nerds.com also for good deals.

[HercMaster]

While there are a lot of features to consider, one that may not be top of mind is what kind of batteries are used. There are pros and cons to a unit that uses AA vs. a unit that has its own rechargeable battery. Cost is a factor. The ability to change batteries while in the field is another.

The AA's are nice because of the field option you mentioned. Plus you can put rechargeable nickel-metal hydride AA's in them if you want rechargeable. If I shut the backlight off I can usually go a whole day of geocaching on 1 set of rechargeables.