what is the best gps device?

[RowdyandMe]

I am looking to get a gps hand held device. I know there are a lot out there. So I guess what I really am looking for is the biggest bang for my buck.
any input would be great thanks

[Grimey]

I think the flyer is saying that the lower prices are the sale price and after May 25 they are returning to the higher price. Which I believe is their regular price. So you would need to buy them between the 15th and the 25th to get the lower price. Unless I am misreading?

The sale prices seem pretty decent, the regular not so much.

It also says the Garmin Forerunner 220 w/ HRM is $250 + a $25 mail in rebate which looks like a really good price for that watch.

[joebartels]

In my defense there was a flyer with Garmins

thx, I updated my post

[chumley]

New Kingsnake & Grasshopper approved tagline:

Garmin 600. Now 55% off. Mileage too.

[RowdyandMe]

I am looking for something thats simple to use and lets me up load routes

[garyc57]

@Widowmaker
I like my Garmin eTrex Vista HCx, but I loved my Garmin eTrex Legend HCx that I lost.

[RowdyandMe]

Do you know anything about the garmin Etrek 35 T?

[RowdyandMe]

Any recommendations on hand held gps devices?

[Sredfield]

I have two Garmin 76CSx These are getting some age, they are marine version so water proof and a little bulky but one has been going strong for ~10 years, the other I bought used and it's doing very well also. Available on Ebay.

[Nighthiker]

For cycling I use the Garmin 100 and I also use the Garmin eTrex or eTrex 10.

[KBKB]

@Widowmaker
Not sure if it qualifies as hand held or not - it's actually wrist-held...

Anyway, I've been very happy with my Suunto Ambit 3. It's a GPS watch. I'm able to load routes/tracks from HAZ onto it and, though I thought it was kind of cheesy at first, I actually like the interface for following a route better than that of my old Garmin eTrex. The Ambit 3 simply provides you with a line representing the track (no basemap or terrain markings) along with an indicator showing where you are relative to the track. If that indicator is on the line, you're on the track. Otherwise, you're off and you simply need to travel in a direction orthogonal to the line to (try to) find it again.

A major drawback to this interface is that it doesn't provide any indication of which direction is which. This is only a problem if you're confused about which way you're going. That said, it's happened to me a few times. It appears that some of Suunto's newer offerings have solved this problem by showing the route that you've traveled so far on a color display.

I used to use one of the Garmin Fenix watches. I stopped using it because its calculation of the distance traveled was horribly inaccurate in trees or when on the side of a hill or mountain. (I did Derrick Trail - Horton Loop which is only 8.8 miles in length; my Garmin Fenix 2 showed a hike length of over 13 miles.) The only time I have similar problems with the Ambit 3 is when I go into narrow canyons. I'm guessing that most GPS devices have problems in this type of situation.

I used to bring a handheld GPS with me for backup. I've stopped doing that, though I do use my phone when I need to look at a map.

[RowdyandMe]

Anyone try the goTenna?

[RowdyandMe]

Anyone using the garmin in reach?

[jonathanpatt]

I have a pre-Garmin DeLorme inReach, but just the communication model, not the one with built in navigation as well. It works well for its purpose as a communicator in remote areas.

[tincanbits]

I'm using a Garmin Oregon 750t, a replacement for a lovely red striped Garmin GPSMap 64S I could no longer easily read. The Oregon has a tad more screen and I'm having trouble reading even this one. Yesterday I ordered a Ram Mount magnifier, Garmin holder and a diamond base to affix to it just to be able to read the contours. I'm certain it will be unwieldy and start the occasional grass fire, but I'm too lazy to look online for jumbo handhelds.

Cheers, tincanbits

[KBKB]

Anyone using the garmin in reach?

I purchased a Garmin inReach earlier this year, but I'm not using it for GPS navigation. My wife worries about me when I hike in places without cellphone coverage; I have it to give her (and the rest of my family) some peace of mind.

If you're accustomed to modern cellphones, the screen/interface on the inReach is kind of disappointing. That's why I'm not using it for navigation.

[jonathanpatt]

@KBKB

If you haven't, I recommend pairing your inReach with your phone via Bluetooth so you can control it via a more modern cellphone interface. Far better experience.

[RowdyandMe]

@KBKB
I am looking at a inReach + for both navigation and texting

[KBKB]

If you haven't, I recommend pairing your inReach with your phone via Bluetooth so you can control it via a more modern cellphone interface. Far better experience.

Thanks for reminding me about this capability. I'll try it out...

[RowdyandMe]

Anybody using a garmin I reach explorer+? If so how do you like it?

[RowdyandMe]

@KBKB Anyone using the garmin earthmate App? if yes how is it working for you?