What's the best GPS?

[gummo]

I need a GPS. I need one that uploads routes and maps. Any recommendations would be helpful. Thanks.

[AZLumberjack]

There's a lot of GPS units out there and most of them are good. With the variety of units produced by Garmin, you only have to make up your mind on how much you want to spend.

One of the preferred units would be the Oregon 450t (the 't' is for Topo). The unit retails for around $500, but look around for deals. My favorite is to wait until after Christmas when someone gets one and hasn't a clue as to what to do with it, so they put it on Craigslist in an unopened box for a significant savings.

I tested the Lowrance units and found them disappointing. The units are larger than they have to be because they have a touch screen and a keypad. The screen is too reflective in the bright sun and almost disappears.

Units with Electronic compass and barometric altimeter, can chew up battery's at a pretty good clip (around 8-10 hours). So you have to decide what options you want/need for your usage.
A good screen that can be seen clearly in bright sunlight is indispensable and should not be ignored as a distinct advantage.
Touch screen units are intuitive units and are fairly easy to learn.
Opt for the larger screen units as they are easier to see, but keep in mind that they can be power hungry.

Check out units at Cabela's, Bass Pro or other sporting goods stores that offer a selection so you can see the difference, then shop around for the best deals.

Good luck, it can be kinda intimidating, but HAZ has lots of members who can help.

[gummo]

Thanks MN, I appreciate the advice.

[johnlp]

You can get a Garmin eTrex Vista hcx for about $200. Not as nice as the more expensive models, but does the job just fine. If you go for a less expensive model, make sure you get expandable memory - hc(x). c is for color.

[DarthStiller]

I (and it seems several other HAZers) have the Oregon 450t. I highly recommend it. Amongst the other bells and whistles it has includes the ability to wirelessly share a route between 2 units, which comes in handy if you happen to be a certain guy who built a certain website and forgot to download the route you posted for the hike you went on :whistle: .

[brusso99]

I have the garmin 62sc, this new model has a camera that geotags your pictures. i reccommend this style over the touch screens, because they have better antennas, and buttons. touch screes are a pain.

Save the money on paying for maps, you can get AZ Topo for Free, just google AZ topo.. it has all the trails as well.

[Hansenaz]

I can vouch for the Garmin Etrex 20. I've had it a few months replacing a 5 yr old Garmin 60C. I like everything about it and find it easier to use in the field and at the computer.

[joebartels]

which comes in handy if you happen to be a certain guy who built a certain website and forgot to download the route you posted for the hike you went on

There was an issue for some time that I couldn't figure out until today. I'm sure Dave and Nick will recall sending me wireless tracks on a few occasions over the past few months.
- every time I'd upload it would disappear at times
- this morning I noticed my upload to the unit was always there once, when I turned it off and on the second time it was gone
- after reading the manual and searching I couldn't figure it out
- then I noticed I created a folder in the GPX folder sometime last summer called "Test Folder"

I remember when I created the test folder I wasn't able to access it from the unit. Didn't think anything of it and left it. I just removed it, turned it off/on several times and the issue is gone. I believe what was happening is it can turn on once, then it gets confused and erases everything in the GPX folder. Perhaps someone in the world with a Garmin Oregon will find this and it will be helpful to them, it was driving me crazy.

[azbackpackr]

My Garmin 60CX is starting to have glitches. Mapsource on it just flat disappeared one day. It was after PLC45839057356936t538560 uploaded the Pt. Huitzil route onto it. (It's all Paul's fault, in other words!) Sigh...

[squatpuke]

450 Oregon for me...

I opted to not get the "t"...get my maps online for free

[PLC92084]

@azbackpackr
I'll be happy to re-cycle the defective unit for you, Liz (I'm all about saving the Planet...). I can even arrange to pick it up when I'm out that way in May!

[JimmyLyding]

which comes in handy if you happen to be a certain guy who built a certain website and forgot to download the route you posted for the hike you went on

There was an issue for some time that I couldn't figure out until today. I'm sure Dave and Nick will recall sending me wireless tracks on a few occasions over the past few months.
- every time I'd upload it would disappear at times
- this morning I noticed my upload to the unit was always there once, when I turned it off and on the second time it was gone
- after reading the manual and searching I couldn't figure it out
- then I noticed I created a folder in the GPX folder sometime last summer called "Test Folder"

I remember when I created the test folder I wasn't able to access it from the unit. Didn't think anything of it and left it. I just removed it, turned it off/on several times and the issue is gone. I believe what was happening is it can turn on once, then it gets confused and erases everything in the GPX folder. Perhaps someone in the world with a Garmin Oregon will find this and it will be helpful to them, it was driving me crazy.

I think I know what happened. You might have enabled some feature that allows you to upload a route to the GPS that is designed for a quick view. I remember reading something about my trusty 400t describing a feature that allowed you to send a route to the handheld unit just to see how it looks. That's all I remember, but it fits with what you're describing. You may have to manually save such a route sent to that folder on the handheld.

I really have no idea, but it makes sense. I'd love to get a new GPS, but I think I'm going to wait until the next generation rolls out.

[joebartels]

The issue was that I created a new folder, when I removed it the issue went away. Perhaps this doesn't happen in Windows.

[Sredfield]

I second the Garmin vote above.

[imike]

I second the Garmin vote above.

...I'll third and fourth it...

[johnr1]

You can get a Garmin eTrex Vista hcx for about $200. Not as nice as the more expensive models, but does the job just fine. If you go for a less expensive model, make sure you get expandable memory - hc(x). c is for color.

Love my eTrex which has saved me a couple times from pointless wandering

[chulavista]

My hubby recently found a Garmin eTrex Legend HCx. Any idea what we actually have? I have no idea how to operate it, and I think the little joystick type button doesn't work all the time. We have been able to look at it and figure some of the stuff out, but it appears it needs to go to the shop. Kinda feel sorry for the guy who lost it, and there's no way to find out who that was.

[johnlp]

When you first power it up the owner may be visible on the black screen. I entered my name and cell # into mine. The owner of yours may or may not have entered info.

[AZLumberjack]

@chulavista
Often times, the first "waypoint" entered into the GPS is the owners home. Look at the listing of waypoints and see what appears.

I have a file on my micro SD card with my owners information (name, email, cell phone).

[chulavista]

When you first power it up the owner may be visible on the black screen. I entered my name and cell # into mine. The owner of yours may or may not have entered info.

I powered it up again last night, and there's nothing but the basics visible. I don't believe the owner entered it at all. There's also a micro sd chip in it, and it doesn't look like any routes, or anything are saved on there either. However, I'm just learning how to use it, so I'll keep playing with it.