HikeArizona.COM

Not being familiar with the technology, I have a few questions...

My brother, friend and I are looking at doing a thru-hike of the Arizona Trail, and would like to find a good GPS to take with us.

Looking for something easy to use, doesn't require extensive knowledge of the technological world to use.
Durable? Batteries? I don't think highly of the idea that recharging is necessary. If I can just put in some new batteries and bam its back where I need it, that would be fantastic. Something that isn't 7 Millionnnnnnnnn dollars works for me to. I don't mind having to practice with it, thats better for us anyways, and we plan on doing different hikes and will probably section hike on the trail before we do the real deal anyways.

Any input is great. I've looked at them at REI and some other sites but the lingo and jargon might as well be arabic..

There's a bunch of topics on GPS choices in the forum. Use the search box above. Narrow it down by mentioning specific brands like Garmin or Magellan.

Here's a somewhat recent one that seems to be a similar request to yours.

http://www.hikearizona.com/dex2/viewtop ... &hilit=gps

hello, Caballero and welcome to HAZ. Not trying to discourage your decision here, but fwiw you might take a map and compass class and realize GPS is not for you. From what I understand of my talks with thru-hikers on the AZT and others, a GPS is not the way to go. Map and compass cannot fail. Plus, you get to study them at night when you've nothing else to do. Just my 2¢ ;)

*edit*
if, before you can start your AZT trip, you can get one of REI's presentation map/compass class it will be worth your time even if you still choose a GPS.
Map/compass use is a respectable skill, no matter how you slice it.

I'm with Mike on this, map and compass is definitely the way to go. Maps are light, and compasses never run out of batteries.

If, however you absolutely have to have a GPS, my vote goes to something in the Garmin Etrex line (preferably the Vista, but they all do the same thing in the end).

Map and compass skills cannot run out of batteries, but the problem with some places is that you might not have no recognizable landmarks. I'd recommend bring both map and compass and gps. For GPS's I'm happy with my Garmin Etrex Vista.

nonot wrote:the problem with some places is that you might not have no recognizable landmarks.

true as well. consider this if you plan on night hiking.

As if just to prove me wrong, my Suunto watch low battery indicator just came on - proving that compasses can run out of batteries...

I was recently converted to the GPS Religion, Garmin sect. The learning curve was steeper than I anticipated, but once you get more than passingly familiar with it and how to use it with the computer, it adds an interesting dimension to the activity. But don't expect to open the box and find your way thru the maze without considerable study, and some bucks for the software packages.

I don't think I'd have a problem getting data from the computer to the gps or anything. I just don't want to worry about recharging batteries while I'm in the middle of hiking and camping. Getting water, getting fed, making decent time is what I like to worry about. Not charging anything haha. The map and compass classes does sound like a fantastic idea though and I'll be looking into doing that soon too. Of course I'm not gonna rush into he AZT this year, I'm learning about it and want to be totally ready for an endeavor like that. I can afford the time to take a map/compass class, and learn how to use a gps, they can both come in handy in other hikes and shenanigans. At least I'm pretty sure. haha

Thanks for the responses, and the welcomes. Love the site.

I'm too familiar with GPS's, but I don't think there are many that run on proprietary rechargeable batteries. I think most just run on regular AA's. Seeing as how on extended trips, a person would most likely need to replace the batteries in the GPS unit, demanding the use of a rechargeable lithium-ion would be kinda dumb.

I'm more a map and compass guy, but I have a GPS and have found it useful in some situations. With that said, I suppose having both is the way to go. And whatever you do, do not under any circumstances, buy a Magellan. They are not compatible with anything it seems, computer-wise. If I ever decide to buy a new GPS, I will definitely NOT consider Magellan. It works fine in the field, but loading maps to it, or downloading off of it is nearly impossible and has made me want to kill small animals.


Hey, Matt Gilbert! Nice avatar! Now get off the top-rope and start leading!!!

I second the Magellan comments. The unit interface is not intuitive and they make their software almost impossible to use. The new DeLorme units seem pretty nice but I haven't actually gotten to use one yet.


Matt -

Cut me some slack (get it...) it was the best pic I had of climbing and I just couldn't look at that old avatar anymore

Now, next time you're in town come out here and show me how it's done ;)

If I ever decide to buy a new GPS, I will definitely NOT consider Magellan. It works fine in the field, but loading maps to it, or downloading off of it is nearly impossible and has made me want to kill small animals.

i'm with Hoffmaster on this one. I just recently got suckered into buying a new Magellan GPS (Triton 400) after my last one died because they offered my a "loyal customer" discount. They made that money back up in their @#%%^ propietary software. Their customer service people (in India) even told me that the old software would still be compatible before I bought it. The GPS works fine and is better than my last one was, but I am not happy with how they lied and how incompatible it is with other software.

Sredfield wrote:I was recently converted to the GPS Religion, Garmin sect. The learning curve was steeper than I anticipated, but once you get more than passingly familiar with it and how to use it with the computer, it adds an interesting dimension to the activity. But don't expect to open the box and find your way thru the maze without considerable study, and some bucks for the software packages.

Ditto. And they don't tell you when you buy it that if you have an older computer with no DVD reader/writer you will have to install one of those, too, or buy a new computer, because the newer Garmin software doesn't operate with a CD reader, and CD compatible software is apparently not available for my Garmin 60Cx. And yes, the learning curve is very steep, I'd say about a 5.10 or greater! I would say that it is ALMOST NOT do-able for someone like me who has limited computer talents! I have struggled and struggled with mine, and can now perform only a few functions. I haven't bought the mapping software yet because I haven't bought the DVD reader/writer yet. Plan to do that this spring. Then you will see me on here begging for help. Also you might like to know that there are websites and yahoo groups that will help you. I think there is probably a different yahoo group for each of the different units.

The speedometer is broken on our Trailblazer, so we put the GPS in the cupholder and use it on long trips to avoid getting a ticket!

For your purposes, the solar charger panel will be worth the extra $$. It's small and hangs off the top of your pack.

azbackpackr wrote:And yes, the learning curve is very steep, I'd say about a 5.10 or greater!

Nice use of climbing lingo!

good call on the solar, Jeff. The SOLIO brand is choice. Stay away from the roll-up mat style, they dont work.

I love my Garmin 76CSX. I'm not a computer wiz and found it pretty easy to use. Even downloading the haz maps and getting them loaded wasn't that hard to do, might have taken 30 minutes to figure out.

I haven't used my GPS for thru hiking purposes. But sure did use it this weekend finding the roads to get to 3 remote peaks. Batteries are a must though, you can easily go from an awesome tool for many hiking needs to something useless in your pack and lost without them.

-TIM-

I use lithium batteries, usually. They cost a lot but save you a lot of headaches! I have primarily used mine to record mileages, and trying out the track-back function.

I use lithium on occassion, although Garmin does not recommend them. The only problem I've seen so far is that the remaining charge indicator isn't accurate. That's because the voltage doesn't tail off with the same profile as the charge depletes, so you'll get three or four bars until the batteries are almost dead.

big_load wrote:I use lithium on occassion

Are you still talking about batteries? Or, is New Jersey that bad?