HikeArizona.COM

I'm looking to buy my first GPS receiver. Right now I'm looking at the Garmin Venture HC GPS receiver. (http://www.rei.com/product/761620). Anyone know much about this? Or one in the $150-300 price range that is great?

I have a Garmin 60csx that I've been real happy with it... 98% of the time. Its about $300 on Amazon. A few others on here have the same one.

In response to Robdice:
It's a good choice in my opinion. I had the Vista for 3 days. That stupid inkling in the back of mind that I was buying an older model got the best of me. I returned it and got the Oregon. It's a piece of junk but they changed they're return policy that week so I'm stuck with it The newer model Oregons just came out and appear to have better screen resolution. At any rate the Venture works perfect and they've sold millions. You could step up to a Vista but personally I wouldn't bother.

The only thing I've heard about the lower end Garmins are the lack of memory. If you want to download lots of maps and routes you'll need to upgrade. Just what I heard never used a Venture. The reviews looked pretty good for it though.

I would recommend that you consider a bump to get a model that has HCx, the x is the expandable memory, useful for loading maps.

nonot wrote:I would recommend that you consider a bump to get a model that has HCx, the x is the expandable memory, useful for loading maps.

This is great info guys. Thanks for helping out.

Please note that you have to buy the expandable memory yourself, but you should be able to find a good amount for 5-10 bucks online.

I have the 76CSx and am pleased with it. There is a considerable learning curve. I bought the 1:24k map chip for AZ / NM also.

Sredfield wrote:I bought the 1:24k map chip for AZ / NM also.

Shawn- I assume this 1:24k map chip will also work in a Garmin 60CSx? If so, where did you buy it and did you also need to purchase a new software topo DVD for the 1:24k maps inorder to upload your Garmin route/tracks from the Garmin unit to your computer? (I am assuming that this 1:24k map chip you have is not compatable with the present Garmin Mapsource Topo U.S. 2008 DVD?)

I wouldn't think there'd be any compatibility issues. Tracks and routes are simply lists of coordinates they should plot on anything plot-able.

It has been reported elsewhere that the new 24k Garmin DVDs have trails routable in MapSource. That beats the heck out of zooming to 400% and carefully mousing along in Topo!.

Grasshopper wrote:

Sredfield wrote:I bought the 1:24k map chip for AZ / NM also.

Shawn- I assume this 1:24k map chip will also work in a Garmin 60CSx? If so, where did you buy it and did you also need to purchase a new software topo DVD for the 1:24k maps inorder to upload your Garmin route/tracks from the Garmin unit to your computer? (I am assuming that this 1:24k map chip you have is not compatable with the present Garmin Mapsource Topo U.S. 2008 DVD?)

I got it from Garmin, online. No compatibility issues, it works the same as the stock one, just more detail. It is a critter entirely for the unit, has nothing to do with MapSource.

Sredfield wrote: got it from Garmin, online. No compatibility issues

Looks like something else new I must have.. T-hank-S for exposing its availability. I will check it out!

big_load wrote:It has been reported elsewhere that the new 24k Garmin DVDs have trails routable in MapSource

So, along with buying the new, more detailed 1:24k chip set for the Garmin unit, there is also a 1:24k Garmin DVD (one can buy) that would replace the present Garmin Mapsource TOPO US 2008 DVD?

Grasshopper wrote:

big_load wrote:It has been reported elsewhere that the new 24k Garmin DVDs have trails routable in MapSource

So, along with buying the new, more detailed 1:24k chip set for the Garmin unit, there is also a 1:24k Garmin DVD (one can buy) that would replace the present Garmin Mapsource TOPO US 2008 DVD?

Well, it takes three DVDs so far. TOPO U.S 24k: West, Southwest, and North Central. There are downloads and preprogrammed cards for: West, Northwest, Mountain Central, Mountain South, Mountain North, Northern Plains, and Texas

Considering a GPS -- is the Garmin 76CSx still the best of roost ? I want something that is trail usable-- simple controls. Not too worried about price point 'cause if its not practical to use -- It becomes a paperweight for me.

Primary use is hiking.

Asking here since I know I will get field tested opinions.

Probably if that's what Grasshopper and gpsjoe are using.

Though if money is not an object then I'd get an Oregon 550t. I can't stand my 400t as you can't see it in sunlight but that and other annoyances are suppose to be fixed on the 550t. The t in the name means it has the topo maps loaded. You could get a model without and load them, nonot has a full section on site with free maps. However it seemed to use more battery so I stick with the built in topo.

One of the nice parts about it is the design. The caribiner is rock solid so you don't have to worry about losing it while keeping it accessible. I highly recommend a screen protector. Mine looks like a dog gnawed on it after only a year. (granted my offtrail jaunts are to blame) Also, doesn't matter if you're right or left handed because it's touch screen. You can upload the HAZ running kokopelli as your background too

In response to desertgirl:
The 76csx has a little more memory and it floats(made more for boating) and its a little larger than the 60csx. I have been happy with my Garmin 60csx. I think grasshopper also has the 60 not sure though.

Edit: both gpsjoe and grasshopper have the 60csx.

I was tempted by the snazzy new Oregon 550t -- especially liked the big screen & the preloaded topo maps. I was reading up on the Oregon 550T and that is what prompted me to ask ...reviews indicated that it is not all that great ...screen visibility, touch screen sensitivity, battery life (9hrs vs 18 on the 76csx) and other accuracy issues (although there are notes about the discrepancy actually being in the base maps rather than the GPS itself)

Hmm -- might have to visit with the 60csx as well....

rlrjamy wrote:I have been happy with my Garmin 60csx. I think grasshopper also has the 60 not sure though.

GPSjoe and I are very happy with our Garmin 60CSx as you are. I think that Sredfield(Shawn) is also likes his 76CSx.. Amazon.com has always been very price competitive for the 60CSx model with free S&H... http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GPS-60CSx- ... ikearizona The best Garmin map set to buy (1:24k):

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-MapSource- ... ikearizona
(Regarding this Mapset- You and Angela can go in together on this one and then you both can split the cost of it. This way you both can load the DVD on your computer and both download the maps into your units SD Micro Card. I did this with two others and my total cost was only ~$35.00)