GPS

[RayH]

The speed determined by the GPS showed we were going about 10% faster than the van speedometer. With the speedometer at 70 mph we were actually going 77-78 mph. That's when I also realized the odometer was winding up more miles than the highway mileage signs indicated.

Not to be **** but I think you have that backwards. The van would be racking up less miles than indicated by the yardsticks.

 

[CurlyDave]

I just got my second Garmin c320 delivered yesterday.

My wife is going on a business trip at the same time I am going deer hunting and we decided we really needed one each.

The cost was $277.94 for the GPS, $34.99 for a 2 GB Secure Digital card, and $18.25 shipping. Grand total was $331.18 from a place called Comp-U-Plus. Look on www.pricegrabber.com to search for the best price on a GPS.

The 2 GB Secure Digital card exactly replaces the 128 MB one that comes with it, and makes the c320 slightly better than the c330.

We really like this model.

 

[sandman2234]

I think I am going to have to put a 12v plug on my tractor so I can tell how fast I am mowing, and how long it will take to get to the house when the sun starts dropping.
David from jax

Too cheap to put batteries in it all the time...

 

[RayH]

I think I am going to have to put a 12v plug on my tractor so I can tell how fast I am mowing, and how long it will take to get to the house when the sun starts dropping.
David from jax

Too cheap to put batteries in it all the time...

Get a GPS that can record your track as you mow so you can see if you missed any spots.

 

[Bird]

I had not read this thread until now, but just finished reading it. I've never even seen a GPS unit, much less used one, but I recently bought a 2003 Fisher 1710 bass boat and maps of the local lakes. The maps have GPS coordinates and I would like to have a cheap GPS unit to use on the lakes; that is, if they aren't too complicated for an old man or too expensive. The boat does have a 12v outlet in the instrument panel. From reading this thread, it appears that perhaps my best bet would be a Garmin from Bass Pro, but which one?

 

[ronjhall]

Bird
I purchased my latest GPS from here. GPS at The GPS Store: Garmin GPS, Magellan GPS, TomTom GPS, GPS Store I have been a fan of Raymarine and Garmin. When you say not to expensive do you mean cheap or under $500. There are a lot of good deals on Ebay. I like my sons little Garmin. That cost about $100. But you cannot add charts to it. Another $100 will get you one that will allow charts. But the charts add more cost. If all you need is tracking, look at Garmin Etrex Venture. Should do all you want. If you have not found one before my trip to TX. I will be glad to help you find one that will work good for you. Also give you some help with using it in your boat and car.

 

[Bird]

Yep, Ron, if the cheapest thing made will show me how to find the spots on the lake that are shown on the map, then the cheapest thing made is all I need. I see that Bass Pro has a Garmin e-Trex (whatever that is) for $90 ($10 off the regular price) and Wal*Mart has a Garmin E-Trex Legend for $10 or $15 more than that.

The map for Ray Roberts Lake shows some "fish attractors" that I've been told are brush piles they left when they built the lake with cables across them to anchor them down. Of course the map also shows old roads, fence lines, "ruins", etc. I'd just like a fast, easy way to find those things, since it's a bit slow just looking for them on the Humminbird fish finder.

In looking at some Garmin and Magellan GPS units at Wal*Mart, I noticed some of the cheapest ones show "14 parallel channels" while a slightly more expensive model showed "12 parallel channels". Now I would expect more channels to cost more, but since I really have no idea what they're talking about . . .

 

[RayH]

Ive got an Etrex legend. If its only 10-15 more than the standard (yellow) Etrex, I would get the Legend. While the basic Etrex would work fine for you, the Legend offers alot more options, that may interest you later on, for just a few bucks more. The Legend (blue) has mapping capability and downloading capability that the Yellow Legend doesnt. I think there is even marine softwear downloads that you may find handy if you fish big water like rivers, big lakes or bays. Take a walk to Garmins site eTrex Legend and check out their Mapsource softwear before deciding how cheap you want to go. You may decide its better to spend a few bucks more. Also check out their marine GPSs, they are probably more in line with your requirements but at a little steeper price.

 

[ronjhall]

In looking at some Garmin and Magellan GPS units at Wal*Mart, I noticed some of the cheapest ones show "14 parallel channels" while a slightly more expensive model showed "12 parallel channels". Now I would expect more channels to cost more, but since I really have no idea what they're talking about . . .

12 or 14 channels makes very little difference. The most you will see most of the time is 8 or 9. Only three are needed for accurate positioning.
Whether you get one with mapping or not. Look for one with a 12 vdc adapter. It will not take long for batteries to go bad when out on a boat.
Wal-Mart sells them with case and adapter for $112.38 and $157.20. There are similar Magellans that work well too.

 

[Bird]

Ray and Ron, that's the kind of information I'm looking for; just got to decide which one. It appears that Bass Pro and Wal*Mart have prices about as good as the Internet stores. I wonder how long it would take me to learn to use one of those gadgets.

 

[ronjhall]

Bird
You should not have any problems leaning to use a GPS. Hardest part may be turning it on and off.

 

[RayH]

I agree with Ron. Dont get hung up on channels or accuracy. Its unusual that you will ever use more than 10 channels anyway and all GPSs will be accurate. Deciding which GPS is really about determining your needs and picking one with options that you want. Some GPSs pickup signal better than others in thick foilage but it sounds like you will be on the water with yours so thats not really an issue. Look for waterproof, 12V adaptor, go to a sporting goods or hunting store and have a clerk that knows what he is doing show you a couple different GPSs from Megellan, Garmin, Lowrance etc to see which one you like using best. Just like tractors, the right choice often comes down to which one "feels" better to you.

 

[Bird]

Just like tractors, the right choice often comes down to which one "feels" better to you

Yep, I'm beginning to get that impression, too, Ray. The lady in the sporting goods section at Wal*Mart said the Garmin and Magellan are usually considered the best. She said she had a son living on a yacht who has both brands and says one is as good as the other.

And speaking of Lowrance, that's the brand of fish finder that Tracker (and Fisher, which is owned by Tracker) show to use on their boats, but this 2003 model I bought has a Humminbird. Once again, I doubt that one is really any better than the other.

 

[Hootie]

Which brand/unit is most likely to be reliable in the woods?

 

[RayH]

Im probably not the most qualified to answer this having experience with Garmin GPSs only so maybe someone with other brands or types can fill in the blanks. I have two Garmins, A GPS12 and an Etrex. Both use what is called a patch type of antenna which is basically a flat disc thats integrated into the unit. It doesnt stick up like some do. The patch antennas tend to pickup satelites that are straight overhead while the Helix antenna tends to pickup satelites along the horizon better. In theory, the patch type should do better in thick brush and in canyons because the only satelites available would be straight above while the helix antenna is better in a vehicle where the roof blocks signal from above and the only satelites it can see are on the horizon. In practice, you probably cant tell the difference. I chose a GPS with the patch antenna because its a tighter package with no antenna sticking out. Years ago (back in 1999) when I got my Garmin GPS12, most of Megellans lineup used the helix type antenna. thats why I originally went with Garmin. I stayed with them when I went GPS shopping a couple years ago. Now most of the handhelds use a patch antenna.
Garmin now has something called Sirf SatIII chip that is supposed to provide more sensitive satelite reception. I dont know anything about the Sirf than what can be read on their site.

 

[sandman2234]

As mentioned earlier, my needs for a GPS was strickly for the speedometer, and after Shvl73 mentioned upgrading to a newer model, I purchased his old one. I used it yesterday to go to Gainesville, and was quite pleased with it.
I ended up parking on the west side of town, and after the game, I knew I was in for a traffic jam. I followed the road I parked on due north, then punched in a trip to take me home and it got me out of town in a flash! I avoided most of the traffic and probably saved myself an hour travel time.
The only thing I haven't gotten it to do that I would like, is display the speed while on a point to point trip. During that, it displays arrival time, but since most of my driving is local, I won't be setting up trips anyway. The speedometer is displayed when just viewing your location on the map, which will suffice for my needs.
David from jax

 

[RobertN]

Bird,
If you are still looking, try REI. There must be one by you... They offer classes on the handhelds, and have a nice selection. And, you can get some hands on expierience with them.

REI GPS's

REI GPS class in Dallas, Tx

 

[shvl73]

As mentioned earlier, my needs for a GPS was strickly for the speedometer, and after Shvl73 mentioned upgrading to a newer model, I purchased his old one. I used it yesterday to go to Gainesville, and was quite pleased with it.
I ended up parking on the west side of town, and after the game, I knew I was in for a traffic jam. I followed the road I parked on due north, then punched in a trip to take me home and it got me out of town in a flash! I avoided most of the traffic and probably saved myself an hour travel time.
The only thing I haven't gotten it to do that I would like, is display the speed while on a point to point trip. During that, it displays arrival time, but since most of my driving is local, I won't be setting up trips anyway. The speedometer is displayed when just viewing your location on the map, which will suffice for my needs.
David from jax

David,
I'm glad you like it.
Have you had a chance to try the detour feature? It helps if you are approaching a traffic jam, re-routes you around.
It's also easy to add a location to your favorites, just press and hold the scroll wheel, then add the info.
Torin

 

[Bird]

Ouch, I've learned that those cheapest units are not what I'd want. I spent some time with a young man at Bass Pro and there's a $200 Garmin that I think I'd like, but the $100 CD from which you download lake maps doesn't have a couple of local lakes that I'd definitely want. There's a $170 Lowrance that might be a second choice, but only because their downloads do have those lakes. At any rate, it appears that I'd have to spend well over $300 to get what I'd want and I'm not sure I want to do that yet.

I sure appreciate all the information from everyone.

 

[BillyP]

It really depends what you want it for.

I have two Garmin units, a Streetpilot c320 (upgraded as I will explain) for use in the car, and a GPSmap 60 CSx for hiking, hunting and other hand help uses. Both are very good.

In car is a totally different application than handheld, and there is not one unit which will do both jobs.

For a handheld unit, don't settle for anything less than the Garmin GPSmap 60Cx. It has a new type of antenna/integrated circuit which will pick up a signal even in moderately heavy tree cover -- a huge improvement over anything else on the market. The 60 CSX has an altimeter and a magnetic compass built in. I consider the extra cost for these features a waste of money. A $10 compass is vastly superior to the built in one, and the altimeter needs calibration to work correctly, using information about barometric pressure which is not readily available.

For car navigation you can spend an awful lot, but I really like my c320. I added a 1 GB secure digital card ($20-30) and can now store all the maps for the entire US and Canada. It has voice prompts and it takes a lot of stress out of driving to hear the voice say "turn left in two miles" instead of my wife say "you should have turned left a mile back there".

All the reviews I read say that Garmin has the best human interface. A GPS is a very complex device and a good interface is really quite helpful.

Dave, I'm kind of interested in a GPS just for vacation travel.

I was looking at the Garmin StreetPilot i5, which has all the maps of the US already preprogrammed. The only thing I see about it I don't like is the size of the screen. 1.7" wide by 1.3" Tall, is kind of small?

All the reviews are good but no one ever mentions the small screen size?