Wanted - Good Hiking, Camping & Hunting GPS

[Don-S]

I got a Magellan Triton 300 for my B-Day.
This one http://www.magellangps.com/products/product.asp?segID=425&prodID=1911

Because it isn't working with Vista and their customer service is not so helpful I was thinking of upgrading to a better model or another type all together. Can anyone out there suggest a good GPS? I would like it to have long battery life. and durable. I don't need a radio and other this or junk they put on these things now.

[adk]

Check this website for ALOT of models and reviews of them; http://gpsinformation.net/ Having said that I too have not been too impressed with Magellan's customer service and alot less impressed with their Triton, which I had been really looking forward to. I returned it and bought a Garmin 76. I have read alot of good reviews on this model and though I have yet to take it into the bush (just bought it recently) I like the initial setup, feel etc...

[MailBuoy]

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=8703

I've got one and it has all the bells and whistles. Not sure if it is the WAAS feature but it holds a signal when everyone else's GPS couldn't in rough terrain or under tree coverage. I was hiking with about 20 other people of which probably 15 had various models of GPS' and mine was the only one that held the signal for the entire 40 mile hike. Yeah, it is the cadillac of the Garmin series but IMHO it is worth it. I picked mine up for $243.37 on Amazon Marketplace.

[Trip_Wire]

I recently purchased a Garmin nuvi 660 GMT. I plan to use it both in my car and on foot. So far I'm very impressed with it's operation, especially in my car. It was easy to set up my mobile phone so I can use it hands free through it. I also got a months free traffic hazard warning through it's transmitter; however, I doubt that I'll pay the annual fee to keep it going.

Although it isn't the best one for the woods, it will work for me on land tours, from a cruise, etc. It came with the maps, etc., for North America.

I put a 4MB SD card in it so I can load a Garmin world map, from the CD. (Just ordered the Garmin World map v4.) As well as .jpg files and MP3 files and other types of files. It has a lot of nice functions for me when I travel in foreign countries.

It hooks up to my Mac just fine for upgrades and transferring the files to the SD card as well.


http://gpsmagazine.com/2006/10/garmin_nuvi_660_indepth_review.php

[chuterigger]

60csx

I SLAMMED it into a dry riverbed (limestone) and it kept on tickin', not even a scratch...

[Carl Spackler]

Jus sold a new Magellan Explorist 400 w/software on eBay. Keep the package and eBay it. Then buy what ya want.

[SF_BHT]

I got a Magellan Triton 300 for my B-Day.
This one http://www.magellangps.com/products/product.asp?segID=425&prodID=1911

Because it isn't working with Vista and their customer service is not so helpful I was thinking of upgrading to a better model or another type all together. Can anyone out there suggest a good GPS? I would like it to have long battery life. and durable. I don't need a radio and other this or junk they put on these things now.

It all depends on what you want to use it for. I like what trip wire mentioned for Cars and city use but in the fields it is not good. Not water proof.

If you are using it for E&E and emergency use we use the following for issue in our offices throughout South America:

eTrex Legend® HCx - 1,000 waypoints, 176 x 220 pixel display, 25-hour battery life, automatic routing capabilities, color screen, microSD card slot, high-sensitivity GPS receiver

eTrex Vista® HCx - 1,000 waypoints, 176 x 220 pixel display, 25-hour battery life, automatic routing capabilities, color screen, microSD card slot, compass, altimeter, high-sensitivity GPS receiver

They are small but with SD chips you can load maps for your area. The new high-sensitivity GPS receiver is great and they spin up quickly and work great in high vegetation areas. The 2-AA battery's last for 25 continuous hours and that will allow you to make a lot of headway on the ground with minimal battery requirement.

We use others for different applications.

[Fofo]

I just ordered a Magellan Explorist 400 on Sunday from eBay. (my first GPS system, have some experience using them.) :)


I've heard it's a good beginner system for hiking and camping - Was I lied to, or is it a decent system? Is Magellan's customer service the only shabby thing? :eek: :(

[SF_BHT]

I just ordered a Magellan Explorist 400 on Sunday from eBay. (my first GPS system, have some experience using them.) :)


I've heard it's a good beginner system for hiking and camping - Was I lied to, or is it a decent system? Is Magellan's customer service the only shabby thing? :eek: :(

Magellan has been around for a long time and they do make good equipment. Their Customer support in my dealings is not as good as Garmin but no one is perfect. I am a Garmin fan but the USG buys both so I have used GPS from both companies. I just like Garmin for the ease of use and the standard menus that they have. Only you can say after using it for a bit if it is good or bad.
Good luck
Bryan

[Fofo]

That's very true, waiting to receive the GPS and try it out for myself will be the only way to form an opinion or see if it's crap. Well, I treat my gear well and do hope for the best. If it blows-up on me, at least it was only a hundred bucks as opposed to two or three times more. :D

Thanks. :)

[Fofo]

Double Post.

[Carl Spackler]

I just ordered a Magellan Explorist 400 on Sunday from eBay. (my first GPS system, have some experience using them.) :)


I've heard it's a good beginner system for hiking and camping - Was I lied to, or is it a decent system? Is Magellan's customer service the only shabby thing? :eek: :(

Did you buy it from me? I jus sold it last week?;)

[Fofo]

Not sure, the seller's location is Austin, Texas...

Damn, if I knew a fellow SOCNETter was selling one (for a good price) I would have made you an offer. :) :D

[SOTB]

eTrex Legend® HCx - 1,000 waypoints, 176 x 220 pixel display, 25-hour battery life, automatic routing capabilities, color screen, microSD card slot, high-sensitivity GPS receiverI have been using this since 2003. I have used it on every continent I have traveled (Africa, Europe, Asia, S. America, N. America), on mountaintops, in congested cities, on islands, in helos, in cars, on boats/ships, and on foot.

On several occasions it even saved me a great deal of grief (as well as for the persons accompanying me), as within cities that I do not read or understand the language, it allows me to at least understand how far a secure area is and in what direction.

All that and it fits in my shirt pocket, and can be mounted rather easily with a little velcro on pretty much any mode of transport I am using (assuming that I no longer want to keep it in my pocket). And the price has REALLY come down from where it once was....

[Virgil]

I like my garmin for the car, very easy to use, never had to read the directions.

[yojinbukai]

Garmin E-Trex Vista HCX. For all the features listed above. I have used Magellans and Garmins for a while. THe Garmin software works WAY better. The cable that comes with the HCX doubles as a USB power and data cable. I bought a cigarette lighter adaptor that converts to USB for about 10 bucks.

Wal-Mart.com has great deals from time to time, as does www.thegpsstore.com .

The direct routing feature is really nice. Ever been in a car and needed a phone number to a business or some place to eat? With a 2GB card and NA city navigator, that's all in my GPS ALL the time.

It's got jumpmaster features if you skydive. It's got just about everything the other Garmins could have and even more. A great GPS.

[Massgrunt]

I've never used an E-Trex, how does it stack up against the GPS V or Rino? It has a smaller screen, right?

[SF_BHT]

The E-Trex does everything you need and in a small package. Yes the window is small but the overall size is the size of a cigarette pack.

[yojinbukai]

It has the features of the larger models but the buttons are on the sides. Mine still goes in a nice, high quality universal windshield mount just fine. The joystick takes a little getting used to, as it's across the screen from your right hand.

The GPS Map 60 and similar newer models have larger screens but the extrex does the same stuff. Less batteries, night-time color schemes that automatically shift, and plenty of map interaction.

Color screens are where it's at these days and this one is sharp. With only two AA batteries, it weighs next to nothing. USB2 connectivity and the same easy Garmin navigation between screens and features.

When moving, mine will acquire signal in about 15 seconds on a clear day.

[GDITheman]

Garmin 60csx. Nice unit and can be found pretty cheap from New York discounters. Handles rugged outdoor use and is capable of doing turn by turn directions in the car.

[Fofo]

Well... put me down as one who is NOT a fan of Magellan. I got my system just three days ago, use it, and I like it. However, once the battery is drained, it takes longer than a sloth would to crawl a tree to recharge.

Oh, and it died on me while charging for a half-hour. Now I got an oversized paperweight.

What a piece of junk. :o :eek: :mad:

That's it, I'm going with Garmin if I do get a new one.

[freqman]

I recommend the Garmin GPSMap76CSx. Big enough display for vehicular use yet small enough for field use, rugged, water resistant and it floats. It has a barometric altimeter, electronic compass, and is compatible with all Garmin map data. I use City Navigator and Blue Chart Atlantic on one 2 GB micro SD card; Topo US and Blue Chart on another card.

[Domino]

I've been using Garmin GPS units in plane, boat and cars since 1992 or so, and both the radios and Garmin support have been outstanding. Some years ago, I dropped a handheld aviation unit on the tarmac and it was dead. I got an RMA, sent it off with $125, and it came back within a matter of a few days, new antenna, new batteries, data base update, good as new. I have the 196, the 276C, and a couple of Nuvis in various cars, and happy with every one of them. I have had several other units as well.

The 60s and 76s are good rugged units and you can get topo maps for hiking/camping, just like the marine databases for boating. There is really no reason to get any other kind, IMHO. If you want something really fancy, look at one of the Rhinos with GPS and GMRS/FRS two ways that tell each other where they are.