Handheld GPS suggestions

[SGTROCK]

Looking for any ideas on a good handheld GPS that can be used in the Stan and Iraq as well as Los Angeles and hiking in the mountains. There is also a good chance that I could be using it while in the position of TC(tactical commander) while in a 3rd world country. Any reviews or suggestions would be appreciated.

Rock

[Pharoe]

I have always liked Garmin GPS. I have used the Garmin Fortrex 201 for my past deployments in the middle east and training in the United States. Very convient because its wrist worn.

[Tracy]

http://www.socnet.com/showthread.php?t=91564&highlight=ETrex+GPS

[Massgrunt]

I know of two good Garmin models, one I use and one a few of my teammates use. I'll get the model names and get back to you tomorrow. The one I use (eTrex something or other) is more stripped down and simple, but easy to use. The other (I want to say Colorado) has a much, much better display but is unwieldy and a pain in the ass as far as I'm concerned.

[ktek01]

Make sure whichever you get comes with the world wide base map. For Garmin that covered mainly the major roads in Iraq, looks like about the same for Afghanistan too. The City Navigator maps for the ME have limited coverage for Iraq, the major cities, and probably dont add much over the world map for Afghanistan. Nice to have them on maps rather than store your location on the device. I saved trails but cut them short a few kilometers of the final destinations just in case, small handheld is great to keep in bugout bag. I had a Garmin they dont seem to make anymore, and also kept a cheap sat phone in the bag just in case.

Edit to add, if I was looking now I would probably go with this one, some really nice features and a lot of memory for a decent price.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=63800

[SOTB]

http://www.socnet.com/showthread.php?t=91564&highlight=ETrex+GPS+1. Also, I STILL use my eTrex -- and it works great. Not a lot of neato stuff on it, but then I'm kind of a minimalist -- I still prefer a map and/or compass to my GPS -- but I definitely recognize when a GPS is very appropriate....

[AK49]

I have a garmin Rhino 530HCx and it does quite well here in Alaska. Automatic routing (turn by turn routing on roads) Electronic compass, Barometric altimeter, Hunt/fish calendar, Sun and moon information, Area calculation. Frequency band: FRS and GMRS
Channels: 22 , Squelch codes: 38, Transmit power: 0.5 watts FRS, 2.0 watts GMRS (Canada), 5.0 watts, GMRS (US) Range: Up to 2 miles over FRS; up to 14 miles over GMRS and NOAA weather radio

[Massgrunt]

Rock, I've got a Garmin eTrex Vista HCx. It's very compact, the batteries last a long time and it's got great reception. I use it in conjunction with maps all the time in Iraq. I'm not really navigating so much as double checking time to time but there's no real difference.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=garmin+etrex+vista+HCx&hl=en&safe=off&prmd=sv&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=3396549108568188830&sa=X&ei=jwvMTO2XOYeG4QbBsq3cDA&ved=0CEoQgggwAA#

Pros: Compact, accurate, great reception, long battery life if you minimize use of the back light and use lithium batteries. Functionality is the standard Garmin style that they've had for years, I find it very easy to plot routes, enter waypoints etc.

Cons: The compact size comes at the price of a small screen. The display also lacks the detail of some of the newer GPS models. This has never once been an issue for me, but who knows. I use it in conjunction with maps, maybe that's a bit of a crutch.

Some guys are using the new Garmin Colorado with the button+wheel setup. The display on those is way better, but using it is a bitch as far as I'm concerned. Too many steps to enter a waypoint and navigate the different menus in my opinion. I also had a hell of a time entering new waypoints and editing pre-existing ones. I may have just been fucked up that day, but I could not get the changes to save and couldn't identify a reason why.

My $.02.

[Recce]

The Garmin foretrex 401 is a good option if you do a lot of mounted to dismounted OPS
it attaches to your wrist like a watch, its not fancy gives you a grid and tracks used it a lot oversees.


https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=30026&ra=true

[Massgrunt]

I've seen a few guys wearing these as a security blanket, but I can't imagine it being useful for vehicle navigation in Iraq.

[SGTROCK]

Thanks guys for the input. I got the GPSmap 62s. Its expensive,someone bought it for me since I dont have a penny to my name. Its top of the line and I really like it. I can download from my computer Topo maps down to 1:24,000 for basically anywhere in the world. I should have mentioned I still have my old circa 2004 Rhino but I wanted something in color and more up to date. Im becoming something of a map reading/land nav guru and its a great skill to have. Thanks again

Rock

[Recce]

massgrunt:
oh do not buy the Garmin 401 if your stuck behind a windshield your whole tour, (they have mounted ones for that) and do not buy a $600 dollar GPS because you cant read a map, however if you actually dismount on the ground and need a quick grid for a fire mission or 9 liner, go with something that is easily accessible.

[yojinbukai]

Another vote for the Etrex Vista. Just be wary of bringing it through airports if you're coming to Iraq. Lots of guys have had them confiscated or have destroyed them in-lieu of having that happen.

You can get a 12v USB adapter from nearly any store that will power the Vista off the cigarette lighter plug and it has micro SD memory expansion slots for when you switch AO's.