Need help on my first GPS Purchase

[Baumann]

I am planning to buy my first GPS. I have been comparison shopping for a while and found a few sites that seem to be doing a good job with pricing and customer service. I am still confused and undecided as to what to buy with all the various options. The folks at getfeetwet.com (quite helpful) have suggested the Garmin NUVI or 2720. I also saw that they had a factory refurbished Garmin 2610 unit for half the price. Any thoughts on these units? I like the price of the 2610 factory refurbished but I am not sure what I am giving up? Garmin gives 1 yr warranty on the refurb and looks like getfeetwet adds a 2nd yr to that. I was assured that they are as good as new. Has anybody purchased a Garmin Refurb? ;D :o :o :-X

[texasbass1]

I use Lowrance GPS products. I don't know much about Garmin, but I do know that Lowrance units are IMO the best on the market. Whether hand held or mounted. Check out I finders for hand held or a long list of combo units.

Good luck.

[jb_from_texas]

i own a Garmin GPSmap 60CS and i love it.  i bought it with backpacking in mind but i do use it on my boat too.

if you are looking for an all around unit i highly recommend this one or it's newest version, the GPSmap 60CXS.  the difference is in the reception under canopy, dense trees (they say its much better but i really cant complain about mine) and it has expandable memory card acceptance. This is nice if you plan a trip across the country and want detailed maps for the entire trip.  Mine has 64 meg internal (not expandable) but i think it's plenty for me.  I drove from Central Florida to Texas with plenty of detail and room to spare.

it auto-routes and it also has an altimeter, which was really nice in the Rockies, where i pack every year.  It also reads the barametric pressure, which is really nice for fishing.

def go for color, regardless of which unit you buy.  i had a Garmin Vista B/W but returned it after a short while.

Any unit with a quad helix atenna will get you great sat reception.  stay away from patch antennas, they work just as good as the quads, until you get an obstructed view of sats.  The will lose the lock and are hard to regain.

and whatever unit you buy be sure you determine if it has a detailed base map or just the basic base map.  Most have the basic and you purchase additional mapping software for the detailed stuff.  I believe the Garmin NUVI has the detailed built in, which explains the price.  detailed mapping will run you $130 or so extra, depending on the unit.  The only additional software i have purchased is the Topo maps, again for backpacking.

I cannot speak much about any other manufacturer but Garmin's customer service is great, so i read.  I have never had a problem so i have no personal experience but on another forumn the word is Garmin is very responsive and great to work with.

Another unit to look at are the GPSmap 76 series.  the difference here is more memory and they float, which is nice it you dump it.  both the 60 and 76 models are water proof for about 30 minutes of submersion.

im rambling now, but do yourself a favor and vist the following forumn (http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showforum=11) and most importantly go to a retailer and take a good look at them, check out the button location, size and weight of unit, etc.

when you're ready to buy google your unit and find it online.  I saved over $100 doing this instead of buying from BPS or REI.

Any specific questions fell free to reply or PM me.

jb

[c_ball]

You can't go wrong with the garmin.I have the Streetpilot 2610 with a 256mb memory card. You can change the state coverage from your computer.For example I  have southwestern Pa.West virginia ,maryland,Virginia,North carolina,eastern Tennesse,South Carolina,Georiga and Florida on mine..We travel all over the east coast and I wouldn't want to travel without it..

[fishin_fool]

I have an e-trex vista hand held  and a lowrance base on the boat and I love the ease and efficient and consistantancy of the garmin

[Wormy]

I have been looking into these things myself and have found that some of the handhelds are actually compatible with some of the current graphs out there. The bigger ones are very expensiven and if I spend another dime on my rig I will be living in it... A little research has taken me a long way from just buying an expensive unit outright...

[c_ball]

I bought mine new,its two years old now.

[Baumann]

Thanks for all you feedback. I think I am close to making up my mind. I was thinking of getting from GPScity but the folks at getfeetwet.com was patients with me with some of my stupid questions. They were recommended by Garmin when I called them for some dealer information. I also heard some good things about that company from a Motorcycle forum. They have a free 2nd yr warranty offer that I like but I am not sure how I can take advantage of it if I need it on the second yr. Has anybody purchased from getfeetwet.com.

[c_ball]

I got mine at gpsnow.com there a honest company.