NEED INPUT on my first handheld GPS

[NJ_Stump_Grinder]

Looking for an inexpensive (under $200) handheld GPS unit.

Never had a GPS before.

Would be using it mostly for marking trails (in heavily wooded areas), fishing structure (in small lakes under 2000 acres), marking lauch areas for boating in dark and foggy weather.

Want a reliable, all around handheld unit that is somewhat small light and has a proven record.

Thanks, any help would be appreciated.

Dave

[the_fishin_dude]

I'm in the same boat as you. I've done a bit of research on GPS units, and it seems like the Garmin eTrex Legend is the best in that price range. I compared it to the Garmin eTrex Venture, Magellan eXplorist 200 & 300, and the Lowrance H2O.

Based on customer reviews, it seems all these units have some trouble acquiring a signal in heavily wooded ares, so thats something you might want to look into more for yourself.

Maybe someone on here can give a bit more info on these units.

[Bassbum80]

If either of you guys are interested, I have a Magellan Meridian that I bought when I started guiding canoeing trips with kids in the summer of '04.  I was a little freaked out by the added pressure of being with kids so I thought I would play it safe. Anyways, it has been used about 5 times until I realized I didn't really need it.  I also got the Cd Rom for the US with it, the PC cable, the manuals...everything.  If either of you would be interested, do your homework on it and let me know.  I paid somewhere in the ballpark of $300 for everything, but it is back in the box now.  It is WAAS enabled so it is accurate within 3 meters.  I got this to mark fishing spots.  It has 16mb of internal memory which was why I bought it rather than the e-trex legend.  Just thought I would throw it out there for you.  BTW, I think there is a color version available now but it is quite a bit more expensive.  I don't think I would have needed that?  PM me if you want to throw out an offer, otherwise good luck in the search! I know it took me a long time to research and pull the trigger.  

[BiggerWorm]

I just purchased the Lowrance H20 and the Hot Map Premiium SD.  It is actually better than I expected.  The SD is interchangable with my Lowrance GPS/Fishfinder on my boat.  The hand held is nice when I'm in someone elses boat that doesn't have one.  I can share Waypoints or secretly record them when someone is showing me there secret hot spots.  I woulkd stongly recomend this hand held

[BassChaser57]

I have had the ETrex for 3 years now and it has worked well for me. I recently purchased an Eagle 502C which is sonar with GPS built in, also got the Hot Maps topo chip in 1' increments. This is the greatest thing since sliced bread and I still don't have all the features figured out. It will do it all.

[NJ_Stump_Grinder]

Thanks for the help so far folks........ keep the input coming.

Dave

[HuntinTom]

I have the Garmin eTrex Legend.  I use it hiking and for fishing.  It will occasionally loose satellite connection in very dense forest, but I'd imagine most units would do that.  I use it to mark way points from topo maps on lakes and run right up to those spots within just a few yards of accuracy most times...  For the money, I really have been pleased with this unit...

[jb_from_texas]

although more expensive, i have the Garmin GPSMap 60CS.  It was made for hiking and outdoor activities.  it has an altimeter too.  i use it in mountains, marking campsites, small tributaries for filtering water, and other important info, such as trail junctions that are not on the quad maps.

i use it on the boat as well, marking things as you mentioned.  i'll be sinking some cinder blocks soon for a bass attractant and marking with the unit.  This unit is water proof but it does not float.

i works well under tree canopy and when it does lose a lock its quick to pick it back up.

if i had to buy a new one today i would def chose the GPSMap 60CXS.  it's just like mine but with a better sat pick up and lock.  it also has expandable memory capability.

both the above units have auto-routing capabilities.  it may sound like something you might not use but the first time you do use it you'll be glad you had it.

I did have a Garmin Vista (black and white) and it as nice.  But you're buying this with one thing in mind; being able to pick up and hold a sat signal.  spend the extra money and get one that acquires and holds signals better.  Vista and Legend are not as good at this as the 60 series.

but if you have to stay around your 200 budget, stick with the legend or vista.  the difference between these two is the internal memory limits, with the vista being the larger.

[jb_from_texas]

forgot to mention...

the vista, legend and any other garmin unit at this price or less uses a patch style atenna.

the 60 and 76 series use a quad helix antenna. they both are equally as accurate when you have a clear sky and no obstructions (like on the water).

But once you head into the woods or any type of canopy the quad helix excels.

AND another important difference is the patch ant. units need to be held parallel to the ground (for most accurate readings) while the quad helix units can be held anyway you want. this might sound trivial but when you have it sitting in a marine mount on your boat you want to be able to look at the screen with the same orientation you would look at a computer screen; not having to hover over a screen and looking down at the unit as you would if it was parallel with ground/sky.

good luck and feel free to PM if you want more info about the 60 series.

[the_fishin_dude]

I got the eTrex Legend about two weeks ago, alittle after this thread got started. I bought it on eBay for $125. I think it's amazing for the price. I've used it pretty heavily for the past two weeks, mainly for geocaching (which is almost as addicting as bass fishing), but also marked a few fishing spots. Nothing has really come up unexpectedly, I lose signal occasionally, but for the most part it works pretty well. Overall happy with the purchase.