Handheld GPS

[artcarney_agr]

Hey guys, I'm looking at buying a handheld GPS mainly for its benefits in mobility between different boats. Any suggestions? I know some offer Hot Spots downloads and such. Any advice would be great!

Regards,


Scott

[dpage70]

i have a garmin gpsmap76 and love it. if you don't mind black white it's a good one. it isnt the high end and isnt the bottom end but hey who needs to know what the barometer in alaska reads lol. the screens load quick (not as fast as the new ones but it's plenty fast). pretty much has everything that i need in one anyway. top it with the hot spot maps its sweet. just my opinion anyway. i may sell it here in few weeks if interested. havent quite decided yet though.

[MsgMills]

I have a Magellen (sp) 200 hand held, it works great and automatically uploads the lake or body of water your fishing on when you turn it on. Way points are a piece of cake to make on the GPS verus other GPS's that I've heard about. I really like it and the cost on sale could be anywhere from $114.00 to $160.00...Depending on where you buy it...Try Walmart, I know they carry them...If all else fails Check out Dicks Sporting Goods....

[artcarney_agr]

If you could have any handheld GPS right now, what would it be?

[Tnstratos283]

Art: I have a garmin legend handheld that I use. I looked at a lot of others, but didn't need the features that they offer for hikers and joggers. It has the compass, trackback, and navigation features that I wanted, but most important it has 8 megabites memory built into this little unit which I bought a fishing hotspots cd rom and downlowed 11 lakes in my area that I fish or will possibile ever fish into it. I still take it out with me on the water at times and always take it in the deer woods with me while hunting, and let me tell you this , it has helped me find my way back to my truck on more times than once while hunting deep in the woods in new areas like on hugh wma (wildlife management areas), not to mention out on the water at night like at dale hollow when that thick heavy fog comes rolling in. Later I bought a garmin big screen gpsmap 188 sounder and put it on the boat beside me on the right of my steering wheel. Just alot easier to see than with the small screen on the legend handheld. If you are looking for something easy to use and possible memory to downlowed lakes into, the legend is something worth checking out. Goog luck...283

[Moose1am]

Garmin makes some good GPS units. I have the Garmin eTrex Vista which is very similar to the Legend but has 24 MB of built in internal memory and a barrometer.

GPS Outfitters offers some VCR Videos on the Legend and how to use it's various Features. I would recommend that you get ahold of this video and check it out. It will show you what the Legend can do and how to use it.

My only complaint about the Vista is that the screen is small.

My Vista only needs two AA batteries and they will last 18 hours, if you use Alkaline Batteries. I have 4 sets of 4 each NickleMetal Hydride Rechargable batteries and a 15 min quick charger that I use. I just charge up four batteries for the day and I am good to go.

You can also buy a power cord that plugs into your boats or car's cigarette lighter. Check around the internet and you can find power cord that will work with the Garmin GPS units. Garmin's accessories are pricey but you can find cords made by others that will work and that are cheaper to buy.

[apextrail]

I have the Lowrance H2O loaded with Hot Spots Maps and it is the gratest thing since sliced bread. Screen seems to be a bit larger than most other brands I have seen. Screens load fairly quickly and you can purchase the Map create software and have detailed topo and street maps all over the world. I purchased it in the spring and use it in my car as well as the boat. You can buy the unit and the Map Create software for around 300.00. The Hot Spots Maps will cost another 99.00 at BPS.

[artcarney_agr]

Anyone used a Garmin 60CSx ? Been looking very hard at that one...it supposedly has the best reception when there are overhead obstructions like trees and such (perfect for deer hunting and walking through the woods).

I played with a Garmin eTrex Vista last night. It's a very handy little unit, but has a small screen that's kinda difficult to see. I used it to map a bus route for class last night. The results I received were very good!

Sounds like you can spend just as much money on accessories as you can the unit!

[chazbart]

Yep... Map software is pricey. Thats why it is good to know what you'll use the gps for. I got a Garmin gpsmap76cs. I love it but I had to buy the topo maps and the city maps which cost me 160 bucks not to mention the 450$ the gps cost. But I can use it for any purpose. The 60csx has a topo basemap and would be the cheaper route if you intent to use it mostly for Hunting. Plus you can still upload city maps and lake hot spots. Well, thats my 2 cents. Hope it helps. For sure, get a Garmin.

[artcarney_agr]

Thank you sir! You've told me what I need to know!