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which gps should i get?


October.Muffins

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The 72H is even a worse choice than the eTrex 10.

 

It wasn't even designed with geocaching in mind -- its manufacture date precedes geocaching (wide) acceptance.

Requires use of a serial cable (most of today's computers don't have a serial port), but there are adapters.

It doesn't come with ANY maps nor do I think any can be loaded to it -- the eTrex 10 at least has base maps, which ain't much, either.

The 72H also is also lacking in (a good) receiving antenna. Really hard to hold a signal beneath tree cover.

 

One plus, if it is truly a plus -- IT FLOATS! Was designed primarily as a marine handheld unit.

Edited by Gitchee-Gummee
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You really should be budgeting about $200. Yes you can get them cheaper, but with the lack of maps, or ways to connect to a computer, or the ability for paperless caching, you'll probably the any to upgrade fast. If even it's only so you don't have to manually input the co-ords. That's what happened to me.

 

A Magellan Explorist GC can be had between $150 and $200 depending on sales, and it was designed with geocaching in mind. Just a suggestion.

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You really should be budgeting about $200. Yes you can get them cheaper, but with the lack of maps, or ways to connect to a computer, or the ability for paperless caching, you'll probably the any to upgrade fast. If even it's only so you don't have to manually input the co-ords. That's what happened to me.

 

A Magellan Explorist GC can be had between $150 and $200 depending on sales, and it was designed with geocaching in mind. Just a suggestion.

 

Well the way I'm saving up is my allowance which is $10 a week. I started looking at the etrex 20 because I have seen that many people dislike the 10 and its just inside my budget. I have heard people say that they didn't like it because they couldn't load their cache info onto it but for me it isn't a big deal to me. I'll start looking at your suggestion to see if I like it better though.

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Well the way I'm saving up is my allowance which is $10 a week. I started looking at the etrex 20 because I have seen that many people dislike the 10 and its just inside my budget. I have heard people say that they didn't like it because they couldn't load their cache info onto it but for me it isn't a big deal to me. I'll start looking at your suggestion to see if I like it better though.

What you "hear" may well be true, but... that is (usually) the individual involved in the loading. Most all other folks have no problem loading their eTrex units (regardless of the 10-20-30 designation).

The eTrex 20 is a very good unit.

The eTrex 10 is good, but has severe restrictions when comparing it to the 20, not the least of which is expandable memory.

 

Functionality of the two units is identical.

 

EDIT to add: Do save up and get what you want. You deserve the deserve the best. Better to do it that way than to rush and get something that you are (ultimately) unhappy with... later upgrading and spending that much more money later on anyway!

Edited by Gitchee-Gummee
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Definitely worth continuing to save and go for the Etrex 20. We had a 10 to begin with but the lack of maps caused real frustration. So close to the cache but a large river/fence/railway line between us and it that never showed up.

 

Bear in mind whatever GPS you get it will be a steep learning curve. Do not expect to load up and head straight to the cache, it took us about 3 months to really get the hang of how it worked but well worth the perseverance.

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Bear in mind whatever GPS you get it will be a steep learning curve. Do not expect to load up and head straight to the cache, it took us about 3 months to really get the hang of how it worked but well worth the perseverance.

Learning to use it effectively is an ongoing process, I agree. But loading it up and heading out the door should be pretty straightforward.

 

Part of the problem is that these units are designed to do many things. I find it helpful to first ask : what am I trying to do? Then figure out how to do it. And along the way, figure out if there are any tweaks, settings, customizations to make it easier.

 

And part of the problem is Garmin's abysmal documentation.

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Given the choice between the eTrex 20 and the Explorist GC, go with the Garmin! The Explorist from what I hear can be buggy.

 

Have you considered buying used? You can probably pick up a used GPSmap 62 for $150 and it is superior to anything listed above. I just sold my 62s when I upgraded to a 64s but they are the best units I have ever used and I've had eTrex's, an Oregon, Colorado and a 60CSx in the past.

Edited by goldsy
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I'll just echo some of the advice above. The Etrex 20 is a great little unit. My wife has one, and I use the GPSMap 62s. Mine might load up and grab the satellites a tad faster when turning on in the field, but after that the 20 leads us to the caches 8 out of 10 times better than the 62s!

Also, my best caching buddy has almost 8,000 finds and has done much of that with his little Garmin Etrex 20!

Don't let anyone tell you you can't load caches to the "20". That's either a defective unit, or more likely user error!

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x 11ty on the eTrex 20. I have one that I originally got for enduro motorcycle riding in the mountains of CO. It has a dedicated geocaching function on it although I don't use it for some reason. :unsure: Get the etrex 20 and a set of rechargeable batteries and car cord for it. I love mine! Also, they've really dropped in price since I got mine 2 years ago. $130 for a refurbed unit and $170 for a brand new one.

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To mirror others suggestions. Look around and see what you can find that has the best "bang for the buck". There are deals to be had if you are patient. GPS technology hasn't taken any huge steps forward recently so most units will get the job done. It's just a matter of bells and whistles. 3-axis electronic compass? Expandable memory? Touchscreen vs. Non-touchscreen. Battery life? etc.

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To mirror others suggestions. Look around and see what you can find that has the best "bang for the buck". There are deals to be had if you are patient. GPS technology hasn't taken any huge steps forward recently so most units will get the job done. It's just a matter of bells and whistles. 3-axis electronic compass? Expandable memory? Touchscreen vs. Non-touchscreen. Battery life? etc.

There truly hasn't been all that much difference.

 

Touchscreen has been around since the Oregon 300. Battery life hasn't improved perceptibly (and might have regressed). Some of the newer stuff with Garmin (within last few years) : GLONASS support, way larger memory for geocaches (up to 4 million), integrated camera, integrated NiMH charging. One new product line is the Garmin Monterra : $650 gets you a GPSr that runs Android.

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If you would settle for a used unit to save some money you could check your local pawn shops, Craigslist, or on the GPS sales section of this forum. I've had good luck buying used.

 

I was also going to suggest checking out Bass Pro Shop. Their website had eTrex 20 and 30 for the same price--$200. However, eTrex 30 is no longer listed on the website... Bummer, because I was considering making that purchase myself. Check in store, maybe? Otherwise, the eTrex 20s seem to be about $160 on Amazon.

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You don't have to buy a GPS, if you can borrow someone's smartphone. :)
Actually, I know people who go geocaching with old smartphones. They don't have data plans, and download cache data at home via wifi. Then they go geocaching using the downloaded cache data.

 

I have a newer smartphone and don't have a data plan either. I simply generate a .gpx file with GSAK and transfer it to my phone. I never cache online.

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You can go geocaching without maps on the gps, I do! :laughing:

I simply download the GPX file from the cache page and print out the paper map if I need it or write down the directions to the cache.

I probably could set my gps up with maps (it's a garmin gps map 62s) but I'm too lazy! :anibad:

So actually if you already have a computer and printer a cheap gps is probably fine if you just want to go find a cache sometimes.

Of course the more expensive units are nice though!

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I just picked up a new Etrex 20 from Amazon for $148 shipped. I also had a 60CS, wanted a change (and GLONASS), so I side-graded (not really an up or downgrade, I dont think). The 60 I sold to a friend of mine, cheap. So, we both made out.

There were some concerns, initially, regarding loading PQs onto it, but, reading through the issues, it looks to me that most people simply dont know how to load them. I used to load mine from GSAK, but it looks like I can simply load them directly into the device now, which makes it a little easier. And, if I cannot, I can revert back to GSAK, and, problem solved :)

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Just an update, I downloaded a PQ today, and its dead simple to do. No issues with it at all. The paperless caching is great, as this wasnt a feature on my old plugger. I can still access them via my phone, but, sometimes, I venture out where there is no signal, so this will help immensely.

As to the ease of this? Even I found it simple. All you need to do is follow instructions. When you plug in your Etrex, you need to go into the folders, and drill down and OPEN the GPX folder. From there, simply drag BOTH the PQ folders to the GPX folder in the Garmin, drop them in, unplug the unit, and turn it on. Its a very simple process.

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