Help understanding some gps feature meanings

[Emma Interesting]

I've been away from GC for a while and back in the day I used my HTC Evo 4G with c:geo. I haven't reproduced those results with any other phone since. I want to purchase a handheld GPS mainly due to battery drain when using iphone for GC, but the more I try to educate myself the more I feel I don't understand.

 

I understand the # of channels is important, and that virtually all new models have sufficient channels. Ditto for GLONASS. I need to stay in the lower priced models and am ok with missing some bells and whistles. But I am getting mixed messages about the actual antenna, and how much it matters. Many of the articles are over 10 years old.

 

There are external antennae, and therefore the device would need a jack. I see some feel external is important if in treed area, or in car, etc. Others say not important any more - technology on built in has improved.

 

Patch, High Sensitivity WAAS enabled (is this PATCH?), Quad Helix, and some other types I've never seen listed for geocaching gps receivers. Supposedly Quad Helix you point up and PATCH you point horizontally? Not all the lower end receivers show what type of antenna they have so I don't know how important this is.

 

Most geocaching I would do would be fairly urban, so possibility of tall buildings on one or more sides, tree cover, and some blocking by hills. I know there is no magic bullet gps that works flawlessly in less than optimum conditions, but would be good to get a better understanding of the different types.

 

Most also come with external memory slot which I think is fairly mandatory these days. And with Premium to create PQs the Waypoint limitation is not as critical a factor any more. Am I correct?

[+Red90]

With the current model Garmins, there does not seem to be any measurable amount of difference in GPS performance.

 

All you should worry about is what screen and user interface that you personally like.

[+Atlas Cached]

If you liked the multi touch screen of a smart phone, I would recommend either a Garmin Oregon 6x0 series, or if you can stomach it, an Oregon 7x0 series. More info here.