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What GPS device do you use?


roxyrxgirl

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I didnt see an exact topic matching what I am looking for. I wanted to see what everyone is using and which ones they like. I am using my phone, but as you know it isnt always reliable and I have missed a few cache b/c I didnt have a signal and/or gps co-ords were off. I have found 99 caches and am looking to place my first one. i want the coordinates to be correct b/c it is fairly close to 2 others. I want to make sure it fits the guidelines before I try to use the location.

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I generally use my iPhone 6 (with geosphere). I have a Garmin Oregon 600 that I use for kayak caches, all day hikes, or to attach to my bike - but in the past I have used everything from a Magellan Meridian, Explorist 500, Garmin 60csx, Colorado, 62s, and Montana. Most handhelds these days will get you where you need to go. Still, the phone is generally as accurate and the interface with the app is much nicer than any dedicated gpsr I have tried, particularly for caches with longer descriptions. I use the phone to identify and manage caches - and can export caches to the 600 if need be. But I brought the 600 on our last few trips and never took it out of the suitcase.

Edited by geodarts
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I started out with a smartphone, and I have an Oregon 450. Found all but a handful of caches with the phone. The smartphone is so much more convenient for a variety of reasons (IMO) and the larger screen is more desirable to me. Battery life is not an issue, I have it on charge all the time anyway. I suppose if I were out in the woods on an all day hike/bike ride, etc., the GPS unit would be more handy, but the majority of my caching doesn't entail that.

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I have several different Garmin models but I've been using the eTrex 30 exclusively for over a year. Mainly for urban geocaching, I like it's smaller size, it's compass and it's wealth of information about the cache I'm after. Super easy to use, it always accompanies me while travelling, too. I'm impressed with the eTrex line.

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I generally use my iPhone 6 (with geosphere). I have a Garmin Oregon 600 that I use for kayak caches, all day hikes, or to attach to my bike - but in the past I have used everything from a Magellan Meridian, Explorist 500, Garmin 60csx, Colorado, 62s, and Montana. Most handhelds these days will get you where you need to go. Still, the phone is generally as accurate and the interface with the app is much nicer than any dedicated gpsr I have tried, particularly for caches with longer descriptions. I use the phone to identify and manage caches - and can export caches to the 600 if need be. But I brought the 600 on our last few trips and never took it out of the suitcase.

While I do enjoy using my cellphone while my son has fun navigating with the gps, with 5 of us on our cell phone plan and not having unlimited data we can not justify using our cellphones. I think people need to consider their data package before relying on it totally. Also, the gps works better than my phone when I have very little cell coverage at that moment. But I do love it for taking some great pics!

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Garmin etrex 20. I'm not a fan of any of the UIs I've seen on any of the GPSr devices, though...my own included. Once you have gotten used to the smartphone UI and apps, it's VERY difficult to force yourself to go backwards into clunky interfaces. Two days ago, my smartphone died. Like, "won't turn on anymore" dead. While I'm waiting on my replacement to arrive, I've been forced to use our household "dumb phone" and I've used my Etrex for geocaching. I've discovered that using it as a device for navigating TO an area via automobile is definitely NOT recommended; however, once I am out of my car, that all changes. Where my phone would get me close, then suddenly and inexplicably tell me I'm 90 feet away, my GPSr pretty much hangs in there and does not tick up or down by large amounts. It'll vary maybe 20 feet or so while I'm standing still...but I gather that's pretty normal unless you're talking about much more expensive devices.

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Hi,

 

I am new to this site. I would like to purchase a new GPS device. I want to pick one between Garmin etrex 35t and Garmin etrex 30x. I think both devices have very similar functionality. One has touch screen, one without. I also read some of the members are having problems with their touchscreen. Need some suggestions here. Or if there is any other models I should be consider as a starter. thanks

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Originally a PN-40 and now a garmin 64st. My PN-40 was a work horse and did well but just getting old now. I may sell but not sure. The cable no longer works so you have to pull the SD card to load caches. The 64 has been a bit of a learning curve but the more I use it the more I like it. Not a fan of touch screens so that is why I went with it. If I had it to do all over again I would not get the ST just the S. To many maps out there for free. Basically I turned the 100K topos off because they are useless.

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Originally a PN-40 and now a garmin 64st. My PN-40 was a work horse and did well but just getting old now. I may sell but not sure. The cable no longer works so you have to pull the SD card to load caches. The 64 has been a bit of a learning curve but the more I use it the more I like it. Not a fan of touch screens so that is why I went with it. If I had it to do all over again I would not get the ST just the S. To many maps out there for free. Basically I turned the 100K topos off because they are useless.

I have a PN-40, and the PN-60 I use now is even better. But, alas, I can't really defend using it, and the problem of the Delorme specific cables failing is a real problem that can't be justified. I cringe thinking of the day I'll have to switch to some other kind of unit, but I know I'll have to when my PN-60 starts having problems.

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Originally a PN-40 and now a garmin 64st. My PN-40 was a work horse and did well but just getting old now. I may sell but not sure. The cable no longer works so you have to pull the SD card to load caches. The 64 has been a bit of a learning curve but the more I use it the more I like it. Not a fan of touch screens so that is why I went with it. If I had it to do all over again I would not get the ST just the S. To many maps out there for free. Basically I turned the 100K topos off because they are useless.

I have a PN-40, and the PN-60 I use now is even better. But, alas, I can't really defend using it, and the problem of the Delorme specific cables failing is a real problem that can't be justified. I cringe thinking of the day I'll have to switch to some other kind of unit, but I know I'll have to when my PN-60 starts having problems.

 

Now that Garmin owns DeLorme, it will be interesting to see what the future is for the PN-60. Will Garmin introduce a new PN device with some of the Garmin features or hardware? or will they just discontinue the series?

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Originally a PN-40 and now a garmin 64st. My PN-40 was a work horse and did well but just getting old now. I may sell but not sure. The cable no longer works so you have to pull the SD card to load caches. The 64 has been a bit of a learning curve but the more I use it the more I like it. Not a fan of touch screens so that is why I went with it. If I had it to do all over again I would not get the ST just the S. To many maps out there for free. Basically I turned the 100K topos off because they are useless.

I have a PN-40, and the PN-60 I use now is even better. But, alas, I can't really defend using it, and the problem of the Delorme specific cables failing is a real problem that can't be justified. I cringe thinking of the day I'll have to switch to some other kind of unit, but I know I'll have to when my PN-60 starts having problems.

I almost bought a PN-60 as they had them for 200$ on the delorme site but when I asked if they would be supported after the sale to garmin no one could give me a good answer. I waited for a while for an answer but heard nothing back. I did hear one rumbling that when the 60's sold out that would be it. I decided on the Garmin 64st which at first I hated it. Now after a month or so I am starting get it to the point where I really like it. With the GPSfile depot and Gmap OSM maps I have it set up where i like it. The big issue for me is the mark button because it is next to the quit button and I end up marking waypoints by accident. Even though the ST has 8 gig internal If I had to do it again I would go with the S version which is cheaper. The topos that come with it are garbage and are not routable. You have to pay big bucks to get the routable stuff from garmin so I am using the Gmap OSM maps. I have loaded them last night and done some testing and now my 64st is routable from what I can tell which is nice to use to get to a cache are if your not familiar with where you are. I will find out more this weekend as I think I am going to go to MOGA 2016 hopefully. We are not big event people but since it is right up the road from us we may go.

Edited by Team_Searchgeo
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Originally a PN-40 and now a garmin 64st. My PN-40 was a work horse and did well but just getting old now. I may sell but not sure. The cable no longer works so you have to pull the SD card to load caches. The 64 has been a bit of a learning curve but the more I use it the more I like it. Not a fan of touch screens so that is why I went with it. If I had it to do all over again I would not get the ST just the S. To many maps out there for free. Basically I turned the 100K topos off because they are useless.

I have a PN-40, and the PN-60 I use now is even better. But, alas, I can't really defend using it, and the problem of the Delorme specific cables failing is a real problem that can't be justified. I cringe thinking of the day I'll have to switch to some other kind of unit, but I know I'll have to when my PN-60 starts having problems.

 

Now that Garmin owns DeLorme, it will be interesting to see what the future is for the PN-60. Will Garmin introduce a new PN device with some of the Garmin features or hardware? or will they just discontinue the series?

Everything I am hearing it sounds like the PN series is gone. Just one more competitor out of the way for garmin. I think I read somewhere they were really interested in the in-reach system of delorme.

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Now that Garmin owns DeLorme, it will be interesting to see what the future is for the PN-60. Will Garmin introduce a new PN device with some of the Garmin features or hardware? or will they just discontinue the series?

I know nothing about the merger, but I can't imagine any reason for Garmin to continue the PN line.

 

I almost bought a PN-60 as they had them for 200$ on the delorme site but when I asked if they would be supported after the sale to garmin no one could give me a good answer.

As a staunch supporter of DeLorme and a big fan of the PN-60, it pains me to report that DeLorme hasn't really supported the PN series for a couple years now, so it would astonish me if that trend reversed now that Garmin's in charge.

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I didnt see an exact topic matching what I am looking for. I wanted to see what everyone is using and which ones they like. I am using my phone, but as you know it isnt always reliable and I have missed a few cache b/c I didnt have a signal and/or gps co-ords were off. I have found 99 caches and am looking to place my first one. i want the coordinates to be correct b/c it is fairly close to 2 others. I want to make sure it fits the guidelines before I try to use the location.

 

set your location preferences to "gps" only, and not cellular/Wi-Fi/Google services, and out will be accurate to +/- 6 or 7 feet.

 

if you use GPS averaging, (there is an app) you can get top within 6 inches.

 

use offline apps, avg the battery will last all day.

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