firesong3k Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Just got into geocaching within the last couple of weeks. Found several with the use of a some different apps on my android phone. Haven't had a problem yet with signal loss, but have had issues with my location jumping around. Looking to purchase a handheld unit, and came across the eXplorist GC. I like that its specifically made for geocaching. I've read that there is no compass on it though, but can't seem to find what that specifically means. Is this a decent unit to have? Found it online refurbished for 80$ and the sale ends tomorrow. I'd love to hear some opinions before I pull the trigger and purchase it. Quote Link to comment
+CareBearNMinions Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I would also like to know what the best "beginner" unit would be. I have used maps from Google to get close to some and then me and the 3 boys look around until we find it. I would like to get a GPS that is kid friendly as I have a 9 year old, 3 year old and 2 year old that will be caching with me. I am not too technical so it would need to be easy to use. There are so many around our area but I don't want to be stumbling around with 3 kids for hours just to find one and write our name in it LOL We have used pictures from the cache logs and kind of made a way around not having one so far, but I would like to get into it and find some of the harder ones we have seen on the website. Quote Link to comment
+niraD Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 The eXplorist GC is a good GPS unit for geocaching. I was going to get an eXplorist GC, but when I went to buy it, there was a sale on the eXplorist 310 and it was actually a bit less expensive than the eXplorist GC. Neither has an electronic compass. That means that the device doesn't know which way you are facing, so it can't point to the cache you're navigating towards when you are standing still. Instead, it relies on your motion and assumes that you are holding the unit in front of yourself as you walk. It then points to the cache you are navigating towards based on your movement. Once you set the device to navigate towards a cache, they're all pretty kid friendly. Kids just need to follow the arrow, and they're durable enough to survive being dropped. Still, I have mine attached to a lanyard, and wear the lanyard around my neck. If I give it to someone else, then I put the lanyard around that person's neck. Quote Link to comment
+Graculus Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I wrote a detailed review of the GC focusing on geocaching. It's a nice little GPS. The compass isn't a big problem. If you are walking along it indicates your direction just fine but when you stop the needle effectively 'freezes'. If you turn round the needle moves too. So using it for caching is quite easy. Walk towards the cache and as the needle swings to the left or right keep going and watch where it points. Then walk back the other way and watch the needle again. It will give you a pretty good indication where the cache is. Many of the less expensive GPS's have this type of compass (GPS compass as it's known opposed to an electronic one in more expensive units). The Garmin eTrex 20 also has a GPS compass and is a very popular beginner GPS. You can find out more about how GPS's work, their features, maps, paperless caching etc and a comparison table of current models on my resource site - link under my signature. Chris Graculus Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Geocaching Policies Wiki Geocaching.com Help Center UK Geocaching Information & Resources website Quote Link to comment
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