ADVICE on a Simple GPS

[+jangirl]

We are new to GEOCACHING and have really been enjoying what we have done so far (19 in our area). I have my kids enjoying it immensely. I bought a Garmim eTrex 20 and have found that I get more help from my Samsung 3s smart phone. I do enjoy the fact I can load the caches in for the day and it saves them. However I find myself using my phone for directions. My phone will put me 30ft from it then alert me. When I look at my Garmin its directing me to go the opposite way. Not totally sure if its the Garmin or me the operator.. I am wanting to purchase a good easy to use inexpensive GPS with a big enough screen that one can actually view, if that's even possible. But good enough to put me on a geocache and be paperless. Even a small screen is ok if the GPS is correct. Once I find that right GPS I do intend to do more and go further out from my local area, as well as some difficult Caches. I am looking forward to the Smoky Mountains while hiking this spring-summer but I am not comfortable with just my phone. Any advice would surely be appreciated to us Newbies. This forum is the only place I know to seek advice since we know NO other Geocachers.

 

BTW, I have actually considered the GEOMATE JR..

 

Again Thank you

jangirl

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

All hand-held GPSr units function pretty much the same.

It is the learning curve that you are having trouble with. When you are used to one type of a device, then enter into the realm of another (seemingly) similar device, things are often much different than what you expect.

 

By-and-large, people that have used dedicated units prior to smart phones and apps have much more faith in the dedicated devices. For one thing, you can adjust the settings -- try that with your app and/or smart phone.

 

The eTrex 20, although I do not use one, is known to be one of the best lower-end units available.

 

If you expect better things from the Geomate, you'd best re-think your position. Basically it is designed pretty much as a toy -- and I don't believe that you want a toy. Besides, support for that thing is.... well, lacking (that's the family-friendly term).

 

There is NO device that can put you "on" a geocache at any given time, be it an app or a dedicated unit. It's the GPS system, the way things function. They will deliver you close putting you in the area of the cache, but cannot guarantee any more. You still must look for it.

Remember, they take you to the LISTED COORDINATES, not the CACHE. Don't confuse those two things... the cache may or may not be dead-on to those listed coordinates.

 

I think you are far better off with the eTrex rather than worrying about "inexpensive" or "bigger screen". I feel your mindset is in the wrong place if you think along those lines.

 

EDIT TO ADD: Part of your problem may be that you do not understand how the compass works on the '20. You need to be moving in order for it to obtain an accurate reading. It reads direction from the satellite signal input because of your movement. Stop or slow to a crawl and it fails to obtain enough input to give you direction. This is known as an inertia compass. It's function is different than a magnetic compass. The eTrex 30, the next model up, utilizes an electronic-magnetic compass.

Most all low-end GPSr units use an interia compass.

Edited February 16, 2015 by Gitchee-Gummee

[+whh0]

We love our Etrex 20 but when we first started using a GPS for caching (it was an Etrex 10) we used our phone as well for about 250 caches before we felt happy that we understood how the GPS worked and how to get the best out of it.

 

I agree 100% with Gitchee-Gummee, no device will put you "on" a cache.

 

Keep going with it, keep playing with different buttons, you will get there in the end with it but patience is definitely the key to success!

[+jangirl]

Thank You Both Gitchee-Gummee and whh0.. Your comments mean a lot to us. I think I'll keep working with my etrex20. I am sure that in time it will all come together.

[+PeoriaBill]

Here are couple thing to try:

1. 
    
   
2. Set you GPS to Track up (Your phone works that way)
   
3. If the Etrex 20 allows shut off the compass and use gps guidance
   
4. Check to see that your routing is "off road".
   
5. Make sure you select WAAS/EGNOS in your system settings.
   
6. Give this a try and maybe it will help.
    
   

Peoria Bill

[ohgood]

We are new to GEOCACHING and have really been enjoying what we have done so far (19 in our area). I have my kids enjoying it immensely. I bought a Garmim eTrex 20 and have found that I get more help from my Samsung 3s smart phone. I do enjoy the fact I can load the caches in for the day and it saves them. However I find myself using my phone for directions. My phone will put me 30ft from it then alert me. When I look at my Garmin its directing me to go the opposite way. Not totally sure if its the Garmin or me the operator.. I am wanting to purchase a good easy to use inexpensive GPS with a big enough screen that one can actually view, if that's even possible. But good enough to put me on a geocache and be paperless. Even a small screen is ok if the GPS is correct. Once I find that right GPS I do intend to do more and go further out from my local area, as well as some difficult Caches. I am looking forward to the Smoky Mountains while hiking this spring-summer but I am not comfortable with just my phone. Any advice would surely be appreciated to us Newbies. This forum is the only place I know to seek advice since we know NO other Geocachers.

 

BTW, I have actually considered the GEOMATE JR..

 

Again Thank you

jangirl

 

Install Locus or Locus Pro on your S3, and use it for a while. It does -everything- a standalone gps can do, all offline (no cellular signal needed) and then some. Geocaching (and OPENcaching) works very well on smartphones. The waypoint notifications are excellent for leaving the device in your pocket and listening for the increasing frequency of beeps, which indicate proximaty to the cache.

 

tracking, routing, turn by turn navigation, FREE MAPS, and every function of a gps you ever imagined, in ONE APP, for free.

 

yes, it works without cellular signal/data

yes, it works without wifi too

yes, the maps are FREE (USGS topo/base/satellite) vector, osm, lots more

no, you really do NOT need cellular signal

yes, i'm sure

yes, the battery will last long enough (if you enable airplane mode)

yes, it's extremely accurate ( i'm looking at +/- 4 feet accuracy, sitting in my basement )