Looking for a new GPS, specifically...

[+kudjo24]

Hello,

 

I'm currently using a Magellan Explorist GC GPS, which I absolutely loved, up until things started going south...

 

Magellan Explorist GC

 

Bought it used for about $60 which was quite the deal, but lately it's been burning through batteries, GPS on the fritz jumping all over the place, not really happy with it anymore. I do, however, really like the "GC" theme that makes it work so well with the Geocaching.com website. If possible, I'd like the new one to be kind of similar as far as the operating system goes. Does anybody have any recommendations for a solid GPS that has good battery, decent positioning, and can view geocaching packet descriptions / comments / hints like the Explorist does, etc?

 

Thanks!

-Kudjo

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Seems to me that most any "paperless" unit would do what you want. "Paperless" units pretty much consist of all current generation GPSr units within the Garmin, Magellan and Delorme lines.

 

There are selectively few others, lesser known brands, that are not on the 'geocaching' bandwagon. It is best to avoid those if your intent is solely or primarily geocaching. The Lowrance line once was on board but they seem to have abandoned those efforts.

 

Crossing brand lines can be a little difficult regarding operation of the unit, but basic operation will be the same.

They all will access hints and provide cache info as does (did) your GC -- sometimes in a different manner than what you may be used to, but they do access and display such. There is always a "learning curve" associated with changing brands.

 

I am somewhat surprised that your GC 'suddenly' seemed to start eating batteries so fast. Are you using fresh "good" batteries (not the junky off-brands)? Lithium batteries are generally accepted to be the best and longest lasting, alkaline next. Outside of rechargeable batteries, no others should be used at all.

Mixing brands of course, is a no-no. Too, if one battery is weak and the other strong, then both are subject to failure very quickly.

As a side-note -- weak batteries do cause operational dysfunction... such as bad readings and "jumping all over the place", regardless of the fact that they *should* work fine up until dying.

 

Folks here, I've noticed, love their Garmin eTrex 20 or eTrex 30 -- joystick/button operation. Those who prefer touch-screen models go for Garmin Dakota, Oregon or Montana models. The MPSMAP 64 series is a reincarnation of the older (true) favorite GPSMAP 60 series.

 

All of the Magellan eXplorist models are similar, with more bells and whistles with higher price -- the 510 and higher have expandable memory capabilities.

 

Delorme has one current model, the PN-60 which, unfortunately, is in backorder status. The PN-40 is out of production but new ones can yet be found. It is known as a battery "hog", the PN-60 is much nicer on batteries.

 

As always, I suggest staying away from entry-level type units... the Garmin etrex 10 and the Magellan 110. You already have enough experience under your belt, it would more than likely be a "downgrade" to go to an entry-level unit. You would end up wanting to upgrade pretty soon after such a purchase, I think.

 

EDIT: speeling.

Edited March 24, 2015 by Gitchee-Gummee

[+kudjo24]

Seems to me that most any "paperless" unit would do what you want. "Paperless" units pretty much consist of all current generation GPSr units within the Garmin, Magellan and Delorme lines.

 

There are selectively few others, lesser known brands, that are not on the 'geocaching' bandwagon. It is best to avoid those if your intent is solely or primarily geocaching. The Lowrance line once was on board but they seem to have abandoned those efforts.

 

Crossing brand lines can be a little difficult regarding operation of the unit, but basic operation will be the same.

They all will access hints and provide cache info as does (did) your GC -- sometimes in a different manner than what you may be used to, but they do access and display such. There is always a "learning curve" associated with changing brands.

 

I am somewhat surprised that your GC 'suddenly' seemed to start eating batteries so fast. Are you using fresh "good" batteries (not the junky off-brands)? Lithium batteries are generally accepted to be the best and longest lasting, alkaline next. Outside of rechargeable batteries, no others should be used at all.

Mixing brands of course, is a no-no. Too, if one battery is weak and the other strong, then both are subject to failure very quickly.

As a side-note -- weak batteries do cause operational dysfunction... such as bad readings and "jumping all over the place", regardless of the fact that they *should* work fine up until dying.

 

Folks here, I've noticed, love their Garmin eTrex 20 or eTrex 30 -- joystick/button operation. Those who prefer touch-screen models go for Garmin Dakota, Oregon or Montana models. The MPSMAP 64 series is a reincarnation of the older (true) favorite GPSMAP 60 series.

 

All of the Magellan eXplorist models are similar, with more bells and whistles with higher price -- the 510 and higher have expandable memory capabilities.

 

Delorme has one current model, the PN-60 which, unfortunately, is in backorder status. The PN-40 is out of production but new ones can yet be found. It is known as a battery "hog", the PN-60 is much nicer on batteries.

 

As always, I suggest staying away for entry-level type units... the Garmin etrex 10 and the Magellan 110. You already have enough experience under your belt, it would more than likely be a "downgrade" to go to an entry-level unit. You would end up wanting to upgrade pretty soon after such a purchase, I think.

 

EDIT: speeling.

 

Thanks for your input. I was eyeing up the eTrex 20, and it seems like a nice device. As a temporary solution, I'll take your battery advice and try out some quality Energizer lithium before throwing down serious money on a new GPS.

[+coachstahly]

 

EDIT: speeling.

I just had to chuckle when I saw this at the end!

[+coachstahly]

Most units now do pretty much everything you've asked, but at various price points. My suggestion is to head to REI (or a similar outdoor store) and play with the units they have on display to get a good feel for what you might want.

[+gpsblake]

Having owned a GC and various other units, the current unit most similar to the GC would be the Etrex 20 although it will be a learning curve. However, I found the Etrex to be far easier to use then going through the menus of the GC. The Etrex doesn't come with complete mapping like the GC however there are many free maps out there now plus the Etrex can take micro SD cards so you can have several maps if you wish.

 

Once you get used to the Etrex, especially the geocaching dashboard that always updates to the nearest cache, it makes for a great unit.

[+Wyomingguy]

I use a Magellan Explorist 610, terrific unit and very easy to use. It took a stretch a while back of eating batteries. Then I discovered that it was set for rechargeables while I was using alkalines. I reset it for alkalines- problem solved. My suggestion for any problem is to go through your "settings" first. Maybe even restore factory defaults and go from there.

 

A word about the Explorist 610- money well spent. It has the three axis compass which works even when standing still. Very compatible with GSAK. I have an extra 4GB mini disc installed but have never needed it. One time I got curious how many caches it would hold. I downloaded 10,000 caches and barely scratched the internal memory. I have used it for four or five years and am completely satisfied with it.

Edited March 30, 2015 by Wyomingguy