Newbie and looking for GPS

[+galfromaway]

Hi all. First time poster, very new to geocaching.

 

I'm looking to get started in the world of geocaching after seeing my sisters enjoying it, and also talking to someone searching for a cache yesterday - "You hike and you don't geocache? Get registered already!"

 

As I don't want to use up my data plan on my smartphone, I'm curious about what a good starter GPS would be. I saw this one online:

 

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/garmin-etrex-10-geocaching-bundle-0793854p.html#.U9ZmxFZ9-dw

 

Is this a good starter kit?

 

Thanks for your thoughts in advance. Looking forward to getting out and trying this!

[+GeoTrekker26]

As a starter KIT, it is useless. They throw in a lanyard and pad and pencil? As a GPS it is an pretty good unit. The problem with the e10 is that it is very limited so if you decide you really like caching and use it heavily you will probably want to up grade later. The e20 is a much better unit as you can add maps and store many more things on it and the display is easier to read (color vs B&W). Unless you are really budget limited I would suggest the etrex 20 or a similarly priced Garmin closeout unit.

[+Chief301]

As a starter KIT, it is useless. They throw in a lanyard and pad and pencil? As a GPS it is an pretty good unit. The problem with the e10 is that it is very limited so if you decide you really like caching and use it heavily you will probably want to up grade later. The e20 is a much better unit as you can add maps and store many more things on it and the display is easier to read (color vs B&W). Unless you are really budget limited I would suggest the etrex 20 or a similarly priced Garmin closeout unit.

 

^^^ This

 

In the Etrex line, try to go at least with the 20. You can also get pretty good deals right now on the 62S and the Oregon 450, if you can find them. They're being discontinued so the price on them has really come down with the introduction of the newer models. But they both still work great for Geocaching.

 

ETA....both the 62S and the 450 can still be found on Amazon for around the $230 range. Etrex 20 is around $170

Edited July 28, 2014 by Chief301

[+TreasureHunterDan]

I agree. That is pretty much a basic unit & I would shy away from it for beginners. It has no maps, which can be very helpful when geocaching. The units mentioned by the previous posters are much better. I use a Magellan explorist 110, which cost me $130.00 in the U.S. Check out the Magellan website, www.magellanGPS.com, they have many quality refurbished units for much less than the cost of a new one.

[+galfromaway]

Thanks, folks. I appreciate the input. I'll take a look at the GPS units you've mentioned.

 

[Andronicus]

Another point, if you are looking for a low cost point of entry, you can use your smartphone, but cache the caches and maps using wifi. This will make it more like a standalone GPS. Of course, a standalone unit will be more rugged, and have better battery life.

 

You should also consider a Premium Membership. It is much easyer to get the cache info onto your phone or GPS using pocket quaries (PQs) (a premium member feature) than doing it manualy. Even to try it out, you can get a 3 month subscription for only $10.

 

Edit to add: Also consider a second hand GPS. The older Garmin eTrex line, you should be able to get one for $30 off of kijiji, or criegs list or wherever. (Just make sure it has a 'H' in the model number)

Edited July 28, 2014 by Andronicus

[+galfromaway]

Another point, if you are looking for a low cost point of entry, you can use your smartphone, but cache the caches and maps using wifi. This will make it more like a standalone GPS. Of course, a standalone unit will be more rugged, and have better battery life.

 

You should also consider a Premium Membership. It is much easyer to get the cache info onto your phone or GPS using pocket quaries (PQs) (a premium member feature) than doing it manualy. Even to try it out, you can get a 3 month subscription for only $10.

 

Edit to add: Also consider a second hand GPS. The older Garmin eTrex line, you should be able to get one for $30 off of kijiji, or criegs list or wherever. (Just make sure it has a 'H' in the model number)

 

That's something I've considered - but how much data does a smartphone app need while out in the field?

 

I'll take a look for second-hand as well as newer ones.

[+Chief301]

Another point, if you are looking for a low cost point of entry, you can use your smartphone, but cache the caches and maps using wifi. This will make it more like a standalone GPS. Of course, a standalone unit will be more rugged, and have better battery life.

 

You should also consider a Premium Membership. It is much easyer to get the cache info onto your phone or GPS using pocket quaries (PQs) (a premium member feature) than doing it manualy. Even to try it out, you can get a 3 month subscription for only $10.

 

Edit to add: Also consider a second hand GPS. The older Garmin eTrex line, you should be able to get one for $30 off of kijiji, or criegs list or wherever. (Just make sure it has a 'H' in the model number)

 

That's something I've considered - but how much data does a smartphone app need while out in the field?I'll take a look for second-hand as well as newer ones.

 

If you look up all the caches in the field, on the go, it will use a good bit of data. If you save the cache info to the device beforehand, you can turn off data and the GPS will still function. So you could do it using no data at all. But you have to save the info first. That's where Premium membership and Pocket Queries come in very handy.

 

I think some GPS brands offer a free 1-month trial Premium membership with the purchase of a GPS, if you want to try that...

[+galfromaway]

 

If you look up all the caches in the field, on the go, it will use a good bit of data. If you save the cache info to the device beforehand, you can turn off data and the GPS will still function. So you could do it using no data at all. But you have to save the info first. That's where Premium membership and Pocket Queries come in very handy.

 

I think some GPS brands offer a free 1-month trial Premium membership with the purchase of a GPS, if you want to try that...

 

Thanks, Chief301. I'll look at how to do that with my phone, and explore a few options!

[Andronicus]

Another point, if you are looking for a low cost point of entry, you can use your smartphone, but cache the caches and maps using wifi. This will make it more like a standalone GPS. Of course, a standalone unit will be more rugged, and have better battery life.

 

You should also consider a Premium Membership. It is much easyer to get the cache info onto your phone or GPS using pocket quaries (PQs) (a premium member feature) than doing it manualy. Even to try it out, you can get a 3 month subscription for only $10.

 

Edit to add: Also consider a second hand GPS. The older Garmin eTrex line, you should be able to get one for $30 off of kijiji, or criegs list or wherever. (Just make sure it has a 'H' in the model number)

 

That's something I've considered - but how much data does a smartphone app need while out in the field?

 

I'll take a look for second-hand as well as newer ones.

Here is what my phone is reporting

15 days into this billing cycle, NeonGeo has used 25.9 MB of data. Now I am not the most active cacher, but I have been using NeonGeo quite a bit this month, including downloading map tiles etc.

 

Edit to add: Again, I am using NeonGeo with the "Auto Cache Download" option turned off, and "Save Offlinemaps" turned on.

Edited July 28, 2014 by Andronicus

[Pup Patrol]

Hi all. First time poster, very new to geocaching.

 

I'm looking to get started in the world of geocaching after seeing my sisters enjoying it, and also talking to someone searching for a cache yesterday - "You hike and you don't geocache? Get registered already!"

 

As I don't want to use up my data plan on my smartphone, I'm curious about what a good starter GPS would be. I saw this one online:

 

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/garmin-etrex-10-geocaching-bundle-0793854p.html#.U9ZmxFZ9-dw

 

Is this a good starter kit?

 

Thanks for your thoughts in advance. Looking forward to getting out and trying this!

 

Gosh, that's a crappy deal ... from Crappy Tire. And it comes with a bunch of open caching crap you won't want.

 

Don't get suckered into "bundles" like that. You just want the gps, the other stuff is useless.

 

If you're looking at Crappy Tire, then you're in Canada, and so you can't go wrong checking out GPSCity. They have that gps for $104.95. They provide great and fast service.

 

Check out their prices for the gps models recommended here. I think one could do a lot better than the Etrex10 for the same or a bit more money.

 

http://www.gpscity.ca/outdoor-gps

 

They also sell a lot of geocaching goodies.

 

If you go with using your phone at first, check out the free app from Groundspeak.

 

Don't get confused between Premium Membership, the Paid (Pro) app and the free, intro app.

 

Apps

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.book&id=12

 

1.15. iPhone app Feature Comparison

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=442

 

 

B.

[+Trucker Lee]

As long as you are in the forums, very often a good unit will be getting sold by some one who is upgrading. Check out the garage sale section in these forums, but be sure that any unit that interests you operates on USB and not serial. Much easier.

[+colleda]

We started off with a Garmin Nuvi for a few months then bought an etrex 10. It is a great little unit. The lack of maps was not a problem as we used the car Nuvi to go as near as possible by road to GZ. Then it was out with the etrex 10. It's a very accurate GPSr too as it can accommodate the glonass (russian) satelites. The batteries (AA rechargeable)last all day and its very rugged and water resistant. I recently upgraded to an etrex 20 mainly for the extra memory. The 10 storage is limited to about 500 caches, the 20 can store 2000+ and has extra memory available in micro SD card. If you can afford the (not much) extra $$ go for the 20.

Edited July 31, 2014 by colleda

[Andronicus]

We started off with a Garmin Nuvi for a few months then bought an etrex 10. It is a great little unit. The lack of maps was not a problem as we used the car Nuvi to go as near as possible by road to GZ. Then it was out with the etrex 10. It's a very accurate GPSr too as it can accommodate the glonass (russian) satelites. The batteries (AA rechargeable)last all day and its very rugged and water resistant. I recently upgraded to an etrex 20 mainly for the extra memory. The 10 storage is limited to about 500 caches, the 20 can store 2000+ and has extra memory available in micro SD card. If you can afford the (not much) extra $$ go for the 20.

Isn't it sad that Garmin is still using limited memory to upsell the higher priced GPSr, in this day and age where memory is essentialy free?

[+galfromaway]

Thanks, all! This is great information.

 

Those who use the garmin eTrex 20 -- my sister recently got one and finds it isn't very accurate when you are around trees. She's found her iPhone app has been faster, and way more accurate. Is this a common issue with this GPS?

Edited August 1, 2014 by galfromaway