+gd5583 Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 Hi I am a relatively new geocacher and I have been using the iPhone app (premium version) and haven't had too many difficulties with it. The only issues are its accuracy (sometimes upto 15-20 feet out) and the fact that it relies heavily on using mobile data to load the maps, so in areas with no mobile data coverage the map overlay loads up very slowly. It also uses my monthly data allowance up rather quickly. I have been thinking about purchasing a proper GPS device and I have been looking at the Garmin eTrex range, mainly as these are at the lower end of the price scale but all do support paperless geocaching. I am looking at either the eTrex 20 or eTrex 30. However I don't want to spend money on one if its no better than what I already have on the iPhone. Has anyone used a Garmin eTrex device and is it worth buying one if I use the iPhone app or am I just duplicating the same features I already have access to? Quote Link to comment
+firestars Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 The information on my website may help you a little - http://geocaching.co.uk/gps/garmin-etrex-series/ I would however recommend a Dakota 20 over the eTrex series, mainly due to the touchscreen instead of a fiddly joystick. You will find lots of help and advice over on the Facebook UK Geocaching group. Quote Link to comment
+Bear and Ragged Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 Follow the arrow has a section to compare the various features of GPSs and phones. (It's written by one of the UK reviewers) GPS will be more rugged, and have better battery life. Does need a bit of pre-planning. Phones are good for caching 'on the fly' if you get a chance, but you could always input the coordinates by hand into the GPS! Quote Link to comment
DavisonDave Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I would however recommend a Dakota 20 over the eTrex series, mainly due to the touchscreen instead of a fiddly joystick. If you want a touchscreen I wouldn't go for the Dakota ... it's a bit long in the tooth now As for the Etrex joystick, I wouldn't describe it as 'fiddly', I find it ideal for geocaching even when wearing gloves. I like the joystick for geocaching, hiking etc. However it is fiddly on the bike it's hard to push in when you are hitting bumps. Quote Link to comment
+MartyBartfast Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 FWIW 15-20 feet out isn't that bad. Even an Etrex/Dakota can't be relied upon to be better than about 10 feet. FWIW I chose an Etrex30 'cos I prefer the buttons/joysticks to touchscreen. Quote Link to comment
+Walts Hunting Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 For ease of operation nothing beats a touchscreen. I wouldn't have a GPS without that. Quote Link to comment
+Chief301 Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 A couple of observations from someone who uses both the iPhone and a handheld GPS for caching: -If you're considering a handheld GPS expecting a dramatic difference in accuracy vs. the iPhone, don't. In most situations your iPhone will get you just as close as a handheld. 15-20 feet is considered within the margin of error for any GPS device. No device is going to put you right on top of the cache with pinpoint accuracy....it will just get you to the general area. You also have to consider that the coordinates provided in the cache description are only as good as the care taken by the hider. If his coordinates are 10 feet off (which is still pretty darn good), and your GPS gets you within 10 feet of those coordinates (again, pretty darn good), you can still be 20 feet or more from the actual cache. If battery life and durability of the device is a concern, then the handheld GPS wins hands down. But the difference in accuracy is not that noticeable. -In areas with spotty or no cellular reception, did you know that your iPhone GPS function does not require data to work? However, you will have had to save the cache info in the app before venturing out, since you won't be able to look them up without data. But if you have then saved in the app (along with the maps for that location), you can access them that way. -Whether using a stand-alone device or a smart phone, learn to use Pocket Queries if you haven't already. This is a useful feature available to you as a Premium member of Geocaching.com. With Pocket Queries you can download hundreds of caches at a time to either you phone app or your handheld GPS. Beats saving them one at a time. As far as which device to buy, I don't think you'd go wrong with either the Etrex 20 or 30. However, if you want an experience that's a little closer to what you're used to on the iPhone, you might consider a touch screen model. I have an older model Oregon, which I like, but I've played with one of the new Oregons and the touch screen interface is so much smoother, and better resolution. Quote Link to comment
+luvvinbird Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I've been experimenting over the last few months with my smart phone vs my eTrex30. Okay, there's no attributes with my GPSr and I can't log my find at GZ, but the number one headache for me with the smart phone is being unable to see that darn screen. I've maximized the brightness and cupped my hands around the screen (which keeps flipping from landscape to profile....I think, if I could see it clearly) but my eTrex, hands down, blows my phone away in this department. So, lately, I've been locating caches in a particular area via the phone and manually entering the co-ord numbers into my eTrex. Logging I still prefer to do in the evening on my PC. I agree, BTW, that the thumbstick works well and poses no problem for me. Quote Link to comment
+Viajero Perdido Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 Newer smartphones seem to have solved the readability problem. With mine - a recent model - all I have to do in bright sunlight is turn around so it's in my shadow, and with that it's quite readable. Auto-brightness helps. (And to my pleasant surprise, yesterday that phone got satellite lock from an aisle seat on an A320.) Quote Link to comment
+luvvinbird Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Initially, I started experimenting with a Motorola Moto G but I now have a Samsung Galaxy S4 which I really like and would consider a "newer" smart phone. Quote Link to comment
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