Jump to content

Looking for cheap GPS


Gnoflet

Recommended Posts

Hello. I'm new to geocahing and I've found that my phone GPS doesn't get good reception in my area. I'm looking for a cheap GPS, probably under 100 perferibly 50 US dollars. I have 3 that I have found that look good. TheGarmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator, thePG03 Mini portable GPS, and the Magellan GPS 315 Waterproof Hiking GPS. Does anyone know if these will work for geocahing? Do these get good reception? If they aren't good could you suggest a different cheap GPS? Thanks for reading.

Link to comment

Out of the three, the garmin etrex 10 is the only one that's kinda good for caching.

Works, but it's so basic, I don't believe in time you'd be happy with it.

Take a look at the review dates on those used magellans, and it'll give a hint what's goin' on there.

 

You get what you pay for. Cheap isn't any handheld GPSrs used for caching today.

 

If you're now using an app (you already found two), I'd say use that until you can afford something that'll work well, and be with you a while. :)

Link to comment

If you would consider a used GPS, look for an old eTrex on your local used stuff webpage. Just make sure that it has an H in the model name (eg. eTrex Legend H or eTrex Venture HC). You should be able to get one for about $30 or $35. Don't pay more. You can get free maps online for those. Just do a quick google.

Link to comment

Hello. I'm new to geocahing and I've found that my phone GPS doesn't get good reception in my area. I'm looking for a cheap GPS, probably under 100 perferibly 50 US dollars. I have 3 that I have found that look good. TheGarmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator, thePG03 Mini portable GPS, and the Magellan GPS 315 Waterproof Hiking GPS. Does anyone know if these will work for geocahing? Do these get good reception? If they aren't good could you suggest a different cheap GPS? Thanks for reading.

Like cerberus1 said, you'll get what you pay for with these devices.

  • The eTrex 10 is a pretty basic device with no maps. It should be accurate enough, but it won't give you things like paperless caching and you'll probably quickly miss the map.
  • The PG03 is just a keychain. I expect the accuracy will be fairly limited, and it likely won't have any mapping or caching capabilities.
  • The GPS 315 was released in 1999, before geocaching even existed! It wouldn't be able to take advantage of advances in GPS technology that have occurred over the last 17 years, so the accuracy will be limited.

Link to comment

Go for the Etrex 10. They are very accurate and have GLONASS satellite reception. They only have a basic map but its no biggie. We used one for a year before upgrading to an Etrex 20. The 10 is your basic bare bones paperless GPS. Another thing is battery life, expect about 20+ hours from two AAs. Cache storage is limited to about 500 GPX caaches but that's plenty enough - how many are you gonna find in a day anyway.

Link to comment

 

[*]The eTrex 10 is a pretty basic device with no maps. It should be accurate enough, but it won't give you things like paperless caching and you'll probably quickly miss the map.

 

The eTrex 10 has a sparse base map. It is very accurate. It definitely does paperless caching. You will miss a more complete (read useful) map.

 

The e10 has very limited memory and is not expandable; if you plan to use the unit a lot, consider the eTrex 20.

Link to comment

Hello. I'm new to geocahing and I've found that my phone GPS doesn't get good reception in my area. I'm looking for a cheap GPS, probably under 100 perferibly 50 US dollars. I have 3 that I have found that look good. TheGarmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator, thePG03 Mini portable GPS, and the Magellan GPS 315 Waterproof Hiking GPS. Does anyone know if these will work for geocahing? Do these get good reception? If they aren't good could you suggest a different cheap GPS? Thanks for reading.

 

I'm curious what phone model didn't work?

Link to comment

Hello. I'm new to geocahing and I've found that my phone GPS doesn't get good reception in my area. I'm looking for a cheap GPS, probably under 100 perferibly 50 US dollars. I have 3 that I have found that look good. TheGarmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator, thePG03 Mini portable GPS, and the Magellan GPS 315 Waterproof Hiking GPS. Does anyone know if these will work for geocahing? Do these get good reception? If they aren't good could you suggest a different cheap GPS? Thanks for reading.

 

I'm curious what phone model didn't work?

I tried the official app but it wanted an upgrade for caches that didn't need one on other apps. I'm now using the c,geo app. The app works great but my phone is a samsung galaxy S3 so the GPS reception on my phone was bad. It dosn't help I live in a bad place for reception anyways.

Link to comment

I normally use my iPhone 6 Plus for my adventures but I have just been given the choice between two older GPS devices that I can have from work (for free).

 

I have primarily been caching in urban areas (Sydney / Wollongong / Canberra) where I can use my smart-phone (with their power issues) without too much trouble, but I have just started cache-ing with my teenage kids and figure they need something simple to give them to use to find caches (does not need to log or see images really, just upload a GPX / LOC / etc and off they go).

 

I have a choice between a Garmin Foretrex 401 and a Magellan eXplorist GC.

 

Thoughts?

 

Ben

auzzy_mate

Link to comment

Hello. I'm new to geocahing and I've found that my phone GPS doesn't get good reception in my area. I'm looking for a cheap GPS, probably under 100 perferibly 50 US dollars. I have 3 that I have found that look good. TheGarmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator, thePG03 Mini portable GPS, and the Magellan GPS 315 Waterproof Hiking GPS. Does anyone know if these will work for geocahing? Do these get good reception? If they aren't good could you suggest a different cheap GPS? Thanks for reading.

 

I'm curious what phone model didn't work?

I tried the official app but it wanted an upgrade for caches that didn't need one on other apps. I'm now using the c,geo app. The app works great but my phone is a samsung galaxy S3 so the GPS reception on my phone was bad. It dosn't help I live in a bad place for reception anyways.

 

yes, anything besides an s3. i don't remember if it was a hardware issue with contacts or a firmware issue that was never resolved, but the few I've seen were terrible.

 

the only devices i know if too avid are the s3 and the note 2 or 3, because of its image stabilization problems from repeated drops and or vibrations.

 

if you want a cheap one that I've seen dozens of working well, the Casio c811 ($30 on eBay)is reliable, tough, waterproof.

 

if you're looking for a stand alone, there are more than a few recommendations for Garmin, but it won't come cheap.

 

good luck

Edited by ohgood
Link to comment
I have a choice between a Garmin Foretrex 401 and a Magellan eXplorist GC.

 

Thoughts?

Personally, I'd pick the eXplorist GC. I've been happy with my eXplorist 310, but my decision is based mostly on a preference for the handheld GPSr form factor. I'd rather have a GPSr dangling from a lanyard than strapped to my arm.
Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...