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Help w/ a Mac-compatible GPS for my wife


Blissmonkey

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Hi, folks!

 

My wife has caught the geocaching bug, it's her birthday next month, and I don't know a single thing about geocaching.

 

We use Apple computers in the home, and I'm willing to spend some good money on a quality product.

 

I've screened some pages and reviewed some products but have difficulty comprehending terms like "paperless" and what not: it's completely meaningless to me.

 

So, what I'm asking for from you good folks is advice on a Mac-compatible, thoroughly useful geocaching GPS device that will give my wife an intuitive experience caching as she cruises the local parks with our 2-year old daughter.

I'm willing to spend the extra money to make her life easier and more enjoyable while juggling caching and our daughter at the same time.

 

Any advice, directions to helpful websites, is greatly appreciated. I'd also like to snag her a cache or two of her own as I know she'd be pretty excited to get involved on that end of the experience as well.

 

I'm happy to review my own products, but I literally do not know where to start or what to look for. It's not something I'm interested in at the moment (an injury has me a bit handicapped at the moment), but I really want to surprise her with a super-nice geocaching GPS unit. f you guys can help make that happen, well that would be just great!

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All devices are MAC compatible. The connection is standard usb. Since cost doesn't seem to be an issue you might look at the Oregon 650t.

 

Thanks for the info. Perusing some reviews on Amazon.com, I discovered one or two where the reviewer stated it wasn't compatible, which is why I mentioned it specifically (and was concerned about making the right choice).

 

I have to admit I'm a bit surprised by some of the costs related to a good GPS (what was I thinking? :) ) I'd say my absolute cap would be $400.00.

Edited by Blissmonkey
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The x50's are a waste if you will not use the camera.

I personally prefer the x00's (500, 600) because I always have my cell phone to take pictures.

Actually not all 50s have a camera...IE 450ts..(The 550Ts are the same as a 450ts but have a camera).. You can get a Garmin 450 or 450t for just over 200 bucks...I have been using one for a few years with no issues...

 

I also agree the Cameras are not at all needed for my applications for the GPS

 

If I was going to buy new I would look at the 600 or 600t...That unit is a little over 400 bucks but has an updated screen and some nice features...

Edited by basscat5
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Thanks for the comments, everyone.

 

I would love to do some geocaching with my wife (we're in Vancouver, BC, and there are a near infinite number of places to go--or so I've been told. Many, many times. :)

 

I hope I make the right choice. Cameras are not a requirement as we both have phones cameras and another really sweet one we picked up while living in Japan a couple of years back.

 

BTW, are there any other inevitable expenses attached with a GPS unit for geocaching? As I'm completely unfamiliar I'd like to be sure I know what I'm getting my wife into when buying a certain handheld device which she's going to use for the foreseeable future. Sorry for all the questions--your generous comments are greatly appreciated!

 

I'll be sure to come back when I've made the purchase. Any other comments would be great as all input will be used towards making the birthday girl a super happy camper!

 

Cheers!

Edited by Blissmonkey
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Not really for the GPS but there are a couple of small expenses (the only major expense is going to be Canadian gas which I notice when I visit my sister in Langley yearly) you will want to look into.

 

Premium membership ($30 a year): many benefits but the two best are Pocket Queries which allow you to get up to 1000 caches downloaded so you can look at them on a map and notifications which you will find in the right column after signing up. It allow you to get notifications for various cache events. I would suggest that the first be to get notifications for Events which are fun gatherings where you can meet the community. You can also search for them from the website.

 

Some sort of computer program to keep track of your caches. If your MAC has a windows emulator (there are a few) you could use GSAK which is the most popular. If not you might want to look Computer programs for caching

 

Lastly there scads in your area of various kinds, urban, country, hikes, boating etc. so you can select the type you like best.

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