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Seriously need someone to tell me which to buy...


Emma1095

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Ok a bit about me.

- I learn quick

- I am 20 years old

- I am smart

- I am VERY technically and mechanically inclined

- I am really good with computers, phones, tablets, iPods, you name it...

- HOWEVER, I hardly know anything about handheld GPS devices for geocaching...

 

I do know this though... (Features I have already learned about by reading other posts and googling about that I need/really want to have on my unit...)

 

Must Have:

-IPX7 or higher...? Weather/Waterproof

-Electronic Compass

-Ability to log that I found the cache

-Able to read Hints, Recent Logs, Descriptions, View Photos, and size, terrain, difficulty levels...

-Accurate (as accurate as possible)

-But, I need it to be the best of the cheapest...

 

Want Real Bad:

-Take photos on device

-Go completely paperless AND smartphone free...

-Satellite View Maps? (is that a thing? cuz I don't really understand what just topo maps are? do they even help you?)

 

Anything else I need? Opinions very heartily welcomed...

 

So, based off all this what is the best unit that y'all can recommend to me?

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-But, I need it to be the best of the cheapest...

 

So, based off all this what is the best unit that y'all can recommend to me?

 

A lot of function but cheap is a no go, but I guess you know that.

 

Take a look at Garmin's Oregon series. The 650 might be what you want. Combine it with GSAK for database management and you can put caches on the GPS very efficiently (ggz file and waypoints as POI) and have images too. Both functions with extra macro. Topo maps show hiking tracks, "ordinary" maps don't. You can use free open street maps (OSM) instead of the commercial Garmin ones.

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-But, I need it to be the best of the cheapest...

 

So, based off all this what is the best unit that y'all can recommend to me?

 

A lot of function but cheap is a no go, but I guess you know that.

 

Take a look at Garmin's Oregon series. The 650 might be what you want. Combine it with GSAK for database management and you can put caches on the GPS very efficiently (ggz file and waypoints as POI) and have images too. Both functions with extra macro. Topo maps show hiking tracks, "ordinary" maps don't. You can use free open street maps (OSM) instead of the commercial Garmin ones.

 

Ok, I got the POI/Points Of Interest right...? But, GSAK? GGZ? Macro? I'm a GPS noob... :(

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Ok a bit about me.

- I learn quick

- I am 20 years old

- I am smart

- I am VERY technically and mechanically inclined

- I am really good with computers, phones, tablets, iPods, you name it...

- HOWEVER, I hardly know anything about handheld GPS devices for geocaching...

 

I do know this though... (Features I have already learned about by reading other posts and googling about that I need/really want to have on my unit...)

 

Must Have:

-IPX7 or higher...? Weather/Waterproof

-Electronic Compass

-Ability to log that I found the cache

-Able to read Hints, Recent Logs, Descriptions, View Photos, and size, terrain, difficulty levels...

-Accurate (as accurate as possible)

-But, I need it to be the best of the cheapest...

 

Want Real Bad:

-Take photos on device

-Go completely paperless AND smartphone free...

-Satellite View Maps? (is that a thing? cuz I don't really understand what just topo maps are? do they even help you?)

 

Anything else I need? Opinions very heartily welcomed...

 

So, based off all this what is the best unit that y'all can recommend to me?

 

So, you already know what you want, so go compare models over at Garmin (or Magellan if you prefer) and pick one out. All current models are compatible with paperless caching, so go find the ones that match your specifications and buy it.

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-But, I need it to be the best of the cheapest...

 

So, based off all this what is the best unit that y'all can recommend to me?

 

A lot of function but cheap is a no go, but I guess you know that.

 

Take a look at Garmin's Oregon series. The 650 might be what you want. Combine it with GSAK for database management and you can put caches on the GPS very efficiently (ggz file and waypoints as POI) and have images too. Both functions with extra macro. Topo maps show hiking tracks, "ordinary" maps don't. You can use free open street maps (OSM) instead of the commercial Garmin ones.

 

Ok, I got the POI/Points Of Interest right...? But, GSAK? GGZ? Macro? I'm a GPS noob... :(

 

GSAK is a tool you run on your PC to manage caches (and ggz & macros are part of it). It's not directly related to the GPS, and to begin with I would leave that until you get the hang of your GPS. You can send caches direct to your GPS individually, or create Pocket Queries on the website to send them in bulk.

 

As mentioned above if you need to take pictures then the Oregon650 is probably the one you need, it will do everything on your list.

If you want satellite view maps then Garmin sell maps called "BirdsEye" which I think is the only option, but I don't think you will need that. I would suggest going with OpenStreetMaps (OSM), which are free and can be very detailed, showing all footpaths and tracks, depending on where you are.

 

As someone above said, you already know what you want so look on the garmin website and compare some models and see which combination of your wish list matches how much you have to spend.

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Want Real Bad:

-Take photos on device

-Go completely paperless AND smartphone free...

-Satellite View Maps? (is that a thing? cuz I don't really understand what just topo maps are? do they even help you?)

As mentioned, you will need maps. This also means you'll need a memory card large enough to hold the files (maps and photos), such as 8GB, not expensive for the card. Garmin sells a subscription for Birdseye view tiles that overlay onto maps, but that is expensive. I've occasionally taken a photo of a satellite image using my Oregon (taking picture of the computer screen), when a cache is especially tricky, so the sat view is available on my GPSr. I bought a Garmin routable map SD card, but there are free maps from various sources.

 

Most GPSrs come from the factory with only a basic land map, since the device could be used in many ways.

 

You'll need to get familiar with Pocket Queries, easy if you just want a bunch of caches in any given area. That's how to get lists of caches that can be loaded all at once. As mentioned, there's 3rd-party software for such tasks.

 

The Oregon 550 and 650 (and others) have OK cameras for photos while caching. The cameras are great for macro shots, so you can save tracking numbers (don't post photos of tracking numbers) without needing to write them.

 

The paperless feature on the Oregon is called "Field Notes" (available as a "Note" when logging a cache). You may type some shorthand as a reminder, then later upload the field notes to the web site and type a wordy log.

Edited by kunarion
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Think about what expectations you might have and the kind of caching you might do

 

To go completely paperless and smartphone free?

 

I have not tried the Monterra, but the gpsr devices that I have used (Oregon 600, Montana, gpsmap 62s, Colorado, etc) do not begin to provide the "paperless" capability that I often want. Small screen, low resolution, and text based descriptions will help in a pinch, but I rely on my iPhone if I need to read a long cache description where graphics are important. I would not do most earthcaches or some multis, letterboxes, and mysteries with just my gpsr.

 

For that matter, don't forget your smartphone if you want to do a Wherigo. The Wherigo implementation on even the older Garmins that offered it was spotty at best.

 

The ability to view photos?

 

Photos will not be uploaded to your device if you are routinely copying a gpx file. The text based descriptions used by "paperless" units will not include photos. You can transfer and view photos on most gpsrs, but it is not seamless. If I want to look at photos that are part of a cache description or included in logs, I go to my iPhone caching app that uses html displays.

 

Camera?

 

I have not seen any gpsr camera that approaches what I can do on my iPhone - let alone would replace the camera I often take hiking. The included cameras can be useful for limited functions. Just make sure you understand what those limits are and how you will want to use the camera. Since I generally want a camera better than what is included in the gpsr, I decided that the extra money to have one in my device is not worth it.

 

Logging Caches

 

The standard gpsr devices allow you to record field notes that can be uploaded to this site through a computer or other device (I have transferred them with my iPad. It's handy, but be aware of the limits. It is harder to write long logs using the gpsr so I upload the field notes and write the logs with my iPad or computer. I usually find it easier to use my caching app for that - another reason why I carry my smartphone even if caching with the gpsr.

 

Maps

 

As discussed above, you will have to install separate maps with most devices. With some exceptions (such as the Montana with optional equipment), they do not provide voice routing. Topo maps have helped me to know how much elevation change to expect, to pick out the right trail, to get to the right side of the ridge. Satellite maps are often less useful - particularly if you are under tree cover - but can help in more urban situations. I often find on the offline maps I have linked to the caching app on my smartphone to be more useful.

 

A gpsr can be a great tool. I often wish I could combine the best features of my iPhone app with the ruggedness of my gpsr. But think of the kind of caching you want to do, What do you want the gpsr to do in specific situations? What kind of interface you like the most - buttons or touch screen? Most gpsrs will get you where you need to go (accuracy) and provide basic cache information (even if I do not find them to be as "paperless" as the word might imply). After that it is a very personal choice. I suspect that no one device will do what you all you may want at an affordable device - at least I have not found one - but most might do what you need.

Edited by geodarts
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If you want cheap, get the Magellan eXplorist GC. It doesn't have a camera (but honestly any camera on a GPSr is going to suck), but it gets the job done and is dedicated to Geocaching, thus the GC part of the name. Battery life is decent and takes AA batteries, meaning you can just have a few extra in your pack and be fine, you can change the backlighting on it, and it's fairly easy to use, though the buttons on it make it tedious to log your caches on it. Oh, also, water proof but I think that's standard for hiking style GPSrs. I got mine open box for like $40 from Best Buy.

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More or less all current Garmin handhelds meet your needs. Each series has one with map abilities and an electronic compass. Whether you want an Etrex, GPSMAP, Oregon or Montana is a personal preference thing. YOU need to go and look at them and decide which you want that suits your budget.

 

NOTE:

- The software is nowhere near as nice as a smartphone.

- You can't access data in real time. It needs to be loaded in advance or via some other connected device.

- You won't get photos from the cache page as Groundspeak does not include that data with its downloads.

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- You won't get photos from the cache page as Groundspeak does not include that data with its downloads.

 

If you use GSAK and run the SendImagesToGarmin macro you can have all images on an Oregon (and other models).

 

Yes, but it is against Groundspeak rules, so discussing that here is not necessarily the best idea....

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- You won't get photos from the cache page as Groundspeak does not include that data with its downloads.

 

If you use GSAK and run the SendImagesToGarmin macro you can have all images on an Oregon (and other models).

 

Yes, but it is against Groundspeak rules, so discussing that here is not necessarily the best idea....

 

Explain? GSAK is an API partner, no scraping is done and getting images on the GPS in no different than getting the descriptions.

 

Besides, you can put any image on your GPS, if you use the right directory it will be linked to the right cache.

Also GDAK (API partner) shows images in listings/logs offline. I'm sure others do too (even the old Geoscout for Win mobile did and was also API partner).

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- You won't get photos from the cache page as Groundspeak does not include that data with its downloads.

 

If you use GSAK and run the SendImagesToGarmin macro you can have all images on an Oregon (and other models).

 

Yes, but it is against Groundspeak rules, so discussing that here is not necessarily the best idea....

The macro scrapes. It is not an inbuilt feature of GSAK.

To be fair, the function IS intrinsic to GSAK (called, but not created within the macro) and is called GRABIMAGES.

 

See http://gsak.net/v76/hs23970.htm which refers back to http://gsak.net/v76/hs45400.htm

Regard this note at the bottom of that page, please:

"Note: Groundspeak only allow you to download image links that have been provided in the GPX file. This means GSAK does not spider (go to) the cache page and download all the image links found on that page (which unfortunately means that many "spoiler" pictures will not be present)"

Edited by ecanderson
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Ok a bit about me.

- I learn quick

- I am 20 years old

- I am smart

- I am VERY technically and mechanically inclined

- I am really good with computers, phones, tablets, iPods, you name it...

- HOWEVER, I hardly know anything about handheld GPS devices for geocaching...

 

I do know this though... (Features I have already learned about by reading other posts and googling about that I need/really want to have on my unit...)

 

Must Have:

-IPX7 or higher...? Weather/Waterproof

-Electronic Compass

-Ability to log that I found the cache

-Able to read Hints, Recent Logs, Descriptions, View Photos, and size, terrain, difficulty levels...

-Accurate (as accurate as possible)

-But, I need it to be the best of the cheapest...

 

Want Real Bad:

-Take photos on device

-Go completely paperless AND smartphone free...

-Satellite View Maps? (is that a thing? cuz I don't really understand what just topo maps are? do they even help you?)

 

Anything else I need? Opinions very heartily welcomed...

 

So, based off all this what is the best unit that y'all can recommend to me?

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I think the best option out there is the Delorme pn models. They are easy to use and geocache friendly, but honestly they are way overpriced. I waited for 6 months for a backordered pn60 before cancelling my order. Not sure what the company is doing but didn't want to wait for a year for the product!

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