Best G.P.S. for Geocaching

[+wfalzon]

Hello Hunters,

 

First I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is will and I am a Geocaching addict. LOL, I just found this cool game and I am having a blast!

 

Now for a quick two part question, what is the hands down best G.P.S. I can buy specifically for Geocaching?

 

If the number one choice costs up warders of $500.00, then what is my best option under $500.00? The further south of that number the better.

 

Thanks for reading

 

Will F.

[+BAMBOOZLE]

Lots to consider , esp. buttons or touch screen.

I own a lot of GPS units ( kind of a junkie ) and I prefer buttons. I also favor the quad antenna.

For these reasons, and more , I like the Garmin 60 Series and my wife and I each use the 62S...you may still be able to get these but the latest version is the 64. You can handle them in the store but its hard to beat making several trips in the field for comparison so if you can attend an event maybe you can get to use several different ones.

[+NYPaddleCacher]

Lots to consider , esp. buttons or touch screen.

I own a lot of GPS units ( kind of a junkie ) and I prefer buttons. I also favor the quad antenna.

For these reasons, and more , I like the Garmin 60 Series and my wife and I each use the 62S...you may still be able to get these but the latest version is the 64. You can handle them in the store but its hard to beat making several trips in the field for comparison so if you can attend an event maybe you can get to use several different ones.

 

I used to have a 76Cx (similar to the Garmin 60Cx, but a different case) and got an Oregon 450 (touch screen). I prefer the buttons as well. Looks like you can get a Garmin 62cst for under $400 from that "amazing" online retailer.

[+Walts Hunting]

I would never have one that wasn't a touchscreen. The Garmin 450 and 550 meet your price.

 

As to best that discussion has been getting different answers for a couple of decades and is so unresolved.

[+wfalzon]

Thanks for the replies. I guess the old school crew (like me) prefer buttons, is that fair to say? Thinking about it since most of my hunts are going to be in Manhattan right now I think my top priority should be most accurate in a urban environment. What would my top choices be? I told my wife I want a GPS for fathers day. Now she keeps pushing me did you pick yet, did you pick yet? She is liking hunting also she love to walk so this gets me out walking with her, we already found some very cool spots. Another week of this I could be a tour guide!

[+Walts Hunting]

Any of the newer Garmin will do just fine

[+wfalzon]

Thanks again friends,

 

I know jack about GPS. This 64st looks good. There are three different options. I am not asking for a 6 week course on GPS units, just a quick description of what the differences are and what options I actually need. For instance the highest priced option comes with preloaded TOPO U.S. 100K maps. Do I need that, will it be helpful for my main use? This one is in my price range. Thanks again for any help you can offer.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Worldwide-High-Sensitivity-GLONASS-Receiver/dp/B00HWL9AR4/ref=sr_1_5?s=gps&srs=2529458011&ie=UTF8&qid=1434451971&sr=1-5&keywords=Garmin+gps&pebp=1434452219526&perid=16Z09T3VF92S5KZ7WGPT

Edited June 16, 2015 by wfalzon

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

The 64s and the 64st are exactly the same... the "t" denotes preloaded topo maps.

If you were to purchase the 64s then purchase the Garmin topo map, load it yourself, the price equates to the same.

 

Take note: there are lots of free and other (pay for) maps for Garmin units out there....

[+MtnMutt-ProDuckShins]

Go to Garmin site and click 'COMPARE' for the units you are thinking about. Once you have made your decision, then start your search for the best price including shipping.

 

Good Luck...

[+BAMBOOZLE]

Thanks again friends,

 

I know jack about GPS. This 64st looks good. There are three different options. I am not asking for a 6 week course on GPS units, just a quick description of what the differences are and what options I actually need. For instance the highest priced option comes with preloaded TOPO U.S. 100K maps. Do I need that, will it be helpful for my main use? This one is in my price range. Thanks again for any help you can offer.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Worldwide-High-Sensitivity-GLONASS-Receiver/dp/B00HWL9AR4/ref=sr_1_5?s=gps&srs=2529458011&ie=UTF8&qid=1434451971&sr=1-5&keywords=Garmin+gps&pebp=1434452219526&perid=16Z09T3VF92S5KZ7WGPT

 

If I were you I'd go with the 64S.

[+BAMBOOZLE]

This sale at Cabelas looks good.

 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Garmin174-GPSMAP174-64S/1817216.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3DGarmin%2B64S%26x%3D10%26y%3D6%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=Garmin+64S

[+JohnCNA]

Thanks for the replies. I guess the old school crew (like me) prefer buttons, is that fair to say? Thinking about it since most of my hunts are going to be in Manhattan right now I think my top priority should be most accurate in a urban environment. What would my top choices be? I told my wife I want a GPS for fathers day. Now she keeps pushing me did you pick yet, did you pick yet? She is liking hunting also she love to walk so this gets me out walking with her, we already found some very cool spots. Another week of this I could be a tour guide!

 

If you like buttons, the latest Garmin GPSMAP 64s sells for around $260. I have one, and it's great. Quad Helix antenna for the best reception, GPS, WAAS and GLONASS reception. You're still going to struggle a little in canyons, urban or otherwise, no matter what you get.

[+wfalzon]

Thanks guys I am going to pull the trigger. Last question, I don't need the 100k map?

Edited June 16, 2015 by wfalzon

[+BAMBOOZLE]

I wouldn't worry about the topo map.

Its been posted here in the past that you can get better ones on line for free.

[+wfalzon]

Thanks to all, I pulled the trigger, saved the $$ for the 100k map. With the savings I became a premium member. I suppose that will come in handy for paperless. I'll worry about adding a useful map after I learn how to use the darn thing! Glad I asked before I committed.

 

Thanks

 

Will F.

[+cowichan cacher]

Hi. I have had 3 magellans and now use a Garmin Dakota 10. The Magallans were bottom of the line but worked well for me but I did not like the buttons and stick. For me I was always page turning ( pushing buttons) and it drained the battery sooner. Can not blame the unit, just me. I did like the maps that came on the magellan, where ever I went there were town / city maps. At this time I am around 2500 caches so I have used all of these units equally.

I picked up a Garmin Dakota 10 when my last Magellan quit and found I did like the touch screen and how the screen looked. I could see and read it easier. The map was very basic! Showed main hiways and roads only, so I found a free map online and downloaded it through Basecamp with the help of a map installer. It is simpler than it sounds.

The cheaper Magellans worked well against my buddys Garmin 450T and my Garmin Dakota 10 does also. What I look for now is size of screen ( cause I have older eyes) and right now I would probably upgrade to a Garmin Oregon or the next larger model which for the life of me I can not remember right now but it has a much larger screen. Downside maybe size and weight. I am not a fan of buying maps but the Oregon 450T ( make sure you look for the Canada or USA version) has a trail map on it and is overlaid on the topo map and looks good. You can check for and buy maps and map upgrades from Garmin that keeps maps current. Flip side is the Garmin map you buy is for a certain area, mine would be Vancouver Island, if you went to Hawaii or Florida you will need to find a map for either place. The Magellan would have the map already, maybe not as detailed ( less trails) but it would be a decent map, I know as I used my magellan in Ireland.

A lot of cachers I meet have a Garmin or Magellan of some sort, antennas and not and I find they are having the same troubles as me finding a cache so it just shows that we are at the mercy of the co- ords listed by a cache owner, the GPS's can only get you so close sometimes.

My 110.00 dollar GPS worked as well as my buddy's 450.00 dollar GPS, they just have different features, so what features do you like? When you are under tree cover or beside a rock wall all GPS's will slow down or have difficulty.

The Garmins also can share data, cache info, wirelessly between 2 Garmins. I like this idea even though I can not do it with mine. It would be handy in case someone did not load their queries. Beware that some Garmins models advertise this feature but may not have it on that model, check first. I believe all the Oregons and newer have it. Smart phones with the geocache app work as long as you are in range of a cell tower ( for when you forget your GPS )?

Hope this may help. Happy Caching

Cowichan Cacher

[+wfalzon]

Hey Cowichan,

 

Thanks for the reply. I too have old eyes. After visiting the Garmin site, I was contemplating spending the extra money and going with there newest offering, for two reasons. The first being the large screen. The second being Whether I need it or not, I usually like to have the latest technology. the reviews for the 4 inch screen Monterra took it out of the running. That being said I think Garmin can only blame them selves that they are losing market share to GPS enabled cell phones. Being new to GPS, I did not want the added frustration of a buggy platform. I am happy I went with the 64s. Had the reviews showed Monterra to be reliable with few bugs, Garmin would have sold a product that was 3 times the price.

 

Good caching

 

Will F.

[+BAMBOOZLE]

Hey Cowichan,

 

Thanks for the reply. I too have old eyes. After visiting the Garmin site, I was contemplating spending the extra money and going with there newest offering, for two reasons. The first being the large screen. The second being Whether I need it or not, I usually like to have the latest technology. the reviews for the 4 inch screen Monterra took it out of the running. That being said I think Garmin can only blame them selves that they are losing market share to GPS enabled cell phones. Being new to GPS, I did not want the added frustration of a buggy platform. I am happy I went with the 64s. Had the reviews showed Monterra to be reliable with few bugs, Garmin would have sold a product that was 3 times the price.

 

Good caching

 

Will F.

 

I think you made a good move.

The unit ( all units ) will come with a base street map only which is about worthless. You will want detailed street maps. I use the Garmin City Navigator which has detailed maps of the whole U.S. I buy them on a SD card ....you snap in in the unit and you have detailed maps of the U.S., a new 2015 card would run around $70 but you can pick up used cards on Ebay and unless you're running a door to door delivery service 2012-2014 cards will work fine....others like buying it on a CD and registering/transferring maps to the unit which you can do only one time, break your unit, too bad. The SD card can be moved unit to unit.

Folks here will point you to free on line maps but I don't care for them....I do long trips and like having the whole U.S. on my unit.

[+wfalzon]

Thanks Bamboozal,

 

You advice was key in my decision. I looked at some of the free offerings, I was not to comfortable with that option (being a newbie). The Garmin City Navigator maps have the whole U.S.A. on one S.D. card? That is probably the way I will go.

 

Will

Edited June 17, 2015 by wfalzon

[+wfalzon]

Hello caching friends,

 

After doing some very quick research, I have decided to go with Garmin's 24k map of the N.E. (I found it for $80.00 bucks) on mini S.D. In addition I would also like to add this trails map. Jim Bensman’s free MyTrails map. Does this sound like a good idea? I would also like some advice on how best to integrate these maps onto my GPS. I plan on deleting the preloaded caches to free up space. Can I delete the base map, or do I still need it on the unit? I can start a new topic in the GPS forum, I fig. I would try here first, you guys have been great! I was wondering how this all works, will the trail map overlay on the 24k map automatically? Thanks for your time and any help. The advice to not get the S.T. model was good, I am coming out just a bit cheaper, with a more detailed map. Thanks again. O.T. I am curious how they fig. the best fishing times in hunt and fish. If they are just going by the tide, I don't think that is very helpful. I have had very good days/nights fishing at dead low tide, both in coming and out going. Now if they add in moon phase, maybe even barometric pressure/wind direction for a given location, that might be a little more helpful.

 

Will

Edited June 17, 2015 by wfalzon

[+BAMBOOZLE]

The base map is there to stay.....when you zoom out you see it. Your detail street map overlays it and you see it when you zoom in....trail maps or trails you create will be on top of the detail. There is a section where all maps are listed and can be enabled or disabled.

The unit has a Barometric altimeter. I've been in every mountain range in the U.S. and it can be scary when I pass a road sign reading the EXACT alt. as my unit to the foot.....not every time but a lot.

[+wfalzon]

The base map is there to stay.....when you zoom out you see it. Your detail street map overlays it and you see it when you zoom in....trail maps or trails you create will be on top of the detail. There is a section where all maps are listed and can be enabled or disabled.

The unit has a Barometric altimeter. I've been in every mountain range in the U.S. and it can be scary when I pass a road sign reading the EXACT alt. as my unit to the foot.....not every time but a lot.

Thanks, I have read the on line manual for the 64s. I will have time to read it a few more times before I even get the unit. Cabalas free shipping is pretty slow. The E.T.A. is the 24th. I am going to order the 24k N.E. topo today, so I can start playing with it as soon as it arrives. I'll wait before adding a dedicated trail map, I won't need it right away. I am also going to start using the GPS to save cords for secluded fishing spots I find. You would be surprised how much exploring you can do right here in the city!

Edited June 18, 2015 by wfalzon

[+BAMBOOZLE]

The base map is there to stay.....when you zoom out you see it. Your detail street map overlays it and you see it when you zoom in....trail maps or trails you create will be on top of the detail. There is a section where all maps are listed and can be enabled or disabled.

The unit has a Barometric altimeter. I've been in every mountain range in the U.S. and it can be scary when I pass a road sign reading the EXACT alt. as my unit to the foot.....not every time but a lot.

Thanks, I have read the on line manual for the 64s. I will have time to read it a few more times before I even get the unit. Cabalas free shipping is pretty slow. The E.T.A. is the 24th. I am going to order the 24k N.E. topo today, so I can start playing with it as soon as it arrives. I'll wait before adding a dedicated trail map, I won't need it right away. I am also going to start using the GPS to save cords for secluded fishing spots I find. You would be surprised how much exploring you can do right here in the city!

 

I hear you.....I carry a hardcover notebook when we travel and geocache and enter co-ords for nice looking fishing spots, restaurants, etc......I wish I would have started doing it a few years earlier.

[+boothie103]

Australia calling. New to the whole principle of finding what other people have hidden in mysterious places, and some of the have been mysterious! First, went out with a friend with an IPhone and found a few caches. Went out and got my self a Smart Phone. Dumb thing cost me $70 Aus in two days. Broke out the old Magellan GPS 310 and with 15 year old technology couldn't get within 50 yards of a cache. Went to the man in the shop and he said this one. On Special price as well, the problem was he wouldn't accept the old one as trade in!

So what did I get that puts me on the money every time, easy to use for a 57 year old that lets me down load everything to it and costs jack?

Garmin 62S.

The only problem is that it will not play with the Bluetooth in the car which makes it hard when driving and trying to dodge kangaroos!

[Team Markley]

I am currently in the market for my first GPS. I was using my cell phone for the longest time, and if worked great in town, but in the woods it is useless. After reading this forum I think I to am going to purchase the Garmin 62s. I know I'm late to the party but thanks for all of the information guys.

[+briansnat]

Just be aware that the 62S is discontinued and online the cost difference between it and the current 64S is minimal. I'd go 64S even if a bit more expensive. The extra 3,000 caches it stores is really nice.

[+NYPaddleCacher]

Thanks Bamboozal,

 

You advice was key in my decision. I looked at some of the free offerings, I was not to comfortable with that option (being a newbie). The Garmin City Navigator maps have the whole U.S.A. on one S.D. card? That is probably the way I will go.

 

Will

 

Before buying the City Navigator maps I'd suggest taking a look at the open street maps for Garmin (http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/) . You'll have to buy a micro-SD card to store the maps but the maps themselves are free and are quite good. I have two SD cards, one that I use for a mapset that covers most of the U.S. and one that I use for when I travel. That way I can create a mapset for where I'm going when I travel on my "travel" card and swap it out for my "local" card when I get back home.

 

 

[clintb]

Thanks Bamboozal,

 

You advice was key in my decision. I looked at some of the free offerings, I was not to comfortable with that option (being a newbie). The Garmin City Navigator maps have the whole U.S.A. on one S.D. card? That is probably the way I will go.

 

Will

 

Before buying the City Navigator maps I'd suggest taking a look at the open street maps for Garmin (http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/) . You'll have to buy a micro-SD card to store the maps but the maps themselves are free and are quite good. I have two SD cards, one that I use for a mapset that covers most of the U.S. and one that I use for when I travel. That way I can create a mapset for where I'm going when I travel on my "travel" card and swap it out for my "local" card when I get back home.

Seconding that site, specifically the routable bicycle (Openfietsmap Lite) maps. I use those for trail running/hiking/geocaching and so far they've been on the mark both on road and off road.