Help
Good morning!
I was introduced to geocaching last summer/fall and I have played around here and there using my blackberry and my tomtom.
They work okay, but I know that a gps made for geocaching works 100 times better and now I think I'm ready to up my game.
Finances are kind of tight so I can't afford a unit thats going to cost me over 300 dollars, so what would you, the more seasoned geocachers recommend for someone like me to help me really get my feet wet.
I've been eyeballing the megellan exporist and the garmin dakota 20. I like being able to simply download co-ordinates but what I NEED to make sure I can do is be able to manually input the coordinates as well.
Suggestions?
Thanks for reading.
c0|d_f1r3
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Newbie choosing first gps so many choices, what are your thoughts?
#2
Posted 06 April 2012 - 08:53 PM
I would recommend the Garmin eTrex 20 (not the Dakota 20). For around $160, you get a very nice unit that is fully paperless Geocaching, color, USB, expandable map memory, can manually add waypoints, free maps available and more.
#3
Posted 07 April 2012 - 05:57 AM
I will second StarBrand's choice.
This post has been edited by randco: 07 April 2012 - 05:57 AM
#4
Posted 07 April 2012 - 06:52 PM
Thank you both. Ive gone online and researched it a bit. sounds like its easy to use and good for getting started. Now its amatter of finding where I can purchase one without doing it online.
#5
Posted 07 April 2012 - 06:57 PM
We're in the same boat as you, but not quite ready to purchase. If there's an REI near you, try that. First, you should join. It's a lifetime membership and you will probably get a 20% off coupon to use on any one item. This lasts until April 15th. I know that the one's in Atlanta have the GPS you are looking for since we were just looking at them.
Best of luck!
Tom
Best of luck!
Tom
#6
Posted 07 April 2012 - 07:21 PM
Egads, that Grace Jones picture in your profile scares me. 
I looked because I wanted to see where you are from. You should be able to find a unit no problem at a store, as opposed to online. I'd try Best Buy first. I'm a big Magellan guy, and love the Explorist GC, but I admit the Etrex 20, as recommended by Starbrand, is a much better GPS for the same price.
I looked because I wanted to see where you are from. You should be able to find a unit no problem at a store, as opposed to online. I'd try Best Buy first. I'm a big Magellan guy, and love the Explorist GC, but I admit the Etrex 20, as recommended by Starbrand, is a much better GPS for the same price.
#7
Posted 10 April 2012 - 07:30 PM
StarBrand, on 06 April 2012 - 08:53 PM, said:
I would recommend the Garmin eTrex 20 (not the Dakota 20). For around $160, you get a very nice unit that is fully paperless Geocaching, color, USB, expandable map memory, can manually add waypoints, free maps available and more.
Hello, I was wondering why you recommend the etrex over the Dakota. I am looking to purchase my first unit and these were on my list actually a etrex 20 and a Dakota 10, not 20. I am having a difficult time deciding which is better and if worth spending the money on or since I am just starting out if a Magellan 110, or 310 would be a be a better choice. I know there is a performance difference on the 110 but the others are around the same. I would use it mostly for geocaching, but also have a canoe and a mt bike, so I will eventually use it for more.
#8
Posted 13 April 2012 - 05:41 AM
I too am looking for a beginner's GPS. What about the Etrex 10 as well? That's more in my price range 
#9
Posted 13 April 2012 - 08:09 AM
crhubbard74, on 10 April 2012 - 07:30 PM, said:
StarBrand, on 06 April 2012 - 08:53 PM, said:
I would recommend the Garmin eTrex 20 (not the Dakota 20). For around $160, you get a very nice unit that is fully paperless Geocaching, color, USB, expandable map memory, can manually add waypoints, free maps available and more.
Hello, I was wondering why you recommend the etrex over the Dakota. I am looking to purchase my first unit and these were on my list actually a etrex 20 and a Dakota 10, not 20. I am having a difficult time deciding which is better and if worth spending the money on or since I am just starting out if a Magellan 110, or 310 would be a be a better choice. I know there is a performance difference on the 110 but the others are around the same. I would use it mostly for geocaching, but also have a canoe and a mt bike, so I will eventually use it for more.
The etrex includes the capability to talk to the Russian GPS system as well as the US one. This allows your unit to see more satellites than ever and calculate a more accurate position. It uses newer faster processors. Plus the eTrex has far better battery life and the screen is far more readable in most outdoors situations.
#10
Posted 13 April 2012 - 08:10 AM
Southerngal410, on 13 April 2012 - 05:41 AM, said:
I too am looking for a beginner's GPS. What about the Etrex 10 as well? That's more in my price range
Nice unit but no mapping capabilities. You would likely be far happier if you can view and upgrade maps on the screen.
#11
Posted 13 April 2012 - 08:57 AM
Just started this hobby about 2 months ago ourselves. We have an eTrex 20 and it works great and is very user friendly for what we need it for. You can upload maps/easily find caches (it even has a geocaching option you can use) and it's relatively inexpensive. So far so good!
#12
Posted 13 April 2012 - 10:05 AM
I am also a newbie to GC...I bought a used Garmin eTrex (The original) for $40...Very simple to use, but no maps, so you have to write down what your co-ordinates are on a small note pad. It does what I need it to do, and it sure didn't break the bank.
#13
Posted 13 April 2012 - 10:08 AM
StarBrand, on 13 April 2012 - 08:10 AM, said:
Southerngal410, on 13 April 2012 - 05:41 AM, said:
I too am looking for a beginner's GPS. What about the Etrex 10 as well? That's more in my price range
Nice unit but no mapping capabilities. You would likely be far happier if you can view and upgrade maps on the screen.
I hunt and fish...I have never found the need for mapping. Its more of a nicity then a necessity. I just mark my waypoints and make my way back the way I came.
#14
Posted 13 April 2012 - 10:27 AM
StarBrand, on 06 April 2012 - 08:53 PM, said:
I would recommend the Garmin eTrex 20 (not the Dakota 20). For around $160, you get a very nice unit that is fully paperless Geocaching, color, USB, expandable map memory, can manually add waypoints, free maps available and more.
I totally agree. We've had the 20 for a couple of months now and really like it over our old 76csx. Accuracy and paperless caching is what sold me, not to mention the compact size.
#15
Posted 13 April 2012 - 08:47 PM
StarBrand, on 13 April 2012 - 08:09 AM, said:
crhubbard74, on 10 April 2012 - 07:30 PM, said:
StarBrand, on 06 April 2012 - 08:53 PM, said:
I would recommend the Garmin eTrex 20 (not the Dakota 20). For around $160, you get a very nice unit that is fully paperless Geocaching, color, USB, expandable map memory, can manually add waypoints, free maps available and more.
Hello, I was wondering why you recommend the etrex over the Dakota. I am looking to purchase my first unit and these were on my list actually a etrex 20 and a Dakota 10, not 20. I am having a difficult time deciding which is better and if worth spending the money on or since I am just starting out if a Magellan 110, or 310 would be a be a better choice. I know there is a performance difference on the 110 but the others are around the same. I would use it mostly for geocaching, but also have a canoe and a mt bike, so I will eventually use it for more.
The etrex includes the capability to talk to the Russian GPS system as well as the US one. This allows your unit to see more satellites than ever and calculate a more accurate position. It uses newer faster processors. Plus the eTrex has far better battery life and the screen is far more readable in most outdoors situations.
Hello,
I finally pulled the trigger and bought the etrex 20, I ordered it online and hope to have it in a few days. Thanks for all the information that everyone provided, it was nice to hear from people who use the product not some saleman. I cannot wait to use it I looked today and there are 250 caches within 10 miles of where I live. I do not care if they are easy or difficult I am just stoked there are so many.
#16
Posted 17 April 2012 - 09:47 AM
Southerngal410, on 13 April 2012 - 05:41 AM, said:
I too am looking for a beginner's GPS. What about the Etrex 10 as well? That's more in my price range
I'm using the 10. Chose it because of price and the need to learn of what I may want in a GPSr. I've only been GC'g for a couple of months. We can find them with it. If I were to upgrade today, I would choose the 30 for the extras it brings and it's under 300$ online. As long as you are aware of the 10s limitations, I think you will be happy. I could write more but I'm lazy.
BP
#17
Posted 17 April 2012 - 11:17 AM
Glad to hear your GPS is on the way. Once you have it, don't forget to select it as your primary GPS in your account profile, and download the Garmin Communicator. It may or may not come with a free month or so of Premium Membership, so look closely for that! Let us know how you get on, and any questions...just ask!
Happy Caching
Happy Caching
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