GPS purchase help...

[luckie44]

I am looking to purchase a hendheld GPS for multiple use and wanted some input from you guys. I need a GPS that can serve assistance with trail riding, lakes and geocaching.
Thanks in advance for any guidance given.
Kind regards,
B~

[dr.dirty]

i would higly recommend the garmin 60csx
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y268/szmartin7401/100_1982.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y268/szmartin7401/100_1981.jpg

[DavidEllzey]

I have the 60CSx and for deep canyons or heavy tree cover there is no other product like it right now.

However, if neither of these conditions are an issue for you there are a lot of very cool features offered by some other makes that would track just as well.

Dave

[mdantonio]

I have a Garmin Nuvi 260 in the Jeep for highway and a Garmin e-Trex for in-field navigation. The 260 is great with its voice-prompt turn-by-turn street name navigation. The e-Trex is used for plotting coordinates onto an actual Topo map. When in-field I would never depend soley upon any electronic device...if it fails you can get seriously screwed! I believe there are several units out there that will accept Topo programs but I prefer to carry two (fixed and portable) and plot coordinates. Good luck with whatever you choose to buy. Take care... Mike

[lakebum]

I have the 60CSx and for deep canyons or heavy tree cover there is no other product like it right now.

However, if neither of these conditions are an issue for you there are a lot of very cool features offered by some other makes that would track just as well.

Dave

I also recommend the Garmin 60 CSx. The "x" stands for the new chip technology they use to make the receiver more sensitive than the previous models. As Dave says here it will get better reception than most of the other models out right now.

You can purchase the Garmin city navigator software for it also so it will do turn by turn directions for all of North America.

The 76CSx is the equivalent model, but it floats, so if you are planning on using it boating you may want to consider this one instead. The 60 is waterproof, but will sink like a rock.

I geocache with my 76CSx and JK nearly every weekend.

[DavidEllzey]

To elaborate on my earlier comment, if you are not going to be in conditions that require the sensitivity of the 60CSx reception and if trails were my main usage, then I would take a look at the Bushnell Onix 400. Its list of very cool features are hard to overlook.

I don't have experience with using handheld GPS units for nautical usage and prefer to have a combo GPS/Sonar unit dedicated for that.

Dave

[Green-JK]

Just got the Garmin 60Cx in the mail today. I've heard a lot of good things about it. Not sure what the difference is Between mine and the 60CSx. Either way I don't think you'll find a more versatile hand-held GPS. Good Luck!!

[ericg]

I am looking to purchase a hendheld GPS for multiple use and wanted some input from you guys. I need a GPS that can serve assistance with trail riding, lakes and geocaching.
Thanks in advance for any guidance given.
Kind regards,
B~

I'm really happy with my Jeep Trail Guide. I like the dedicated cradle for my JK. Also, I use in our Durango, mount it on my motorcyle, and use it for geocaching.

[OffTopic]

I'll add another vote for the Garmin Map60CSx (the 'x' adds an altimeter and e-compass to the CS). The altimeter is cool if you hike and you like to see a graphical representation of your elevation profile (you can upload it to your computer). The altimeter is even cool when you're jeeping in the mountains and you want to know your elevation. I use the compass for geocaching.

The only time I've lost a signal has been inside caves and once in a long tunnel. It holds 1000 (geocache or other) waypoints which is great for roadtrips (many models only hold 200-500) . It does turn-by-turn auto-routing (many hand-held GPSR's don't), it comes with a base set of maps and POI, you can add CityNavigator for highly detailed street maps (including most larger trails) and additional POI, there are several different TOPO map sets available for it, and BlueChart maps for marine navigation. It's got tide data and sun/moon data. It holds a ton of track logs, and the track-back feature has come in handy a few times. It doesn't float but it is waterproof. And it seems to be indestructible, given how many times I've dropped mine on the rocks.

[rwamf]

Built in Solid state memory with full Nav-Teq Street Nav maps for U.S. and Canada, "downloadable maps with U.S. satellite and aerial imagery, enhanced USGS topographic data, and BLM mapping from online mapstore", and you can also but Topo maps to put on the SD card.
Does Tracks (Unlike the Garmin street units) up to 100 saved tracks, plus many more track files on the SD card , .
I use it both in vehicle and on my motorcycle
http://www.ram-mount.com/index_files/ramb149zlo8_b.jpg

Below from Lowrance web page


Display

* Bright, 3.5" (8.89 cm) diagonal 16-bit color touchscreen display
* 320H x 240V pixel resolution
* Super-bright, white LED backlit screen
* Simplified touch-screen menus
* Three selectable mapping displays: 2-D Track Up, 2-D North Up, and Elevated 3-D

Navigation/Mapping

* Internal, precision 12-channel GPS antenna with superior tracking sensitivity
* Built-in, turn-by-turn NAVTEQ® street Navigation detail with voice and visual guidance, plus over 3 million POI destinations
* Supports all current plug-&-play map/chart options from Lowrance (FreedomMaps™, Fishing Hot Spots® PRO, LakeMaster® ProMaps, and NauticPath™), as well as Navionics® Classic and Gold charts
* Unique, downloadable maps with U.S. satellite and aerial imagery, enhanced USGS topographic data, and BLM mapping from online mapstore
* Straight-line navigation feature for off-road, on-foot and marine use

Media Players

* Full-featured stereo MP3 audio player for playing audio files loaded on an SD memory card
* Full-featured picture viewer displays JPEG photos stored on SD memory cards

Specs

* Operates on internal, rechargable Li-Ion battery
* SD memory card slot for mapping options, MP3 audio files and JPEG picture files
* Built-in loudspeaker, DC power, and USB ports
* Weatherproof design; splash-proof to IPX4 standards
* 3.75"W x 3.25"H x 0.75"D (9.5cm x 8.2 cm x 1.9 cm)
* Full one-year warranty
http://rwamf.com/xog/DSC04023.JPG

[dr.dirty]

Built in Solid state memory with full Nav-Teq Street Nav maps for U.S. and Canada, "downloadable maps with U.S. satellite and aerial imagery, enhanced USGS topographic data, and BLM mapping from online mapstore", and you can also but Topo maps to put on the SD card.
Does Tracks (Unlike the Garmin street units) up to 100 saved tracks, plus many more track files on the SD card , .
I use it both in vehicle and on my motorcycle
http://www.ram-mount.com/index_files/ramb149zlo8_b.jpg

Below from Lowrance web page


Display

* Bright, 3.5" (8.89 cm) diagonal 16-bit color touchscreen display
* 320H x 240V pixel resolution
* Super-bright, white LED backlit screen
* Simplified touch-screen menus
* Three selectable mapping displays: 2-D Track Up, 2-D North Up, and Elevated 3-D

Navigation/Mapping

* Internal, precision 12-channel GPS antenna with superior tracking sensitivity
* Built-in, turn-by-turn NAVTEQ® street Navigation detail with voice and visual guidance, plus over 3 million POI destinations
* Supports all current plug-&-play map/chart options from Lowrance (FreedomMaps™, Fishing Hot Spots® PRO, LakeMaster® ProMaps, and NauticPath™), as well as Navionics® Classic and Gold charts
* Unique, downloadable maps with U.S. satellite and aerial imagery, enhanced USGS topographic data, and BLM mapping from online mapstore
* Straight-line navigation feature for off-road, on-foot and marine use

Media Players

* Full-featured stereo MP3 audio player for playing audio files loaded on an SD memory card
* Full-featured picture viewer displays JPEG photos stored on SD memory cards

Specs

* Operates on internal, rechargable Li-Ion battery
* SD memory card slot for mapping options, MP3 audio files and JPEG picture files
* Built-in loudspeaker, DC power, and USB ports
* Weatherproof design; splash-proof to IPX4 standards
* 3.75"W x 3.25"H x 0.75"D (9.5cm x 8.2 cm x 1.9 cm)
* Full one-year warranty
http://rwamf.com/xog/DSC04023.JPG

does the lowrance support gpx files i do a lot of geocaching ?

[luckie44]

You guys rock! It looks like the Garmin 76CSx might be the better all aorund purchase for me since it will be used to "mark the crappie beds" and "hotspots" on the lake as well. I've no idea of cost, but if within reason it seems the best overall choice based on the votes of you guys who use it daily. The geocaching is new to me and currently been using the crackberry, but seems lots of fun!
Thanks again jeeping brothers....
Brian

[rwamf]

does the lowrance support gpx files i do a lot of geocaching ?
Yes you can load "gpx" files into it or you can convert them to the Lowrance "usr" files with many of the free programs out there like "GPSBABEL"
You would have to spend hundreds more for a Garmin unit that will do and have the same capabilities,
60/76 series you have to buy maps, a power cord and a mount, they also only hold 20 saved tracks @ 500 points each. Tracks are a great way to share roads and trails . ( the XOG will store up to 100 saved tracks at up to 10,000 points in each track) ( more points = better resolution)
I own a Garmin 60c, and a couple of Lowrance units and I Never use the Garmin anymore. Lowrance offers a nice unit at a fair price.

[rwamf]

You want the best for the Jeep, Try the Lowrance 600c, http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/tigergps_1996_75541305
5" 640x480 high res screen, Complete up to date NavTeq US maps, Complete set of Topo Maps for the US, and also comes with Mairne charts as well, DOES TRACKS (both imported and saved), and it is a bargain as well, Can be had for less than $350 bucks, heck just the map sets from Garmin would cost that.

[TexsDream77]

I have to give the lean toward the Lowrance units. the 6ooC is excelent. I have a lot of customers that use that unit. It is the first unit to offer complete marine and on road navigation. The new XOD does all the big one does and then some. And it fits in your pocket. I had the previous model, the Iway 250 and loved it. I just got the new XOD a couple of weeks ago...I will be bying the lake maps for it as well as the ocean charts. I was told that the lake map will include area tapo maps. I will be trying that out soon as well. We hike and wheel up in ME and NH.