what type of portable gps to buy???

[russfim]

What would be a good portable gps to buy? I'm looking for a model that would be fairly easy to use and will last longer than the Magellan sport trac I once had. It lasted a few years and then died. When I tried to have it repaired they to me to get a new one. So now I'm looking. Any suggestions would be helpful. Prefer the hand-held models. Thank you to all who respond.

[Firemedic]

I have a Garmin Etrex Vista Cx that is three years old I would be willing to sell. It is in mint condition, I only used it during bird hunting season. The only reason I am selling it is because I bought a Garmin Astro unit for the dogs.

I will even load it up with all the topo maps for you.

[hitechman]

1--What in particular, do you want to use it for......geocaching, hunting, fishing, highway?
2--Do you want mapping capacity?
3--Color or black & white?
4- How much do you want to spend?

Answer these and I can point you in the right direction.

Steve

[2PawsRiver]

Lots of options. I was looking for one to use on remote hiking trips etc. After much reading I settled on the Delorme Earthmate PN40. While I hate to do it, did some checking on line for pricing and was going to spend time on E-Bay to see if I could get one for a good price, except I found them on line at Walmart for 248 dollars. Great price.

Anyhow, lots of opinions...........this is mine.:)

[whitetailmonster]

I have a garmin etrex vista and i love it!

[twohats]

Lots of options. I was looking for one to use on remote hiking trips etc. After much reading I settled on the Delorme Earthmate PN40. While I hate to do it, did some checking on line for pricing and was going to spend time on E-Bay to see if I could get one for a good price, except I found them on line at Walmart for 248 dollars. Great price.

Anyhow, lots of opinions...........this is mine.:)


I also have the PN40. Make sure you update the firmware when you get it. I was haveing problems getting a wass lock.But after up dateing with the beta firmware I am know consistantly getting wass,even in the house. The topo maps that come with it are great. Also with the firmware update you will have paperless geocaching if you are a cacher. Delorme is sending me the topo 8.0 update ,just had to pay shipping. If you have any issues send me a PM and maybe I can help.Takes a little time to get use to it. Also the areal imaging overlays are cool. Make sure you load the high quality ones over the lesser.Its great GPS for the money.

[qin45]

Hi, i highly recommend this Garmin nuvi 885T 4.3 inch GPS (http://www.dealstudio.com/viewtopic.php?t=51661&ru=281), i have got one, it has a deal now, and saves me a ton. and best speech recognition to date. MSN direct is absolutely awesome - weather, traffic, news, gas prices and more. Lane assist and speed limit data are excellent. Removable/replaceable battery. Latest maps.

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

i am bias garmin:coolgleam RHINO 530 hcx

[road trips]

Lowrance H2Oc

[dtg]

I just got the Garmin 60Csx this year and am loving it. I primarily use it for dual sporting and love it because it's colored and is easy to use. I haven't used it for fishing yet.

[Nork]

If you haven't bought one yet, I agree with Road Trips. While R.T.'s is color, mine is black and white. Less than $180. Super easy to use for us technologically challenged. Bought a lake chip for $100. Even though it's for fishing, it shows two tracks all over the state. My wife has even stopped asking me if I know where we're at when we're exploring our great wilderness.

[L Carr]

I just got a DeLorme PN-40 and this is one well thought out handheld. Comes with topo maps DVD, and batteries but it can also be pruchased with a LIthium Ion rechargeable. Nie to know you can use both types of batteries.



http://www.tigergps.com/delormepn40.html

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=29387&section=10461

Larry

[Flag Up]

Look no further than the Lowrance H2Oc.

[sigman]

Lowrance H20c........again!

[hitechman]

Garmin GPSMap 76Cs or Csx.............it floats. Better "ALL AROUND" unit for maps for "All purposes".

Lowrance H2O is great for it's fishing maps and is a good unit.........mine was, but now rests in 40 feet of H2O in Torch Lake!!

I'm glad I looked further (in response to "look no further")

Both Lowrence and Garmin have great customer service and sell good units. Unit choice should depend on what you want to use it for (mainly), do you want mapping capability (see what maps are available from the manufacturer as they are not usable on other brands), and size of GPS (big hands and fingers need a bigger GPS frame IMHO).

Steve

[YooperTroll]

i have a garmin etrex h, which you can get for around $90...it works great. i find that people don't use a fraction of the bells and whistles in the units that cost more money...if you're looking for something that works greats, stores ample way points (but no maps) the garmin etrex h is good bang for the buck.

[William H Bonney]

Garmin GPSMap 76Cs or Csx.............it floats. Better "ALL AROUND" unit for maps for "All purposes".

Lowrance H2O is great for it's fishing maps and is a good unit.........mine was, but now rests in 40 feet of H2O in Torch Lake!!

I'm glad I looked further (in response to "look no further")

Both Lowrence and Garmin have great customer service and sell good units. Unit choice should depend on what you want to use it for (mainly), do you want mapping capability (see what maps are available from the manufacturer as they are not usable on other brands), and size of GPS (big hands and fingers need a bigger GPS frame IMHO).

Steve

I have the GPSMAP76S and wouldn't even consider any other unit,, well maybe the color model.

[waterbuffulo]

I would have to say the Lowrance H2O also! I have had it a couple of months now and its easy to use!