Handheld GPS

[SouthernDZ]

I'm finally moving into the new millenium and need to buy a handheld GPS that I can use here in the U.S. and over in Europe. My job requires me to travel all over frequently and I think this is the way to go but I'm pretty clueless here:

What is a good commercial handheld GPS that accepts software with German streets (going to Grafenwoehr later this month).

Thanks in advance!

[lksteve]

What's your budget?

I'd check Magellan out...the Explorist with their World Edition software...I've used their hand held GPS units with no issues and have also used their survey grade (Ashtech) companion products.

[JJ_BPK]

Besides budjet.
What will you use it for??

You need to develop a list of requirements.

• Driving? with Verbal directions?
• Altimeter?
• Southern Hemisphere?
• Iphone application?
• Water depth and tide charts?
• Long Battery life?
• Solar Powered?
• WiFi to get map updates?
• Micro SD card to store and archive routes?

These guys have been in the GPS business for years, at least 15. They have a simple site,, full of good info.

http://gpsinformation.net/


Good Luck..
Let us know what you find..

[Ambush Master]

I've been dealing with these folks and they're very good also (http://www.offroute.com/). I've got a Garmin 60CSx and I can get Sat-Lock in my living room!! There is at least one thread in here where this was discussed Search using 60CSx. Several guys said that once they got Lock, they could get into up-armored vehicles and not loose it. I've used the suction cup mount on the gas cap of my Bonneville and it's plenty easy to read (with a Dummy Cord tie off).

Good Luck!!
Martin

[SouthernDZ]

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

Besides budjet.
What will you use it for??

You need to develop a list of requirements.

• Driving? with Verbal directions?
• Altimeter?
• Southern Hemisphere?
• Iphone application?
• Water depth and tide charts?
• Long Battery life?
• Solar Powered?
• WiFi to get map updates?
• Micro SD card to store and archive routes?

These guys have been in the GPS business for years, at least 15. They have a simple site,, full of good info.

http://gpsinformation.net/


Good Luck..
Let us know what you find..

Under $300, basically verbal driving directions in U.S. and Europe. 3-4 hour battery life and plug-in capability in a rental car.

Water depth?

I don't think I need to archive as they never seem to send me to the same place twice.

I'll check the sites ya'll mentioned, thanks, I obviously came to the right place.

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by SouthernDZ

Water depth?

Boating & Fishing & Diving..

[craigepo]

Some friends and I are planning a drop-camp hunt, and I had been looking at this unit. Of course, broadcasting in the clear is no longer an issue for me.

http://www.offroute.com/product/view...39&CatID=14347

[Pete]

Originally Posted by craigepo

Some friends and I are planning a drop-camp hunt, and I had been looking at this unit. Of course, broadcasting in the clear is no longer an issue for me.

http://www.offroute.com/product/view...39&CatID=14347

SouthernDZ - just quoting craigepo

I got the GARMIN Etrex on sale a couple of months ago - the real bargin basement model. It works well for what I need it for and is simple.

With that said - all the higher models have many, many more features that can be used.

Almost all brands now days have up-loadable maping features through your PC - and somebody posted a link a while back to a site that has better maps than GARMIN.

The GARMIN works well in the left hand using the thumb and first two fingers to change pages. I don't have to shift it around much to hit all the buttons. I like the one handed operation. I think most of the GARMINs are set up similarly.

BUT - the buttons are on the side. The unit has a bike mount that you can use while riding. I find it a little hard when riding to work side mounted buttons.

So for hand use side buttons are fine for me but if mounted I'd prefer front mounted buttons.

A lot of the different brands are real similar. You really need to check the extra features on each to find what your looking for.

Edited to add the Map Link. http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

[SouthernDZ]

Being able to drive and navigate without changing hands is a pretty good tip! An issue I hadn't thought of. Leaning towards a Garmin - thanks everyone.

[BigJimCalhoun]

I have been trying to learn about GPS too. I want something for hunting in Colorado, so an altitude feature is more important to me and maybe someone on the coast.

I essentially chose a make/model but then read the reviews on Amazon. Ouch - there were a number of bad ones. I know one must take those reviews with a grain of salt but I am still looking around.

[JJ_BPK]

Here is a little tit-bit for the FOG's

SCREEN SIZE.. Having the lightest, smallest GPS is useless if you can't read the screen

and conversely

BATTERIES.. Having a big screen means you use more power..

It is a compromise you need to weigh, especially if you are on long off road treks. If you have a camp where you can store gear or pack horses to toot gear??

If you are still a ruck'r, look at small solar panels and rechargeable batteries. If you have sunny shies & good weather..

For those that trek with their Land Yatchets (winny-bagles) you may want to think about a small remote GPS antenna that will port to your laptop. GPS software is fairly cheap and you will probably have the laptop anyway. With a data contract on your cellphone you can Twitter your location any time, any place..

In the car I have a Tom Tom XL one with 5 inch screen??

[Papa Zero Three]

Garmin Nuvi 500. Great for driving on or off road and you can load topo maps on it. It talks to you and is in color. If you look around you can find them from the $150-$200 range. It's thin enough and the battery lasts long enough that you could use it as a handheld while walking if you needed to. I take mine with me when I travel. Comes standard with the window mount, power cord,etc.

[greenberetTFS]

In the car I have a Tom Tom XL one with 5 inch screen??

Pete,Can that be hand held?......... Would only use it in U.S......... How much?................

Big Teddy

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by greenberetTFS

In the car I have a Tom Tom XL one with 5 inch screen??

Pete,Can that be hand held?.........
Would only use it in U.S.........
How much?................

Big Teddy

BT

Prices are coming down, the latest on Amazon for the TT XL 1 is 175 USD,

and I was wrong is a 4.3 inch screen.

The problem with TT is the battery design. As it is meant to be vehicle mounted,, with dash power tether, the battery is only good for a couple hours when off the charge.

The good parts,,

You can use micro SD cards, I have a spare 4GB card for maps and way-points in the TT. I can also use it as back-up for my camera

You can get all sorts of POI (points of interest) to down load. Airports, Micky D's, Hospitals, VA Clinics,, all sorts of places.

I can feed your local alternate routs info back to TT for distribution to other TT users.

You can get real time updates for weather & accidents(most all are doing this)

Not Good.. The TT and other car rout GPS' are not geared to the walker, conversely treking GPS' are not geared to traffic info & POI..

[badshot]

BigJimCalhoun:

You may wish to check out the Earthmate PN's at http://www.delorme.com

Pros: Advanced, Detailed, Strong, waterproof, Map Pack service will save you tons of money on maps and aerial imagery.

Cons: No Weather Feature, Garmins are easier to setup


I use one in western remote areas regularly along with maps (in a ziplock bag) printed from the pro-grade XMAP PC software. The printed maps are good enough that you can navigate without a compass (or GPS) in visible conditions. They have added SPOT SATCOMM in the PN-60w (SPOT requires a subscription) so you can leave the SAT phone in the truck (or saddle bags). I carry a GPS PLB so SPOT isn't an important feature to me.