GPS Handheld
 

I've scanned through every GPS related thread I could find, but could not
find what I was looking for. I'd appreciate any good recommendation.

I use it for various different things like hiking, biking, kayaking.. and
general travel (driving flying etc) and I do not care about
turn by turn direction features.


I currently own a Magellan Explorist 200.. I've been happy with it, but
for my needs its not enough any more. Its little bit slow. It does not take
rechargeable NiMH AA batteries - I have to use regular AA batteries.
And I cannot download the track logs and location markers. And it does
not have any memory expansion capabilities.

I need a new portable GPS with the following features:

- Must be hand held.

- water proof/resistant, great if it floats... but better if it
fits in the pocket.

- Rechargeable or it must accept Rechargeable AA NiMH batteries.
(Note: Magellan Explorist 200 does not work on NiMH batteries)

- I Do not care about street maps or its ability to give me directions
but a good global topographical map would be a big PLUS...

- Should be fast and lock onto the signals quickly.

- I should be able to copy/dump the track logs, and location markers
to a computer in text format... USB connectivity would be great
but if it writes to an SD card in a generic format, I can live with it.

- inbuilt compass would be great.. but its not necessary.

- time zone and DST aware (or configurable)

- bicycle mount would be nice too.

I've thought about Explorist 600, but the reviews I've seen are mixed.
Explorist XL seems nice, but its just too big and heavy.

Any good recommendation or thoughts?

thanks

If my map is correct, you must be somewhere near or in NYC. Check out the selection at West Marine...I am sure they have one (or more) that meet your criteria.

West Marine
12 W 37th St
New York, NY
10018-7480
PHONE: 212-594-6065

the garmin 60cx/csx and 76cx/csx qualifies on every point.

- both are water sealed, but the 76 series floats more than the 60 series.
- sirf star iii gps chipset for very rapid lock (and even indoors!)
- street level and/or topgraphical maps can be loaded (and both at the same time if desired). they are extra, however.
- bike mounts and car mounts are available, also an extra accessory.
- dst is either manual or automatic, and i think it has even been updated for the new rules.
- can connect via both usb and serial, and it uses aa batteries.
- accepts micro sd cards, and with a 2gig card, the entire usa can be loaded.

both the cx and csx versions have a compass, but the csx also has a barometer (s = sensor). because the gps uses both the barometer and the gps for altitude determination, it can get confused (like inside of an airplane where it is pressurized to about 7000ft or so). location is unaffected.

they 60 and 76 series are shaped differently - which you prefer is a personal preference - featurewise they're virutally identical.

some of the other models might fit your needs too, but i'm less familiar with the rest of their lineup.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=310
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=351

I second the 60CSx/76CSx recommendation. I have the 60CSx and it does everything you're looking for and more. The electronics are identical (other than a slightly larger microSD card that comes with the 76CSx), and the 76CSx floats. The primary difference is the placement of the buttons (top on the 76, bottom on the 60), so try holding each if possible to see which placement you prefer. The other difference is that the 60CSx has an external antenna "bump" on top, the 76CSx has internal antenna. Both can use NiMH batteries and can be set to tell the unit that's what you're using so the battery life indicator is accurate.

If you use either at all for car navigator you WILL want to get City Navigator North America (another $100 or so), the base maps that come with the unit are virtually unusable for driving anywhere off major highways.

Correct.. I'll check them out .. hopefully next week.


Thanks, I will check them out too... hopefully the retailer mentioned above
has them all for me to see/test.

Do you use NiMH batteries? I want to be sure. With Magellan, it did not
mention anything about the type of batteries, and it turns out the voltage
level for NiMH batteries is not high enough for this unit. It would be nice
if you use NiMH batteries and it works.

Thank you all for the helpful replies. I've been a Magellan person, but I think
I'll give Garmin a try.

How about the forerunner 305 from Garmin?

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142&pID=349

forerunner
 

So, I am using the forerunner 305 for running, but have started using it for biking and hiking. Battery life is the issue, it will last about 15 hours tops. I'm looking for a 5v usb solar charger to use on long hikes. Should be doable.

It is a nice unit, much nicer than i thought it was going to be.

Ended up being about 175$ AR.

i use nimh batteries in a 60cs (same as the 60csx, but older and without the newer sirf star iii gps receiver) and it works fine. in fact, there is a menu option in the setup menus for alkaline/nimh, so the battery meter remains accurate.

I think its not any better compared to the Explorist 200 that I own.

[QUOTE=nmenaker;7607322] I'm looking for a 5v usb solar charger to use on long hikes. /QUOTE]

Nice idea^ If I get something with USB interface, I might consider the Solar
charger.

Thats excellent... Thank you.

Same for the 60CSx, you set the battery type in a menu option and the meter is then accurate. NiMH is one of the options.

I have a Garmin etrex Vista Cx.

It has:

• Color screen (1-3/8w x 1-3/4h),
• NiMH capable,
• microSD expandable,
• mount bracket screw boss on back (brackets extra),
• waterproof (but doesn't float, that I know of),
• built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter (either can be turned on/off independently),
  compass works even when stopped (most GPS, you have to be moving to get a direction)
• downloadble US topo and/or marine maps (@ $80-$100 extra each - don't know about global topo),
• will do turn-by-turn street routing (with CityNav, as mentioned by others),
• will upload tracks/waypoints in .loc file format (don't know about .txt) which can be used by EasyGPS/other freeware as well as Garmin MapSource (with or without maps)

The Vista Cx is smaller than the 60/76 mentioned by others and so it only has an internal patch antena. As a result, signal senstivity does suffer ust a little.
But it will definitely fit in a shirt pocket (overall dim 2-1/4w x 4-1/8h x 1-1/4d).

I really like mine. I've tracked international air flights (15hrs) and still had batt to spare. I also use it for geocaching with the kids and driving directions when I travel to unfamiliar cities. I get about 20-25+ hrs on NiMH or Alkaline batteries (2 x AA). (power usage depends on backlight and compass use)

It has a standard USB 2.0 plug on the back and that same cable can be used to power the unit with a 12V cigarette to USB adapter (very cool).
When connected to PC or external power, it does not use batteries, but will switch if power is interrupted (even more cool).

You could probably home-brew a solar-to-USB power adapter easily enough.
The only drawback is that the USB connector on the back of the Vista Cx is under a waterproof cover. The connection itself is not waterproof. The cable sticks straight out.

If you want to, PM me and I'll e-mail some pics.

I bought mine online from here and got a decent deal (and it was a good site for comparisons).

Hope this is helpful.

Still looking
 

Thank you all for the great feedback. I have not made a purchase yet, but
I did a little more research and been to a local West Marine to check out
some of the Gramin units.. but as of now, I've not decided what to go with
yet, but here are some of my thoughts.

Garmin: Most units were huge except for the Vista Cx. If I go
with garmin, I may consider it.

Magellan: I'm still thinking about Explorist 600


While doing the research, I've bumped into Earthmate PN-20
http://www.delorme.com/pn20/

has anybody used this before?

Can someone compare Garmin and Magellan from personal experience?

I think I've narrowed it down to the above three (unless someone has
a handheld unit [NO PDAs] that I can sync with google earth and/or maps)
and As i've mentioned earlier.. I do not care about the turn-by-turn
directions.


thanks!

The Delorme GPS works well but won't do you much good unless you are connected to a computer. I like the small garmin etrex because I can use it with my computer or stand alone... and its small

Hmm.. Delorme PN-20 seems to be a handheld.. :confused:

Keep in mind that the Vista Cx does not have the new SiRF chipset like the other Garmin "x" models. I have a 60Cx and it is MUCH more sensitive than my older Garmin GPSRs. I can get and maintain a lock under tree cover, down in deep canyons, inside shopping malls, etc... It is a huge advantage for the 60Cx, and made the increased size less of a factor for me.

You might also want to ask your question at the Groundspeak forums

http://forums.groundspeak.com