What GPS to buy?

Hello all,

So what is your favorite GPS? I am a noob backpacker and still learning here. I took the REI GPS basics course last night and checked out a few different GPS models. I was told that a lot of those new iPhone looking Garmins are really just for looks, but nothing else good about them. Is there a particular model you guys would suggest? Right now I am leaning towards the DeLorme PN40…

What I am looking for in a GPS:
1. I am going to be using it for backpacking only (deep woods eventually)
2. I want a color screen (Hopefully topographical)
3. Needs to run off AA or AAA batteries, no rechargeable stuff please.

Idea? Comments? Concerns? Suggestions?


Thanks for the help all!!!

I've been backpacking for several years and have always relied upon a traditional paper map and compass. Got a GPS unit with my REI dividend and didn't know what else to spend it on. Wanted one of the Garmin oregon units but they were out of my price range. Was a toss up between the DeLorme PN-40 and a Garmin eTrex Vista HCx based on customer reviews. I eventually went with the DeLorme. What sold me were the maps that are available. Both units got good reviews, but I wanted more bang for the buck in the map department. However, consider that the Garmin eTrex can get up to 25 hrs on a pair of batteries. I won't get even half that with the PN-40 on regular alkalines. Haven't tried lithiums yet. There are DeLorme forums that talk about ways to get more battery life out of the unit. I haven't checked those out, but I assume turning the screen brightness down and turning the altimeter off are options.

I've used the DeLorme for some Geocaching and a bunch of hiking. Has worked great for both. A complaint, though minor, is that it's been taking up to 2-3 minutes to get a satellite lock. Don't know if that's normal.

I may also look into solar battery chargers for long backpacking trips so I don't have to carry a ton of AAs. That being said, you'd always want to carry a paper map and compass.

It's easily viewed in sunlight as well. All in all, I'm happy with my PN-40. Hope this helps.

I would look at the technical specifications to see if you can see what chipset is used, i.e., SiRFStar III, or Qualcomm MSM7200 gpsOne. If you know the chipset you can look around and see if there are reviews of units using that chipset that either talk about problems or slow speed locking onto satellites, or ideally the reverse. I have the SiRFStar III chipset in my smartphone, and it does a good job of locking on fairly quickly under tree cover. Maybe all models sold today will do so, dunno ...

My recollection is that some GPS models don't (or at least once didn't) work with lithium batteries; this is something I'd want, particularly if you anticipate using it in cold weather.

If buying based on maps that come with it, be careful about the scale of maps included. A friend got a gps (Garmin Colorado I think?) partly based on it having all of the US included, but these were 1:100,000 scale maps. I infrequently like having the ability to see this higher-level (less detailed) view, but I almost always look at maps (printed and on my phone/gps) at a 1:25,000 scale, and to get that level of resolution my friend had to purchase the maps (they're not cheap, either).

+1 on the PN-40.

ekitowski, I have sometimes had issues with it taking a while to get a lock, but it usually pops right on, about 6 seconds or so...And yes lithium batteries, power saving measures, etc....all are effective in different ways, but I don't constantly use mine (meaning I don't turn it on at the trailhead and leave it on till I get to the end) unless I am using it in the car, so I haven't had any issues with the batteries not being sufficient.

The eTrex legend is a great little device too, if minimal in terms of maps and such...
But in the end no GPS will ever take the place of compass and good map. A good GPS unit WILL, however, simplify finding specific destinations, help morale sometimes ('hey guys, we only have x number of miles to go!') and they will also be useful in helping you make sense of a poor map.....

Garmin Etrex...but regardless of make, carry a map and compass and know how to use them!

I really think you should consider the garmin foretrex.
Jim

Another vote for the foretrex - the 101 which I believe is the unit which uses disposable batteries.

Always carry a map (and know how to use it). I have used a GPS professionally since 1991 and I still hike with a paper map. Way too many things can go wrong with any battery powered item.

i use a 60csx. runs on 2 AA batteries. never had reception issues in heavy trees. fairly tough unit as well. i have this on my motorcycle when i go play in the woods. right now i have mine loaded with maps from the open street map project, and the nwtrails project. i have city navigator, but openstreet map is free and community maintained, so there may or may not be more detail in some areas. i upgraded mine a 2GB card, so plenty of storage space as well.

I still use a Garmin eMap because it is still a "favorite" of mine. It's just an old grayscale unit but it has a larger screen than an eTrex and it's lot easier to see and use. You can get the GPS, a memory card, and lo-res topo maps for under $200 if you shop ebay. I don't know if it will run the hi-res maps. But, if money is an issue it's still a very good choice.

I'll also point out that you'll want a GPS that will take a memory card. Some of the eTrex units do not. You'll want that feature to make it easy to swap map sets. The eMap uses a proprietary "Garmin" card and they're not cheap. That's a pretty big minus.

I'm pretty sure that some of the DeLorme units are compatible with the National Geographic Topo software. That's a pretty big plus. And, I think you can use your own maps too. If I buy a newer unit I'd have to consider that in because you can download all the USGS Quad maps for free now.

Have you looked at the Bushnel backtracker? Electronic compass with 3 waypoints for around $50 and uses 2 AAAs.
Jim

I have had some intensive GPS experience as I recently (March 09) published a guide book that used GPS coords for adventure motorcycle trips in the Idaho/Nevada/Oregon desert (ask me for info in you are interested; unabashed plug here!)
I learned a couple of things as I rode all over the desert. The battery issue was a big one. I started with a simple etrex just for tracking, and looking back at where I'd been. I moved on to a Triton which is used in conjucntion with Nat Geo Topo. Its a great unit, small, with color screen and viewable topo maps. HOWEVER, any of the color screens EAT up batteries! I've gone to rechargable 2900 lithium batteries, and I can get about 10 hours depending on how much "looking" I do at the screen, beacause every time you check the screen it lights up, using more power. I've rarely used it for true backpacking, as I think the maps are actually more flexible, ie larger view area, more detail than a 2" square. I can see using a small non color GPS just for waypoint location, so you can pre-plot your off trail turning points, and then using map and compass, decide on the route once your really there. But as for having your space age GPS in hand, well, not quite to Star Trek level yet! BTW, Nat Geo Topo is superb, as you can make your own maps. I swear by adventure paper! I make maps that encompass just the areas I need, and its a great way to go.
I haven't found a way to really use one for a multi day trip that won't run you heavy with battery weight.

I used the Garmin Foretrex 101 for several years until I lost it this summer. I replaced it with the G F 301. I think they're great.

Don

If you are on a motorcycle, isn't there some way you can generate the juice to recharge the batteries of the GPS?

I run my gps off the 12V system on my bike.
For hiking, there are numerous aa and aaa solar chargers available, but pay close attention to the current flow. It could take weeks to charge 4 2900mah batts. One tip is to use the same batteries for all your outdoor electronics so you can swap in a pinch.
And try to use the GPS to get a location fix, then turn it off and use maps.

just picked up a Garmin Etrex (yellow one) on eBay!...waitin for it to come in and can't wait to play with it. Also got a copy of some topo software. Figured it was the right move for me because I mainly wanted a gps just to plot where I've hiked and print out a large map to post on a wall

I know it is a little off subject but anyone geocache?
Korea

It damn well better be for $100 a state eh? I'm complaining about what it'd cost to get all their maps for a PCT thru-hike, but I'm so glad I'm not doing the AT because that'd be huge $$$.

I already had Nat Geo maps for OR and WA (I grew up in OR, live in WA) so when I thru-hiked I just needed to get CA. The Pocket Topo product worked okay on my smartphone; somewhat buggy but did the basics fine.

I'll attempt the AT this year, and for exactly that reason I switched products. In fact, for 14 states you don't have to buy 14 different Nat Geo products as they clump some together in sets like "New England", etc, but it's still quite a lot of money. I switched to www.memory-map.com and got their higher end product that allows import of geotiff maps. Got the geotiffs for free; can also buy all the AT set for $25 on DVD. Found an AT trail trace online and use gpsbabel to convert it to a format that memory-map could load. So some learning curves and effort and money spent, but now I can load maps for anywhere in the country for just some effort. Print them out if desired, or put them on my smartphone (with GPS).

So there are alternatives.

tpdwr
why did you replace your garmin foretrex 101 with a 301? The 101 is actually lighter but has a bit more current drain 15 vs 18 hours. Aren't they pretty much the same?
Jim

Jim
The 301 is supposed to have a more sensitive antenna and indeed it seems to do better in canyons. It also comes with a USB cable for transferring tracks and waypoints which works very well for me. A freshly set of charged batteries will last for a longish day(10 hours or so). I haven't actually timed a fresh set.

Don

Looking at the Garmin website, I got the impression that the 301 uses proprietary batteries, which would seem to indicate access to a power source is necessary to recharge them. Is this correct? For me the supreme virtue of the 101 is the use of AAA batteries, the standard for my outdoor electronics gear.

I was using my 101 intensively a couple of weeks ago, getting good data mostly, but it hiccuped twice, giving clearly oddball readings. Both times I was in the bottom of a steep walled canyon with fairly heavy tree cover.

The 301 uses AAA batteries.
Don