Slashdot Mirror
Recommended GPS Receivers?
vergere asks: "Christmas has come and gone and I've got the go-ahead from the SO to make one of those big once-a-year electronic purchases. I've decided to get a handheld GPS receiver, so I'd like to draw on the collective knowledge of Slashdot and ask for recommendations. I'd like a good set of features (nothing too basic) and mapping capability - the more bells and whistles I can get for my budget of $350 the better. I'm currently looking at the Garmin GPSMAP 76S - any user experiences with this particular model would be welcomed."
I've not checked every possible nook and cranny on the 'net, but GPSNow.com has the cheapest price I've managed to find anywhere.
--jc
I've had a GPS receiver with mapping and one with out. My current GPS, the Garmin eTrex Summit has all the basic GPS features plus fine-grain elevation-related information.
I've found that I don't miss the mapping capabilities because now I simply plug the GPS via a serial cable into the available nine pin com port on my laptop. I use Streets and Trips from MS and USA PhotoMaps for down to 1 meter photo views. I plug the GPS in when I'm stumbling for wireless AP's, too.
I occasionally use the GPS while Geocaching and while snowshoe hiking. Again, both hobbies don't really need/make use of the maps. I simply set a waypoint for the car before I leave and, if necessary, I can use the backtrack function to find my way back. Otherwise, you just walk towards the waypoint you made.
MS's S&T is about $30, USAPhotoMaps is either free or there is a small donation requested. A Garmin eTrex Summit GPS is $180-190 (via froogle.google.com). Streets and Trips will outstrip the maps on the GPS by FAR, assuming you already have a laptop and won't have to suffer that additional expense.
Otherwise, the eTrex Legend has mapping capabilities and is $160 at Wal-Mart and has mapping capabilities. No need to spend the full $350! The eTrex line is nice, IMO. A friend of mine has the basic yellow eTrex and we've used it (and my Summit) on the water, in the cold (snow), heat, etc. They've both been banged around a bit and haven't suffered at all from our adventures.
Exocet Industries - Taking over the world, one computer at a
YMMV, but those are my observations. My father got an ETrex for Christmas from someone this year, and I told him not to even open the package, return it and get the Meridian. The Etrex's patch antennae works for sh*t in my experience.
Also be sure to check the forums over on Geocaching.com -- this subject has been talked to death there.
Trolls lurk everywhere. Mod them down.
I have a Garmin GPS Map 76S. I've used it to navigate cross from Biscayne Bay FL to Bimini Bahamas and surrounds. A GPS with WAAS is dead nuts accurate. I took marks on my way out and navigated my way back too them on the way back. In every instance, the 76S was spot on. All my marks were verifiable by simple ded reckoning.
:)
I've also used in the colorado mountains and in Puget Sound. Accurate in all cases. By accurate I mean that all marks and the electronic maps matched up with paper maps using simple ded reckoning or orienteering techniques.
Other notes:
The 76S will run about 8 hours reliable on a set of AA batteries - be sure to keep one new set of batteries in reserve for emergencies. It will run only 4 to 6 hours on rechargable batteries.
The unit does float
The on-screen mapping function is usefull, but you must scroll frequently. Be sure to take paper charts/maps with you.
The UI is easy and relativly intuitive to use. I found no mamor problems.
The tide table feature is really usefull! It always matched the navigation softare I use on my laptop.
The unit works well with the various laptop based navigation and mapping software I've used including The Captain and Microsoft Mappoint.
The Garmin downloadable maps work well and are worth the cost, but don't expect a lot of detail for the Marine (Blue Chart) maps - the do a good job of augmenting good paper charts, but never rely on them by them selves.
Note that with the 76S you are paying for three tings: 1) more flash memor 2) a barometic altimiter, 3) a magnetic compas. Here are some notes regarding each:
The flash memory holds a LOT of map information, way points and tracks. You probably really don't need the ammount of memory in the 76S.
I've never used the barometric altimeter - it must be calibrated and this is a pain. Do you really need it?
The magnetic compas is the relativly usefull and seemed to always be accurate enough. However, it is no substitute for a god hand held compas or a ships compass.
All in all, I've been very happy with my Garmin.
Jibe!
Another contender is the Silva Navigator.
This unit features GPS, barometer and electronic compass. Check the description and tech spec at
http://www.gpsw.co.uk/details/prod171.html
Battery life with the suggested strategy is perfectly adequate for 2 weeks from to AA cells.
Note the low minimum operating temperatute.
Built in maps sound like a nice idea but some units have functions specific to certain areas only(North America) which you pay for. Some places you might visit may not be that well served by maps.
Personally I'd either go for this or one of the Magellan GPS receivers.
Good luck.
My hyperlinks aren't worth the paper they're printed on.
The Garmin 60CS has the same features as the 76S, but also has:
It looks like a sweet little unit. If I hadn't bought a GPS V 6 months ago, I'd seriously consider getting one myself.
-- Mitch