So after my trip to wharton this weekend, I see I can have alot more fun with a GPS set up. I had a great time since I knew the trails better then the rest of the guys I lead everyone in. (thats a scaryy though me leading) so anyway after we stopped at the "pic a lilly" for lunch Mike (SawRed) joined us and I can really see the difference with him leading we went down some trails we could hardly see the entrence to.

Who's got a GPS, what kind ? where is a good place to get one ? Any good features are good to have ?

 

I use the iPaq navigation system. The best part is that for the price of a mapping navigational GPS, I also get a nice PDA.

http://silvertank.batcave.net/GPS.htm

 

I have a Garmin eTrex Legend. Selling point for me was it was cheap (<$100) over a year ago. Downsides are it does not have external power or antenna abilities. Also the display is a bit small for use in a vehicle. I wedge mine between the dash and the windshield and it works, just not really well. However it is great for hiking and on the boat.

In the past ~1.5 years since I bought my device I think they've come out w/ better sets at similar prices. You should be able to get something w/ the external antenna and power capabilities now for not too much..

 

I've got the Garmin GPS V. I mostly use it as my speedometer(larger tires affect speedo)... It has saved me being lost in big cities many times. I also have used it to mark deer blinds and tanks on hunting leases...

 

I also have the Garmin eTrex Legend and what do you mean no external power? It has a cig lighter adapter that plugs in the back. I would love the external antenna but I had no idea I'd love GPS as much as I do....I might want to upgrade in the future...

 

Uh?! I don't.. Mine came w/ an RS-232 serial adapter for connecting it to the PC, but no power adapter. I saw that there was an adapter available, but it was moderately expensive. Also the adapter uses the same port, so you cannot use the external power and PC connection simultaniously.

I too would like to upgrade. Like I said, a lot has happened to the market in the last few years. When I bought mine there were not nearly as many options. The Legend was brand new and a steal at nearly twice what I paid compared to what was available..

Edit: I just found an accessory cable for my Legend. It has both the PC and the power (+12VDC 'cigarette' outlet) plugs on it. However the accessory is $50!! I am pretty sure that is nearly HALF what I paid for the device itself. I'd much rather own something that either comes w/ a cable..

 

I think I paid $35ish for my power adapter. Haven't needed to connect to a PC so that's not a problem for me. Gary got me wanting the iPaq now....dang it Gary....

 

As I said above, I found the adapter. Although that is PC+power. The power only adapter is a few bucks less, at $40 direct from Garmin. That's still pretty steep for a device that retails from Amazon at ~$135..

 

If you guys were to upgrade what would you get ?

I think I like the garmin V, thought I don't think it has much memory.

 

GPS only: Garmin V I think IF it has an external antenna (can't check atm..sorry)
PDA+GPS: Same thing Gary has (I think y'all call him George for some odd reason)

 

Yes Garmin V has an external antenna, I think i can get that for under or around $300

 

It's funny, I was just looking at that. The GPS V looks pretty good, but I'm still a cheapskate and would still want something under $200.. Unfortunately that's tough to do it seems. The Garmin GPSMAP 76 looks interesting. My buddy has an older version of that device and it works pretty well. Although he too uses it almost entirely just as a handheld.

I'm biased as the main reason I wanted a GPS was for hiking. I still use road maps when in the truck. 85% of what my GPS does is collect way and track points for me to download to the PC later. I have some nifty topo-graphic software that plots my path over the landscape and even shows elivation profiles of my hikes. Kinda fun. I usually save that stuff w/ my hike photos.

Were I to do it over again today I'd probably look to the GPSMAP 76 or it's brother models. Many of the GPSMAP series are waterproof and float too.. which is nice for us boaters out there. I would then try to outfit it w/ an external antenna and power source for the truck.. and that looks to get expesive very quickly. The GPS V comes w/ PC and power adapters in the 'deluxe' kit. The antenna's another $100 or so regardless of which model you get. .. Bummer!

 

Check out Amazon. They've got it for far less. They are well under retail for many of the other Garmin units as well (and even some of the accessories!)..

 

I have the Garmin GPS V in my explorer on an external antenna. Works great! Got all the software and stuff to go with it. Great little GPS unit for the money.

 

Is there any other GPS system people have/like ?