Posted: 3/12/2015 10:05:20 AM EDT
I know this has probably been discussed here but I am looking to buy my grandson a handheld GPS. I don't want to break the bank but don't want junk either. It will be used mainly for geocaching. A few that I've talked to have said to go with the etrex 10 but I know you guys/gals know all about this stuff 
Also, any good deals out there? |
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I would at least go with the eTrex 20 for the memory and additional map options.
If it were me, I'd get the eTrex 30 because of the compass. I don't know how well the 10 and 20 do without the compass, but I know it's a feature I use on my older 60CSx. In fact, I've been looking at "upgrading" to the eTrex 30. My 60CSx is great for my motorcycle, but the eTrex 30, being smaller with better battery life, is better for hiking. Your grandson would likely be very well served by the eTrex 20, but if Cabela's really is selling the 30 for $199, wow, that'd be a good deal. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Garmin-reg-eTrex-GPS-Bundle/1373481.uts?productVariantId=3156415&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=45-34055721-2&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03440461&rid=20 |
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Quoted:
I would at least go with the eTrex 20 for the memory and additional map options. If it were me, I'd get the eTrex 30 because of the compass. I don't know how well the 10 and 20 do without the compass, but I know it's a feature I use on my older 60CSx. In fact, I've been looking at "upgrading" to the eTrex 30. My 60CSx is great for my motorcycle, but the eTrex 30, being smaller with better battery life, is better for hiking. Your grandson would likely be very well served by the eTrex 20, but if Cabela's really is selling the 30 for $199, wow, that'd be a good deal. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Garmin-reg-eTrex-GPS-Bundle/1373481.uts?productVariantId=3156415&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=45-34055721-2&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03440461&rid=20 Bass Pro Shops had them for that as well with free shipping over $50 ETREX 30 Just wondering if I should be looking at something else as well? |
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These guys reviewed a bunch. For the price/weight/battery-life, I'd go with the eTrex 30 (they reviewed the 20, and one of their only cons was the lack of a compass, which the 30 has)
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Handheld-Gps-Reviews?n=0&sort_field=#compare |
| Buy a used smartphone or even a new pay as you go phone (they can be found for as low as $30), install the geocaching app, profit! |
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A smartphone can in no way perform the same functions as well as a dedicated handheld. I have the astro350 which is like the garmin 62, a lot more than you want to spend. Handhelds are a lot of fun. Some of the important differences between a phone and handheld are battery life, being able to carry spare batteries, durability, ease of functions. I can record and save tracks and make maps with them. You can map out hunting areas, mark deer scrapes, I can track my doggies with mine. You can easily back up the data on a computer. I have files on every outdoor place I've gone. You can use them in conjunction with a phone, which can be handy. My "roommate" does this and can predict where deer will walk out with uncanny precision. |
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Quoted: A smartphone can in no way perform the same functions as well as a dedicated handheld. I have the astro350 which is like the garmin 62, a lot more than you want to spend. Handhelds are a lot of fun. Some of the important differences between a phone and handheld are battery life, being able to carry spare batteries, durability, ease of functions. I can record and save tracks and make maps with them. You can map out hunting areas, mark deer scrapes, I can track my doggies with mine. You can easily back up the data on a computer. I have files on every outdoor place I've gone. You can use them in conjunction with a phone, which can be handy. My "roommate" does this and can predict where deer will walk out with uncanny precision. I'll disagree with that, as I have used both for some time. Anymore it's just preference. Phone GPS apps have come a long way, and every single thing you mention being possible on a handheld is something I can do with my smart phone. Extra batteries? No problem, android phones usually have accessible battery compartments and spares are cheap, and plug-in boosters do what they can't. Actually on that front, I prefer a smart phone as the batteries are less bulky. Durability is about the only place I'd say a smart phone might not compare but there are ruggedized android phones, so... Backcountry Navigator is an app that will essentially replace a Garmin or similar handheld. Will read/write tracks and GPX files, has an outstanding AccuTerraTopo map (with damned near every public trail out there on it), can use free or third party maps (including USGS aerials which you can toggle seemlessly), you can pre-cache map segments for off-network use, and unlike most handhelds the smart phone can be seamlessly switched between road-routing via any number of navigation softwares (even Google native) and back to the offroad software of your choice....oh and still serve as a phone, music player, note taker, phone, or file manager for your routes and so forth. And, I find the interface for the smart phone GPS is so much better, screen size, quality and brightness is superior, just better all the way around IMHO. Oh, and price? Not even a contest. You can buy a nice used Android for $50 on Craigslist and a few bucks for the software and you're full featured for under $100. Try that on a Garmin. You can just use an old phone for the GPS features since the good apps let you pre-cache map segments, for that matter. |
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Quoted:
A smartphone can in no way perform the same functions as well as a dedicated handheld. I have the astro350 which is like the garmin 62, a lot more than you want to spend. Handhelds are a lot of fun. Some of the important differences between a phone and handheld are battery life, being able to carry spare batteries, durability, ease of functions. I can record and save tracks and make maps with them. You can map out hunting areas, mark deer scrapes, I can track my doggies with mine. You can easily back up the data on a computer. I have files on every outdoor place I've gone. You can use them in conjunction with a phone, which can be handy. My "roommate" does this and can predict where deer will walk out with uncanny precision. I own both, and each has its place. The op stated the GPS was for a grandson so I presume he will be a novice, and intended use was for geocaching, a smart phone with a good app is far superior to a handheld gps for a beginner and for that use IMO. |
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Quoted:
I'll disagree with that, as I have used both for some time. Anymore it's just preference. Phone GPS apps have come a long way, and every single thing you mention being possible on a handheld is something I can do with my smart phone. Extra batteries? No problem, android phones usually have accessible battery compartments and spares are cheap, and plug-in boosters do what they can't. Actually on that front, I prefer a smart phone as the batteries are less bulky. Durability is about the only place I'd say a smart phone might not compare but there are ruggedized android phones, so... Backcountry Navigator is an app that will essentially replace a Garmin or similar handheld. Will read/write tracks and GPX files, has an outstanding AccuTerraTopo map (with damned near every public trail out there on it), can use free or third party maps (including USGS aerials which you can toggle seemlessly), you can pre-cache map segments for off-network use, and unlike most handhelds the smart phone can be seamlessly switched between road-routing via any number of navigation softwares (even Google native) and back to the offroad software of your choice....oh and still serve as a phone, music player, note taker, phone, or file manager for your routes and so forth. And, I find the interface for the smart phone GPS is so much better, screen size, quality and brightness is superior, just better all the way around IMHO. Oh, and price? Not even a contest. You can buy a nice used Android for $50 on Craigslist and a few bucks for the software and you're full featured for under $100. Try that on a Garmin. You can just use an old phone for the GPS features since the good apps let you pre-cache map segments, for that matter. Quoted:
Quoted:
A smartphone can in no way perform the same functions as well as a dedicated handheld. I have the astro350 which is like the garmin 62, a lot more than you want to spend. Handhelds are a lot of fun. Some of the important differences between a phone and handheld are battery life, being able to carry spare batteries, durability, ease of functions. I can record and save tracks and make maps with them. You can map out hunting areas, mark deer scrapes, I can track my doggies with mine. You can easily back up the data on a computer. I have files on every outdoor place I've gone. You can use them in conjunction with a phone, which can be handy. My "roommate" does this and can predict where deer will walk out with uncanny precision. I'll disagree with that, as I have used both for some time. Anymore it's just preference. Phone GPS apps have come a long way, and every single thing you mention being possible on a handheld is something I can do with my smart phone. Extra batteries? No problem, android phones usually have accessible battery compartments and spares are cheap, and plug-in boosters do what they can't. Actually on that front, I prefer a smart phone as the batteries are less bulky. Durability is about the only place I'd say a smart phone might not compare but there are ruggedized android phones, so... Backcountry Navigator is an app that will essentially replace a Garmin or similar handheld. Will read/write tracks and GPX files, has an outstanding AccuTerraTopo map (with damned near every public trail out there on it), can use free or third party maps (including USGS aerials which you can toggle seemlessly), you can pre-cache map segments for off-network use, and unlike most handhelds the smart phone can be seamlessly switched between road-routing via any number of navigation softwares (even Google native) and back to the offroad software of your choice....oh and still serve as a phone, music player, note taker, phone, or file manager for your routes and so forth. And, I find the interface for the smart phone GPS is so much better, screen size, quality and brightness is superior, just better all the way around IMHO. Oh, and price? Not even a contest. You can buy a nice used Android for $50 on Craigslist and a few bucks for the software and you're full featured for under $100. Try that on a Garmin. You can just use an old phone for the GPS features since the good apps let you pre-cache map segments, for that matter. I'll have to check that app out. The ones I've perused have poor reviews but that can be user error, not app error. Durability is pretty important to me when I'm in the woods. I've been looking for an alternative for my phone on the occasions I don't have my handheld. I'm a big proponent of "get both". It looks like I've been slacking! :O Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Quoted: I'll have to check that app out. The ones I've perused have poor reviews but that can be user error, not app error. Durability is pretty important to me when I'm in the woods. I've been looking for an alternative for my phone on the occasions I don't have my handheld. I'm a big proponent of "get both". It looks like I've been slacking! :O Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: A smartphone can in no way perform the same functions as well as a dedicated handheld. I have the astro350 which is like the garmin 62, a lot more than you want to spend. Handhelds are a lot of fun. Some of the important differences between a phone and handheld are battery life, being able to carry spare batteries, durability, ease of functions. I can record and save tracks and make maps with them. You can map out hunting areas, mark deer scrapes, I can track my doggies with mine. You can easily back up the data on a computer. I have files on every outdoor place I've gone. You can use them in conjunction with a phone, which can be handy. My "roommate" does this and can predict where deer will walk out with uncanny precision. I'll disagree with that, as I have used both for some time. Anymore it's just preference. Phone GPS apps have come a long way, and every single thing you mention being possible on a handheld is something I can do with my smart phone. Extra batteries? No problem, android phones usually have accessible battery compartments and spares are cheap, and plug-in boosters do what they can't. Actually on that front, I prefer a smart phone as the batteries are less bulky. Durability is about the only place I'd say a smart phone might not compare but there are ruggedized android phones, so... Backcountry Navigator is an app that will essentially replace a Garmin or similar handheld. Will read/write tracks and GPX files, has an outstanding AccuTerraTopo map (with damned near every public trail out there on it), can use free or third party maps (including USGS aerials which you can toggle seemlessly), you can pre-cache map segments for off-network use, and unlike most handhelds the smart phone can be seamlessly switched between road-routing via any number of navigation softwares (even Google native) and back to the offroad software of your choice....oh and still serve as a phone, music player, note taker, phone, or file manager for your routes and so forth. And, I find the interface for the smart phone GPS is so much better, screen size, quality and brightness is superior, just better all the way around IMHO. Oh, and price? Not even a contest. You can buy a nice used Android for $50 on Craigslist and a few bucks for the software and you're full featured for under $100. Try that on a Garmin. You can just use an old phone for the GPS features since the good apps let you pre-cache map segments, for that matter. I'll have to check that app out. The ones I've perused have poor reviews but that can be user error, not app error. Durability is pretty important to me when I'm in the woods. I've been looking for an alternative for my phone on the occasions I don't have my handheld. I'm a big proponent of "get both". It looks like I've been slacking! :O Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Nothing wrong with having both, I still keep my Garmin 76 in the backpack as a backup and use it on the motorcycle, like I said nowadays it's really just preference. They are interchangeable for GPS features/utility. |
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I don't think that's a deal but maybe someone else could chime in. The gps is awesome but the birdseye thing was a waste as far as I was concerned. The tops of trees is useless in the woods. Plus it's too time consuming to make and load the images, a phone is a much better substitute for that. You can get awesome free topo maps from http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/ You can't navigate with them but I don't use my handheld as a navigator. The ones I have, the astro 320 is pretty much based on that one and it was pretty pricey, so maybe that isn't a bad deal. I'm thinking you can get the bare gps for less though. I just looked and the 62st is 280 on amazon. I'm pretty sure they all have a card slot, my astro does, which gives you more room for free topo maps and saving data. |
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Quoted:
I know this has probably been discussed here but I am looking to buy my grandson a handheld GPS. I don't want to break the bank but don't want junk either. It will be used mainly for geocaching. A few that I've talked to have said to go with the etrex 10 but I know you guys/gals know all about this stuff
Also, any good deals out there? Get him a used Etrex. Be sure to get him one that is not road map biased as they lack features that can be useful l outdoors. I have two of the Etrex handhelds as well as a garmin driving GPS and from a features standpoint, the ancient Garmin GPS2 I got back in 1994 kicks the shit out of all of them for features. It's the simple things like "take me 500 meters on a heading of 272 degrees, Go!" That modern GPS units lack. The maps are nice. But sometimes you need to get an idea where a location is based off of an existing kniwn location and that's where the newer units fall short. |