Posted: 2/22/2011 7:37:43 PM EDT
| I've had, and still have the Garmin Etrex- base model...are any of the other handheld GPS units more accurate under tree cover, or are they all about the same? |
I originally bought a garmin yrs ago because it had much better "features"........ it was useless in AR where i was hunting unless you were on the highway Took it back got a Magellan and it worked like a champ in the thick tree cover. It's still working 10yrs later countless hrs on it etc etc....... it's just way past dated. I'm going to buy one of those cool topo map ones soon. It will most likely be a Magellan unless Halffast convinces me on something else he is the GPS ninja master  Someone will probably be along shortly to tell you the opposite  |
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Depends on the device's antenna. My original garmin GPSII sucked under tree cover. My eTrex Legend is much better. But it still loses reception if I'm in a tree-lined gully.
But overall, the current crop of GPS receivers function much better under partial cover than their ancestors. If you want even beeter accuracy, you'll want a device with WAAS functionality. From Garmin's page on WAAS - It just keeps getting better
100 meters: Accuracy of the original GPS system, which was subject to accuracy degradation under the government-imposed Selective Availability (SA) program. 15 meters: Typical GPS position accuracy without SA. 3-5 meters: Typical differential GPS (DGPS) position accuracy. < 3 meters: Typical WAAS position accuracy. DGPS+WAAS are required for FAA certification of a GPS device for aviation use, if I understand it correctly. Doesn't get much more accurate than that, unless you are using specialty surveying GPS equipment My now-aged eTrex Legend C has WAAS capabilty, iirc you have to bother to turn on that function in the setup. |
| I've been using the garmin csx basically since it came out. It will hold a signal in the middle of my house and I've never had it loose it in heavy forest. Worst place to be using GPS is next to steep cliffs or deep canyons, you'll get really bad intermittent signal making your accuracy to to crap. The CSX units have come way down in price and still easily one of the best hand held units out there. |
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I just bought a Delorme PN-60 (w/o SPOT) to replace an old eTrex. MSRP is ~$400, but I found it for $250 shipped a month ago. I would say the Delorme is for power users, as there is a bit of a learning curve.
Delorme PN-60 Topo Maps for North America included (and for $30/year you get unlimited maps) smaller screen but sunlight visible battery life ruggedness (810F vibration and shock tested) 3.5gb internal memory available with SPOT test messaging Garmin Oregon touchscreen (a plus or negative, depends on user) larger screen but not sunlight visible can be had with a 3.2mp camera North America base map but Topo's are $130/section |
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I've had, and still have the Garmin Etrex- base model...are any of the other handheld GPS units more accurate under tree cover, or are they all about the same? accuracy will be the same antenna effectiveness will be different Agree, but there is a relatoinship hre, right? Meaning that a more effective antenna gets you more satellites, which can improve accuracy. Is this correct? Seems ike it should be |
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Quoted: WASS is basically DGPS but corrected "real time" from ground stations that constantly transmit.DGPS+WAAS are required for FAA certification of a GPS device for aviation use, if I understand it correctly. Doesn't get much more accurate than that, unless you are using specialty surveying GPS equipment No kidding DGPS can be in the centimeter accuracy, but its corrected after the measurements have been taken and you have to have a base station close to your working area. WAAS for ground based GPS users is nearly worthless unless your over the water or a very flaat are with a close station The FAA certification includes more than the type of signal it can use. |
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Quoted: If you want to think of it that way, yes. Quoted: Quoted: I've had, and still have the Garmin Etrex- base model...are any of the other handheld GPS units more accurate under tree cover, or are they all about the same? accuracy will be the same antenna effectiveness will be different Agree, but there is a relatoinship hre, right? Meaning that a more effective antenna gets you more satellites, which can improve accuracy. Is this correct? Seems ike it should be |
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Okay, I want to get a GPS for hiking, hunting, etc. So what IS the BEST handheld GPS system out there? Our 15 year anniversary is coming up in April and my wife says she wants to buy me something nice. My $ limit is around $650 dollars. I'm looking for something about 1/2-1/3 that price, but interested in replies. |
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Pick up a Garmin GPSMap 60CSx-I've seen them lately for less than $300. The 60CSx is the best handheld I have ever owned. Mine is loaded with TOPO maps for hiking and geocaching, as well as street maps for driving (I travel out of state a lot for work). Be sure to calibrate the compass and update it's system software once you get it home. Updating the software is simple-just connect it to your PC via a USB cable, install the web update utility, and follow the prompts. I'm very impressed that Garmin still supports my handheld with ongoing (free) firmware updates, despite it being a couple of years old.
If you're going to use it for street navigation a suction cup window mount is good to have (RAM makes the most rugged mount-I've tried them all), and a 12v power cord for the car. In addition to the GPS functionality, the 60CSx also has an excellent compass and altimeter-and you don't have to be moving to get an accurate compass reading. Good luck  Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
For hunting I have a Garmin E-trex Legend. It's about 5 years old, but you can find versions with more storage/features under the same "legend" model, for a lot less than what I paid heh. I did this for hunting because if something got stupid, I did have major highways/roads/bodies of water on the base map. If I ended up really turned around, I could at least hike my way to the highway. Battery life is decent, a day and a half of hunting will eat up the AA's, so bring extras, but I have a LOT of faith in this unit. 
For *Work* I picked up a Garmin Foretrex 401. This does NOT have the capability for maps at all, but I use this almost exclusively in conjunction with a .mil map. It's priceless to be able to look down and get a 10digit grid and the elevation on my wrist. It's great for marking routes, waypoints, etc, but I wouldn't suggest it unless you 100% will have a map with you. Battery life is ehh, 2 solid days will burn through the AAAs, but the saving grace is that the reception is excellent (works in most of our vehicles), and it syncs fast so you might not necessarily need to leave it on all day. Comfortable enough to wear without an issue. For navigation while driving I use my Tmobile Mytouch droid phone, which pretty much cannot be beaten. ETA: Accuracy wise those two garmin units are extremely scary in how close the points will match up, especially between your map, google earth, the gps unit, and where you are standing. I am VERY impressed, especially how the 10digit grids line up on our 1:50k" maps here.. The obvious **"I've been lost because of this before so listen to me"** Disclaimer: BRING BATTERIES with you, and a map and a functional compass. I know first hand that if you start to ride out the batteries as they get low (less than 10% juice left), your GPS info will be skewed, and that could set you VERY far from your intended path. So scavenge batteries from your other items if need be, but be aware of this. |
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I just wanted to throw a piece of information out for everyone.
A great site explaining how GPS works can be found at (left cold so copy and paste the link): http://www.trimble.com/gps/index.shtml Its not the end all, be all of GPS information, but is sufficient as a basic bit of information about how the GPS system of satellites and equipment work. |
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60 CSX is the best thing Ive used off the shelf , trimble is far the best unit I used on our ag equipment . I demoed and we ended up purchasing one , when I demoed it I mounted it on my truck and hit the same tracks for almost 2 weeks untill the rep returned and asked did we want to buy which we did. The 60 csx is highly versatile and has not ever given me any issues or reason to doubt it as for as location accuracy . I use it jeeping , biking , kayaking , on trips and a little hiking . Also very durable .   |
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Garmin 60csx. Key is the S, for sirf chip set. Will get a signal in Walmart through sun roof. Works good in canopy of woods. Ok...looked at this unit...good reviews...but it seems to require $$$$ of additional maps to make it worthwhile....what maps or compatible map programs do you recommend? |
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I have a 60CSX with the NW states chip & love it..
However, if you want something that does not need batteries & will still work, even if all of the satelites are out, you could get a Davis MK15 for $200 or maybe a nice Tamaya At $1800, but they are only good in accuracy to maybe 200 yds. (sextants).
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Hey Ladies and Gentlemen...We would really appreciate your input on the BEST handheld GPS units out there. I know this is in your opinions but it would certainly help us to be pointed in the right direction...no pun intended...  Everyone has their favorites, just like brands of AR's. The Garmin does seem to get the most votes every time. (I've own a few of the auto based Garmins. The models with the live traffic absolutely rock.) The Magellans seem to get mixed reviews. I am a big fan of the Lowrance handhelds. I own 6 of them and only one (a $99 cheapie) has gone TU. I have beat the crap out of mine mounted on ATV's and only lost the one. I will say that I seem to be the only fan of these around here, but you can read more about the newest ones here. Lowrance Handhelds These run, street price, from around $199 to $359 and the upper end models can be used for turn by turn nav with the right maps. They come with decent maps, the more you pay the better they are, and you can buy even more detailed maps on chips. The buttons are easy to use, even with gloves on, and they have okay battery life. I can't really say these are better than the Garmin, (I'm so used to the Lowrance interface, everything else seems foreign to me) but they definitely deserve a look. HTH. David |