MnGCA

catering chef · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 1:51 pm Post subject: Lookinh for first time gps

Hey guys I am in the market for a first time GPS unit for a family of 4.
If anyone has one for sale or knows of one that would be great.
around the $50 to 100.00 range thanks

chef
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team-deadhead · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 3:34 pm Post subject:

I think target has a no frills one for 79.99
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Buzzygirl · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:05 pm Post subject:

The standard yellow Garmin eTrex sells for about $100 at Target... sometimes Aldi Market has them for $59.99. That's a good entry GPS unit in your price range.

Marsha and Silent Bob · Past MnGCA President Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 6261

Amazon has the Garmin Legend (no color) for $127.38

Amazon has the Garmin Yellow (no color and no maps) for $87.13

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/104-3901253-9159923
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Kitch · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 5:51 pm Post subject:

I'd suggest the GC forum's ...sombody is always upgrading to something better.....

why not get used?

jambro · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 8:19 pm Post subject:

I just got my folks an Explorist 100 for Christmas for about $80, found it through Cnet.com. I use a 200 and love it, but it's definitely no frills...

Buzzygirl · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 9:00 pm Post subject:

I've got an Explorist 100 and love it too. I don't need any frills so it works great for me... actually, I am looking to get another GPSr that has basic maps, but until I can decide which one to get, I'm pretty happy with the one I have.

miles58 · Geocacher Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 196

"why not get used?"

Lurking is more normal for me, BUT... I just gotta comment that this Kitch guy has such a way with words. Is someone saving them in a book for posterity?

miles58 · Geocacher Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 196

I have a GPSr that has detailed mapping capability. It can display my current posit in the center of the screen and scroll the map as I drive. By scaling the view up/down you can easily see alternate/better routes from here to there.

Basic mapping capability (like mine without putting a map on a memory chip) is only about as good as having a state highway map. Cutting across country on county roads is really useful for caching and many other activities.

No way would I go back to no mapping or basic maps only. IMO it's well worth the price

jaywc7 · Geocacher Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 360

My only suggestion, would be to get one with WAAS. Many of the entry level GPS such as the Yellow Garmin Etrex do not have WAAS. You will get much much better accuracy with WAAS, and frankly - if your a beginner geocacher, this could be a big deal! Probably the most affordable WAAS capable GPS's are the Magellen Explorist series (correct me if I'm wrong Buzzygirl) and also, the Garmin Geko series 201 & 301 only (not 101). The Geko 201 is pretty nifty, but is over $100 and is very small. The flip side to the Explorist series, is that they can only run on batteries, and cannot be plugged into a cigarette lighter port and such. So - it's such a toss up, and there are so many factors. I would also say this though - if you can swing a better one at all, do so! You will upgrade anyways and it will cost you more in the long run then if you just get a nice one to begin with. I'm not saying spend $300 or anything, but maybe might want to consider the Etrex Legend. It's definately probably the greatest all around GPS and is over $100 but still reasonable.

Good Luck!

KC0GRN · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Posts: 1424

I've seen activity on the national forums that indicates the brand new yellow etrexs have waas. Basically anything shipped with a firmware version greater than 3.00 have it. Unfortunately, the older ones can't get a firmware upgrade to do it.

Kitch · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 2:40 pm Post subject:

jaywc7 · Geocacher Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 360

s4xton · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 2:51 pm Post subject:

jaywc7 · Geocacher Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 360