Tips on Buying a Handheld GPS?

[danhughes]

A question for the group - can anyone give me some tips on a handheld GPS? I'm not talking about one that mounts in a car, I mean the one that fits in your hand.

How accurate are they? How close can they get you back to a precise spot? Will a b&w screen work fine, or is color substantially better? What's a good inexpensive one, and how much should I expect to pay? What else should I know?

Thanks for any help.

PS I tried to do a board search on "gps" but it said the word was too short or too common to search.

[MinelabMan]

Hey Dan, you can expect to get anywhere from a few feet up to 60 feet since the selective availability was turned off a few years ago. But you may happen into an area that it's on for security or strategic reasons and then accuracy is a up to 300 feet.

I'm not up on all the models, but I've always liked Garmin. I have a 12XL handheld with a B&W screen and it suits me fine. I know that some units have alot of features that you may not need like walkie talkie function, other unit's location, etc. Basic models now are very reasonable, so before buying decide what additional features that you're going to need.

[pauleyd]

I have a Magellan Meridian GPS and it is very accurate. It usually brings me to within 10 feet of the spot I am looking for. I use my GPS for a great game called Geocaching

[space_weaseal]

Most if not all have tracing and rout plotting but not all have mapping.. I per like the mapping becuse of the topo maps...The one i have found that gives you the best bang for the buck is the Delorme. Its credited as haveing the best mapping softwear of the handhelds and has great reviews.. I have been looking at upgrading my Handheld GPS and have prety much setteled on the Delorme PN20..But you just need to research to see what will best fit you needs..
Here is more info on it...
Delorme Earthmate PN 20 Handheld GPS at The GPS Store, Inc

I forgot to mention that when you get a mapping GPS unit, watch out for all the hiden cost of the maps softwear and downloads..The Delorme comes with all the mapping softwear you need and $100. worth of free sattellite downloads. Pluse they are offering a mail in rebate...

[space_weaseal]

A good one for the money is the Garmin Etrex and i have seen them from $79-$100.. It is a great GPS unit to learn on and its very easy to use..Let me look around becuse i have two of the etrex in like new condition, ( i got both as presents) and can sale you one of them for $25 shiped. It does not have a scrach on it.... I do not have the box or instructions but here is the manual.
http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/eTrex_OwnersManual.pdf

Ok i found it. Here are a couple of pics of it the first one the power is off and the sec pic the power is on..It does have a backlit screen but the flash cancled it out..Not a scratch its just smuged from my finger prints.
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1.../Picture-1.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...Picture482.jpg

[pauleyd]

Make sure you get a GPS that you can download to...

[space_weaseal]

You know what? I have been very fortunate lately, so just pm me with your info and i will send it to you for free. All i ask is that you give me your word that you will use it and pass it along, (for free) to someone else when you decide to upgrade..
"Carma is a beautiful thing"

[space_weaseal]

danhughs:
Contact me by Sun and its your's...If not, it's goes to my nephew..

[mtpockets]

Well It all really depends on what your going to be using the GPS for..

Do you need all the Bells & Whistles?

Do your activities require the unit to be waterproof ?

Do you need an Altimeter?

etc..

I elected to go with a Garmin 76 CSX.. https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=351

Yes it is the most expensive out there for a handheld.. But it has expanded memory options all the bell ans whistles.. Everything that you'd probably want in a GPS unit After its too late and you bought a budget model..

I have all the topos and City Nav... This model offers many options to mount it bicycles, motorcycles, ATV's etc..

oh yeah and it floats too.. Just in-case your hopping across streams or rafting etc.. at least you'll be able to recover it.. Then again the other reason I opted for this one..
Is because if the weather turns bad I won't have to worry about it getting wet..

Heres a site that offers awealth of information on GPS units...

Go check out the fourms....GPS Receiver Information, Software, and Hardware Reviews of Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan and other GPS Receivers