Posted by Meg Goldsmith on July 28, 2007 at 12:30 AM
My husband and I are planning a trip to New Mexico later this year and I am thinking that a portable GPS unit would be helpful especially since we're getting GPS locations for one location. However, I know very little about them. I'm hoping some of you can provide information and/or suggestions about what to look for/buy. What things should I be looking for and what things aren't important where they are concerned?
Also, something I've been wondering is whether or not a monthly subscription is required after purchasing the unit and the maps that would be needed to go with it. I haven't seen this listed anywhere but I don't see how the detailed tracking could work otherwise.
Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.
A very important question to consider is how much you are likely to use it after the trip. If it's not likely to be a useful complement to your other activities I'd get the cheapest model you can find or better yet, borrow one for the trip.
I'm not up to snuff on what's currently available, but that's because my two-year-old Gramin 60CS suits my needs so thoroughly I haven't bothered to consider a replacement. I'm not prone to Keeping Up With the Joneses syndrome, so I have no shame facing my friends with an older model either.
If you decide you really need one, criticial features for me are screen size and visibility in bright light, memory for uploading maps in addition to the base map preloaded at the factory (topos and maritime navigation charts in my case, urban maps too for some folks), durability, and antenna design for use in deep forest.
I use mine constantly for offshore navigating in my zodiak, on land here in Alaska for getting around trackless areas, and all over the Southwest in unfamiliar areas. Okay- Honesty time. It's immensely handy to me because I frequently lose track of time and have to navigate out of the bush or back to shore in the dark. I carry so many maps and navigation charts in mine that I find the factory standard memory to be limiting. I'll definitely buy more for my eventual replacement.
It's hard to guess ahead of time how much you will use a GPS, but I suspect that once you get accustomed to it you'll use it more than you think.
I hope these insights help with your thinking, but I'm going to have to defer to others for recommendations of current models.
Hi Meg:
I bought a Garmin GPS Map 60CSX. The reasons were that this unit is capable of creating routes that follow roads (instead of direct point to point) as well as the ability to use it for hiking point to point. It is an option which method you want to use. Maps are available from Garmin. Their "City Navigator" map is about $100 and covers the entire US. More than enough detail for anything you'd need on the road including things like where is the nearest gas station, fast food joint, shopping center, Freeway exit with a restroom, etc. Of course they have other maps like topographic maps if you want. It is compact. Not as small as some, but certainly more powerful. Color screen, inituitive controls. I've really enjoyed mine and use it regularly for driving as well as hiking, snow shoeing, etc. Other features I use are sunrise/sunset times as well as moonrise/moonset times. Nice to know as a photographer based on your location.
I've never seen monthly subscriptions to maps. You can update maps when a new release is out, but the changes are minor enough that I don't see the need to upgrade at every new release. Hope those thoughts help.
I highly suggest the Delorme PN-20 {url]http://yhst-85891485632912.stores.yahoo.net/ae-007732-101.html[/url]
At first the price may seem high, but it includes a basic map of the entire world including all major roads. The US portion includes all detailed street maps including minor roads and dirt roads. The TOPO 6.0 has all topographic info. You can create point to point driving routes using roads like any other GPS, but also have access to the hiking ability for trail following.
Get one of the AA battery packages and save $$ as well as ensuring you can replace weak or dead batteries in the field.
Once I got it I have used it even for trips where I know I am going to tell me time and distance to the next turn or exit etc. It also tells the astronomical stuff like Sunrise and set as well as moon phase etc.
Only complaint was the learning curve. I wish the manual was a little better.
I just replaced my 7yr old GPS12 with a GPSMap 76s. Garmin is discontinuing the 76s, so the price is WAY down. roughly half, at an affordable typical street price of $200. The problem is that you need to be careful where you order it from as it's often a special order item.
But as Hank suggests, if you're not going to use it after your trip, consider a $100 unit that you could easily sell after the trip for $75.
Posted by Meg Goldsmith on July 31, 2007 at 12:33 AM
Thanks, all! I appreciate the input.
I've been looking at either the Garmin 60CSx or the 76CSx. They appear to be the same thing, at least based on the "compare" feature on Garmin's website. I have a feeling that I would really benefit from one of these devices since I tend to be somewhat "directionally challenged" (without a map at least).
Good news Meg. I suspect that you will get a lot of use out if it too, but hated to recommend you spend so much money till you made that determination on your own.
I'll throw in one precautionary note: I find the belt clip on my 60CS too weak to rely on in "strenuous" situations. It's pretty easy to knock the unit off your belt when you bang into it. In small boats and rough water I found it best to replace the short laniard with a longer one (homemade), then hang the unit around my neck. Subsequently I found that hanging it around your neck is also really convenient when navigating in the hills. That's problematic if you also hang a camera around your neck, but since I use a longer camera strap to sling my camera over my shoulder so it dangles at waist level on my side, it's no problem.
I will say that I have used GPS's with buttons in all three major locations; top front, sides, bottom front, and for my money there is no better place than on the top front of the unit. This allows you to keep a firm grip on the unit while working the buttons with the same hand. All else being equal, I'd go with the 76 series because of the button location.
Discussion
8 repliesAlso, something I've been wondering is whether or not a monthly subscription is required after purchasing the unit and the maps that would be needed to go with it. I haven't seen this listed anywhere but I don't see how the detailed tracking could work otherwise.
Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.
Meg
A very important question to consider is how much you are likely to use it after the trip. If it's not likely to be a useful complement to your other activities I'd get the cheapest model you can find or better yet, borrow one for the trip.
I'm not up to snuff on what's currently available, but that's because my two-year-old Gramin 60CS suits my needs so thoroughly I haven't bothered to consider a replacement. I'm not prone to Keeping Up With the Joneses syndrome, so I have no shame facing my friends with an older model either.
If you decide you really need one, criticial features for me are screen size and visibility in bright light, memory for uploading maps in addition to the base map preloaded at the factory (topos and maritime navigation charts in my case, urban maps too for some folks), durability, and antenna design for use in deep forest.
I use mine constantly for offshore navigating in my zodiak, on land here in Alaska for getting around trackless areas, and all over the Southwest in unfamiliar areas. Okay- Honesty time. It's immensely handy to me because I frequently lose track of time and have to navigate out of the bush or back to shore in the dark. I carry so many maps and navigation charts in mine that I find the factory standard memory to be limiting. I'll definitely buy more for my eventual replacement.
It's hard to guess ahead of time how much you will use a GPS, but I suspect that once you get accustomed to it you'll use it more than you think.
I hope these insights help with your thinking, but I'm going to have to defer to others for recommendations of current models.
I bought a Garmin GPS Map 60CSX. The reasons were that this unit is capable of creating routes that follow roads (instead of direct point to point) as well as the ability to use it for hiking point to point. It is an option which method you want to use. Maps are available from Garmin. Their "City Navigator" map is about $100 and covers the entire US. More than enough detail for anything you'd need on the road including things like where is the nearest gas station, fast food joint, shopping center, Freeway exit with a restroom, etc. Of course they have other maps like topographic maps if you want. It is compact. Not as small as some, but certainly more powerful. Color screen, inituitive controls. I've really enjoyed mine and use it regularly for driving as well as hiking, snow shoeing, etc. Other features I use are sunrise/sunset times as well as moonrise/moonset times. Nice to know as a photographer based on your location.
I've never seen monthly subscriptions to maps. You can update maps when a new release is out, but the changes are minor enough that I don't see the need to upgrade at every new release. Hope those thoughts help.
At first the price may seem high, but it includes a basic map of the entire world including all major roads. The US portion includes all detailed street maps including minor roads and dirt roads. The TOPO 6.0 has all topographic info. You can create point to point driving routes using roads like any other GPS, but also have access to the hiking ability for trail following.
Get one of the AA battery packages and save $$ as well as ensuring you can replace weak or dead batteries in the field.
Once I got it I have used it even for trips where I know I am going to tell me time and distance to the next turn or exit etc. It also tells the astronomical stuff like Sunrise and set as well as moon phase etc.
Only complaint was the learning curve. I wish the manual was a little better.
You may want to check out my more detailed review at http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=17538&b=mm&st=0&la=19&ph=1&sid=32558&u=32558
Cheers,
Ed
But as Hank suggests, if you're not going to use it after your trip, consider a $100 unit that you could easily sell after the trip for $75.
I've been looking at either the Garmin 60CSx or the 76CSx. They appear to be the same thing, at least based on the "compare" feature on Garmin's website. I have a feeling that I would really benefit from one of these devices since I tend to be somewhat "directionally challenged" (without a map at least).
Meg
I'll throw in one precautionary note: I find the belt clip on my 60CS too weak to rely on in "strenuous" situations. It's pretty easy to knock the unit off your belt when you bang into it. In small boats and rough water I found it best to replace the short laniard with a longer one (homemade), then hang the unit around my neck. Subsequently I found that hanging it around your neck is also really convenient when navigating in the hills. That's problematic if you also hang a camera around your neck, but since I use a longer camera strap to sling my camera over my shoulder so it dangles at waist level on my side, it's no problem.