Planning to go on an Alaska Cruise in June 2011 and I'm looking for a very basic handheld GPS unit. I'm a little OCD about knowing exactly where I am. I'm interested in a solid efficient unit that when I push the button says "xxx degrees xx minutes north, xxx degrees west" without all the waypoints and color maps and stuff. Problem is I don't know Jack about GPS units. Any recommendations?
I have two, a Magellan Explorist and a Garmin eTrex. Before I got the 2nd unit, I always thought the location readout was really accurate, but when I place them side by side they never agree with each other. They can be off by a quarter mile at times!! So my advice is to just get a middle of the road unit and convince yourself you know "exactly" where you are.
Posted by John Mumaw on August 29, 2010 at 1:30 PM
It doesn't get much more basic than the Garmin eTrex unit ($83 at Amazon).
No maps, no fancy color screen...just a good dependable little GPS unit that will do exactly what you're looking for.
We bought some of these for surveying work several years ago, and locations we tied with them were consistently within 30 ft. of our survey grade (1 cm +/-) GPS receivers.
No matter where you go, there you are!
Posted by Bob Falcone on August 29, 2010 at 1:50 PM
I have a Gamin Venture HC, which can be had for around $125 with a little searching.
I have mine loaded with topo maps, which is something that cannot be done with bottom end units. Having the topo maps in mine has allowed me to avoid step uphills and downhills while going from point A to point B. The other advantage of mid to upper range units is the inclusion of WAAS technology, which greatly increases accuracy.
@Bret...You suppose you'll have the Katmai and Kenai Fjiords apps ready by May?
@Morris...When we took the cruise in 2005 the ONLY downside of the trip was that I knew generally where I was but like I said, I'm OCD. I like to be able to look at a map and say "I am Here"
@Everyone else..thanks for the replies. I have some model numbers and a place to start my research.
Posted by Rick Schafer on August 29, 2010 at 5:10 PM
I carry both a Garmin Map 76s and Garmin 60CSx at all times, both older models. I think Bret REALLY does have a point though......I find myself using the GPS and the Google 'My Tracks' satellite map 'app' on my Android more than anything these days.
So with 4 tracking devices with me......I still seem to always get lost though.....thus the reason for my signature tag. But I do find my best spots....while trying to get "un-lost."
Hey.....do any of you guys want me to guide you?
Posted by Bob Falcone on August 29, 2010 at 6:56 PM
The problem with using a phone based GPS is that if you don't have a cell signal, you don't get any maps...good luck figuring out where you're at. And you don't have to be in the boonies for that to be a concern, either...
Posted by Jared Atencio on August 29, 2010 at 7:21 PM
I agree with Bob about cell signal-VERY undependable esp. w/ ATT's service for Iphone. I purchased a Garmin 60CSx last year and have been very happy with it. Very dependable, and best part is there are tons of FREE maps to download for it online. It's as easy or complicated as you want it to be, which is nice. Good luck and have fun.
Posted by Chris Ebright on August 30, 2010 at 10:39 AM
I echo Bret on the iPhone!
And to clarify, you can have offline maps that are useful when outside of a cell service area. I have an app that can download topo maps onto my phone and can plot my posiition even when outside of cell coverage. I use it quite frequently when hiking and the accuracy is sufficient for my purposes. The only downside is that battery life is much worse than a dedicated gps unit. You need to be able to plug in every night. And the new iPhone 4 supposedly has even greater gps accuracy, the position read-out claims 5 meter accuracy, where-as the previous version was only 10 meter.
Posted by Chuck Peacock on August 30, 2010 at 11:26 AM
I've used Garmin's Map76 at work for years and it's been so dependable and accurate that I purchased a Map76c off ebay for about $120. Both have ALWAYS led me right back to my waypoints - within feet. I had access to the differential setup at work but never found the need to use it.
It does pretty good on batteries and it gives ample warning before it dies on you.
Topo maps are a good addition for the reasons mentioned before.
It's also kinda fun to download tracks and load them into Google Earth, but that's just me.
Posted by Bob Falcone on August 30, 2010 at 5:39 PM
5 meter accuracy=about 16.5 feet. Nothing to brag about with the iPhone, considering that a cheap GPS will do better than that in clear sky. It's not unusual to get 10' or under accuracy with my Venture.
I have GPS capability with my phone, but I prefer to keep things separate. The GPS will go weeks on a set of AA lithiums, while a phone will last only hours on a charge when using the GPS. Personally, I'd rather keep using the phone as a, well, phone, especially when I may need it in an emergency. Your mileage may vary.
Discussion
12 repliesNo maps, no fancy color screen...just a good dependable little GPS unit that will do exactly what you're looking for.
We bought some of these for surveying work several years ago, and locations we tied with them were consistently within 30 ft. of our survey grade (1 cm +/-) GPS receivers.
No matter where you go, there you are!
I have mine loaded with topo maps, which is something that cannot be done with bottom end units. Having the topo maps in mine has allowed me to avoid step uphills and downhills while going from point A to point B. The other advantage of mid to upper range units is the inclusion of WAAS technology, which greatly increases accuracy.
@Morris...When we took the cruise in 2005 the ONLY downside of the trip was that I knew generally where I was but like I said, I'm OCD. I like to be able to look at a map and say "I am Here"
@Everyone else..thanks for the replies. I have some model numbers and a place to start my research.
So with 4 tracking devices with me......I still seem to always get lost though.....thus the reason for my signature tag. But I do find my best spots....while trying to get "un-lost."
Hey.....do any of you guys want me to guide you?
And to clarify, you can have offline maps that are useful when outside of a cell service area. I have an app that can download topo maps onto my phone and can plot my posiition even when outside of cell coverage. I use it quite frequently when hiking and the accuracy is sufficient for my purposes. The only downside is that battery life is much worse than a dedicated gps unit. You need to be able to plug in every night. And the new iPhone 4 supposedly has even greater gps accuracy, the position read-out claims 5 meter accuracy, where-as the previous version was only 10 meter.
It does pretty good on batteries and it gives ample warning before it dies on you.
Topo maps are a good addition for the reasons mentioned before.
It's also kinda fun to download tracks and load them into Google Earth, but that's just me.
I have GPS capability with my phone, but I prefer to keep things separate. The GPS will go weeks on a set of AA lithiums, while a phone will last only hours on a charge when using the GPS. Personally, I'd rather keep using the phone as a, well, phone, especially when I may need it in an emergency. Your mileage may vary.