Time for a new GPS

nebraskarmk · Sep 7, 2008

I know this is asked alot but i need help on finding a new gps system for sledding. I had a lowrance touch screen but the battery didnt hold up so i think i want a garmin. Can anybody give me any ideas on what to get or what you like.

thanks in advance

Rhoward · Sep 7, 2008

Garman 530 radio/GPS.

Timber700RMK · Sep 7, 2008

I use a Garmin 60CSX Love it & with lithium AA batteries I get about 3-4 full rides out of a set of batteries.

Motley Doo · Sep 7, 2008

Rhoward said:
Garman 530 radio/GPS.

X2, love mine, with the lithium battery, I've never ran it out of power! Easy to use, easy to see, and tons of features, oh, and VERY durable!

sledboy82 · Sep 7, 2008

Garmin 530 radio/gps

ckspeed · Sep 7, 2008

Motley Doo said:
X2, love mine, with the lithium battery, I've never ran it out of power! Easy to use, easy to see, and tons of features, oh, and VERY durable!

x3 on the 60CSX

nebraskarmk · Sep 7, 2008

does anybody know what the difference between the etrex vista hcx and the 60csx

Arctic Thunder · Sep 7, 2008

Timber700RMK said:
I use a Garmin 60CSX Love it & with lithium AA batteries I get about 3-4 full rides out of a set of batteries.

Also running the 60CSX.

Works very well.

Thunder

Ex-Member · Sep 7, 2008

Get a Garmin. For a consumer-grade GPS, they make by far the best equipment out there.

Rob1334 · Sep 7, 2008

^^^X2

I work with GPS units all day as a GIS technician. I work with Trimble, way to expensive for consumer use. But what I use is a Garmin, and would never go to anything else. Very accurate, durable, and they have it nailed down when it comes to being user friendly.

The other thing is that they are easy to update, collect data, and also uploading map layers. Don't overpay for a GPS with a bunch of features you won't use, I am an expert on these and I still only run a Garmin eTrex Legend, no color screen or radio features, but it is all I need and I love it.

PM me if you have any other questions on them, and I'll do my best to help ya

Prairie Dog · Sep 7, 2008

Garmin Rino130......love it so far but I just got it a month ago. i'm sure it'll work good on the sled.............it did on the sea-doo this year

ckspeed · Sep 8, 2008

nebraskarmk said:
does anybody know what the difference between the etrex vista hcx and the 60csx

Quad helix antenna on the 60CSx vs patch. The 60CSX uses the SirfIII chip, the Vista uses the new MediaTek chip.
Performance has been about the same from what I've heard, but I don't have any first hand knowledge of that. I've looked at the new Vista too just due to the small form factor and superior battery life. It does have a smaller screen, but the pixels are smaller giving you a finer display.

I think it comes down to personal preference on this one.....

Rixster · Sep 8, 2008

Garmin Rino, 130 520 or 530 they are all great!!

ericbigbore · Sep 8, 2008

Rixster said:
Garmin Rino, 130 520 or 530 they are all great!!

Yep!

Rob1334 · Sep 8, 2008

Just gonna post the PM I sent you so the rest can see...

The difference between the Legend and the Vista:

longer battery life in the legend, 18 hours compared to 12 hours.
memory is 4 times larger in the vista, 24MB instead of 8, which I wish I had so I wouldn't have to laod so much from the CD product topomap they have(I would recommend that purchase by the way...)
Vista has an electronic compass and a baraometric altimeter, where the legend is just based off of satelite readings (altitude would be a lot more accurate on the Vista)

Pros of the two:

great size (actually bought a camelback cell phone holder and is perfect for it, attatch directly to your pack with the straps for it..)
supports Garmin Topo CD's. Great product to pull your routes and points off of, so yes they both support the "cookie crumb trail" format.
waterproof
stores 20 routes and 1000 locations
hunt fish calendars and also sunrise/sunset times

Cons of the two:

no color screen with 4 levels of gray. Ok for what I use it for, but some like the better display.
Serial interface, for the most part you need an old serial input to use it, mostly found on desktop computers. I bought a USB to serial adaptor for use on mine(like $10 on ebay), but you also have to factor that serial ports do not work with Windows Vista operating system.
No data card port for expansion

The 60CSx is gonna be a little spendier, have all the features of the Vista and

256 color screen
high sensitivity receiver
Serial and USB compatible, so will work on any operating system of windows
stores 50 routes, 30 more than the etrex series
comes with microsSD card, so expandable memory for base layers
Will do turn by turn directions(not sure why you would want it for sleddin, maybe for getting to the trailhead...)

Everyone already has talked about the Rino530HCx, so i'll add that to the list(comparing to the 60CSx,(includes all features of the vista)).

256 color screen again
lithium-ion pack, 14 hour life
USB interface
less waypoints with only 500(will be plenty...)
no built in memory, so will need micro SD card, not included(only drawback)

Radio Features

FRS and GMRS frequency bands
22 channels and 38 squelch codes
2 mile FRS and 14 mile GMRS
VOX(voice activation)
voice scrambler, vibration alert, weather radio, temperature recording

Prices for all(retail of course...):

Rino 530HCx - $535.70
GPSMAP 60CSx - $535.70
eTrex Vista - $321.41
eTrex Legend - $160.70

nebraskarmk said:
with the legend can you leave a trail of were you have been? and do know if there is much difference between the etrex legend or vista and the gpsmap 60csx?

RobG · Sep 8, 2008

Don't forget Garmin's two newest models -- the Colorado and the Oregon. The big plus of them is the 3D-shaded maps. If you don't already own Topo 2008, get the 400T model of either, as it includes Topo 2008. Otherwise, get the 300, and load it yourself. I'm gonna get one of them, I just don't know which one yet. Leaning towards the Colorado.

Rob

ckspeed · Sep 8, 2008

polaris_1334 said:
Just gonna post the PM I sent you so the rest can see...

[/LIST]The 60CSx is gonna be a little spendier, have all the features of the Vista and

256 color screen

high sensitivity receiver

Serial and USB compatible, so will work on any operating system of windows

stores 50 routes, 30 more than the etrex series

comes with microsSD card, so expandable memory for base layers

Will do turn by turn directions(not sure why you would want it for sleddin, maybe for getting to the trailhead...)

Both models have 256 color displays, 50 routes, 10,000 points, 20 saved tracks, and high sense receivers.

Here's a link w/comparison of the Vista HCX and the 60CSX

I really like the size of the Vista HCX, it's perfect for any jacket pocket and I always worry about antenna of the 60CSX getting whacked. The Vista will be my next one. The Colorado is cool, but spendy, and the battery life has been reported as terrible

FYI, gpscity has some pretty good deals (unless you work for a dealer, wink )

Rob1334 · Sep 8, 2008

thanks, sorry, clicked on the 60 series not the CSx.

I too am a huge fan of the legend/vista size and weight, perfect size for a receiver. The colorado has a lot of bells and whistles that really are not that needed, kind of one of those if you are always into the latest technology and best of the best, not basing of functionality or needs. Anytime you have something touchscreen, battery life will be very hit and miss, as I have had back and fourth luck with the Trimble GeoXM with battery life.

The best thing is to look for the one that will perform exactly what you want without all the bells and whistles(ok, well maybe a few...

) and then learn the product inside and out. Being out there trying to calculate distances and what not your first time should not be when you need to figure out how far you need to drag your granaded sled, lol. Practice ahead and try it out around town driving or something, pull the file, and make sure you have it setup the way you would like it outputed.

CKSpeed, pm comming your way soon.....

Snoman69 · Sep 8, 2008

much better prices at PC Nation

Rob1334 · Sep 8, 2008

Verticaledge69 said:
much better prices at PC Nation

$356 for a rino 530HCx, hmmm, save to favorites....

Time for a new GPS

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