GPS-what to buy

[Stocker]

I just picked up an etrex Vista HCx over Christmas and have been very pleased with its reception so far. It is far better than the original etrex vista its replacing that would sometimes lose signal in my pack or under a jacket. I haven't had it out riding yet, but have used it in the basement of a two story house and still had two to five satellites, but it did lose signal periodically over the hour or so I was checking it. I put it under the rear bench seat of my truck during a three hour road trip and it tracked the entire trip. I have it on near the center of my house right now with 7 to 10 satellites. My original vista would never keep a signal inside any building or under any significant cover.

The color screen is also a big improvement. Although its slightly smaller than the original grayscale vista screen, the color makes up for it. I can understand the complaints about the buttons and it does take some time to get used to, but once you get them memorized its very easy to navigate with.

Cabelas was also having a package sale on these units that includes a nice case with belt clip, Garmin MapSource 2008, and a 128 Mb SD card for the retail cost of the unit alone. Not sure if this sale is still on but it was a pretty good deal.

 

[Weekday Warrior]

I found a garmin 530 for less than 300 bux on froogle

thinking this is the way I'll go

can't wait to play with the garmin 530 + spot and google earth

 

[BigBlueEdge]

I found a garmin 530 for less than 300 bux on froogle

thinking this is the way I'll go

can't wait to play with the garmin 530 + spot and google earth

Who is selling it for under $300?? That is really cheap. Lowest I could find was about $350.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[ttyR2]

This is what I knocked together for a tether. $3 in parts from the local farm supply place:

 

[Lake Cle Elum]

Just got one of these - deal of the century. Garmin's price is $749.....Discount stores sell for $449......This is the same thing for $155:

http://www.edgegps.com/eCart/viewItem.html?idProduct=291

 

[daraidz]

I have a brand new Cobra 1000 DLX still in the box. I bought it a year or so ago on eBay then bought a car with Nav. Took it out of the box 1 time and turned it on for about 5 minutes then back off. All the manuals etc. I paid about $200 on eBay but will let it go now for $125...more to spend for a sled. Email me if you're interested...I was gonna put it on eBay last week.

kb96097@sbcglobal.net

 

[Elevation]

ttyr2,
Nice setup. how do you like the 60Cxz? Is it easy to use? Would you buy it again?
Thanks

 

[Elevation]

Leaning toward the 530hcx but several of the reviews say there is a cheap plastic charging connector that is a problem-any input? do they make a 12 volt charger? I like the controls and the battery features on the 60cxs better. but the radio on the 530.
Thanks

 

[ruffryder]

I got the 530hcx and really like it. The main reason was for the 2 way radio to call for backup when stuck.

 

[M-Cat]

i was just on the garmin site and saw the model "colorado"... is this out yet it looks awesome. https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145

 

[Insaneboltrounder/sjohns]

Soooo... thats why there is so many blo outs on current garmins !! Looks like a cool new unit

 

[Elevation]

ttt

 

[ttyR2]

I have no complaints about the 60CSx. Excellent battery life, reception, easy to read display.

And yes, I'd buy one again.

 

[Weekday Warrior]

I didn't realize there was a Rino 530 and a Rino 530 HXC, these are two different units

the 530 HXC picks up satalights better I guess, best I could find was 350 bux for that unit.

 

[retiredpop]

Just got a Garmin GPSMAP 60 CSx. It has a very sensitive receiver and I never lost satellites even riding in heavy trees in mountain valleys. Loaded in the Topo maps and am happy with ease of operation. Also like having the altimeter and electronic compass features. Battery life is good.

 

[alrevedup]

Love the Rhino 530.

Great battery life in the cold.

Radio and GPS in one unit.

Download topos.

Peer to peer finding options is super cool in sticky situations.

Rino 530 HCx if money is available.
Rino 120 if you are on a budget.

Ram mount to the hood or handlebar/riser and don't look back.

VB

i just got my 530 rhino for xmas from my wife and i love it, has all the options, and it does way more than u could think of....the 530HCx is my choice.

garmin all the way great support if in need and we run 530 have the radio to talk but with any must have a back track to get you out to where you came from.my 1 cent

I found a garmin 530 for less than 300 bux on froogle

thinking this is the way I'll go

can't wait to play with the garmin 530 + spot and google earth

I got the 530hcx and really like it. The main reason was for the 2 way radio to call for backup when stuck.

I didn't realize there was a Rino 530 and a Rino 530 HXC, these are two different units

the 530 HXC picks up satalights better I guess, best I could find was 350 bux for that unit.

Peep to Peep
Color screen
COLD rechargable battery life
Track back
Topo maps (large memory)
micro sd (HXC)

Twice the unit the 130 is. My 130 was great, but having a 530 for over a year now, I cant say enough about it. Just the upgraded battery is reason to go with the 530.

Good luck

 

[Insaneboltrounder/sjohns]

Having been a garmin fan for years now i can prob guess whats next. the new colorado will replace most handhelds , then in about a year we will see colorado radios , then maybe a year later we will see gps that uses sat. images. godd times coming. sj

 

[teamillusion]

We had a magellen and it was crap! had to send it in 1/2 a dozen times and plus it was rather expensive. We just bought a Etrex Legend and so far so good. It's really user friendly.

 

[fritzelman]

We had a magellen and it was crap! had to send it in 1/2 a dozen times and plus it was rather expensive. We just bought a Etrex Legend and so far so good. It's really user friendly.

Agreed^^^ Me and my bro both got Magellen Sportrak maps and they were horrible. His took an average of 10 minutes to connect to satellites, after a few months it quit all together. Mine still works though; its been battered and bruised and has held up well for a magellen. But its gotten worse and worse at connecting every since I bought it. My advice is to stay away from Magellan, and get the Garmin 60CSX. I almost bought one of those last summer for dirt biking/hunting, but didn't have the cash. Might be getting one this spring though.

 

[ttyR2]

retiredpop, which Topo package did you buy? I found the info on Garmin's website to be somewhat confusing.