A Good GPS for Geocaching MB (or Scouting Activities)....

[RWSmith]

Which GPS would you recommend as good/better/best (or DO NOT BUY!) for Geocaching MB or other Scouting activities, e.g. Hiking, Backpacking, High Adventure?

(Note: This is a tech thread; it is not about advancement requirements.)

[cballman]

I can barely use a cellphone so why would anybody want or need a GPS system? I can use a map and compass just not to technical.

[wagionvigil]

etrex legend or a Geko Both by Garmin Very affordable and easy to use. Sure you can spend a bundle but learn on one of these first. Great for basic Geocaching and trail use. ALso your Car GPS can be programed with waypoints. It is accurate but is not set up to help you in the woods.

[razor_strop]

Are there any substantial (i.e., worth the extra $$) advantages of the color screens over the older and less expensive monochrome? I've used the monochrome GPS versions, but never had color maps besides the paper ones I carried.

[wagionvigil]

I have the monochrome etrex and a friend has the color version They do the same thing.

[Chief J]

eTrex is an awesome entry level GPS. I learned on this and now use the Garmin 60CSx. While the 60CSx is fun and has color maps, the eTrex legend does the exact same thing and is just as accurate.

Chief J

[kwildman]

Color screens are easier to see in full sun and you have the advantage of inverting colors to make night use easier on the eyes.

Its been a couple of years since i priced recreational grade GPS recievers but I was always partial to Magellan. They were generally more water resistant with rubber gaskets around the battery compartments, etc. Their used to be a big advantage on the antennas for the magellan as well. I could pull more satellites under heavy cover than friends with the etreks. I think the newer etreks have caught up in those terms.

As with any electrical gadget, do some comparative price shopping and look at features versus costs. For geocaching you can get buy with a very basic GPS. Some of the higher models allow you to add USGS topo maps, have altimeters, magnetic compasses, etc.

[smtroop168]

Thanks...just looking for a reasonable pirced gadget we can get for the troop gear that will also work for Geocaching MB

[RWSmith]

Just a thought... Wagionvigil said something in another thread (Geocaching MB is a Reality) about making sure your GPS is capable of allowing you to enter your own (at least four) way-points, which is needed for Geocaching MB. I don't own a GPS; but frankly, I can't imagine having one w/o that feature.

IOW, don't waste your money on the Backtrack GPS at ScoutStuff.Org.

[smtroop168]

Just a thought... Wagionvigil said something in another thread (Geocaching MB is a Reality) about making sure your GPS is capable of allowing you to enter your own (at least four) way-points, which is needed for Geocaching MB. I don't own a GPS; but frankly, I can't imagine having one w/o that feature.

IOW, don't waste your money on the Backtrack GPS at ScoutStuff.Org.

That's why I asked.

[ThunderingWind]

Additional request for information.......

Which one(s) are better for downloading maps into? I prefer using the military grid reference system mostly because that is what I was taught.

[kwildman]

TW that is going to vary by model. If you have an idea of what software or sources you want to use for your maps then you can look at what models are compatible.

I would recommend a very basic model for most people as I dont think it that usable to have the topos on the unit. I prefer to use a map and plot my coords on it as i go. Most will handle MGRS but if your working with the youth i would recommend using the UTM that they will typically see on USGS topos.

[ThunderingWind]

Thank you. I only own MGRS maps for most areas that I hike/travel etc....

As I move on to the new technology for the safety of the Scouts, I thought I would try to
have the paper match the digits.

[kwildman]

i believe the basic etrex from garmin (~$100) supports MGRS and UTM. You need to go into setup because all measurements are done in WGS84. You need to changed the datum to NAD27 or NAD83 depending upon the source of your map. You also need to change the display to MGRS or UTM. The GPS then will preform the necessary spatial calculations to project you in the right place. A good website is http://gpsinformation.net/

[WeeWillie]

Garmin, Magellan and Delorme have each come out with new models. Whatever features that are on one will appear in updates to the others. What features drive the price and there is not much of a price difference for comparable models.

I can tell you what not to buy and the reason for not buying. Do not buy the Magellan Triton series. Magellan had serious design and quality problems. Magellan was bought out and the new company redesigned their product line. They are no longer updating their Triton firmware. The problem is that their mapping software, (Vantage Point) is being updated to match their new product line (Explorist) and update to Vantage Point do not always work with the old Triton series. Why do I know this? Two years ago I updated Vantage Point and it disabled my Triton 400. Fortunately there is a 3rd party repair company that was able to fix my Triton for $90and I continue to use it. Now went Magellan produces a Vantage Point update I wait a few month for all the problems to be fixed before I load the changes to my system. Magellan also created a utility that allows users to download Geocaches directly from Geocaching.com to their GPS. Naturally, their utility doesn’t always work with the Triton series. I was able to find the right info to fix the problem, but it was another annoyance.

My other GPS is a Delorme PN40 and I am pleased with it. Their newest line is the PN50, PN60 series. I nice feature with Delorme is that you can purchase a subscription to their map and satellite library and download maps and imagery to your computer and GPS. The map scales available include USGS 1:24,000. If you can afford to purchase a GPS with color maps I suggest you do so. You can do a lot with the mapping software that accompanies the mapping GPS. You can create routes, measure distances, create elevation profiles… No more 9.1 mile, 10 mile Hiking MB problems.

Thundering Wind. MGRS is based on UTM. All that changes is the grid lines and a new GTA (protractor).