I'm looking for a handheld GPS unit that I can take geocaching (so far I'm just printing off Google maps) but also one that I can take in the truck if I'm going somewhere unfamiliar.
Does anyone know of a good make and model of handheld GPS for around say $250 that does what I want it to do?


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I purchased as an impulse buy an eXplorist 500LE but this thing is way off. It claims to be accurate within 3 meters but after not finding my first geocache with a GPS I decided to do a couple tests. One time I was 89 meters off and the second time i was 160 meters off my destination and the second time I figured I should be the most accurate. I stood at one spot, recorded the coords using the device, went for a walk, told it to direct me back to those points and it said I was 0.16Km off target. It was slightly overcast so I'll give it the benifit of the doubt for now (I have 15 days to return it) but 160m? As well the base map only shows major highways and they want $150-250 for more detailed maps.

 

check out garmin, their nuvi is pretty good(i have one) but i don't know about hiking

 

Also check out the Delorme Earthmate PN-20. It come s with their Topo software, which shows all the elevations, etc. Definitely good for hiking.

 

Garmin GPSMAP60CSx. Perfect for geocacheing and traveling. I have a GPSMAP60CS and am going to upgrade as soon as I can gather up enough cash. Check it out, it's an awesome GPSr. I bought mine at GPS discount online with great service.

 

Here's the buying guide from the geo site. I wouldn't worry much about an external antenna. My old Garmin eMap does just fine sitting on the dash. Other than a good base map the main thing is make sure you can easily hook it to a computer. That makes it so much easier to get the geo locations on it using EasyGPS or similar programs. Just download them off the cache page and upload to gps.

 

Link to EasyGPS

 

You can get the beanbag mount for the 60CSx that works perfect on the dash of the F-150. The GPSr come with base maps but only shows major highways, so I bought City navigator north america V8 which shows all streets for all of north america.

 

Thanks guys, I'll do some research on all of those. The one I have now is good for geoaching. You can download all the info from the website and it comes with software and a cable that inputs it into the device quite nicely. I'm just worried about the accuracy of this thing. Can't find a geocache if you're 160m away.

Sounds like what my basemap shows. How much extra for the street maps?

 

x2 on the GPSMAP60CSx
We've got geocaching buddies with it and they love it.

We have the Garmin iQue m5, it's a combination PDA/GPS. Comes with everything you need in the car, and the detailed maps for north america. It's about $400, but I think discontinued. They've got a newer model. The only downside to it is the antenna flips out, which isn't the most robust thing for geocaching. It's worked great for us though... over 125 finds with it!

You definately want to get one with auto-routing if you'll be using it in the car. Some models require you to load routes... which work as long as you don't deviate and the maps are 100% accurate. We find we actually follow the GPS directions about 90% of the time, but sometimes they are wrong (or outdated).

Our next GPS will be one of the all-weather rugged units.

 

GPSMAP® 60CSx
Part Number: 010-00422-00
Suggested Retail Price: $ 482.13 USD

 

You get what you pay for, BTW this is another vote for the 60csx. I have the 60cs ( a few years older) and love it.

 

One advantage the Delorme will have is the software that comes with it. You can download the dat to the GPS, and it comes with all of the US. Don't have to buy any map packages. You can also get the SD card and download up to 1GB of map data. The maps do include streets, not just major roads.