GPS - any thoughts? ........

[Wickedfinger]

... After sitting next to a guy on the plane down to the Caribbean last December who was using a Garmin Vista, and watching it with complete facination as it measured the speed, altitude and map of the plane as we went down the coast, I finally decided to get one for the ATV's as well as for the truck and have a couple of models in mind - but - I was just looking for some feedback, models used etc.

[renotrikeguy]

I think these sites might help.

gpsinformation.net
www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/gps/gps_f.html
And one real cool site : www.geocaching.com - Check this one out first. :D

[md1985250r]

Wickedfinger,
I use a Garmin etrex .It is a handheld model. It works very well. It cost less than $100. I use it for riding as well as a navigation aid while I am out on my boat. It fits easily in a shirt pocket too. Good Luck ,GREG

[chris200x]

Ya those gps are nice to have once you figure out how to use it. I use mine all the time. Good little investment.

[trikezilla]

hahaha...no matter what GPS you get, dont try to use it while you are negotiating a tricky rock section aoard a 02 kx250!!!!! dont ask......

[renotrikeguy]

I myself use an older Magellan 2000XL when I go riding. It's ok for being way outdated.

[Tri-ZNate]

If I had to recommend one I'd say a Garmin etrex. They have almost all the features of all the others and are one of the most inexpensive on the market.

unfortunatly i'm stuck wiith an old school model. A Magellan Pioneer. Advanced for its day but not for today. You guys get signal in minuets I get signal in a half hour. Old School.

[TravEX]

get the etrex legend, it has maps and other features the old etrex doesn't,,,been using my legend for over a year, great to map trails and area calculations for food plots for deer,,,later

[Wickedfinger]

I was leaning towards the Garmin eTrex Legend actually - but - I found an almost new Garmin GPS76 for a steal on eBay and I have a bid on it.

[TravEX]

the Legend is cheap now, they have the unit and adapter,,,
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3308545&cat=55316&type=1&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4155%3A55315%3A55316
or a bundle kit for this,,,
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3302151&cat=55316&type=1&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4155%3A55315%3A55316


i used the Garmin CD maps and stuff and tried to download them to the GPS without success, the maps and land/water info that come already loaded in the GPS are more than i can use/understand in a lifetime,,,it is a great atv tool, but is great for long vacation trips, you can map out the whole trip, see what services/restraunts/rest areas, etc are on each exit on the interstate,,,we are about to start planting some soybean patches for the deer and we use the GPS to find out the acreage of the plot so we use the right amount of seed and fertilize, i just set the GPS on area calculator and walk/ride around the area we want and bingo 1.119 acreas blah blah,,,

they are great to find your way back when your riding in umfamiliar areas too, and if you have to leave something behind on the trails you can set a waypoint at that area and drive right back to it and find it,,,remember to have fresh batteries or an extra set on the long days on the trail,,,

later

[Quickonstep]

get the etrex legend, it has maps and other features the old etrex doesn't,,,been using my legend for over a year, great to map trails and area calculations for food plots for deer,,,later


the etrex legend is the one to get.. i have it.. its the translucent blue one.. has roadways, waterways, WAAP fixing, will hold max speed, ave speed.. small enough to fit in your pocket, can go anywhere.. they usually retail for about 150-200 bux, i got lucky and found mine new in the box for 50 bux at the local flea market.. i also got the garmin carrying case for mine and the mount for the boat..

I can snap some screen shots of it if you would like.. but if i had the cash i think i would have gotten the legend C model, which is color.. but the grey scale one works just fine.. and i believe the backlight on the greyscale one is much better.. the gps 72 and 76 gps's are fairly big.. One thing to remember, a gps is USELESS if it cant see the sky.. it will work in a pocket, but it wont be nearly as accurate as if it was mounted to your bars or what not.. and id rather have the smaller peice mounted there than the bigger one of the 76's... and the 72's and 76's ARE NOT MADE AS TIGHT AS THE SMALLER ONES! goto your local WEST MARINE or BOATUS and check them all out before you buy.. that way youll know EXACTLY what your getting

Jesse

[Wickedfinger]

I ended up getting the eTrex Legend, from Walmart.com too - $155 w/car adapter. Things awesome ..........

[PowerTrike]

I just picked up a Garmin eTrex Venture. Its a very good model, cheaper than the Legend I believe but still has the mapping feature, just less memory I think. I got it in exchange for some Polaris snowmobile parts on a trade. :)