Thread: GPS Question

Originally Posted by Southern Chuter

:rolleyes:I'm going to buy a new handheld GPS and was looking at the Etrex HCX. Does anyone have any pros/cons or suggestions for a better unit. I want one that is accurate, easy to use, water resistant and PC compatiable.

I have the older ETrex Vista and love it. I have the street maps and Topo USA on my laptop that I create maps of whereever I am going and transfer to it. The only catch with the Street Maps is that you have to pay for each GPS you are using them on. If you have 2 Garmins, you have to pay for 2 copies of the street maps. I haven't priced the maps for other brands, but they may be cheaper.
Gary

Hey Souther Chuter... I use a Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx with the cable and base to allow running from boat power. When removed it converts to AA battery power (21 hrs). It floats and is waterproof. It has a compass, altimeter and barometer in addition to the GPS. Software down loadable etc... Look it up on your net. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by luvin.fishin

Hey Souther Chuter... I use a Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx with the cable and base to allow running from boat power. When removed it converts to AA battery power (21 hrs). It floats and is waterproof. It has a compass, altimeter and barometer in addition to the GPS. Software down loadable etc... Look it up on your net. Hope this helps.

I bought the GPSMAP 60Cx before duck season, mainly because it has a High-sensitivity GPS receiver. It will pick up satellites better on cloudy days, and under dense tree cover, like in a thick cypress brake... It is also waterproof, but does not float. My only fripe with the 76 was that it did not feel right in my hans, and I am mainly using it to not get lost int he hunting woods. But it does serve duel purposes, like fishing.

Worth the extra $$ if you ask me.

I have the GPS you discussed in your question E-trex HCx series. Mine is the color version. For fast positioning it is good. For slow trolling it is not. They only register down to .7 mph. During slow times I like to troll at .4 and I have to use another GPS Lowrance I finder to register that slow. Whe I pull crank baits in the summer it is great since you are usually running 1.1 to 2 mph and the color screen is easy to read. A lot of money for only half use in my opinion. Let me know if you need more details:p

I have a GPSMAP 76 that works well and is very user-friendly. But, I haven't used it very much since getting a Blackberry phone, I just use an application called BBTracker. In addition to marking waypoints and such, it also exports google earth files that can be viewed on top of the aerial view. This tracking program is a great asset to anyone that owns a smartphone.

Hey CEB, how slow will the GPSMAP 76 indicate? Will you be at Greeson May 8-10?

I second the Garmin MAP 76 Csx. I have had one for a few months and it is the best GPS device I have. I highly recommend it!

Also, PCNation usually has the best prices on them. If you go with it, you will not regret it. It's a color unit, waterproof, floats, easy to read and after about 15 minutes to get acquianted, it is very easy to use to the fullest.

aj

Unless something has changed lately, I don't think that GPS of any manufacturer is very good at speeds below about 3 MPH. It has to do with the timing available to civilians or something. I'm not sure. When looking for my unit for the boat, I read quite a bit and talked with several folks and that seemed to be the consensus... You won't get an accurate reading below 3MPH.

I'm still cussing under my breath over that one.