CoolWhip Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Hey All,I do a lot of backpacking and I have been looking into getting a nice, rugged, handheld GPS for hiking and backpacking, but the reviews are so mixed on every device. Furthermore, I really don't know much about them. Does anyone on here have any experience or advice (or one to sell)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howabusa Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 I have a handheld Garmin Etrex. I have had it for 3 or 4 years. I might sell it. I use it on the bike mostly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevysoldier Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Get a compass. I have an older Garmin, forget what model cuz it's in a box somewhere, but I used it back packing and in the army. It took a hell of a lot of abuse and now if it hits a bump it'll turn off. For as much as it got used, it held up well. I would say other Garmins are well made too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopLeft Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 I've been with friends who live in Littleton (Denver) while we used a Garmin Oregon for day hikes. I believe he has the 450t based on me not recalling it having a camera, and it seemed solid. Rain and me dropping it had no effect on reception, but this may be normal for all Garmin products or all hiking GPS. Very limited experience is all I have, sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 i have an e-trex too. its pretty cool. used it mostly for geocaching. i think it was like 100 bucks, and that was like 4 or 5 years ago. they probably have a new model out now though. its pretty portable. about the size of an old nokia cell phone. it does not have maps or anything, but you can track your location and stuff. it does have a nice feature for hiking, you can set it to mark the path youve been taking. basically, it marks a waypoint like every 20 feet, so if you go into the woods and get lost, you can follow your path back out. it doesnt have a lot of crazy features or anything, but for basic stuff, waypoints, compass etc, it does the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolWhip Posted January 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 I am looking for something that I can load maps onto since some of the backpacking paths get grown over. It would be helpful to be able to map my trip ahead of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kong1963 Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 I have a Garmin Colorado the family uses to geocache. It is primarily for hiking and you can load maps into it. Very durable and waterproof. I have used it all over the country and it has performed very well even in tree cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vf1000ride Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 I have the Garmin summit HC. It's been a good unit for me. I had originally gotten it to go hunting. You can download maps to it and I have both the topography and city maps. The color display works very well. Only have two faults with it. Buy something with expandable memory. My older model HC is limited to internal memory only and can not hold more than 2-3 states worth of detailed maps. Second is that if used for driving, it does not do turn by turn. It always tries to send you offroading.Rechargable batteries last 7-8 hours, the lithum AA's almost 16, regular alkaline batteries are in between. The built in altimeter and electronic compass seem to be very accurate if they are calibrated correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildit Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 I am looking for something that I can load maps onto since some of the backpacking paths get grown over. It would be helpful to be able to map my trip ahead of time.I have an etrex and Model 60. Both work well, but get one with color screen. Both of mine allow you to load tracks into them or draw tracks on the computer and then transfer into the unit. It is a bit harder with a Mac but can be done. Lots of people have older unlocked maps they can share with you so you don't have to pay $100 for a map that never changes.If you decide you want a cheap one to try I'll sell you my black and white etrex with a copy of North American topo map for $50. That way I can say I need a new one and get a color unit for the bikes that I really want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolWhip Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Lol I thought you said to get one with a color screen? I have an etrex and Model 60. Both work well, but get one with color screen. Both of mine allow you to load tracks into them or draw tracks on the computer and then transfer into the unit. It is a bit harder with a Mac but can be done. Lots of people have older unlocked maps they can share with you so you don't have to pay $100 for a map that never changes.If you decide you want a cheap one to try I'll sell you my black and white etrex with a copy of North American topo map for $50. That way I can say I need a new one and get a color unit for the bikes that I really want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildit Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Lol I thought you said to get one with a color screen? I did, but no one listens to me about anything else, why should this be different? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolWhip Posted May 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 Since I am getting ready to go backpacking again, I figured I would get some more advice. I have been looking at the Garmin eTrex 30 and some other ones. I'm trying to stay $300 or less, but I really want to get a good quality GPS that will last me for years. I primarily will be using it for backpacking to it needs to be very accurate and have good topos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildit Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 Since I am getting ready to go backpacking again, I figured I would get some more advice. I have been looking at the Garmin eTrex 30 and some other ones. I'm trying to stay $300 or less, but I really want to get a good quality GPS that will last me for years. I primarily will be using it for backpacking to it needs to be very accurate and have good topos.Etrex are very accurate but recently I've seen lots of people using smart phones gps apps and such with great accuracy. So might wanna check that option too if you have the phone for it already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolWhip Posted May 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 Phones use cell signals to triangulate position. It isn't true GPS. In the places I go there is no cell signal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildit Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 (edited) Phones use cell signals to triangulate position. It isn't true GPS. In the places I go there is no cell signal.Then you'll probably have issues with any device as even the best GPS requires a clear view of the southern sky. I think this is your best bet at $200--> http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Garmin+-+eTrex+20+GPS/3130269.p;jsessionid=FF98F24454FA81F1F820E916B902BC54.bbolsp-app01-03?id=1218379521902&skuId=3130269and probably this map at $90http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Garmin+-+TOPO+U.S.+24K+South+Central+DVD/9487343.p?id=1218112982048&skuId=9487343 Edited May 5, 2012 by buildit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolWhip Posted May 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 is there a reason you suggest the 20 over the 30? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildit Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 is there a reason you suggest the 20 over the 30?You said you wanted to stay under $300. The 20 + topo map is just under $300. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OsuMj Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 My roommate has a Garmin Oregon 450 and he said he got it for ~$250. We've used it hiking a few times and its pretty snazzy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolWhip Posted May 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 My roommate has a Garmin Oregon 450 and he said he got it for ~$250. We've used it hiking a few times and its pretty snazzy.Thank you! I've been looking at it. Can you tell me what kinds of things you used it for? I use it primarily to verify trails, Cardinal directions, and to find water sources. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OsuMj Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 Um, don't laugh, but the feature I use the most is the elevation change tracker thing... when I'm coming up on mile 15 and I just want to have my shoes off and eat a baconator, I stare at the elevation change map so I can see how hard the rest of the trail is. My roommate uses it when we're trying to get to hard trails. We went to Utah a few weeks ago and used it to find a path that wasn't very apparent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolWhip Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Did you two purchase a map set or use the preloaded one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M_Quick Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Dont pay for topo maps! And I have a Garmin etrex Legend HCX, works well for atv riding.http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OsuMj Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I'm not sure about the map set... sorry! I can see if I can remember to ask next time I see him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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