advice about buying a GPS

[marg]

I live in Kingston and I'd like to try some simple geocaching with my kids this summer. I encountered the term on a webpage for a U.S. National Park we're going to be visiting this summer, which advertises an "earthcache" program -- you find things in the park using puzzles and a GPS, but there aren't physical caches to locate. I'm thinking this would be a great way to get my techie kids interested in exploring the park with me. I just found this website and it would be fun to try some geocaching in the Kingston area this summer too. What I need is some advice about buying a fairly inexpensive GPS for the purpose.

The home page for this group says it's possible to get something basic for $100. I've been looking at web sites advertising GPSs and I can't really tell which ones have the features I need. The National Park says we need something that will let us input latitude & longitude, and that it would helpful if it also displays elevation. Are there any other features I should be looking for? Can you recommend a fairly cheap GPS that has the basics?

I already have a GPS for my car. It's great for navigating on the road, but unfortunately it doesn't do latitude/longitude and it doesn't have much battery life outside the car. I don't want to spend extra money for extra features on a handheld unit which would just duplicate what my car GPS already does. I just want the simplest, cheapest thing possible that would let us try a bit of geocaching.

Thanks for any advice!

Marg

[mm_dancer]

For the case you describe I personally would recomend the basic yellow garmin etrex.

I think this is the one:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=144&pID=8705

They sell for around $100, but I think I've seen them on sale for cheaper.

You could always check Kijiji as well, sometimes good deals pop up on there.

[hamburking]

I agree with mm_dancer. I have used my old garmin etrex (yellow) to find plenty of caches. It has all the features you need including elevation. It's simple to use, and the batteries last 24 hours continuous use. Also, it fits in a pocket. And its waterproof. Please don't get me started...I love my etrex!

They often go on sale for $69 or $79 at chain stores. You can find them at walmart, radio shack, canadian tire etc.

My only complaint is that you need 2 cables to connect to your pc (a serial cable and a serial to USB converter cable). You won't want to do this the first day, but when you do it's is a bit of a hassle (and expense, like $20) compared to the common and cheap USB cable which is used by newer models. I still don't have the cables for my etrex...I have entered hundreds of coords by hand (or thumb).

In general though, I have some advice (This is only my opinion):

- Stick with Garmin.
- Watch for half price sales at Best buy, canadian tire, etc (check the flyers).

I also like the garmin Nuvi 550, the only waterproof nuvi with paperless caching. It sells for $369 at West Marine. It's also a chart plotter if you have a boat and want to get to Main Duck Island for some reason or other.

It's always exciting when a new cacher starts up. I think it reminds us all of when we each discovered this crazy sport, and the excitement of those first finds.

[marg]

Thank you both for the advice. I'm happy with my Garmin car GPS, so it will be nice to stay with that brand. I will keep my eye open for a deal. I'm going to be visiting relatives in the U.S. in May, and I'll check there too.

My 14-year-old son is very excited about the idea of geocaching so as soon as we find a GSP we'll be joining you.

Marg

[swimmrguy]

Marg,

I might be able to help you. I have an eTrex Legend kicking around that I don't use anymore. It has a few more features than the eTrex (yellow) as it has the ability to add maps.

You can see the details about it here.

I'd be willing to sell it for cheap, but unfortunately don't have a cable to include with it. I could, however, provide some maps with it.

If you are interested, contact me through this page here. The email will get to me there.

Cheers,
--SG

[hamburking]

Just an update...

A quick search found no cheap GPS.

The etrex yellow has been discontinued, and refurbished units are out of stock on every website I tried (gpscity, gpscentral, etc). The etrex H is the replacement, and it retails for $99US or $119cdn. I couldn't find any deals at canadiantire.ca or thesourcecc.ca

Even on ebay, used low end and old model gps are still going for $100.
These things seem to hold their value. The low canadian dollar isn't helping either.

If anyone sees a "deal", like half price, I hope they post a note.

OK, having said all that... no need to wait for a gps to find your first cache. There are some which can be found using google maps and a good pair of eyes. Here are some I think could be found with no GPS...

What's the point?
POH
Lighthouse
Kingston

Any to add?

[JonAndJaymee]

I was in Canadian Tire today, and saw the eTrex H on sale for 80$.

[swimmrguy]

Jon,

JonAndJaymee wrote:

I was in Canadian Tire today, and saw the eTrex H on sale for 80$.

Any chance that is limited to that store (assuming it is a store in Ottawa)? It is listed for $129 on the web site, and I don't see anything in the latest flyer...

--SG

[JonAndJaymee]

It's quite possible it was limited to the store, and yea it was in Ottawa.

If anyone wants me to pick them one up at the sale price, let me know.

[hamburking]

I'd say that's a good buy at $80!
I'm going to check our local store when I get a chance.

Also, you said it's the H model...the H is for High sensitivity, meaning that it should have better sattelite reception than the older "yellow" model. I'm not sure I believe it makes much difference though. Also, just because I'm a geek I'l add, the H model is compatible with european sattelites as well as the american sats, giving it better worldwide coverage.

BTW, this thread got me bidding on...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 0394694218