Backcountry GPS Unit

[upallnight]

No - sorry. I was correcting an older statement which said the HCX had quad-helix antennas . They have patch antennas.

All the tech mumbo jumbo aside the important question is whether they have good sensitivity

i know -- sorry -- i thought the higher sensitivity was established in my first post (Edit: post #33 -- meant first post since this thread got reheated). sorry!

[Buzzworthy]

Bump for Freezorburn.

[LeeLau]

Got the Garmin etrex HCX and it works great in dense forest and is small.

Sample map generated in heavy forest

[ski_faster]

I got the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx coming. Looking forward to comparing to my Magallen Explorist 500. The Explorist may be in Gear Swap soon.

[Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo]

Time for a bump. I'm most likely getting one of the Vista HCx for fun and for backup and I am still a bit confused about whether I can use the National Geographic Topo program with these or if you have to get Garmin's map program??

[skiHOG]

i've had the garmin 60cs for 4 years now. does great in the backcountry. has altimeter, compass, barometer, and mapping, so i can actually load USGS topos onto it.

[jSki]

Time for a bump. I'm most likely getting one of the Vista HCx for fun and for backup and I am still a bit confused about whether I can use the National Geographic Topo program with these or if you have to get Garmin's map program??

I got the eTrex venture HC a month ago and have been really pleased with it. Not to much memory but I can fit topos for all the mountain regions of colorado on it. I think it's the same as the Vista but no removable memory. Also only $135.

I think you have to use the garmin mapsource to load maps. I found all the topos for colorado online, let me know if you want them.

[Snow Dog]

Yes, only Garmin maps (like MapSource/TopoCanada) can be downloaded into Garmin units. Other GPS makers have their own proprietory formats too.

[kokomas]

60CSX - anyone use the tides on this? not much difference from my perspective between this and the vista hcx and I'm trying to decide.

[GeezerSteve]

Time for a bump. I'm most likely getting one of the Vista HCx for fun and for backup and I am still a bit confused about whether I can use the National Geographic Topo program with these or if you have to get Garmin's map program??

I can transfer waypoints to and from my Garmin Geko 201 to and from my NG Topo with ease.

The Geko is simple, very light, very compact, seems to be pretty weatherproof, has no maps (other than a worthless schematic map mode), so downloading maps is a non-issue. Geko 201 is WAAS enabled (Geko 101 is not). The reception in forested areas is better than my old Garmin 45, but I have not experience with other current Garmin units. Most of my GPS use is in alpine or sub-alpine terrain, so reception is seldom on issue for me.

I generally use the Geko for locating pre-loaded waypoints and getting a bearing and distance thereto. I rely primarily on map and compass, and secondarily on watch altimeter and GPS. GPS unit has greatly helped me "thread the needle" through tricky terrain in bad weather, verify position and speed travel. I will download from my NG Topo anywhere from 6 waypoints for a day trip to 100+ waypoints for a multi-day extended traverse. For my use, I don't see any good reason to go with a heavier/larger unit.

I also see no good reason to pay more for a digital compass. A good quality Suunto magnetic compass w/declination adjustment is foolproof and does not require batteries.

[couloirman]

60Csx does the best in tree cover but the compass sucks something fierce. Itll tell you "1 mi NW to destination" which will be correct, but the arrow will point you way off. Always bring a regular compass with you as well and itll do just fine.

[kokomas]

how do you get map software for f60Csx free or cheap? or if I'm such a cheap bastard is there a different company from garmin that I should be looking at without compromising much performance?

[fonixmunkee]

Just got back from a six day backpack trip. Used a Garmin GPSMap 60CSx. Only went through one set of double AA batteries. Held signal the entire time, through thick coverage and all. The nice part is it has a memory card slot, so we can put the 24k topo maps in it for when we're on the trail, then swap the card back to a card with Streets USA on it so we can get driving directions back home...

[kokomas]

jong gps/map questions: what size garmin maps do i need for hiking? will 100k maps do the trick or do you need 24k maps? the software choices for garmin are very confusing. basically i would like to use the thing for hiking in adirondacks, teton/yellowstone parks, AK kenai and denali areas, and perhaps northwest nj where i am going this weekend. there is Topo, Topo 24k dvd's. then there are cards as well. i'd also like to use the thing for driving directions to, does that mean i have to buy city navigator as well?

oof.

[kokomas]

actually i found most of the answers i've been looking for here:

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ghlight=garmin

[Mathematics]

BUMP

anyone used the newer colorado 400t garmin gps units? looking at getting something in the next few weeks...lots of info on the 60 & 76 models, but cant seem to find much feedback on the colorado ones. if it not that much better I'll probably go with a 60csx...seems to have all the options I need and is only $200 compared to the $500-600 colorado units..

[Jonathan S.]

Detailed review at backpackinglight.com sez:
-- display is stunning in the right lighting conditions
-- display is difficult to see in many other lighting conditions
-- other features aren't that much of any advantages, some aspects are a disadvantage, and seems targetting more toward geocachers and whereigo (no, I hadn't heard of that either before)
So, seems like the best bets are still the 60Cx/CSx (or 76Cx/CSx for water sports), or the newer H versions of the higher-end eTrex models.
(And in case you're tempted by the Magellan Triton models, google for stunningly negative feedback.)

[Gilla]

I have the Garmin Etrex Vista Cx. I have had it for a couple of years now and i absolutely love the thing. I use it during the summer when I am guiding WW canoe trips and it has proven its worth several times over. Started using it when I am skiing and and driving as well. I constantly finds uses for it and pretty much carry it everywhere with me. My brother has the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx GPS and it gets better reception then mine. If you spend some time of torrent sites you can also get all the maps and product keys you will need. Little hint tho is that Garmin hasn't come out with a MapSource that works with Apples yet.

[Jonathan S.]

The new H versions of the Vista (and some other eTrex models) has reception that is supposed to be comparable to that of the 60/76 CSx/Cx (although they do use different chips).