[Hawkeye]

Hi All
Just curious, I'm looking at getting a GPS and the more research I do the more confused and undecided I become. Of all the users of garmin and magellian GPS units does anyone have an opinion of either of these units, boy thats a loaded question, or if you have had both your opinion of which is best. THis will probably open a can of worms but its pooring down rain and I have nothing else to do right now. Thanks everyone.
Wes.

[Doc Parsons]

I've got a Magellian that I've had for a year now and still haven't figured it out LOL
"Doc"

[MikeT]

Depends on what you want to use it for. Garmin has specialized in streets, roads and highways, there topo maps for downloading into the GPS are the 100K so they have very poor resolution. I have had Garmin for a number of years (currently 3 units). If that's what your looking for they are one of the best.

Don't know much about Magellian myself, a neighbor has one (don't know the model). I did see the display and his topo maps showed much more detail than my best Garmin (an eTrex Legend cx).

If I had it to do all over again I would buy the Delorme PN20. Delorme has specialized in topo mapping and their unit can display detailed topo, arial photos and has a number of features for the off-roader. My next one will be the Delorme.

Mike

[Hawkeye]

Don and Mike
Thanks for the response. I basically will use them for plotting waypoints from maps and going on my searches and storing points while out to plot on maps when home. But like anything in the electronics area you always wish you'd gotton the next best. It seems things are out dated soon after buying.
Thanks again, Wes

[Ted Scott]

Wes,

I like the Garmin Etrex Legend. It does what you need it to do and is easy to figure out intuitively. I can't help you about which topo maps because I don't know what ones I have but they are perfectly fine for me and easy to navigate. I don't know about the other units mentioned.

Just make sure you get one that you can input coords into at home. Some units only allow you to mark when you are on location. Not very good when it comes to finding a particular set of coordinates.

Ted

[Hawkeye]

Ted
Thanks for the imput, good points. That was one of the units I was looking at. I'm responding between power outages. We are getting hammered here in the Grass Valley area. I was sitting here about an hour ago and heard a crack, snap, boom. Lost a black oak about 4 to 5 feet in diameter. At least I'll have plenty of firewood when I get around to cutting it up. Thanks for the response.
Wes

[wes]

Wes, Another vote for The garmin Legend C. The only thing I don't like about it is the signal will drop out under heavy tree cover. If you hunt in the sierras you might want to get one of the garmin 60s with the external antenna.

[Allen in MT]

Wes
I have a new in the box magellan explorist 600 for sale with a suction cup window mount if you are interested. I have 2 magellans and am keeping the bigger explorist xl, guess with my eye site I need the bigger screen to see.
Allen

[Mike Furness]

Wes I too have the Garmin Legend but the one just before the "C" model so my screen is all grey scale. The Legend C is a great unit and the uSB connection works great on a buddies system. The drawback to mine is that I have to use a serial to USB conversion for interfacing my computer. Not always a reliable solution. And of course they changed the connection of the unit so old style legend to the new style Color unit so the new USB cable won't fit with mine. Talk about getting caught in tech change. I bought my GPS one month and two months later it was changed to color. Either way it is a great tool. Don't forget how to use a compass though just in case the batteries go out on you.
one mor ething somebody already mentioned but bears saying again. If you are going to be doing a lot of work under dense canopy(tree tops) then get the Garmon 60c with the exteral antena.

Mike

[Hawkeye]

Thanks guys
I'm taking all of this information in and will be looking at different models. Mike the cable problem is one i have now. My father in law gave me a magellan meridian and it has the serial port connection and none of our cumputers have that so I'm stuck with no down load or up grade capability. THis unit is also about 6 to 7 years old and like most electronic items is outdated.
Thanks again, Wes

[Hawkeye]

Hey Everyone
Well after doing alot of research and taking in everyones advice I think I'm going to go for the Garmin 60mapcsx model. I have been using the magellan meridian that my Father in Law gave me but it falls short under heavy cover and the externail antenna of the 60 would help with that. I also would really like a color screen. I think that would help me see it better overall. Thanks to everyone for there imput.
Wes

[Joe Kauffman]

Wes,

Great choice. I've been a Garmin user for a long time and just recently moved from the Etrex Legend to the GPSMAP 76CSx. Awesome units that work extremely well with mapping software. I opted for the dash mount with power source and the external antenna for my truck as well and they work great also.

Joe

[Mike Furness]

Hi Joe,

After you have a chance to really use that GPSMAP 76CSx I would love to hear your comments good and bad points. That is one of the next steps I am considering. The 60 like the one Wes got is the other contender.

After all I don't want you to get us lost if we ever get a chance to do the elk or deer hunt we talked about earlier!

Mike

[Hawkeye]

Hi Joe
Do you know what are the differences between the 76mapcsx and the 60mapcsx, I'm still looking and trying to make uo my mind on a unit and these two are at the top of my list right now. I used the Magellan today that my father in law gave me but it won't hold a signal under minimal tree cover or in a canyon, even out on the side of the canyon with a clear open field of view it couldn't keep a signal, so it will not work for my needs. I get down into canyons and hunt in a lot of tree cover. Thanks for any advice.
Wes

[Mike Furness]

Wes,

I think the biggest difference is the 60 has an external or protuding antenna and 64 MB flash memory card where the 76 has the internal antenna and 128 MB flash memory. Both have the new receiver system for much improved navigation under the trees. Other than that the 76 is about $50 more than the 60. I think the 76 also has had some mods that make it easier to work with plotters and repeater devices using compatible technology but since I don't use either plotters or repeaters I can't tell you much about them. I think the screen size is the same or very close.

If you want to compare all of Garmin's produts try the www.Cabelas.com website. They seem to have a good selection of all Garmins. And when you go to buy one talk to Bill Southern over on the nuggetshooter website. I think he is a dealer for them and will give you a good price. I don't believe Chris Gholson stocks them or I would suggest there too.

Good luck ... either will serve you well.

Mike

[Johnno]

G'Day Wes
For what it's worth I had a Garmin GPS12 and upgraded to a GPSMAP 76s from a forum member here and have never looked back. Kat my better half Can drive it blind folded and has got us out of some sticky spots.

Cheers Johnno

[Hawkeye]

Mike and Johnno
Thanks guys for the response. Mike, do you know if the 60 can handle a higher MB flash card, And I will check out Bill Southerns site. Thanks again guys.
Wes

[Joe Kauffman]

Wes,

Here's a side by side comparison of the two on the Garmin site:

76 & 60 Comparison

The main differences are the amount of memory it can handle which may or may not matter depending on how many waypoints and map imports you plan on using. And the 76 will float versus the 60 will not. I actually lost one of the original Garmins years ago while fishing. Darn thing sunk like a rock so the floating feature somewhat intrigued me.

I also like having the navigation and menu buttons at the top versus the bottom but it's just personal preference. You won't go wrong with either one!

Joe

[Boogeyman]

I'm using an old Magellan 315 with a data cable to a laptop for the field. And a data cable to the home PC. works good for me.
If doing long road trips then the LT20 with a laptop is put into use. Cost was $89 for the LT20 $ laptop free from a consulting job, so cost was right. Allows me to use several street guide software packages and works excellent with TOPO!

Might be considered dinosaur tecnology by some, but it gets me from point A to point B and back again a month later. What matters most is what you can use easiest for you needs. Do you really need all the bells and whistles.

[Mike Furness]

Boogeyman you hit upon the key to all GPS usage. The key is to know your system intimately! The more you know how it works and what it is capable of the better off you are. Before taking anew unit or new to you unit out in the wilds play with it in your own yard or a park/playground. Given sufficient battery strength and a knowledge of the tool you will be very satified with the results and come back to the "spot" without any problems.

Mike