Good affordable GPS

[mjelder]

Hey guys, Long time reader, first time poster here in the great outdoors thread.

So long story short is that a couple friends and myself are looking to do some camping away from Purdue and Indiana over spring break. We're heading to the Grand Canyon Area and doing general backwoods hiking and camping.

I'm a seasoned camper, wilderness lover and aced my orienteering badge in scouts back in the day, but since the times have changed and technology is great, we are looking to ditch the maps and get a GPS to kind of guide us to and from.

So does anyone have any experience with a good, reliable, outdoors GPS? What do you recommend, what are the price points and where could I find the best deal on one? Black and white or color doesn't matter. Not looking for a lot of features other than being able to set way-points and to pull up the info of where we are and where we have been.

Any info would be great. Also since it's my first time out to the Grand Canyon, if you have any tips or recommendations, that would be great! Thanks guys

 

[snapping turtle]

For car based ones the Garmin Nuvi is neat. Sometimes addresses show up on the wrong side of the road in neighborhoods. It has a triffic interface also and will somewhat reroute you around traffic. Same with speed limits it does not always reflect them correctly if road work has changed the limits but I have yet to install the map update.

From My expreance with it a handheld version from the same company might be worth a try. The Nuvi is fairly simple and rather well built.

 

[Ricnzak]

In the car I use a Tom Tom. I like it but the battery lie is horrible. I have a Garmin E-Trex I use when hiking. It does the basic and the battery life is good the the tree canopy will block the signal. If you go the the forest take a map as a backup.

 

[rby1rby]

I have a Garmin 76csx w/ Topo map I use for snowmobiling, hiking, & fishing. Waterproof, floats usually get about 10-12 hours of use on 2aa batteries
Absolutely love it!
Under $200 & probably cheaper on ebay used (amazon 219 & free shipping)

 

[jeremy]

Garmin Etrexx Legend is what you are looking for. Easy to use and quick to learn on as well. I would still take the Maps ans Compass with you though. Depending on Cliff Walls and Overhead Obstructions GPS may or may not work well or not at all...

 

[kludge]

the times have changed and technology is great, we are looking to ditch the maps and get a GPS to kind of guide us to and from.

There isn't a GPS made that will get me to ditch my map and compass.

That said I would probably spend the money on a GPS app for my phone, and find a way to keep it charged.

 

[indytechnerd]

I have an older Legend, maybe 5yrs or so, still gets down to <15' accuracy. I'm a Garmin fanboy, but that's fading. Here's why. Two things you REALLY want: AA battery power, ability to import topo maps. Garmin is a b*stard about the map stuff, in that they want you to buy their topo software. Delorme makes a pretty sweet alternative...
Earthmate GPS PN-60 with Topo North America 9.0 - DeLorme

 

[Bunnykid68]

Garmin Etrexx Legend is what you are looking for. Easy to use and quick to learn on as well. I would still take the Maps ans Compass with you though. Depending on Cliff Walls and Overhead Obstructions GPS may or may not work well or not at all...

This

 

[Wildcat45]

I have a Garmin eTrex and use it on backpacking trips. Depending on tree coverage or steep terrain it might be hard to get enough satellite coverage to get a clear signal. Garmin used to make an eTrex that had a high-sensitivity antenna; I would recommend that one for a trip in canyon land if they still produce it. Search around on the web for better deals than you can find at a brick and mortar store.

 

[onesurveyor]

Get any old GPS but take mapps for back up. I spent 3 months out there surveying for the National Parks and you can get out there if you chose and there is no one to help you. Dehydration will get you and you won't even know it till its to late. Be safe.

 

[Titanium Man]

Garmin +1,000,000,000

Magellan -1,000,000,000

Hope someone got my point.

 

[mjelder]

Guys, this is all great information. I really appreciate it. I have learned that I should indeed take my maps and compass haha and ill look into the garmin and other gps's as well.

 

[jeremy]

I have an older Legend, maybe 5yrs or so, still gets down to <15' accuracy. I'm a Garmin fanboy, but that's fading. Here's why. Two things you REALLY want: AA battery power, ability to import topo maps. Garmin is a b*stard about the map stuff, in that they want you to buy their topo software. Delorme makes a pretty sweet alternative...
Earthmate GPS PN-60 with Topo North America 9.0 - DeLorme

I like the way this one appears. Now to read up more on the Model line and see which one I want to beat the hell out of...

 

[LockStocksAndBarrel]

Garmin Etrexx Legend is what you are looking for. Easy to use and quick to learn on as well. I would still take the Maps ans Compass with you though. Depending on Cliff Walls and Overhead Obstructions GPS may or may not work well or not at all...

Ditto this!