I'm in the market for a GPS, all i want is somthing simple, reliable, and waterproof. I know nothing about them so i dont want to waste my money on a bunch of features i dont need.
(I dont need to know what time it is in Japan).



Any help would be appreciated.

thanks.

I bought a garmin GPS III+ off e-bay and really like it. Real easy to use but might have more features that you are looking for. Here is a link to a GPS BB that has a lot of info on them and what is good and bad. Groundspeak.com Like I mentioned before check e-bay, some pretty prices there once in awhile also. Good luck

Garmin Etrex is a great little "basic" gps unit, simple to operate, waterproof & inexpensive. It will hold 500 waypoints and will leave a track line so you can find your way back. As for the time in Japan option, sorry, all gps units will do that.
These units sell for 115 bucks at numerous places, probably find 1 for around 100 at the Boat Show or Sportsman's shows.
IMHO, quality control at Garmin is superior to Magellan, especially in the lower end units.

I'll second the Garmin E-trex GPS. You have the same want list I had when I bought mine last summer. I've taken it to Seiku,Potholes,and deer,elk hunting. It is very easy to use and nice and compact,perfect for a backpack or coat pocket. I got mine at Boaters World in Everett, it was $114.

The reports I have recieved on GPS's is that the Etrex is good cheap and reliable

I use and own a Garmin 176C in my P/U, a Grarmin Steet Pilot in my wife's SUV, I also have a GPS III Plus, have also owned a GPS III, GPS II, and my brother just returned a Garmin GPS 38 to me.

My recommendation on any GPS you buy be at least a 12 satilite reciever as they hold receptation better than the old 8 Satilite recievers. I'm no expert on GPS's but i use them quite a bit in Search & Rescue apps.

Don't take this the wrong way but...

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BRUNTON COMPASS AND MAP VIDEO
MSRP: $30
Package includes a 35 minute full color video and 8010G classic map compass with instruction manual. Learn how to navigate with compass and map in the great outdoors.
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Seriously though … what and where will you be using it for? If it is just land navigation during a hunting trip, then get a compass and video or find an orienteering class… GPS are similar to cell phones in that they both use satellites which may not receive a signal in certain area's canyon bottom's, under deep forest canopy. The second thing is batteries… if you are planning on using it in the cold, on a several day trip plan on bringing several set's of batteries because you will need them…

Now lastly remember “Search and Rescues” motto “Support Search and Rescue Get Lost”… Every discussion that set in on with my scouts, the sheriff's department and the King County S&R all say the same thing… ALWAYS carry a compass, because GPS fails!

Ooops, didn't mean to get on the soap box… sorry

Now if it is just because you have the cash… that's cool I am a man to and like neat toys…

Shoot Straight & Tight Lines

Fully agree with the statements above. A compass is a must also if you are going to be in the woods and know how to use it. GPS is by no means fail safe, I have had mine more than once not get a signal because the conopy was to thick or finally pick up the signal and not be strong enough for it to orientate it sefl and tell you to go the opposite way you need to be going. They are a great tool but should be used with a compass and common sense.

That said I love using mine, does take some practice to get good with them and to remeber all the tricks that come with using them.

I have a Garmin 45 XL it is a older model and only has 8 satillites. Boughten at a pawn shop for $75.When you want to learn how to use it go to the link above or Geocache.com were you will find things planted all over the place more than likly there is one within a mile or two of your home. I would recommend doing some of these before going out on the boat in the fog.
If you do not get one with a map do your trip once before you have to do it in the fog

NOTE: And always carry a back up (COMPASS)

Yes, I also carry a Silva Compass, But the GPS Cordinates are the ones asked for by the Coast Guard, Navy, Airlift NW and other agencies when a Helo is called in for a landing site when helo operations are needed. GPS Codinates are also the cordinates given to us when we have to locate an active EPerp. They also give us and the Civil Air Patrol a starting point for a search when there is a downed Aircraft. All of our mobile units here in our area have GPS capability along with the compass for the reasons stated above.

Our biggist obstacle is in the field here on the Peninsula is American Med Tech (the Amulance Company out of Seattle) as Secondary Users simulacasting their calls on the State of Washington's Search & Rescue Frequencies when there is an Operation going on. This has been probably the single biggest complaint I've heard from all the agencies here on the Peninsula and I've even heard the complaint from other Agencies on the Eastside of the Sound.

If your concerned about losing reception (deep canyons, thick canopy) step up to the 76 line, they have a quad helix antenna which is the best (handheld antenna) on the market, not perfect, but definitely better then the Etrex antenna. These units start about 100 bucks more then the Etrex but you do get what you pay for too.

I have'nt had any problems with getting a signal,with the E-trex. the first time I used it I was playing with it in the house. I couln't believe it when I got a good signal....in the house!

I also used it a bunch,while elk hunting this yr. I had a couple canyon's that had a really thick canopy of tree's,and only once did I get a bad signal. I moved about 50yds and it popped right back up.

I agree with the compass thing,better know how to read one of those also.

thank you for all the info, i think i'm going to go with the garmin e trex basic model but i have one more question, what do they mean by memory? if it has 0 memory does that mean when the batteries go dead i will lose all my input?

I'm not sure about the E-Trex but with the Garmins I own there is an internal lithium battery that is good for a number of years and it keeps the programming intack even when the replaceable batteries need to replaced. It works in the same manner that a Lap Top or Palm Pocket works. you turn them off or the batteries die you don't lose the operating system or stored data.

Jayjos, when speaking of memory its referring to download capability, the basic models, (E-Trex, Garmin72, Garmin76, As well as Magellan's 310, 315) have 1 meg of download capability (memory). Generally, the cheaper the unit, the fewer megs it will offer.
The 1 meg units will just hold waypoints and a few routes, when you get into the mapping units (Map76, 76S, Legend, Vista, and Magellans Meridian series) you'll get anywhere from 8 to 24 megs, which lets you add more detailed info to the basic maps in these units.