Basic GPS for backpackers

[Ray52]

I'd like to get a GPS to use while backpacking and don't really know where to start. I want something small, preferably waterproof so I can also use it without a housing in my kayak, and most importantly, it must be easy to use.  I've got an old Magellan that did those things well but the housing got cracked and the display is streaked and difficult to read. I also got a "deal" on a Cobra but it is large and difficult to use. Guess that's the reason they were selling them cheap on WOOT. Simplicity and reliability are important. I suspect I'll get a Garmin but don't think I need their top of the line. Your suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ray

[BigBendHiker]

For what it is worth, I have a Garmin GPSMap 60CSx.  Have not used it backpacking, but have used it many, many times on day hikes.  Very easy to use.  Very pleased with it.


BBH

[Sotol Vista]

I have the Garmin 60CSx also. Its pretty sweet and fairly easy to use. it has the newer GPS receiver and will receive a signal where most GPS devices wont. Like in heavily wooded areas or deep canyons.

When we did a float trip in October, the guide told me my GPS would not work most of the may, well it worked until we got the the narrowest and deepest part of Santa Elena Canyon, which is about 3/4 the way through it. the Guide, StingRey and myself were impressed.

James

[BigBendHiker]

Agree with the comment about the 60CSx picking up the satellite signals when others will not.  I have even got a lock on mine while sitting in my living room...

Plus, the 60CSx is great for city nav if you go ahead and load City Navigator maps to it.


BBH

[WL2]

I have a Garmin Colorado 400t and it is easy to use and has a bit bigger screen.  However, it is a battery hog and will eat them up like popcorn.  I have used a 60Csx and it is a great unit. So I also recommend the 60Csx for a trail GPS unit.

[bdann]

yep, 60csx, I get around 18 hours on a set of batteries.  Great for hiking and kayaking, waterproof (and I have put that to the test), etc.  Great all around unit.  Not terrible for on the road navigating either. 

[badknees]

60 CSX -stingy on batteries, easy to read in bright light. Sensitive receiver works in all but the most confined canyons.

[homerboy2u]

Hi Val... ...i mean Hello Ray!!. Still undecided what is the best GPS on this board?, well let me help you thru "these" options.......Garmin 60Csx, you will agree it is by  now  the over all best GPS ,for the money you can find,on this board of GPS junkies.Me included.

 It is so easy to read the screens,you will do it , in time, with out even seeing it.


Once you load up it's optional Topo programs it REALLY  starts to shine...


 I like this little thing that when it is 6:pm it automatically,changes the light of the screen to an  darker non reflective night screen (Night Mode), which could blur you sight if you should mount it on your front window or dashboard. Very cool feature.


 It won 2006 Outside Magazine Gear of the Year too.



 Just add to pile up, Bdann mentioned it was waterproof


Now a days, yu can find the Garmin 60Csx with a bundle pack too that has more features than when i bought it.


 Hiking,biking,trailing,boating,you name it .This baby has it all and like all of us here, you will be more than content once you start dicovering new ways to use it and share it's inofrmation on the board.

Homero Jimenez

[presidio]

Everybody has a favorite unit and that's what they recommend.

I have 2 suggestions.

a) Get a Garmin...they have the lock on the market and you won't be disappointed.
b) Go to the Garmin website and compare models to find the one that best serves your need.

[RikD]

I have  been shopping around for good deal on a Garmin 60Csx, and there are many out on eBay.  However, they all come with different configurations and extras.  So hera are some questions going out to those who are both 60Csx afficianados and Big Bend enthusiasts.

1. I noticed that many of the "deals" include a blank 2GB SD card.  Is this a special SD chip for Garmin, or is it just a generic chip?  Also is it the micro SD, or the mini SD.  The reason I ask, is because I have a spare 2GB micro SD at the house.

2. Most of the units that have really good deals have no map chips.  Some have the US topos, and others have the City Nav.  I went out to Map Source and noted that there was a special map SD chip just for National Parks (West, Central, East).  For Big Bend it's the Central as most would already know.  My question: Are the US topos good enough, or is it better to get the special SD chip for Central National Parks?

3. If I have the 2GB micro SD, how much stuff could I load onto it?  Or should I say: If I live in the Houston area, and plan to use it mostly in Texas parks and possibly roads in between what would be the best collection of stuff?

4. What about using the 60Csx in foriegn countries - like Mexico, Indonesia, Europe, etc.?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts out there.

-Rik

[jeffblaylock]

I own a 60csx and have been happy with it, though I do not use it's full capabilities. The screen is readable, even in daylight, and it gets a strong signal even in forests and most canyons. It performs better when it had a signal lock before entering forests and canyons -- not as good at finding a signal lock once in those places. It is expensive, but it's a rugged, quality device. I suspect most of the bargain GPS units out there are cheaply constructed, perform inadequately, and generally are not worth carrying.

1. I noticed that many of the "deals" include a blank 2GB SD card.  Is this a special SD chip for Garmin, or is it just a generic chip?  Also is it the micro SD, or the mini SD.  The reason I ask, is because I have a spare 2GB micro SD at the house.

It's microSD. BTW, I highly recommend saving your tracklog data to the chip. Merely saving the track to internal memory deletes all the timestamps.

2. Most of the units that have really good deals have no map chips.  Some have the US topos, and others have the City Nav.  I went out to Map Source and noted that there was a special map SD chip just for National Parks (West, Central, East).  For Big Bend it's the Central as most would already know.  My question: Are the US topos good enough, or is it better to get the special SD chip for Central National Parks?

Personally, I don't use either. It is my understanding that the National Parks maps are a better resolution than the 1:100,000 for the US topos. The base map is useless for hiking, and I suspect the city nav maps are practically useless. I take along custom-printed USGS maps (1:24,000) and use the GPS to record my tracks and tell me where I am on the paper map. There are others on here who can offer guidance on turning other digitized maps into formats that are downloadable to and usable on a Garmin GPS.

3. If I have the 2GB micro SD, how much stuff could I load onto it?  Or should I say: If I live in the Houston area, and plan to use it mostly in Texas parks and possibly roads in between what would be the best collection of stuff?

That's lots of space. You can always delete maps/files you don't need on a particular trip and store them on the home computer.

4. What about using the 60Csx in foriegn countries - like Mexico, Indonesia, Europe, etc.?

Not advised.

[bdann]

Not advised.

why not?  perhaps not for hiking, not with out of the box maps anyway, but city navigator maps are avaiable for many countries outside of North America. 

[jeffblaylock]

Not advised.

why not?  perhaps not for hiking, not with out of the box maps anyway, but city navigator maps are avaiable for many countries outside of North America. 

I've never used it outside the US. I would expect there to be lots of data out there, maybe even international map cards from Garmin, but have never needed to look into it. 

[homerboy2u]

Not advised.

why not? perhaps not for hiking, not with out of the box maps anyway, but city navigator maps are avaiable for many countries outside of North America.

 Yes Jeff... WL2 was kind enough to send me the link to Mexico's City Maps , they look very close to the ones used in the U.S. The topos are also available thru the same source. I can not say th same for Indonesia,Europe or other parts of the world,but that is only because i have not read anything in those areas. I know Garmin sells software for those parts of the planet,but it is just that i have not had any interest to know about it.

 Maybe somebody else can chime in and post an opinion on the softwares for those areas?

[RikD]

Well for me, it sounds like it's best to just get a base unit and use my 2GB spare SD.  As for maps, I could spring for either the US Topo, or maybe the Central NPS from MapSource.  Brand new units with clip on carrying case are running about $300.  There was a used unit that included all the 2008 US Topos for about $320.

The interest in the foriegn countries, is that I occasionally travel to those places.  I am going to Indonesia in a couple of months, and plan to hike a small volcanic mountain in Central Java (Gunung Lawu). If the GPS worked there I would probably take it, if not no big deal. 

My main interest is using the device for Big Bend.  That's one place where you could conceivably get lost.  Also, as I have noticed with the BBC members, another purpose is to keep a log of where they went.  This is good for both planning your next adventure, or sharing with others on the chat board.

-Rik