(Login AlexPerovic) AA Forum Group from IP address 142.245.193.11
Four years ago I purchased a Megllan 500 LE GPS. It and the software never worked properly. The unit would not be recognized my three of my PCs (i suspect XP issue) and the software stopped working. I had two other friends that purchased the same unit and all of us had the same issue.
The best part is the service. I just called again recently and foudn out that a) the unit is no longer supported and they will not perform any service on it even if i am willing to pay. b) the software needs to be reinstalled but it has to be unlocked by the website but the website no longer has the unlock tool on it and the helpdesk could not find the tools either. Horrible service and policy on this. I own the software and can't use it. The only solution is I coudl get a discount on a new Megellan product. Unreal. I can't believe that four years later I can't get any service on the unit or the software. I will never purchase from megellan again.
That brings me to the question at hand. What are your thoughts on another GPS unit? I usually do a lot of canoeing which i couldn't do at all this past year, but am doing a solo trip at the end of the month. I do also like to geocache but that is a secondary purpose of the GPS. Finally I do a lot of fishing in my boat and would use it for that reason too.
Well, I've only had Garmin units- the eTrex Vista HCx, the Dakota 20 and the GPSMAP 62s. I find that of the three the GPSMAP 62s has the best signal reception, followed by the eTrex Vista HCx and then the Dakota. The advantage to the Dakota and the GPSMAP 62s (among others) is that they can load my map.
One big thing that'll affect your choice is what you want to spend...
Long time no 'talk'. As for what I want to spend, my great grandmother use to say "Only the rich can afford to be cheap". I know this and still bought the Magellen because it was on sale. Now I have to buy another one. Hence the meaning of her saying.
This time I don't care, I want one that will work well.
I've never owned a Magellan, however I have heard their support (for a few years now) is poor, purchaseable maps limited and the devices problematic and not intuitive, however models and personal experience will vary. I don't expect your issues with them is uniquely an issue with your O/S.
I love Garmins, own a couple of their hand-held units and when needed their support has been excellent.
The Model CT has is the 's' version, comes with altimeter and e-compass. Full specifications and differences between Garmin models here:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145
The 'basic' GPSMAP 62 doesn't have those features, so is less expensive. Are they really necessary? Depends on your needs - only you can answer that. Both the e-compass and altimeter require frequent recalibration to maintain accuracy. Having a model that has both I find I don't use the e-compass but the altimeter can be useful, again it depends on your own needs.
I don't know whether CT also carries the the basic model, may be worth a look (not every product they carry locally is identified in their on-line inventory).
I bought a Triton 400 half price a few years ago after hearing all the horror stories, because there is a fix-http://www.jungleghost.com/
I got a couple of awesome topos, and all the quirks were fixed. Unit has been flawless for me, no problems with VantagePoint. I have Jeff's maps on it too.
I've only ever had Garmins, mainly because of the reputation of some of the other ones, like the one you have.
My starter was an Etrex Legend, then I acquired a GPSmap 60. When the 60 was stolen in a vehicle break in I upgraded to the 60csx.
I wouldn't trade the 60Csx for the proverbial 'all the tea in china'.
It's actually fairly easy to operate, connects well to my XP and has expandable card capability. It holds more geocaches than I have time to find and works great with GSAK.
I had it loaded with Ibycus topo maps for me and if Jeffery would only get his maps downloadable onto it, I'd be in 7th heaven (just teasing Jeffery, I know you have better things to do...rofl)
I use it for geocaching and it's great under tree cover. It's rated to be good to 1 meter for 30 minutes under water. I've never tested it in the lake but rain doesn't bother it!
I bought mine through a company that another geocacher works for, they may still be able to get you a better price than other retail stores can. PM me if you want a contact name.
Well, I'll tell you, if I did it all again I would have bought the GPSMAP 62s that I have. It's great!
@Beth: It'll come . I know what to do and how to do it (roughly) but I just need to clean my data up first (i.e. so that the lake names are properly organize in my data so that they'll display correctly). It's just a matter of time
AP - one of the many advantages of the GPSMAP 62 (and 6X series in general) is the larger screen size. It's a very good compromise between size and functionality. Any larger and it becomes cumbersome to fit inside pockets (coat, lifejacket, pants, small pack pockets, etc) and battery life and type required will suffer accordingly, any smaller and the image and amount of coverage on-screen is limited. Larger screen size of the 6X series, their robustness, button layout, sensitivity and accuracy, expandability, design quality, map support, software, energy saving features, dependability, power source and hardware options available make them an excellent choice.
I have a garmin but it's an old wrist top version. Barebones, no bells, no whistles and no maps. It'll point to where my waypoints are and it will breadcrumb but mostly I use it to tell me what time it is.
I remember seeing and ad for a GPS, I can't remember the make but it was a company known for making decent outdoors gear (but not GPSs). The thing that struck me was it was an XM reciever as well. Not only would it play satellite radio but also grabbed weather maps and displayed them.
I purchased a handheld Garmin GPSr almost four years ago, the eTrex Vista HCX, and bought a refurbished automotive Garmin Nuvi 1490T last summer. I've been satisfied with both units.
What swayed my decision to Garmin: 1) a reputation for good customer support; 2) good selection of Garmin-compatible Canadian topographic and road maps; 3) high market share in North America, so I was reasonably assured the company would stay in business over the long haul. These reasons are still valid today.
A few weeks after I bought the Vista, it took a dive in Hailstorm Creek in Algonquin Park, when my canoe overturned. Despite being underwater in my pants pocket for a couple of minutes, the Vista continued to operate and sustained no water damage. It has also survived a few drops. So I am confident in the handheld's capabilities to resist the rigours of outdoor life.
Garmin continues to sell the eTrex Vista HCX. It's one of the company's lightest weight (156 gms.), colour display, mapping GPSrs and has a long battery life rated at 25 hours. However, if I were buying a handheld GPSr today, I would select a Garmin of more recent technological vintage which offers a larger display, even though it would weigh more and offer less battery life.
Based upon the company's stated specifications, I would lean to the Garmin Oregon 450 over the Garmin GPSmap 62S. The Oregon offers a larger display (Oregon 7.6 cm diagonal, GPSmap 6.6 cm. diagonal) housed in a smaller body than the GPSmap, and weighs less (193 gms compared to 260 gms). The battery life of the Oregon is rated at 16 hours compared to the GPSmap's 20 hours.
I just don't like the touchscreens on Garmin's units.. also, if the antenna is anything like the one in the Dakota, it leaves something to be desired (hence why I got the GPSMAP 62s).
@SM- Bushnell! It was driving me nuts that I couldn't remember that. I think that's the unit, I didn't expect much, it seemed too good to be true. But the idea is cool, I'm glad others are offering it.
Ya I don't know anything about the Bushnell other than what I found on-line, I've only used Garmin units. XM and the ability to view weather maps would be a useful feature.
I agree with Jeffrey - avoid the Oregon models. The screens are difficult to view and touch screen panning (among other things) is problematic. I carry and use my GPSr handhelds while they are in form-fitting dry bags (added environment protection, float, store spare batteries, hook to pack/canoe thwart, etc). Panning with the touchscreen is problematic at the best of times and becomes even worse when there's another level of plastic in the way. More importantly though the reception is much better in the GPSMap series 60/62 on account of the quad helix receiving antenna, the Oregon (and similar models) has under-performing ceramic antenna. Reviews are poor, especially when comparing with the 60/62 models, including tracking issues:
I have an eTrex Vista HCX (found it), and although an adequate enough device it doesn't compare at all to the 60/62 models. The screen is just way too small and I don't like the side buttons on it - can't be used properly when in a case.
. I know what to do and how to do it (roughly) but I just need to clean my data up first (i.e. so that the lake names are properly organize in my data so that they'll display correctly). It's just a matter of time 
