Handheld GPS

kdrchuck · Post by **kdrchuck** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:34 pm

What is the best recieving handheld GPS. I have a Garmin E-trex legend and it works fine but it doesn't pick-up down in hollows or in thick brush or under trees. I would like something that would pick-up anywhere.

Spanky · Post by **Spanky** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:45 pm

I have the same one but the Garmin E-trex legend CX. I used it this past bear season and seemed to do pretty well even with a canopy. We were in some pretty deep gorges and worked fine.

dllhoundcompany · Post by **dllhoundcompany** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:52 pm

I have had the Etrex Vista will not leave home with out it! It just works great. I have been in some spot that lost connection like Villa Vidal, Sergents, Humphries & Pecos. if you know the area I am talking about then you will know why. Very heavy cover and I spot some spot I should of never went into. But a friend I hunt with has a Magellan had the same issues.
Just find one that works and you understand.
My plan is to purchase the Garmin handhelds Rino 530HCx. I plan on buying 2 of them I like the Send Location function it has on it! But will never get rid of the Etrex Vista. One thing I like about this system is it small and already has a spot on my backpack! I just leave it in there with extra batt and seem to never forget it!

kdrchuck · Post by **kdrchuck** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:02 pm

The Cx is just color version of the legend, right?

Spanky · Post by **Spanky** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:57 pm

more then just a color screen....here is what is posted on the garmin site.

Garmin has taken their popular e-Trex Legend handheld GPS and given it a makeover, and named it the Legend Cx.

The first of two major upgrades in the Legend Cx is a 256-color, High resolution, TFT display that measures 1.3” x 1.7” with a pixel count of 176 x 220.

The second upgrade is the addition of a microSD memory card slot in the battery compartment of the Legend Cx for expandable map storage. The Legend Cx also includes a 12 channel WAAS built-in patch antenna for accuracy down to 9 feet.

Budd Denny · Post by **Budd Denny** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:40 pm

I have Lowrance Expedition C, with freedom maps installed, which has all the county roads and most of the tote roads. I have never had any problems loosing signal, but we don't have the mountains and gorges like you have. We do have very heavy canopy cover though and I carry it in my coat pocket in trail mode and have never lost signal. Just wish I could lock the buttons cause if I have anything else in my pocket the buttons get bumped, kind of aggravating when you end up with 30 way points on your trail.

Nolte · Post by **Nolte** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:12 pm

I've got the Lowrance Ifinder H20 color and love it. I got the mapsend topo maps to go with it and can load in a map for anywher in the country. I've got Michigan over to Colorado on mine right now. It also comes with a power cord for the truck, (highly recommend). The only downside is it uses more batteries than a monochrome version. I can hunt just about anywhere and still have a clue as to where I'm at and how to get out.

I also had a Garmin 12 before that was alright, just no mapping. Also a Magellan Meridian that had mapping and worked good, but we had some issues with it not working and had to send it in. Mulitple units did this. I don't know about the their new explorist.

If you do any type of fishing and want to use the GPS, get a Lowrance. You can get a ton of lake maps to put on them and use them out of the boat/ or on the ice. That was the main reason I switched from Magellan to Lowrance. You learn a lake alot quicker with a GPS lake map.

Paul Conway · Post by **Paul Conway** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:44 pm

garmin E-map (no longer made) and have loaded the topomaps of what i hunt right in it. Works well, even in heavy cover, though I sometimes lose a signal in the heavy spruces in some swamps, but I can usually get it back and if I hold the unit flat in my hand I keep the signal better, but I usually check my direction and hang the unit around my neck. Initially getting Sats locked takes some time, but after you've done that it's a lot quicker when you lose a signal and need to get it back. I cracked the glass on mine last year but it still works. I wil be sending it back for repair. 99 bucks and they refurbish the unit, fix the glass, and add any updates. Pretty good deal it seems. Paul Conway.

Curby · Post by **Curby** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:38 pm

I got the garmin gpsmap 60cxs last year and really like it. I have the windshield holder and vehicle power cable. Really handy set up, and usually keeps a signal even under pines and hemlocks. Lots of features, I really like the electric compass, you dont have to be moving to get an accurate reading. Road navigation and lots of other features. With the accesories its pricey but well worth it. Color display is easy on the eyes too. My buddy has the topo CD and I put the whole northeast in it.

kk · Post by kk » Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:12 am

Garmin Vista C, works very well. I use mine all the time.

Nolte · Post by **Nolte** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 12:38 pm

The best mount I've found for GPS is a Ram mount. They make them for all sorts of models and situations. I've got a base in all of my vehicles and on my ATV and snowmobile. Plug in the GPS and go. They are adjustable and set up any way you like them. Heavy duty and really save a beating on your GPS.

I've tried the ones from the GPS manufacturer themselves and none were nearly as good as the RAM mount. If you are going to use a GPS in the truck at all, get a power cable for it to save the batteries. Nothing worse than to pull it out of the truck for the walk and find out the batteries are dead.

Budd Denny · Post by **Budd Denny** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 4:30 pm

Nolte wrote:The best mount I've found for GPS is a Ram mount. They make them for all sorts of models and situations. I've got a base in all of my vehicles and on my ATV and snowmobile. Plug in the GPS and go. They are adjustable and set up any way you like them. Heavy duty and really save a beating on your GPS.

I've tried the ones from the GPS manufacturer themselves and none were nearly as good as the RAM mount. If you are going to use a GPS in the truck at all, get a power cable for it to save the batteries. Nothing worse than to pull it out of the truck for the walk and find out the batteries are dead.

The Ram mount is by far the best I beleave. I also Have one in both pickups, one on the four wheeler, and one on my snowmobile. I use the suction cups in my trucks and have never had problims with them falling off. A freind of mine in Maine was so inprest with it he had me ship him one.

kdrchuck · Post by **kdrchuck** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 10:41 pm

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like the Vista or legend Cx is the way i am going. I like how the garmin oppurates, it just doesn't pick-up well enough.