GPS for geocachers
Geocaching is an extremely popular sport, and I’d venture to say that over 99% of geocachers use a GPS. But which one to choose? I’ll narrow the field, look at choices in multiple price ranges, and delve into other uses, mapping software, etc. You may also find it helpful to check out my Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart. By the way, all the units below have a high-sensitivity chipset for superior reception under canopy and in natural or urban canyons.
Budget GPS for geocaching
The Garmin eTrex Venture HC has a sunlight-readable color screen and the ability to accept detailed maps, such as the free Garmin-compatible topo maps available for most states. It comes with a USB cable for transferring waypoints, tracks and routes to and from your computer. The retail price is $200, but I typically see it selling for about $115 to $130.
A lower cost model, the Garmin eTrex H, has a monochrome screen and you lose the cable and the ability to load maps. The eTrex H is available for around $80 at the time of this update. I highly recommend getting the Venture HC instead.
Another budget model worth considering is the Geomate.jr, which comes with 250,000 caches pre-loaded!
Mid-range GPS for geocaching
The Magellan eXplorist GC (seen at left) is a new model that should hit store shelves around mid-April 2010. It is the lowest priced paperless geocaching receiver on the market, meaning you won’t have to print out reams of paper from geocaching.com anymore. The MSRP is $199.99.
Alternatively, the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx is another nice mid-range unit. While it doesn’t offer paperless caching, it does have expandable map memory, a feature missing on the eXplorist GC. Plus, it supports turn-by-turn routing, making it useful for city navigation in your car as well. You’ll need a mount, City Navigator software, and preferably a power cord, but then you’re set up for turn-by-turn routing. The retail price is $269.99, but as of this posting the Legend HCx can be found for around $180.
Meanwhile, the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx improves on the Legend HCx, adding a barometric altimeter and electronic compass.
The best GPS receivers for geocaching
There are several choices here. Each offers paperless geocaching, giving you the full cache description, recent logs and more, right on your handheld.
For a big touch-screen, great interface and grab n’ go convenience, I recommend one of the newest Garmins, the Oregon 550t. It combines a high resolution, touch screen interface with pre-loaded topo maps of the entire U.S. It also has a built-in 3.2 MP geotagging camera. As a new unit, the price is still pretty high — right around $520 as of this update. The Oregon 450 costs quite a bit less, and is well worth considering.
Another recent introduction, the Delorme PN-40 can accommodate aerial imagery and real USGS topos. It has a smaller screen than the Oregon (albeit more legible in most daylight conditions) and comes with powerful but complex software. At the time of this posting, it was available for around $300.
Finally, the brand new Garmin Dakota 20 is a smaller version of the Oregon. Once its been on the market for awhile, it should start to show up at a discounted and very attractive price.
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I must say this seems to be very one sided. You only talk about Garmin. Is Garmin paying you? I know nothing about who is making the best GPS, but I do know something about sales. Without contrast one can not make sure they are buying the best thing.
Umm, actually I discuss both Magellan and DeLorme above. Also, Garmin makes many more handheld units than any other manufacturer. And no, they do not pay me… http://gpstracklog.com/disclosure
I am new to geocaching and purchased the Delorme PN-40. It is so complicated I have a hard time downloading my pocket queries, etc. Thankfully I purchased it at REI and can return it. I am interested in the Magellan eXplorist GC you mentioned above. Does anyone own it? What do you think of it?
If you only want to use it for geocaching, it’s a good unit, but if you want one for hiking, etc., I’d look at something else. Follow my link in the post for my hands on review of the GC.
I’m using an Etrex Vista Cx for geocaching. It seems quite accurate but takes forever loading a map if I move. Like the CPU is in 1st gear. Is there anything equal to my Etrex but faster? Thanks.
Its been awhile since I used one of those, and I haven’t done side-by-side comparisons, but yes, it does seem that things have gotten better over the years. The Vista HCx is a more recent version of the unit you have, but the best way to compare would be with a hands on. Do you have an REI, Bass Pro, Cabelas or something like that near you where they might let you take one outside the store?