REI has the Garmin GPSMAP 62S GPS on sale for $279.99 through May 30. This is a great price, a full $70 lower than the best deal we’ve seen before. Don’t let that end date fool you though; the last time they had a great sale (on the Oregon 450), they sold out.
The 62s has become my favorite unit, and I’m not quite sure why. Probably a mixture of how it feels in my hand, ease of accessing menu functions, visibility, and plain old nostalgia for the 60 series form factor. Whatever it is, my Oregon 450 often just sits on the shelf.
If the Verizon coverage maps are correct, I’m going to be incommunicado for much of the next few days, and won’t be responding to questions and comments in a timely manner, but here are a few resources that should help you decide whether or not to pull the trigger:
- Garmin GPSMAP 62s review
- Five reasons to upgrade your Garmin handheld
- Garmin GPSMAP 62s or Oregon 450?
- Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart
- Compare at Amazon
P.S. – They have a few other GPS receivers on sale too.
About Rich Owings
LOL!!! Yes, I had been waiting for the REI sale, and had made up my mind to purchase the 62s… before learning about the 450t at Gander Mtn. I purchased the last 450t at Gander Mtn last night, and plan to purchase the 62s today. One will be returned (after this weekend). You’ve already convinced me the 62s is the better overall purchase, but I’m still undecided, since I love the size of the 450t.
One observation I’m still trying to resolve with the 450t: My location is not showing up nearly as closely as it should on the map.
Again, I really appreciate your reviews, and appreciate your time to respond to my comments. It has helped IMMENSELY!
Have you used the Garmin 100k topo maps before? They are really not very accurate in my experience (but neither are USGS 100k topo maps). Not unusual for roads or other map objects to be off by 100 feet or more. The roads are based on old TIGER data from the Census Bureau, and it is full of inaccuracies.
Still, considering that you have full US coverage including medium resolution DEM data available all the time, it can be handy (I have an Oregon 400t).
Garmin’s 100K topos are based on TIGER road data, and are notorious for being off. If you’re comparing your location to a road on the map, you’re probably juts seeing a map error.
EDIT: Oops, didn’t se Boyds reply. Thanks Boyd!
Rich / Boyd: Thank you for the replies, that explains a lot! I now have both GPS units to play with and already see the benefits of each. Will hopefully download some maps today.
One of these units will be returned by Friday.