Necessary for caching in town or in recreational areas? I'm new to geocaching. Our group has, so far, looked for GC's in town, small parks, recreational areas such as ball fields, etc. I don't anticipate any wilderness hunts. Do I need a unit like this, or will my Nuvi 350 work for what I'm doing (if I'm careful not to drop it, etc.) We are "fair-weather" searchers. I don't really want to buy another GPS if it's not necessary.Also, please explain what the reviewer meant about the Nuvi 7--not finding coordinates as well as this cheaper one. ?? TIA-- Necessary for caching in town or in recreational areas? I'm new to geocaching. Our group has, so far, looked for GC's in town, small parks, recreational areas such as ball fields, etc. I... » Read More Necessary for caching in town or in recreational areas? I'm new to geocaching. Our group has, so far, looked for GC's in town, small parks, recreational areas such as ball fields, etc. I don't anticipate any wilderness hunts. Do I need a unit like this, or will my Nuvi 350 work for what I'm doing (if I'm careful not to drop it, etc.) We are "fair-weather" searchers. I don't really want to buy another GPS if it's not necessary.Also, please explain what the reviewer meant about the Nuvi 7--not finding coordinates as well as this cheaper one. ?? TIA-- « Show Less
916190
The etrexH has a compass pointer that points to your GC and shows the distance to the GC. I have a Nuvi 750 and I don't remember it having the pointer. Because of this I would choose the etrexH for geocache hunting any day over the Nuvi.
1019298
Thanks for your reply. I used the Nuvi 350, in pedestrian mode, for my first hundred or so geocache finds, and it worked well, with a colored line leading to the cache. I then purchased an eTrex Venture HC because it was water resistant, sturdier for outdoor use, and easier to carry. I do like the compass pointer on it better for geocaching, but at first I missed the touchscreen of the Nuvi. (Note: The eTrex does not work for driving, and has only very simple maps, but is excellent for hiking or geocaching.) My next GPS will probably be a Dakota or Oregon--made for outdoor use but with a touchscreen. Thanks for your reply. I used the Nuvi 350, in pedestrian mode, for my first hundred or so geocache finds, and it worked well, with a colored line leading to the cache. I then purchased an eTrex Venture HC because it was water resistant, sturdier for outdoor use, and easier to carry. I do like the compass pointer on it better for geocaching, but at first I missed the touchscreen of the Nuvi. (Note: The eTrex does not work for driving, and has only very simple maps, but is excellent for hiking or geocaching.) My next GPS will probably be a Dakota or Oregon--made for outdoor use but with a... » Read More Thanks for your reply. I used the Nuvi 350, in pedestrian mode, for my first hundred or so geocache finds, and it worked well, with a colored line leading to the cache. I then purchased an eTrex Venture HC because it was water resistant, sturdier for outdoor use, and easier to carry. I do like the compass pointer on it better for geocaching, but at first I missed the touchscreen of the Nuvi. (Note: The eTrex does not work for driving, and has only very simple maps, but is excellent for hiking or geocaching.) My next GPS will probably be a Dakota or Oregon--made for outdoor use but with a touchscreen. « Show Less
1662189
I can't answer that question as I purchased this for my son. I do know that he used it extensively and never got lost. He also used it to find cache sites in the woods at various sites in Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas. Hope this was helpful.
1292707
I think it depends on what you plan to use the GPS for. I am an archaeologist, and I use it for my work when I am doing archaeological surveys. I can download maps, and I can mark where we excavate test units and any archaeological sites we find. I can also track my route to make sure I covered the area properly; and of course get back to my truck if I should get lost, which is a nice safety measure. I can then export the data to my computer and use ArcGIS to make my maps and GIS layers to send to the governing authorities and add to my reports. I have used Trimbles with past employers, which are better for what I do, but they cost a lot more. I have a small business and this is much more affordable. I think it depends on what you plan to use the GPS for. I am an archaeologist, and I use it for my work when I am doing archaeological surveys. I can download maps, and I can mark where we excavate test units and any archaeological sites we find. I can also track my route to make sure I covered the area properly; and of course get back to my truck if I should get lost, which is a nice safety measure. I can then export the data to my computer and use ArcGIS to make my maps and GIS layers to send to the governing authorities and add to my reports. I have used Trimbles with past employers,... » Read More I think it depends on what you plan to use the GPS for. I am an archaeologist, and I use it for my work when I am doing archaeological surveys. I can download maps, and I can mark where we excavate test units and any archaeological sites we find. I can also track my route to make sure I covered the area properly; and of course get back to my truck if I should get lost, which is a nice safety measure. I can then export the data to my computer and use ArcGIS to make my maps and GIS layers to send to the governing authorities and add to my reports. I have used Trimbles with past employers, which are better for what I do, but they cost a lot more. I have a small business and this is much more affordable. « Show Less
2018498
I cheap Hand Held works great. I've used the the Garmin GPS60 myself. Pop in a couple AA's and it last quite a long time. That with my pocketPC which I kept all my CACHE data on was what I used. I plan to switch over to using the IPHONE as soon as I get one. It's a all in one type of thing. I'd have the CACHE data, GPS, and a Camera all in one which makes things a snap. Less to carry. Good for a Adult, but if your bring your kids for example, the GPS60 is simple and pretty tuff. If it's dropped on the ground or in the water, it's safe!!! Enter the Data for the CACHE your looking for into it and hand it to your kid and it basically has a Arrow on the screen you can use pointing the direction you need to go along with distance. It's also cheap!!! Not sure if they still sell it or if there's a updated version. It was like $99 at the time. I've had it for quite a few years now. A NUVI for example really isn't a good GPS for Geo Caching!!! You can get a expensive fancy GPS with color and all that, and spend $400 or whatever, but it really not going to make things all that much better. You really don't need a MAP. In fact with the right software for your PC, you can save all the CACHE way points your Interested in to your NUVI for Car use to get you to the Location, and a cheap Hand held once at the area. you don't need a Map or anything on the handheld. My GPS60 supports Geo Caching, will show Open and closed Treasure chests for Geo Locations for found and not found. So both can be plugged into your PC and the waypoints saved onto them both. Then you don't have to manually enter them.
1346090
I have had an eTrex Venture HC for a couple of years, and it came with a mini-USB cable which works great for downloading caches directly from the computer. You have to download a little free program from the Garmin site first. Great little GPS for hiking or geocaching, not for driving.
1878952
My experience is that the maps are very accurate in rural areas. Right down to the dirt roads. There are some problems you should be aware of though. Many times the road names are not the ones used locally. The road sign may say Snake Creek Rd while the GPS says County Road 317. That can make things a llittle confusing. Find make not work well for rural addresses (largely due to the problem above, but there seems to be a little more to it than that.)
663460
This unit works great for Geocaching. I purchased mine to Geocache. It has works well for me.
548193
I like this feature on the Magellan eXplorist GC. I bought the 110 because I thought it was a step up from the GC, but I prefer the GC over the 110 for Geocaching! You can do what Paul Salvagin said ( I believe it's under "Edit Nav. Fields"). I also just use the Zoom In Tab, which makes the arrow fairly accurate when you get to GZ. Make sure that your auto zoom is OFF (check "Map Options").
223173
When you live in a city (or a group of cities) and you need to go from one side to the other (which could be 60 miles) it is nice to have the GPS to take you directly. Even to "regular" places far apart it is nice to get us there in the shortest way or time. We use it all the time for this purpose - more often than taking us someplace to begin with. This is just our use in our area. If you get outside your area it is even more wonderful.If you are in a small city or go to places in a small area - the GPS has no real advantage.
506011
I am in the same boat as I just purchased the same unit and plan on hiking & driving in the (NE) US. I have considered the following software: Topo US 100K - has received many negative responses on postings Topo US 24K NE - ? City Navigator US - (for driving, used on a limited basis)not sure if I really need this Does anyone have any good feedback????
41220
I found a GARMIN GPS III PLUS (can be found on AMAZON usually used but sometimes someone has a new one) to be perfect on my quad. It provides features not found in combination on any GPS currently in production that I have found. I won't go thru all the features here as there are so many, but for me, it provides everything I could want in exploring remote areas of AZ except a gas gauge for the quad! Mine is clamped to the handlebars and runs off vehicle power so no battery life problems. Check one out and save yourself a lot of money while getting the capabilities a new one can't provide.
2080376
While I am still getting used to this system I was shown the other day at a geocaching meeting how to enter coordinates so if you were hiking you could enter the coordinates for where you wished to hike, but it will only show you how to get there "as the crow flies". It's not like a regular GPS in your car that follows roads & highways. May not be suitable for hiking because of this.
1371456
From a usability standpoint, it's the best. Where you might have trouble is getting it setup the way you want it. It's not that hard to do, you just have to know what you want out of your gps. I have a network of geocaching friends that I can lean on or you can always call Garmin's support line. They've always been helpful to me.
451073
I would suggest that you contact Garmin technical support and ask that same question to be sure your unit will support it - I have an older model Garmin nuvi and the last update I downloaded required me to put a memory card in to hold the amount of data - it was cheap enough - but something to consider is whether your unit will support current and future map updates & downloads - if your unit will support this lifetime maps update, go for it - great deal
1149359
Yes. You won't have any detailed Topo maps loaded on the GPS, but you don't need those. Turn on the map and you can follow the track back to wherever you started. It's best to practice around your neighborhood before venturing into the wild unknown. Alaskan Hunter
1012510
Sygic works very nicely on the VTAB. However, a program called Navigon which uses Garmin maps is supposedly closing in on sygic as Garmin actually bought the company. What this will eventually mean for the program is up in the air, bt as it stands, it seems Navigon has considerably more to offer, but I have not used it as I no longer own the VTAB. I would check out both, but they do cost money, and you may find it in your interest to simply buy a dedicated handheld/portable GPS unit instead, especially if you geocache. (a treasure hunt using GPS to locate spots where other GPS users have placed a container with do-dads, toys, and what have you, good way to kill an otherwise boring day) Sygic works very nicely on the VTAB. However, a program called Navigon which uses Garmin maps is supposedly closing in on sygic as Garmin actually bought the company. What this will eventually mean for the program is up in the air, bt as it stands, it seems Navigon has considerably more to offer, but I have not used it as I no longer own the VTAB. I would check out both, but they do cost money, and you may find it in your interest to simply buy a dedicated handheld/portable GPS unit instead, especially if you geocache. (a treasure hunt using GPS to locate spots where other GPS users have... » Read More Sygic works very nicely on the VTAB. However, a program called Navigon which uses Garmin maps is supposedly closing in on sygic as Garmin actually bought the company. What this will eventually mean for the program is up in the air, bt as it stands, it seems Navigon has considerably more to offer, but I have not used it as I no longer own the VTAB. I would check out both, but they do cost money, and you may find it in your interest to simply buy a dedicated handheld/portable GPS unit instead, especially if you geocache. (a treasure hunt using GPS to locate spots where other GPS users have placed a container with do-dads, toys, and what have you, good way to kill an otherwise boring day) « Show Less
939133
It takes a special cord that is an additional expense. I think $20. My experience with geocaches is you don't have to update that often.