Thanks Thanks:  1
Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Help for some newbies, please

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    TheTorHunters Guest

    Default Help for some newbies, please

    Hi everyone,

    We are new to this site and have just discovered Geocaching, so are looking to get a GPS sometime soon. We are experienced hillwalkers who would like to get the best we can afford, so have been looking at the Garmin Etrex Legend/Vista HCX, Garmin GPS 60csx or Garmin Oregon 200/300 as possible contenders.

    We like a bit of technology and are trying to ensure futureproofing as far as possible - I notice that the OS have developed maps for the oregon. Are they worth the money?

    All opinions and experience would be gratefully received as this is quite a minefield!

    Many thanks in advance

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Cambridge
    Posts
    572

    Default

    Hi,

    Its very much a matter of personal choice with GPS units - I have a 60csx which does me just fine. I have the Garmin Topo maps for it but recently I have been trying out Talkytoasters Opensource OS maps - which seem to work most of the time.

    Others on the forum will favour the Oregon or Colorado.

    as I say its down to personal preference - go to an outdoor shop and have a look at the differnet models - then buy online.
    Happy Caching

    Gazooks

    - Setting a good example for children takes all the fun out of middle age.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    EK
    Posts
    314

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gazooks View Post
    recently I have been trying out Talkytoasters Opensource OS maps - which seem to work most of the time.
    Interesting that - they've worked 100% of the time for me (on a Vista Cx), except when I tried the routable version, which was a bit jittery.

    go to an outdoor shop and have a look at the differnet models - then buy online.
    That's the way to do it alright.

  4. #4
    nobbynobbs Guest

    Default

    very hard to answer. buy the most expensive unit is a method that usually works.
    get to a couple of events and beg borrow or steal a couple of units for a few mins to see what they're like.

    garmin are very good. i've been happy with my map60c for a couple of years now.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Cambridge
    Posts
    572

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by agentmancuso View Post
    Interesting that - they've worked 100% of the time for me (on a Vista Cx), except when I tried the routable version, which was a bit jittery.
    What I meant was the coverage of the maps - where they have been updated. The actual maps actually work well.
    Happy Caching

    Gazooks

    - Setting a good example for children takes all the fun out of middle age.

  6. #6
    TheTorHunters Guest

    Default

    I am thinking now of the Oregon 300. Has anyone used the GB discoverer maps yet and are they any good. How do you plan routes using them - on the handset or on the PC.

    Thank you for your help.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Land of the Bear and Ragged Staff!
    Posts
    854

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by TheTorHunters View Post
    I am thinking now of the Oregon 300. Has anyone used the GB discoverer maps yet and are they any good. How do you plan routes using them - on the handset or on the PC.
    Thank you for your help.
    Routes can be planned on the unit. Town/city to town/city or cache to cache.

    Or if you have Memory Map on the computer routes can be transferred to the unit.

    Discoverer maps -I can recommend them.
    I have a Geocaching problem...
    Work gets in the way!

    * Cache Walker -Caching by byway, not highway! CacheWalker.co.uk
    Walking and Caching in Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire areas

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Stone, Staffordshire
    Posts
    41

    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by TheTorHunters View Post
    I am thinking now of the Oregon 300. Has anyone used the GB discoverer maps yet and are they any good. How do you plan routes using them - on the handset or on the PC.

    Thank you for your help.
    I used a Garmin etrex Vista HCx very successfully for 18 months - both for geocaching and walking - with its TOPO GB map. This tries to show footpaths, but are a bit hit and miss! On the other hand its very good at including canals (for towpath walks) and contour lines so as you zoom in to a cache, you can use clues about whether it is uphill or downhill of you even when it doesn't show the footpath you are on. You do have to find your own route to the cache though as you can only get it to create a route on roads. (When driving to a trailhead I use my TomTom anyway as it's much more convenient in the car.)

    I recently bought an Oregon 400t as it includes the TOPO Europe map and I'd found it frustrating to go cacheing in France and Spain when on holiday and not have any maps on my etrex. But I soon realised that the TOPO Europe map was not as good as the TOPO GB map in the UK (less detailed coverage and no canals!). So I added my TOPO GB map to it as well for cacheing in the UK. I've also bought the Discoverer GB Northern England OS map which replicates the Landranger detail. This is great for navigating along footpaths to a cache area, but if you zoom in on approaching the cache, you find the cache hidden in a blurry map! (My solution is to either use the compass page instead or to switch to a second profile using the TOPO GB map.)

    The National Parks OS Discoverer maps are more detailed and may let you zoom in more but I was unable to find out what they included geographically, and so settled on the 1:50000 map instead.

    I also suffered from the common problem of the rubber handgrip on my etrex coming loose and although Garmin have given me a free replacement it's put me off the etrex now.

    Chris
    Chris of Matthew 7:7 Too

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •