GPS - The Colorado Trail

imported
#1

I am looking to purchase a GPS unit any suggestions?

sadyedog1

#2

It depends on what you want to do with it (and how much you want to spend) - whether you want to simply use it to track where you have been and locate way points, or whether you want to have topographic or air photographs as background. Weight and battery use is also a consideration - the GPS I use for hiking and hunting is not the same one I use for mapping on fires. Check out Garmin’s web pages and there are lots of options (I like garmin as there is freeware - DNRGarmin for downloading and uploading data into the GPS unit).

Good luck.:cheers

Mapmaker

#3

If you’re using/carrying topo maps… My brother uses a Garmin 301 and I use (a less powerful) Garmin 101 primarily to double-check current position versus trail position(s) in case one suspects one is ‘off the trail’. Also handy if one IS ‘off the trail’ and needs to track back to the last place one was ON the trail. Using GPS this way also means you can leave it off most of the time and extend the (already adequate) battery life. (Bring extra batteries!)

tbrucia

#4

I have a garmin Nuvi 500. I like it. It is multi mode, so it works like any other garmin in your car for navigation, then when you reach the trail head you can switch to hiking mode and plot a trail or record data points, or follow data points that you entered (like out of the colorado trail data book). It has a 8 hour batter and is water proof. my expereance is that it is more like a 6 hour battery. Has preloaded topo maps which is handy for hike and elevation readout as well. Not the best for hiking or for in the car, but a great mix of both. This thing is tough, mine had no problem surviving a 5000 mile motorcycle trip. also have used it on atv trips and hunting. I’d give 4 out of 5 stars.

paraminn

#5

I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Garmin 60 CSX for hiking. I tried one of their more expensive models but I couldn’t see the screen too well in sunlight. I’m not sure if they’ve fixed that problem so I would recommend checking it out outside.

I did this at REI and decided not to get the more expensive model.

jalan