What GPS do you own? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/07/2007 05:01:56 PM · #1

I�m looking at getting a personal GPS and wanted to know what to look for and what some of you might own. I was looking at the Magellan eXplorist 500. It looks pretty nice and seems to be what I need�but I really don�t know what I NEED. Let me know what you think.

Clint

DjFenzl

05/07/2007 05:05:26 PM · #2

what are you going to use it for? Driving? Hiking? Boating? All of the above?

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

05/07/2007 05:18:58 PM · #3

Originally posted by Megatherian:

what are you going to use it for? Driving? Hiking? Boating? All of the above?

this is a big need to know.
Do you want a mapping GPS or "standard."
How technical or how sophisticated do you want to get? some have the compass in it, a inclinometer, barometer, etc.
What computer OS are you using? Can make a difference also. Even though there are work arounds. I use Mac and have found all programs I need. (TOPO! and GPSBabel THE BEST)
I got the Garmin GPSMap 60C. Has all that I want in a GPS. Can use it for driving, on the motorcycle, hiking, backpacking, and setting tracks on photo excursions to load into the pics. Very versatile and adaptable to what you want. also has a geocache thing in there, but I don't do that. got it for pretty cheap on EBay (they are discontinued).
I looked at the Explorists, also (had magellan before and very good), but the MB, storage, upgradability, made me go to this one.

DjFenzl

05/07/2007 05:24:20 PM · #4

btw, Groundspeak is an excellent place for information and used gear

pgirish007

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

05/07/2007 05:27:16 PM · #5

if you want to have some low budget GPS, you try MIO product as you can hack it (it has windows CE operating system) and enable video and audio playback along with GPS.

Sigma 35mm f1.4 dg hsm for Canon

05/07/2007 05:37:12 PM · #6

I have a Garmin Etrex Legend. It does what I need it to, which is keep from getting lost and doing geocaching. I do use it when driving, but it doesn't do routing (i.e. tell you what streets to drive and where to turn.) so it's not as useful in that regard as the more advanced units that can route you to your destination.

Ubersteiny

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/07/2007 05:46:50 PM · #7

the Magellen Explorist 500LE is a decent hiking one, Your able to set it up in your car as well, theres a new one from magellen that does everything, driving,hiking,marine but i forget hte model number. Ill let you know when i remember or when im at work next (i sell them)

PhantomEWO

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/07/2007 06:37:56 PM · #8

I have four now and several more on the shelf that are obsolete. I've owned Garmin, Lowrence, Magellan and used severa others. I prefer the Garmin. I use the Street Pilot on my dash for driving. Full color and voice directions. For Geocaching or hiking I now use the Garmin GPS Map 76CS with is full color with a built in compass and altimeter as well as water proof and will float if dropped in water. I don't like the button layout and procedure of the Magellan although there are Magellan owners that will say the same of the Garmin. If you can afford it get the best you can and price does matter with GPS. Get a color screen, full street maps built in and easy to USB connect to a computer for updates and coordinate inputs. The two big ones here in the US ar by far the Garmin and Magellan. Have fun and when you get one try some geocashing to learn how to use it. Check out Geocaching site and have fun

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

05/07/2007 07:50:20 PM · #9

I don't know if you use a Mac or a PC, but the Garmin GPS units are largely incompatible with Mac.

I've had some success uploading and downloading waypoints, but to load/change detailed maps, I have to resort to a PC.

Garmin has been claiming for some time to have a solution for Macs right around the corner, but as far as I can tell it's not coming anytime soon.

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

05/07/2007 07:52:46 PM · #10

For driving nothing beats Nuvi by Garmin. However, it is not good for hiking.

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/07/2007 07:54:23 PM · #11

I got the Navman 520 iCN for Fathers Day last year. Its great cus it can be hacked so now it runs.

SmartST/Navman
Tomtom v6
iGo
Memory Map (OS Map with GPS/Route recorder)
GPS Tuner

MP3 Player
Ipod Video Player

Virtual Pool
Worms!

I had to stick a 2gb card in to run all the above, but you can also download a great frontend for it so makes it easy to select programs to run. Worth checking out if you can find a cheap one on ebay.

eschelar

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/07/2007 08:00:06 PM · #12

I use a map and the sun, possibly a compass on cloudy days...

If I'm looking for something urban, I ask people... Hasn't failed me yet and I've been living in a foreign speaking country for the last 5 years... (of course, have mastered the language since arriving)

As for common usage, I don't usually take the map when making my way to school or work... Your call though, I hear that plenty of people are starting to use GPS's to help them find their way to places the go all the time... ;)

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/07/2007 08:18:58 PM · #13

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I don't know if you use a Mac or a PC, but the Garmin GPS units are largely incompatible with Mac.

The software that comes with a Garmin is not Mac compatible ("coming out with it soon" what a joke). that software is for putting in waypoints, routes, etc., which can be done with others for sure and mauch better. Except putting in custom icons.
As I said, TOPO! works (shuts off the unit, but just turn it back on again), you can do everything the oGarmin software does and more, and GPSBabel is something all should have (mac or windoze), as it can transfer, and decode into TONS of different formats.
I definitely always have maps and compasses' when hiking, etc, but it is great to have the ability to waypoint so you can return to that spot again.

Message edited by author 2007-07-22 21:46:07.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/07/2007 08:43:45 PM · #14

Originally posted by dacrazyrn:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I don't know if you use a Mac or a PC, but the Garmin GPS units are largely incompatible with Mac.

The software that comes with a Garmin is not Mac compatible ("coming out with it soon" what a joke). that software is for putting in waypoints, routes, etc., which can be done with others for sure and mauch better. Except putting in custom icons.
As I said, TOPO! works (shuts off the unit, but just turn it back on again), you can do everything the oGarmin software does and more, and GPSBabel is something all should have (mac or windoze), as it can transfer, and decode into TONS of different formats.
I definitely always have maps and comasses' when hiking, etc, but it is great to have the ability to waypoint so you can return to that spot again.

I use Terrabrowser and GPS Babel too for putting in waypoints, and routes, but what the Garmin software does that I have yet to find a substitute for is load the detailed topo maps from the CD's to the GPS.

I agree the "Mac support coming soon" is a total joke, since it was supposed to happen in '06.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

05/07/2007 08:55:41 PM · #15

I use a sextent.

Louis

Nikon D800

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

05/07/2007 08:58:57 PM · #16

I use a Magellan Explorist 600. The 500 is a good choice; it lacks the three-d compass and barometer, but I rarely use those. I love my Explorist. :)

Louis

Nikon D800

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

05/07/2007 09:00:29 PM · #17

Originally posted by Megatherian:

what are you going to use it for? Driving? Hiking? Boating? All of the above?

Geocaching? That's what I use mine for.

Message edited by author 2007-05-07 21:01:05.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/07/2007 09:03:07 PM · #18

Originally posted by Mick:

I use a sextent.

I used a sex tent once, but I got this funny rash later.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

05/07/2007 09:19:59 PM · #19

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by Mick:
I use a sextent.

I used a sex tent once, but I got this funny rash later.

It was probably a pup tent and you got fleas.

crayon

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1

05/07/2007 09:20:09 PM · #20

the DPC-geocache event! the cache would be a memory card where people who succeeded in locating the cache would leave a photo with his own camera, but leave the memory card back as cache. after a month, SC will collect the cache (card) and load the winners here on the site with their photos.

Message edited by author 2007-05-07 22:02:59.

05/07/2007 09:49:48 PM · #21

Originally posted by Mick:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by Mick:
I use a sextent.

I used a sex tent once, but I got this funny rash later.

It was probably a pup tent and you got fleas.

Wasn't fleas, I go to the vet every year for a flea dip

DefyTime

05/07/2007 11:10:44 PM · #22

Originally posted by Louis:

Originally posted by Megatherian:
what are you going to use it for? Driving? Hiking? Boating? All of the above?

Geocaching? That's what I use mine for.

This is exactly what I want it for!! I just heard about this little game and really want to play...also get me out to take more photos.

DefyTime