Best GPS device to purchase for Trans North Georgia

[Michael.gunnells]

I am considering giving the Trans North Georgia race a try in 2014. I need a good GPS besides my Garmin 910XT. I was looking at the Garmin Oregon 450T. I was just wondering what some of you were using as a GPS? I don't want to go overboard with a bunch of unnecessary features but I want to be confident in the information I am getting. Also, can a GPS like the Oregon do a 350 mile route turn by turn?

[dgjessee]

The only reason to go with the Oregon is for the larger screen and the interface. It's heavier, bigger, and has average battery life. Personally I prefer smaller units on my bike. I use the eTrex myself and cannot recommend it enough for bikepacking. Besides being light and small, its battery life is a good 10 hours more than others. I'd get the eTrex 30 since you get a barometric altimeter and electronic compass which helps a lot with navigation, You mention turn-by-turn directions...if you mean how your car nav unit says "in one mile, turn left at Smith Street" you're not really going to have that with any backcountry GPS unit when you're on trails and doubletrack. You can convert the GPS track to a route which will be similar to turn-by-turn in that it will give you distance and time to the next "turn" (the turn could just be a curve in the trail). I've tried doing both routing and then just following the track on my screen and by far, I miss fewer turns just watching my little triangle following the track on the screen. Just my .02 as a user, and instructor/salesperson of said devices

[Mini Bear]

+1 on the etrex line. They work great and have all the functions that you need to get where you're going.

[Michael.gunnells]

Thanks for the suggestions!


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[donmeredith74]

I live in the area and have found that units that don't have the more sensitive receiver are challenged by the heavy tree cover. I use a Garmin Vista HCx with a lot of success. They're no longer in production but they pop up on forums from time to time. I bought mine used and have loved it since.

[Done]

The Vista HCx is a great device; I've used mine for years. Alas, the old eTrex models (before the 10/20/30 line) often suffer from vibration-induced failures. In a nutshell, the leads that connect the battery case to the motherboard eventually wear through the contacts on the motherboard. Usually starts with intermittent weird behavior, before leading to total power loss.

Fortunately, the problem can be fixed by tearing open the case and soldering in a couple of jumper wires. Reassemble the unit with some good sealant (RTV silicone is a good option), and it should last pretty much forever. I've fixed two like this, and both are still going strong.

[Lederman]

Are there specific reasons why the Etrex is better than the GPSMAP 64st? Is it possible to charge the NiMH batteries while using the Etrex with an external battery pack like the powermonkey?

[dgjessee]

No, you cannot charge the batteries WHILE using the eTrex or the 62/64. IMO, The main reason for the eTrex being better for biking is size, weight, and battery life. No other GPS I have found comes close to the amount of features you get for the size, weight, and cost of the eTrex series. The 62/64 series is great, but it's the biggest of the common handhelds. Plus the added accuracy of the quad helix antenna is essentially nullified if you have it level, mounted to your handlebars. Might as well use an eTrex or Oregon with a less bulky package, same accuracy in that position.

[dgjessee]

Sorry, correction, I misread your post: you can charge the Garmin NiMH battery packs in the 64. Not sure if you can recharge regular rechargeable AAs though.


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