GPS/Software recommendations.

[Mike Brown]

Looking for some suggetions.
I'm looking for options that print a decent looking map and that you  can insert "markers" on to show things like intersections, directional recommendations,  and trail features.
Building a small new trail system and need to develop maps.
It's the East, so dense forest cover.
I'm adept with basic computer functions but no tech wizard at the same time.
Less than 400  budget.

Thanks
Mike

[jonesy792]

Topofusion

[Mike Brown]

GPS unit?  (leaning towards the etrex/Vista thing that gets recommended alot).

[FeloniousDunk]

Mike,

I have access to a Garmin Etrex Vista HCx.  It works good in the woods and if it's just for the mapping project, we can use it.

~Shaun

[Mike Brown]

S-
I want one anyhoo.
I may talk to you more about this, however.

[jonesy792]

I also have the vista hcx and it works good for me

[ScottM]

Vista HCx is a good choice.  Pretty easy to use and reasonable cost.  Good on the handlebars or in the hand (hiking).

TopoFusion is my software, so of course I'd second that suggestion.  Here's a quick map I whipped up last week for the PBR (Prescott Blue Ribbon) race:



The dollar sign on the profile and the text '1,100 feet...' I added with photoshop, everything else was from the software itself.  I'm happy to answer any questions about the process you might have.

[daveB]

I'm looking for a GPS unit as well, and have seen the Garmin Vista HCx mentioned a lot of times.

However, what about these other models:
Dakota 20 (adds touchscreen and 850mb internal memory)
Oregon 300 (also adds a much larger screen)

I've heard one friend complain that the touch function makes the screen display unsharp (but he is definitely in bifocal-land)
The larger screens also suck battery life and cost more.
So, which of these factors seem to swing the pro/cons for you?
Thanks

[FeloniousDunk]

I'm a bit of a gps simpleton having previously only used one for marking points and transfering to my Arcmap applications and finding my coordinates to confirm my location on a trail map (which are very basic).  I never did any tracking or navigating until resently.  I'm heading out on my first bikepacking trip tomorrow with a gps in track mode.  Still haven't figured out the navigating thing yet. 

With that background, I seem to like the Vista HCx.  First of all, it seems surprisingly durable.  It has good reception even in the dense southeastern woods.  It fits snuggly on my stem.  The batteries seem to last forever.  And I put a micro sd chip in it and have a lot of storage.  The screen is a bit small to actually see  details like topo lines well though. 

[ScottM]

I'm looking for a GPS unit as well, and have seen the Garmin Vista HCx mentioned a lot of times.

However, what about these other models:
Dakota 20 (adds touchscreen and 850mb internal memory)
Oregon 300 (also adds a much larger screen)

I've heard one friend complain that the touch function makes the screen display unsharp (but he is definitely in bifocal-land)
The larger screens also suck battery life and cost more.
So, which of these factors seem to swing the pro/cons for you?
Thanks

I owned an Oregon 400 for a while and really wanted to like it, but I finally sold it because of the screen readability issue.  The screen is larger, but impossible to see when mounted on the handlebars.  I think they'd be OK in the hand where you can adjust the angle to be just right.

I think the readability has been slightly improved with the Oregon 550t, and also a bit with the Dakota 20, but not enough to be a better choice than the VistaHCx.

[ScottM]

I'm heading out on my first bikepacking trip tomorrow with a gps in track mode.

Nice.  Glad to hear you're heading out!

[FeloniousDunk]

Nice.  Glad to hear you're heading out!

I'm excited about it.  I've done a couple segments of a NC/VA route I'm thinking about...not terribly promising yet btw...and this is the first segment I'll have the GPS on.  This segment has the most unknowns so far.  The rambling commences tomorrow in the a.m. and ends by Monday p.m.  Only looking at about 100 miles, but in no hurry.

hijack over