View topic - GPS recommendation

My second Garmin e-trex has just given up the ghost. These things are not waterproof. I was disappointed by the first one, but have come to expect it after a few years. The seals give out and vapour gets in which deteriorates it pretty quickly.

Canadian Tire has the e-trex for 70 bucks, so I was contemplating another. I like that it is simple. I can read UTM co-ords fine and don't really need a lot of fancy features. I also know how to operate the e-trex.

Does anyone know of a unit that is actually made to last? Are there better ones out there? All I want it to do is tell me where I am occasionally, and once in a while give me a heading to a point if visibility is poor.

Thanks for any suggestions.

I use the magellan Triton 500. I also don't need a lot of fancy features. It runs about $150. I've had mine in rain, snow and sitting in water at the bottom of the canoe with no issues. I don't baby my GPS.

The Magellans aren't the most user friendly units but once you learn it it's all easy. I love the Triton 500 for my uses.

Garmin E-trex cover a range of models. I have a higher end one (Legend HCx) with colour and better reception.

Very waterproof. Very durable. Works for all sorts of things.

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My Legend C is going on 6 years of use. Hasn't skipped a beat yet.

use a dry pack. They make small ones for GPS units. An otter box is an example.

As the air inside mimics what the air outside was when you last used it dessicant (silica gel) packs are very useful in ridding the inside of moisture.

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http://www.canoetripping.net

Get yourself a proper case, I highly recommend the Aqua-Pack brand of map/device cases. They are MILES (km's?) ahead of anything else, I keep my GPS in my Aqua-Pack map case, I'm still able to operate the controls and there are no problems with moisture leakage with these cases except under VERY severe situations (ie: fully submerged in turbulent water for an extended period).

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"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915

Don't get the Garmin Colorado series (discontinued but low clear-out prices). Poor battery life and weird behaviour.

I have nautical charts on mine and it is set for "track up", meaning it should show where one is heading. At 10mph and lower it switches to track down (not my choice) and shows you were you have been! Great feature if you are travelling at slow speeds through shoals.

I have contacted Garmin and they basically said to live with it.

My Garmin 60CSx often behaves the same way.
I have not figure out exact conditions for such behavior.

I would go with a Garmin 76 series. It is the current model that most of the mnr forest fire program uses (they do some extensive testing before selecting a model) and is the only garmin model that i'm aware of that floats! I have found them to be very durable and decent on batteries. I believe that they are also in the process of being discontinued so you should be able to pick one up for pretty cheap. My only real complaint with them is that they are a little bulky (likely necessary to make them float).

Check and see if Costco is still selling the discontinued 60CsX for $199. Super deal. I just switched from a RINO130 and am very impressed.

I just bought the 60Csx from Costco for $199.00. I've only used it for geo-caches, but it seems easy enough to use. First gps I've owned.

I would go with a Garmin 76 series. It is the current model that most of the mnr forest fire program uses.I second that I use one for 8 years in rain & snow & still going very good.

My Garmin 76 is running fine after, well... I'm not sure how many years. A fair number of them.

But I use a clear dry bag for it when it's on my deck. With a handful of those silica packs from other electronic gear thrown in to keep the moisture down.) I don't think the unit itself has ever been wet.

I also converted to the Lithium batteries for it a few years back and wouldn't consider going back to regular NimH or rechargeable batteries except in an emergency.

That reminds me, it's time for a new dry bag for the gps: I noticed some wear and tear at the end of last season.

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Darryl

We have the GPSmap 76S. and hate it.

Do you have to order the 60Csx from Costco or would it be in the store?

I mean, we've been thinking of joining Costco anyway.....

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I'm out of bed and I made it to the keyboard....what more do you want?

What do you hate about the 76?

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Advice is a form of nostalgia; dispensing it is a way of wishing the past from the disposal--wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it's worth.