GPS experts, is this unit ok? Have you heard anything about it? Anyone have it? Any opinions are appreciated!! http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...I_SSHP_GPS_TOC

 

I just got the 600 yesterday. The size is compact and so far I've just been playing with the functions.

TigerGPS has it for $170.

-Bobby


edit: newegg.com has it for $161 w/$5 shipping.

 

Any Magellan that has mapping capabilities is pretty good. I have the Meridian color. It does direct route so you can use it in the car. Then switch the card and use topos for hiking. The only thing I have found about the Explorist is it feel cheap compared to the meridian series, but they are smaller. Also, the Meridian series is they can be expanded with memory cards so you can store multiple maps in different files. The built in 8mb memory will not go very far. If I were you I would check out the Meridian gold or the Explorist 600. You can get them for around $179 and they are expandable; I do think the meridians are built a lot stronger than the explorists I have seen. The Explorist 600 does have the expandable memory and a USB port which is nice. Check out MagellanGPS.com to compare models. The only thing I hate about the meridian series is the crappy parallel port. It is rediculous for such a great, high tech tool to not have a faster and more compatable port!

Getagps.com is a reliable source for GPS and accessories .

Also try Vanns. I bought my GPS there and they aways have great prices. They have the 200 for $149 with free shipping here

 

I found the 600 to be pretty sturdy and some guys that have had it for a month or so say that they can survive a 4' fall to concrete. Of course, I won't "test" that :p.

It looked like Randomness wanted to stay under $200 but if he can swing $279, shopharmony.com has the 500 for that price which is at least $40 less than other places.

 

That's a good price for the 500 if they are reliable (the e-store). Vanns has the gold for $205 ...I have seen it for $179.

I mainly thought the buttons on the Explorist I tested seemed flemsy and cheap. I think it was a 200 model. Have you found this to be the case with yours?

Love my Meridian color with direct route...like having a Navigation system in my Runner, but I can remove it for hiking. The color display is awesome but it does use more battery because it has to be backlit all the time. Get this, my wife bought me the original merdian for $125. Two years later I sold it on E-bay for $162, and bought my Magellan Meridian Color Traveler pack (has the GPS, car mount, DC adapter, and Direct route maps) for $350 after rebate! Thus it cost me $188 extra to upgrade.

Sure would be nice to have USB 2.0 or Firewire. I just download the maps to my hard drive then upload them to my card reader (with SD card installed) It is just like having USB 2.0.

I have lots of great "toys"....iPod, iBook, HDTV, etc.
My GPS is my favorite of all! If you go on a trip, stick it in your rent car!

 

There's a lot of guys from the geocaching site that have ordered from Harmony Computers and they've had no problems with them. You can check any e-tailer at ResellerRatings.com.

The buttons work great. I would've like just a touch more feedback from them but overall, it's a quality product.

The 600 doesn't need backlighting in sunlight (or in a car) so that saves on battery life. I ordered DirectRoute and have been playing with it a little. I used it to route my commute and I tried it a couple of times. Works great.

The usb connection to the 600 is more like usb v1.1. I put the sd card in a reader for faster transfers.

I'm trying to cut back on my toys to buy a garage... er... house.

 

Same here...looking for a house with a three car garage. My wife is tired of her car sitting out! My two toys are in the Garage now. If you look close at the first one you can see my Magellan mounted to the windsheld!

 

how do any of the above mentioned models, compare to the Garmin etrex line.
I am looking for a portable( hiking, motorcycle) price is not a big concern as I do not need color.
I want barometer, altimeter, compass

 

I don't know much about the Garmin line. I would suggest one with upgradable memory and Mapping (make sure it has this) at least. If you plan to use it in the car I know the many of the Magellans can do turn by turn directions (with direct route software). If I were buying a GPS I would stick with either Magellan or Garmin...they are the leading brands and very reliable.

I had a Magellan meridian (the original..now they have Gold, platinum, marine, and color). I upgraded because that one would not do direct route and I wanted the color because I use it more in the car than hiking.

All of the Magellans are waterproof (to 30m I think) and float. I think the Garmins are too. You can't go wrong with either unless you don't get the needed features. Some sites have side by side comparisons.

I don't know if that helped much.

 

I got the 600 for the features.

Upgradeable memory (SD cards)
Can use DirectRoute (nav)
Barometer
Altimeter
Compass
Color screen

The explorist line is fairly new so there isn't many accessories available now but there's a few coming out within the next couple of months (some this month).

Most of the newer GPSrs are IPX-7 rated (1m underwater for 30 mins at least). Some float but not all.

FilthyRich - With your reqs, you should look at either the 300 or 600. Or the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS.

 

 

Dose Anyone Have The Street Pilot?is It Worth The Money?

 

There's a few Street Pilot models and I've always heard good things about them. Most seem to prefer the 2610 over the 2620 since you can change CF cards in the 2610 (2620 has a small HD). The 2610 and a 1gb CF is still less than the 2620 too.

There's also the SP III, c320 and c330. They should be comparable as far as software.

 

I have had an Etrex Legend and used a Street Pilot unit for a couple weeks once (to then show my boss how to use it...) I did not like the Street Pilot. I did however really like the Etrex. The only complaint I had was also the thing I loved - it was so small. That tiny size is REally cool, but the screen is so small it's nearly useless. -My 2cents.

 

I have the older SP-III (color) GPS and love it. Have a hard mount above my rear view mirror and external antenna. With the 128MB car, you can hold more than enough maps and the voice directions are nice.

 

sweet man...

as ive said before, i got the garmin ique 3200 pda/gps. its fantastic.