Posted 2008-07-10 3:18 PM (#87226) Subject: Best GPS Units for Trailriding?
Member
Posts: 27
Location: Santa Fe, TX
Hi Everyone, I believe this has been discussed a little on here before, but I'd still like some more input please from those of you that are alot more familar with this than me......
Does anyone have a recommendation to the best GPS unit for trailriding to use in the deep woods as well as wide open spaces? I'm looking at 3 different Garmins - Vista HCx, 60CSx and 76CSx. From what I can find so far it looks like the 60CSx would be the best choice???
Posted 2008-07-10 9:39 PM (#87252 - in reply to #87226) Subject: RE: Best GPS Units for Trailriding?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 479
Location: central sierra nevada foothills
I have the 60csx and absolutely love it! I don't rely on the maps program as it doesn't have alot of the trails on it, but if you know your N,S, E, W, and peaks, canyons, etc. you can get around really easy. I have gone cross country with it twice now into unknown territory and had great luck. The satellites pick up good and I have never lost a signal and i go where it's thick forested trees sometimes. I love how it shows the elevation changes and the mileage. I really got it for the mileage but now enjoying making my own tracks and downloading them and emailing maps of where I've gone to friends and family......
Posted 2008-07-11 8:03 AM (#87264 - in reply to #87226) Subject: RE: Best GPS Units for Trailriding?
Member
Posts: 27
Location: Santa Fe, TX
Thanks for that very informative input Cowpony. I think I will give the 60CSx a try and hopefully it's pretty easy to learn as it'll be my first GPS unit.
And, BTW, you go girl!! I'm from SW Missouri/Ozarks and grew up riding there in the hills and country which were many times by myself. Now I live in TX and still ride mostly alone as my hubby seems to always be working on something.....I bought my own LQ horsetrailer and truck and go pretty much wherever I want to go - with or without him. I quite enjoy being alone with just my horse and dog by my side......wouldn't trade it for the world!
Posted 2008-07-12 9:27 AM (#87340 - in reply to #87226) Subject: RE: Best GPS Units for Trailriding?
Member
Posts: 27
Location: Santa Fe, TX
Thanks ggrimm for that input also. Not really sure what the difference is between the 60CSx and 60Cx except price. I'll take a look at both on the Garmin site to compare.
Posted 2008-07-12 9:56 AM (#87343 - in reply to #87226) Subject: RE: Best GPS Units for Trailriding?
Veteran
Posts: 192
Location: Hutto, TX
Hey Tx Rebel, where exactly is Santa Fe? The valley? I'm in the north Austin area and we go to Lake Sommerville and Lake Granger to trailrde mostly. There are a few other public places around here but we are always looking for good places in Texas.
Posted 2008-07-12 12:11 PM (#87348 - in reply to #87226) Subject: RE: Best GPS Units for Trailriding?
Member
Posts: 27
Location: Santa Fe, TX
Hi Kate, Santa Fe TX is in between Houston and Galveston. If you haven't tried Ebenezer Park (Sam Rayburn Lake) near Jasper TX, you have got to go! It's beautiful, clean, shady w/ water & electric hookups at horse sites. And the Angelina National Forest borders the campsite with alot of trails thru the woods. For me it's about a 3.5 hr haul one-way so not sure how far from N Austin?
Posted 2008-07-15 11:22 AM (#87469 - in reply to #87226) Subject: RE: Best GPS Units for Trailriding?
Regular
Posts: 91
Location: South Carolina
If you are considering a unit that also has a radio so you can talk with other people, a weather radio, a compass, an altimeter & a GPS built into one unit, you may want to look at the Garmin Rino 530 HCx. This particular GPS also has a feature where other people that have GPS units with this particular function can see you, if both of you have the units on & on the same channel. It has a color screen & you can download road maps & topographical maps onto it. This unit has a nice belt clip that you can use to attach it to your backpack or saddle bags while you ride. Hope you get a GPS that you like & have many years of good use with it.
Posted 2008-07-15 1:12 PM (#87480 - in reply to #87226) Subject: RE: Best GPS Units for Trailriding?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792
Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Garmin 60csx is the best! It works...under heavy tree coverage. Contact Darrel at www.tvnav.com for great prices and excellent service. Please let him know that I sent you his way. Raven
Posted 2008-07-17 4:56 PM (#87649 - in reply to #87226) Subject: RE: Best GPS Units for Trailriding?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 309
Location: MO
I use a Garmin Vista Hcx. I've never lost a signal in dense woods or even inside a building. I can sit at my desk at home, turn it on and it will pick up 7-8 satellites INSIDE the house. I love it. The HcX has a more sensitive antenna than a plain Vista CX (CX means it has a color screen). I paid $219 for mine.
Posted 2008-07-19 8:08 AM (#87723 - in reply to #87226) Subject: RE: Best GPS Units for Trailriding?
Member
Posts: 27
Location: Santa Fe, TX
Thanks everyone for their input. I bought a Garmin 60CSx from PC Nation for $293.40 AND it was not a refurbished/remanufactured unit either like so many other sites had at a higher price. Now I just have to learn how to use the darn thing