GPS recommendations

[thecoolnessrune]

I'm looking for a durable GPS unit with specific features for geocaching. Some of the needs are:

It coming with a basemap.

The receiver has 12 parallel channels

External antenna jack (very important to me)

Computer interface that is NMEA compatible.

Accepts SD cards.

Is rechargeably powered and can also use a cigarette lighter power adapter. (cigarette lighter power more important than rechargeable as long as it can at least accept rechargeable AA or AAA.

A rocker keypad

A color screen

Water resistant and shock resistant.

A vehicle mount is a plus. I know it seems like an impossible list, but does anything cover those needs?

 

[Bootprint]

Might want to look at the Garmin 60Cx or 76Cx.
Just don't expect much from a basemap, they aren't made for accuracy.

Note: that these two don't take regular sized SD, but use micro SD.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Those actually look perfect but i didn't see anything about an external antenna. Was it mentioned and I'm just daft?

Also, if I was looking beyond basic mapping what would I look for?

 

[Bootprint]

Yep, both have an connector for an external antenna. I've got one like this one.
60Cx review with pictures
The 60Cx and the 76Cx are pretty much the same, except the shape and that the 76Cx floats.

For maps, if you want routable street maps you can look at the City Navigator NT 2009. For Topo maps, Garmin has different Topographical maps. Topo US 2008 or for National parks they have something like US Topo 24K National Parks, East v3.

You can load both onto your GPS and then switch between them, depending if you need driving instructions or want topographical information.