I found a good GPS review site!

[Toadster]

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/buyers_guide.php

pretty cool site...

what does everyone recommend?

I'm looking for the following:
something for in the car, but portable between vehicles (no in-dash units)
decently sized screen (touchscreen if possible)
street & traffic updates for low cost (if not free)

an mp3 option is nice, but not required (especially if FM transmitted)
and bluetooth? why would I need this option?

oh - and cost... (duh) - i have $350 in bestbuy giftcards - so optimally would like to buy from there, so any pricematch options would be nice too

 

[natto fire]

Hey, bumping this thread for two reasons:

a) I am looking for a handheld GPS unit and am going to check this site out. It seems most GPS units are geared towards car use, but I would say at least 75% of my use will be during hiking, etc. and am looking for a handheld unit.

b) I am freaking amazed the search worked here.

Thanks for the link Toadster!

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: Captain Howdy
Hey, bumping this thread for two reasons:

a) I am looking for a handheld GPS unit and am going to check this site out. It seems most GPS units are geared towards car use, but I would say at least 75% of my use will be during hiking, etc. and am looking for a handheld unit.

b) I am freaking amazed the search worked here.

Thanks for the link Toadster!

Depending on your budget look at the Garmin GPSMAP 76s (~US$200) or 76Cxs (~US$325). Both are great for hiking, very durable. The main advantages of the 76Csx over the 76s are the more sensitive receiver that works under canopy and the ability to save tracklogs to the micro SD card without compression. The 60Csx is identical to the 76Csx except the form facotr and the 76Csx floats.

 

[Bootprint]

The 60Cx/60Csx and 76Cx/76Csx are great for hiking and pretty useful for driving.

Also you might look at Garmin's newer Etrex's, like the Vista HCX which have the sirf chipset, and removable memory like the above 60/76 models.

You also might want to read over at the groundspeak forums in GPS Units and Software.


Additions, I think Garmin's Legend HCx is the cheapest handheld with sirf and removable memory.
Just remember that handhelds don't come with maps, the car units do. So you'll need to add in the cost of maps unfortunately. Best bet might be trying to find a package which includes the gps, a good sized memory chip and maps. For hiking you have the Garmin Topo and for driving is the City Navigator North America.

 

[natto fire]

Thanks for the replies. I was hoping that the sir chipset had made it's way to handhelds, as I was hoping to go with that. Even though they are not the market focus anymore, I was hoping that some GPS makers would return to their roots (remember when all GPS devices were handheld grayscale units with COM ports?) and put some of the newer tech like sirf and SD compatibility into their less mainstream stuff.

I will admit that I am a bit of a Magellan anoi, from word of mouth anyways, that is why I was hoping to find more reviews. Although the website in the OP is good, it still mostly pertains to trip planning/auto units, which is not what I am interested in.

I will read the link you provided Bootprint, thanks.

edit: Oh, and my budget is right around $200, but I really think I would like the SD card capability and would pay a bit extra for it.

 

[Bill Kunert]

Magellan has a unit designed for off road and on road use. I think it's called the crossover. Bad thing about Magellan is that their customer service stinks. I have a magellan 3100 so I speak from experience. Good units till you need service.

 

[Toadster]

glad this was a helpful thread!

I ended up grabbing the Garmin Nuvi 650 from Costco for $299 - incredible deal!!!!