Just getting into caching. Actually spoke with mtn-man on the geocaching site. Looking into buying my first GPS in the next two weeks. Anybody know of any good deals around the Atlanta area. Looking for something between 150 and 225 dollars. Maybe the Meridian or the Venture eTrex. Any opinions on these. Thanks in advance.

Magellan vs. Garmin is sorta like Ford vs. Chevy.

Obviously Garmin is better (just said that to start a flame war), but either will work great.

I use a previous generation GPS that does the job.

You need to decide if you want to get a basic unit or one that encorporates a map function, then it's just whatever suits your likes and budget, IMHO. I'd suggest going to REI, Bass Pro, Radio Shack, or wherever else they're sold and compare features. Then perhaps do some price shoping online. You might also read the groundspeak forums linked off the geocaching.com site to see what people say about various units there. Good luck and have fun!

~erik~

If you come to one of the GGA meetings I am sure everyone there will be willing to let you see their GPS and talk about its advantages and its disadvantages. The May meeting is on the third.

As for me the choice was easy, I actually got mine pre-geocaching. I got the same model as Johnnie so that we could help each other, he got the same model as a friend of his so that they could help each other. But I wanted a mapping GPS since I have always liked maps and a GPS that just gave numbers and tracks didn't appeal to me.

...and it works just fine for me. I got it in Jan this year at Galyan's for $160. It isn't made for loading maps but I don't need it. I prefer maps on paper and just need the GPS to tell me how far and in what direction. I could've gone with the base eTrex but I don't do yellow. I do have problems getting a reliable signal in tree cover but I think this is pretty common from what I've read about Garmins. Battery life is not an issue at all. I have had it since January, mainly use it on the weekends and I've replaced my batteries 3 times.

Started out with the basic Yellow ETrex I picked up at Galyans for about 100 bucks. Used it for my first 200 caches, and loved it, but had to have maps, so I got a Vista from online after seeing mtn-man's. Tree coverage hampers the Vista moreso than ole 'Yeller', so I now carry and use 'em both, depending on the circumstance. But the Vista does so much more that I haven't even learned about yet.
(Where's my manual?)

GARMIN! and DODGE!

quote:

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Originally posted by phat.bak:
(Where's my manual?)

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Here is your manual

And by the way Garmin has several rebate coupons including the Vista like phat.bak's and the GPS V like mine.

I have to chime in & give my opinion of my Rino 110. I was using my husband's Etrex until I got my Rino for Christmas. Of course the Rino has a few more features than the Etrex and the Rino 120 has maps.
The built-in radio comes in handy for our family hiking.

I also had the yellow eTrex at first too. I wanted the Vista for the maps and went ahead and got it. I too keep both with me just in case. The little yellow eTrex really does a fantastic job and the only thing you sacrifice is the internal maps and the compass (Vista has both built in). I carry a compass anyway but the internal one is nice.

Preciate all the info. Unfourtunately cant make the metting on the 3rd. Im graduating that day. Maybe the next one if I can.
Killa