HANDHELD GPS UNIT

[Blazeorange]

AM TOSSING AND TURNING OVER THREE DIFFERENT LOW END OF THE PRICE RANGE GPS UNITS. I WOULD LIKE THE YELLOW ETREX, THE GARMIN GPS 12 OR THE MAGELLAN 310. ALL ARE FAIRLY CLOSE IN PRICE. AM TRYING TO KEEP IT SIMPLE AS I WON'T USE MY GPS A WHOLE LOT BUT WOULD LIKE A FAIRLY DEPENDABLE UNIT WHEN I NEED IT. DON'T BELIEVE ANY OF THE FANCIER UNITS WOULD GET THE USE OF THE ADDITIONAL FEATURES FROM ME. I THINK THAT'S WHY I WANT TO KEEP IT EASY TO USE AND LOW COST. ANY ADVICE FROM OWNERS OF THE THREE TYPES ABOVE I MENTIONED WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS. BLAZE.

[mtwalleye]

I've got both a Garmin 12 and a yellow Etrex. I was told by a friend who teaches GPS classes that the Garmin models are more user-friendly for people who aren't experts at GPS units, while the Magellan was a little tougher to use.

Both Garmin models have their place. The Garmin 12 is a much nicer unit, crisper display and has more features, but is heavier and runs on four AA batteries. The Etrex is more of what I'd call a hunting and backpacking model. It's really small, very light, runs on two AA batteries, and would fit in a shirt pocket.

I use the Garmin 12 when I'm fishing walleyes in my boat. The Etrex is in my pocket when I'm hunting. It all depends what you need it for as to which would be better for you. -- mark
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Walleyes Unlimited
www.walleyesunlimited.com

[Larry L]

I have used the Garmin 12 for several years with no complaints. The manual is a little intimidating but if I can get through it any one should be able to. My buddy has a Magellan 310. I think it is a good unit but he seems to have a lot of trouble remembering how to use it in the field. Just remember that you need a compass as well. They will tell a lot of things but they don't know which way north is.

[Den]

when going in a direction, it does tell you if you are going north, or what ever, otherwise it wouldnt know where it is at.my magellan does have a compass on it. when you use the tracker (plotter) they also tell you which heading to take, and that also tells you which direction that you are going. good luck and good fishin.
Den

[fishy1]

I have both the etrex and the 12 I really dont care for the etrex too small for my hands and always pushing the same butons. The 12 fits larger hands and u can still see the screen when you are searching different waypoints and easy too remember from season to season

[Juls_WI]

Another vote here for the Garmin 12. Very user friendly.
Only downfall is the battery life (I'm always forgetting to turn it off once I'm to a spot). Always keep extra AA's in the glovebox, or tacklebox..;-)


Juls

[YRNUT]

I too have had good luck with the Garmin-12. The battery problem I solved by plugging into my boat battery with the Garmin cigarette lighter atachment.