GPS Systems?

[Moose]

I know these aren't new but I've never even looked for one before. My wife wants me to get on and make sure I have it with me when I go out hiking and camping. Are they really that handy to have and if they are does anyone have any suggestions?

[jason]

Garmin, garmin, garmin. Ok, so I love garmin GPS's. I have the Garming 60CSx and from the times I've used it I like it. It does take some getting used to however. I would play around with it before taking it out.

[2coastcamper]

I vote for the Garmin Oregon 400t

[wwbiker]

you don't need to go fancy. a basic unit that offers a "bread crumb trail" will get you back to your starting point. You can often add your own way points and icons as well. I have an e-trek legend with a rudementary base map built in, as well as points of interest, a decent compromise between a primitive car gps/"get ya' home" trail gps. I also have a GPS 60, basic model, which is the best quality gps of the 6 I have, tops in hanging onto a signal. I'd recommend the GPS60 in whatever configuration you go with. I find the basic model in combo. with trail/topo maps is all I'll ever need in the woods.

[Outdooruser]

Do GPS really work in the woods? Don't you need service, like a cellphone does? I would think it would be hard to find service for it.

[oldsarge]

I have had Magellan's and Garmins and find they both do the trick depending on what model you have. I broke away from Magellan a few years ago because of rotten customer service. I have been using my Garmin Colorado 300 for everything since I loaded City Navigator into it. The Colorado is no loner offered and has been replaced by the Dakota and Oregon. You can still pick them up though through ebay and a few others places. I'm not much for touch screens in the bush, but I haven't really had to use one long enough to say for sure it's a bad thing. I also have had experience with the Garmin 60cxs, it's a very reliable GPS and has enough features to handle anything I've had to do. That too has been replaced with the GPSMAP 62. I have heard folks who are using the new ones and they prefer the old 60csx. They too can still be bought new in the box if you search. Even though I do like Garmins, my next GPS will be the DeLorme PN60, I has seen these in the field, very fast and highly accurate.
One issue about using a basic model is the when using bread crumbs with out any mapping software installed, You basically have a blank screen unless you zoom out far enough to pick up one of the major roads/towns in the base map. Sure while out hiking these will get you back because you will be traveling over terrain you have already pass though. But if you decide to cut it short and go cross country to intercept your bread crumbs along another point, you won't have any idea of what you'll run into terrain wise. Does this make sense? All in all, you best bet it to always use a map and compass with your GPS. Having been schooled in the old school military land navigation, I like using a map and compass. GPS's are fun and can help you in many ways, most of all in developing your map skills by confirming your location as you use terrain association, direction and distance.