Garmin X
"Many of the Garmins come in “x” and non-“x” versions. Difference is whether they use the higher resolution SIRF chip."
Actually the X in the name of a Garmin unit means expandable memory. Most Garmin units with a high sensitivity receiver have an “H” in the name (e.g. Venture HC, eTrex H)
With most Garmin hand helds, H=high sensitivity receiver, C=Color display, X=Expandable memory
For example the Legend H has a high sensitivity receiver but a B/W display. The Vista HCX has a color display, high sensitivity receiver and expandible memory and a Venture HC has a high sensitivity receiver and a color display.
The only exception are the Map 76X and 60X lines. They have high sensitivity receivers but don’t have an H in the name. Still the X means expandable memory with these units.
Also I don’t think Garmin is shipping anits with the SiRF chip anymore. The newer Map 60’s and 76’s are being shipped with the MTK II chip.
Very nice!
Great to see a problem, solve a problem.
Thanks
I’ll make sure I look out for the older models.
Looking around
As I’m looking into all the things that y’all are telling me I came across some good reviews of the Delorme brand. Any thoughts on those?
GPSMap 76Cx
I will second (or third) the recommendations for the Garmin GPSMap 76Cx. The floating feature alone almost sells the entire unit, but there’s another feature as well that makes it ideal for kayakers: the tide charts.
Dennis Dwyer, on his excellent Inside Passage paddling blog, describes using a Palm Pilot loaded with tide software. If he’d used the 76, he would not have needed this extra piece of gear.
Read his IP report at http://denisdwyer.blogspot.com
Alex
nah
Mine is the 76csx or something like that.
My ideal GPS unit should be as flat as possible, larger than average screen, lightweight, waterproof (really)... I would still have it in a plastic map case or something like that. and would be set to be reliably charged by a solar charger. 5x5 inches would be nice.
I stand corrected
One possible clarification to what you wrote is that the GPSMAP 60 series does come in base, Cx, and CSx, and only the versions with the x are high sensitivity. But it appears that the X units are also the only ones with the expandable card. Guess they figured adding an H would be too much.
Lowrace
just updated their line..
I have an iFinder.. and would check them out.. the nautical maps are much more reasonable.. with no unlock codes $$$ for each area you want to use..
they all have their pros and cons..
GPS are useful but once I saved a trail on a bike path in the mountains and it wouldn't display.. I got back fine but don't use mine very often..
We are going camping paddling down the coast this weekend and I don't think it's worth the extra weight to carry along..
There are other situations when it is nice to have though.
check out the delorme models
I have a pn20 that i use for hiking and kayaking.
its very user friendly. Im 100% confident in its waterproofness… I let it hang off my deck bungie while i paddled a couple miles and not even any condensation. When something claims to be waterproof I make sure to test it before I need to trust it only to find it doesnt work.
also most of these units come with an acessory bundle that includes $100 worth of download credits for maps etc that you have to pay for for most other models. im nowhere near using the whole 100 and have more maps than I need
my 2cts worth…
HI...I have the Garmin eTrex legend model....not a good model for heavy woods... mine will lose the signal in heavy overhead foliage. if Money is no object i suggest the Rino models ...do you want a 2-way radio? SD card? digital compass? weather channel in the unit? do you want the option of using lithium batteries and/or dry cell in the unit? once you decide on options w/GPS , the field will narrow down. don't forget waterproof /resistance either. I also remember reading reviews about how some of the newer GPS units ( oregon? colorado? ) do not have functions useful to hikers/hunters. the link below my help you.
http://www.consumersearch.com/gps/reviews
eTrex Features and Limitations
My experience with the eTrex Vista HCx is that it works well under heavy cover. The only place I get anomalies is near large rock bluffs and in caves. The signals bounce around and it thinks I’m kayaking up the opposite bank sometimes.
I have used the eTrex for driving, but it isn’t like a real nav system. If you program your turns beforehand (as a route) you can have it beep just before each turn. With the free toop maps you can see road names and such as well. Not ideal, but it is functional.
Color is worth the extra money if you’ll be actively watching where you are onscreen. They post above has the free maps that work with the “x” models. If you don’t care about maps, the B&W is okay.
I have dumped and swam 3 or 4 times while kayaking whitewater with the eTrex with no problems other than fogging on the outside of the screen. The waterproofing doesn’t really seem like much for the battery compartment, but it works pretty well.
When planning for a trip, you can set waypoints and routes for driving, hiking, boating, etc. Waypoints are the single points and routes are the paths you’ll travel. Generally each route will have several waypoints at the major turns and intersections.
As you go along, the units automatically track where you are, so the trail of crumbs is automatic (unless you turn it off). The units let you reverse your track to get back to your starting point and can provide direction and distance info along the way (even if you don’t have the compass model).
The eTrex units also connect to the Garmin MapSource software as well as Google Earth and EveryTrail (and others I’m sure). These allow you to see the tracks on a map and share them with others (along with statistics and photos). These web sites can apparently talk directly to the unit once you set it up and I’m sure this trend will continue.
If you want to use the screen for constant navigation, the larger units are better, but for the occasional check and for tracking/backtracking, the small units are quite nice. A lot of my trips, I probably check the GPS less than a dozen times, so a small, compact unit that can be operated with one hand is great.
jim
Also check out…
…the DeLorme Earthmate series. Late last summer I picked up a PN 30 (new) via Amazon for a measly $200. The present price is $230… and this includes nice 1:100k topo maps for the States and street level maps for Canada (points of interest as well).
This unit replaced my ancient Garmin 60c, which I’ve used all over NA with good results.
The DeLorme hardware seems as tough as Garmin’s gear but the addition of the maps seals the deal. That’s where Garmin gets ya. 
GPS
I have been using a Garmin GPS 60CX for the last 3 years and love it.
They’re pricy but…
…check out the Garmin 550T. The “T” designates that it’s loaded with the US topo maps. It has profiles that you can use to modify the screen displays to better suit your purposes. It also has a built-in camera that does fairly well.
Attached is a picture taken with the built-in camera during a short Mission Bay paddle and a screen shot from a recent hike.
Delorme PN-40
I have now destroyed 2 Delorme PN-40 units, each in less than 30 days. Both of which I believe were destroyed by condensation. With my second unit, I was very careful to keep it dry, but being out on the water, in a humid environment, it still was totally destroyed.
Glenn
Interesting
I’ve only had my PN30 out on the water a few times but each time it got pretty wet. The PN30 and 40 should be identical physically. Any idea where the moisture got in?
My old Garmin 60c has had a whole bunch of H2O events with no leakage.
DeLorme PN40
I have a PN40. An OK unit, but the Topo 8 software that it comes with is a pain to learn. Not intuiative at all. The PN40 eats batteries like potato chips (I get 4-6 hours of use out of a pair of alkalines), the menu fonts are very small, so if you are of an age where you need reading glasses, you will need them to see the menu. The reception isn’t quite up to that of my Garmin 60CSX.
That said it comes with the topo mapping software included in the price and is a pretty good deal for
money.
Moisture
My continued theory is condensation building up on the inside of the electronics to a point that it causes corrosion. I have no idea why some electronics suffer from this while others don’t. For example, on my last expedition, I was out for 147 days. My SPOT Messenger and my ICOM M88 were attached to my PFD, exposed to the elements, 100% of the time. Both functioned perfectly. The only issue with the ICOM was corrosion on the outside battery contacts, which I can’t complain about.
PN-40 (number 2)
My original PN-40 kept locking up in a Aquapac in the sun at ambient temperatures in the high 80’s. It was replaced by Delorme.
I no longer keep it in an Aquapac. No problems. I have been in a lot of salt water with it this summer. I just rinse it off in the sink when I get home. I did notice yesterday notice a bit of corrosion one of the UBS pins (turning green?). But I have never noticed any condensation or water in it, even after the rinsing because that is when I put a fresh set of batteries. I use the Sanyo Eneloops rechargeables. Never carry spare batteries and they seem good for a days padding plus the commute. Sometimes two resonable days when I forget to put fresh ones in.
Bill G.
Mt. Pleasant, SC
Haven’t posted all summer since I’ve been out paddling, have gotten hooked on the ocean, and last week I suppose I learned to roll (at least in perfect conditions in a pool).
PN-40 Cost of Data
And don’t forget to calculate in the cost of data when choosing a GPS. $29.95 per year (plus shipping) for unlimited data downloads (and good quality data) can’t be touched. I’ve downloaded 13.9 GB of data so far this year. (Charts, Topos, Sat10, BW Aerial, True Color Aerial).
Bill G.
Mt. Pleasant, SC