I am thinking of getting a GPS. What would you recomend and why?
I usually struggle with any type of technology, so user friendly is going to be important. I am not going to totally rely on it. But want one to track my hikes and give me a sense of security, be it false or not. You know how you always hear of people trusting them so much they take that right turn down the train tracks or walk off a cliff just because the GPS told them too. I would like it to have an altimeter feature.
Thanks
Mike Z

I have the Garmin eTrex20 and I use it basically for what you mentioned. I get a reliable signal, even when bushwhacking and it's been a useful tool for me. This model isn't too expensive, but it doesn't have a barometric altimeter (GPS altimeter is pretty good, though). I believe the eTrex30 has a compass and altimeter for a bit more money.

I've had a couple. I had a Garmin eTrex which I gave away after buying a Garmin 60CSX which I lost. Becky bought herself a Garmin Oregon 450 which she couldn't figure out. She's very technology illiterate. I found it a but confusing at first. But quickly realized it was very user friendly IMO.

The 2 best features is that it has a barometric altimeter and a electronic 3 axis compass. Which means it does not have to be level, nor do you have to be moving to get your bearings. I love it. I've got a ton of REI money to spend and am thinking of getting an Oregon 600 for myself. Cause Becky keeps saying she wants hers back.

Tons of refurbished on eBay for fairly cheap money.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garmin-Oregon-4 ... 27ee3751aa

You would need to purchase maps as well. Just one option.
http://www.rei.com/product/784309/garmi ... -northeast

You don't necessarily need to purchase maps. I use a free map overlay and free trail overlay. I don't have time to find the links right now but they've been posted here before, a quick search should pull up the thread. The map overlay is called something like "Northeast Topo 1 of 3" and the trail overlay is called "My Trails". I'm sure there may be benefits of purchasing maps but the free ones have been more than adequate for me.

That's right. Totally forgot about My Trails. The download is somewhere here I think.
http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/53

I just don't remember how to do it. You have to download the topo and trails separately I think.

I have Best Buy money and you can order anything on line, at the store.
I am looking at the gpsmap64st. It has the compass and altimeter feature I think I want.
How easy is it using the maps that come installed on it or what about the maps you can get?
Thanks for the tips on free maps.
Can I get maps with trails on it?
I am hopeful I have the smarts to figure it out.
Struggling with technology,
Mike Z

Should pull them up, except ever since the site was "improved" the search feature doesn't work more than a few pages back for some reason.

In Google you can restrict searches using "site:http://~" in the search field so "gps maps site:http://forum.hike-nh.com" will get you what you want. This works better than most built in forum searches.

FWIW I also have an etrex20 and it's fine for recording tracks(my main interest) but its field usability is lacking and I wish I had shelled out for a nicer one.

Well, since I have a bit more time now here is the link for the NE Topo 1 of 3:
http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/200/

Joe posted the My Trails, instructions for loading them onto a unit are on the gpsfiledepot website. As Joe mentioned you have to load the Topo and Trails file separately, it's pretty straightforward, though.

How do you guys feel about the new Garmin Epix? I personally cant wait for it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-td8DZONZY

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the- ... 46065.html

I have the same Etrex 20 that Kris uses, and use the same topo and trails overlay incidentally. I find it fills all my needs (mostly to track where I've been, though I've used it here and there on bushwhacks), and I actually downloaded all of the US topos that the same author of the NE one put together. Stuffed them all on a microSD card, and so the times I've gone out West and hiked, I just have to turn on the appropriate map in the GPS, no need to make sure I install them before I leave as they're always a menu click away.

I have a Garmin Montana 600 that my wife got me a 2-3 years ago. I spent an extra $100 I think on the NE map set and used it a little for geocaching and drawing pictures of hikes in the Whites. Never really did figure out how to,use it, though, as I'm not very tech-savvy and quickly lost interest in geocaching. It's been sitting in its box on a shelf for over a year now. Let me know if you're interested in it.

I just saw this thread. I usually don't look here.

Kris, I bought the Garmin eTrex20 but couldn't figure the thing out, so I went down to the 10. With some help from Chuck, I have that sucker down. I'm now wondering if I could work the 20? Can maps be bought for the Garmin eTrex10? I heard yes, but I rather ask you guys. The guys at EMS, (and I dig all of them), couldn't help me when I first bought the Garmin eTrex20.

I prefer the Garmin 60CSx, which I think is the gold standard. I also have the 62s, which to me is more the 'consumer version' of the above, but ... after a bit of fiddling I can get the 62s' menus/pages to contain the same items at the 60CSx. And yes, I realize the higher end Garmins have built-in cameras, microwaves, coffeemakers, etc (just kidding about the last two) but I'd prefer a GPS being a GPS with compass and altimeter. Although there are some terrific smartphone apps for a compass function; not quite so accurate on the altimeter side though.

I bought a replacement 60CSx on eBay recently for about $160. Unfortunately, Garmin no longer repairs the 60CSx, so if yours dies you'll probably have to find a good used one.

I use Garmin too. I chose an inexpensive hend held eTrex with 2.2" screen. It's pretty easy to use, plus I like it's style. I know my iPhone is more powerful, but I prefer to use this navigator on my trips and save the battery on the iphone.