Multi use handheld/portable GPS

[troutman]

I'm looking for a portable or handheld GPS. Ideally,I need it to mark and relocate my location on the ground, as well as mark and relocate fishing spots.Does such a thing exist?

Thanks

[Juneau4]

I'm looking for a portable or handheld GPS. Ideally,I need it to mark and relocate my location on the ground, as well as mark and relocate fishing spots.Does such a thing exist?

Thanks

Yes they do. I have a Magellan Explorist that I bought 4 years ago for less than $100 for just what you want. It works great to mark point A and be able to find it again. You can put several diff. places (Way Points) and be able to return to the 1 you want. Check them out at Magellan.com. Accurate to within 10'

I'm sure Garmen and others also have them. Good luck.

[MN Mike]

Garmin has all kinds of models that will do what you are looking for, if you're looking for a lake mapping chip option, you'll have to start at the Etrex 20, should run about $180 or so, maybe cheaper if you can find it on sale somewhere, I believe I saw the Etrex 30 on sale for $199

They have more devices beyond these, options, screen size will effect the price.

the basic Etrex runs about $90 but you get a very basic GPS device at that price

Mike

[Tom7227]

Do you want to have detailed maps? Do you want to be able to get a chip that has detailed contours of lakes? There are some out that have all sorts of things like the ability to play music, touchscreens and such. I don't need that. I bought a Garmin 78s a few years ago and love it. Pricey back then. I suggest you go to a store and try and find a knowledgeable salesperson and talk it over. In fact go to a couple places and get a number of views. one that I went to was pushing Lowrance and I decided that wasn't the brand I wanted.

[BobT]

Ditto on the Garmins.

[delcecchi]

It is a good idea to look at them in person. I have an etrex which I really like, but looking at contour maps on the small screen is pretty hard for my old eyes. I have some 24k series topo maps that I use.

But of course a bigger screen costs bigger money. To just find waypoints and such an etrex works great and it will show maps also. We have used one on a number of canoe trips. Very handy to have all the portages marked as waypoints.

[BobT]

It is a good idea to look at them in person. I have an etrex which I really like, but looking at contour maps on the small screen is pretty hard for my old eyes. I have some 24k series topo maps that I use.

But of course a bigger screen costs bigger money. To just find waypoints and such an etrex works great and it will show maps also. We have used one on a number of canoe trips. Very handy to have all the portages marked as waypoints.

Good point. I had a Garmin Rino120 for years and loved it but if there was one thing I would have liked better it was screen size. When I finally dropped it into the lake last winter in 25' of water and killed it, I decided to upgrade to the GPSMap78s. The larger color screen is definitely a step up.

[delcecchi]

It looks like the Garmin Handhelds display varies in size from 2.2 inches on etrex to 2.6 on dakota and gpsmap 78 to 3 inches on the Oregon units.

[MN Mike]

I see a doorbuster deal at Cabelas this weekend with a Garmin GPSMap62st ( topo map built in ) for $199

Thats a great deal!

Mike