Top 10 GPS reviews

Not seeing last month's top ten list? Click here for the latest list of the most popular GPS receivers on GPS Tracklog.

I maintain a link on the right side of the page to the Top 100 GPS receivers at Amazon. While the list is interesting, it's only a snapshot because the list is updated every hour, and it tends to fluctuate significantly. I've recently gotten a good statistics package, and it's easier for me to see what pages people are visiting at GPS Tracklog.  I thought some of you might be interested in what GPS reviews  have proven popular here, so I'm listing the Top 10 (over the past ten days):

1. Garmin GPSMap 60CSx
2. Garmin Forerunner 305
3. Garmin Edge 305
4. Garmin GPSMap 60Cx
5. Garmin nuvi 350
6. Magellan eXplorist 210
7. Garmin StreetPilot 2730
8. Garmin Forerunner 205
9. Garmin eTrex Legend Cx
10. Magellan RoadMate 360

This should be a more stable list and, while the sample is obviously comprised of readers of this blog, most aren't return readers -- most of the people reading reviews arrive here via search engines.

I see several interesting trends here. First of all, handhelds are outranking auto units, which surprises me. Second, Garmin dominates the list, which doesn't surprise me. Finally, the majority of the units (the first five on the list, along with the Forerunner 205) carry the SiRFstar III chipset, the subject of my next post...

Technorati tags: GPS

Comments

[Aaron]

Hello;
Before I go bugging some sales people, perhaps you can give me some direction (pun intended) on gps units.
I've been getting lost frequently on some of my bike trips outside of the city. (car drivers can't give directions for cyclists)
I'm not looking to know my location down to a few yards, or know elevation, or travel internationally. I'm just looking for a unit that will display my location on a map and show nearest roads (and fire-roads) for Oregon. I would like to get this for less than $200.
Thanks in advance for your time.

[rouelibre]

Comment to Aaron question,

Get yourself a Garmin Legend (Black&White map screen, 8M memory). They are even avaliable refurbished to save the extra buck for a like new garanteed unit.

This won't make miracles but it will do more than you want for less than you expect to pay. Same accuracy as the Legend C (or Cx) without the color screen and the extra memory.

This unit, if purchased on the internet would set you back less than 175$ including a bike mount (a must). Unfortunately, you'd know where you are within a few yards, wether you need it or not.

Of course, the wise thing to do with any unit from the Garmin collection is to lay your hands on a Mapsource product for your neck of the woods. This is where true accuracy comes into play. This is indeed the only way to identify even the smallest back road.

If one doesn't need a fancier unit, it does the job admirably. One thing is worth mentionning about more expensive and recent units, they significantly are easier on batteries and just for that, when thinking of the added features, they are also worth considering.

Less expensive units don't come with an external power connector, so you are always on batteries. Though, newer units don't only make better use of the batteries, but also have a USB connector instead of a RS-232 COM port. So, by using a cheap cigarette lighter USB adapter you'd have an external power source when using the GPS in the car.

I went from a 12, to a 12 map, then a Legend, a Legend C and I now own a Legend Cx. OK, I'm a bit of a sicko about GPS's, but each upgrade made my life easier.

I clip the GPS on the bike handlebar for near 2000 miles every summer, so I know where to draw the line about minimal usable stuff. The old B&W Legend and upwards do the trick.

One last comment, stick with Etrex's (no 60 nor 76). They are small and that is a definite plus.

regards,

[Rich Owings]

rouelibre,

Thanks for that. Actually, Aaron's question was so good, I answered it in a post; I just forgot to say so here. Funny thing is, we both had the same recommendation!

[Rich Owings]

Hmm, sometimes I really hate TypePad. Here's the link...

http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2006/07/picking_a_lowco.html

[Bill]

Hey there - I'm looking for a good GPS system that I'll primarily be using in my car. I'm looking for something under $350 that offers the most bang for the buck. Lemme know, thanks!

[Rich Owings]

Bill,

Please pardon the delay in response. I've been on vacation and have had spotty internet access. I'd suggest looking at Garmin's StreetPilot i5 and c320 models. Hope this helps.