Last updated February 24, 2009
Geocaching is an extremely popular sport, and I’d venture to say that over 99% of geocachers use a GPS. But which one to choose? I’ll narrow the field, look at choices in multiple price ranges, and delve into other uses, mapping software, etc. By the way, all the units below have a high-sensitivity chipset for superior reception under canopy and in natural or urban canyons.
Budget GPS for geocaching
The Garmin eTrex Venture HC has a sunlight-readable color screen and the ability to accept detailed maps, such as Garmin's TOPO U.S. (purchased separately). It comes with a USB cable for transferring waypoints, tracks and routes to and from your computer. The retail price is $200, but as of this posting the Venture HC can be found for around $130.
A lower cost model, the Garmin eTrex H, has a monochrome screen and you lose the cable and the ability to load maps. The eTrex H is available for around $95 at the time of this update. I highly recommend getting the Venture HC instead.
I’m going to recommend the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx as a mid-range unit. The Legend HCx has a color screen and expandable map memory. Plus, it supports turn-by-turn routing, making it useful for city navigation in your car as well. You’ll need a mount, City Navigator software, and preferably a power cord, but then you’re set up for turn-by-turn routing. The retail price is $269.99, but as of this posting the Legend HCx can be found for under $190.
Alternatively, the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx improves on the Legend HCx, adding a barometric altimeter and electronic compass.
The best GPS receivers for geocaching
There are a couple of choices here. Both feature paperless geocaching, giving you the full cache description, recent logs and more, right on your handheld.
For a big touch-screen, great interface and grab n' go convenience, I recommend the Garmin Oregon 400t. It comes with pre-loaded topo maps of the entire U.S.
The Delorme PN-40 can accommodate aerial imagery and real USGS topos. It has a smaller screen and comes with powerful but complex software. The aerial photos make this unit is a good choice for urban cachers and those living in open landscapes. An added plus is the ability to do highway navigation with no additional purchase.
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i'm using the gpsmap 60 and having a lot of fun doing it.
sure it has limited memory and it has no color.
but, apart from that, i get turn-by-turn, i have an adequate number of waypoints i can add and i really don't mind it beeing black and white... it kind of 'geeks' the thing a bit more...
it's much cheaper that the color models and it's perfect for geocaching.
Posted by: maique | November 13, 2006 at 07:57 AM
maique,
Thanks for chiming in. What's important is that you're having fun using it, and I can tell from your blog that you are (even though I can't read anything but English)!
Posted by: Rich | November 13, 2006 at 08:45 PM
Is this where I can complain that Garmin still hasn't gotten around to releasing GPS software for Macs? I love my Rino 530, but am disappointed that Garmin has delayed release of Mac software until at least the end of the year (having announced early in 2006 that it would be out in late summer).
Posted by: Jim | November 13, 2006 at 09:42 PM
Heck yeah ya can complain here. Garmin tends to over-promise and under-deliver when it comes to new product introduction dates. I guess that applies to software upgrades too.
Posted by: Rich | November 13, 2006 at 10:07 PM
hello
is the garmin zumo able to do geocaching
Posted by: jorge pinto | November 22, 2006 at 07:35 AM
Jorge,
I don't see any reason why not. It can store waypoints and routes, you can enter a location by coordinates and it can accept custom POIs. It's going to be bulky though -- it's almost 3 inches thick!
Posted by: Rich | November 22, 2006 at 10:41 AM
another question with my nokia n70 is possible geocaching how. what I have that to buy and to adapt
thanks.
Posted by: jorge pinto | November 22, 2006 at 10:57 AM
Jorge,
I'm not that familiar with applications for your phone. I suggest asking at http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showforum=11
Sorry I can't be of more help.
Posted by: Rich | November 22, 2006 at 11:52 AM
Hi,
My wife wants to get me a GPS for hiking and the car. Should I be getting two units or one that does both. If so which ones.
Thanks,
Dale
Posted by: Dale | September 12, 2008 at 04:13 PM
I think you'll be more pleased with two different ones, if you can afford it. As far as which ones, much depends on your budget. For the handheld, will you be hiking and geocaching?
Posted by: Rich Owings | September 12, 2008 at 04:52 PM
I'd toss the upper Tritons into this list also. Most of the geocaching information is in there when you sync them up. The 500 is only $190-$250.
Posted by: Jeff | September 13, 2008 at 01:39 AM
I've been using the Garmin Nuvi 205 and experiencing inaccurate coordinates and directions. It is worthless for geocaching and while driving may direct me to turn several hundred yards before my desired location. Many times, the voice directions are 180° out of sync (i.e. destination on left, when it is actually on right). The battery life is closer to 45 minutes than the rated 4 hours.
The unit was troublesome out of the box, October 2008, and I'm already looking for a handheld replacement. I wonder if others experience the same lack of performance with the Nuvi?
Posted by: Bobby | February 24, 2009 at 10:10 AM
I agree that it's not a great unit for geocaching, though there are a couple of macros floating around that will help.
L/R - happens sometimes, but I find it to be rare. Battery life sounds suspect. Have you called Garmin?
Posted by: Rich Owings | February 26, 2009 at 07:47 AM