NorthWest Arkansas Cachers

1. I want paperless caching with description on the gps
2. touchscreen vs. normal - please give me your opinions
3. Still fairly new to all the higher end gps info - when you download with GSAK, does that give the description on cache as well so you don't have to carry papers with you?

my considerations right now are:

Garmin 60CSX
PN40
Oregon 300 or 400t

Please help me make a constructive decision. Need to make decision in next couple of days to have in time for a trip the week after Labor Day

P.S. I'm using basic Etrex and have been for three+ years so anything will be an upgrade for us.

Than ks so much

NWArkies

I can't speak for the other models, but the 60CSX does not have a touch screen, and doesn't really make you paperless. although there is a GSAK macro that will put the info into the 60CSX, it isn't really all that user-friendly in that mode.

A premium membership and GSAK will allow you to download all the cache info you need to most newer GPSs available out there, although some GPSrs are more suited to it than others.

Another alternative is always a cheap palm pilot, although that would mean carrying another device with you.

Finally, many people swear by the iphone and the geocaching app.

I second the the iphone and the geocaching app. Seen it action. Sweet. On my wish list.

I have been using a 60csx for a few years now and love it except for the fact you can't go paperless without having to carry something else. I just went to Texas to visit my sister and did a little caching with my brother in law. He has the Iphone with the geocaching app which is kinda cool but it does not even begin to compare to his new Oregon 400T. That thing is awesome and I will be getting mine as soon as I save a a little more money. I'm about half way there but I do have a birthday coming up in a few weeks.

I have a pn40 and really like it, it's so easy to download caches into and you have all the info and some logs, it's not touch screen though.

I have the iphone. Makes really good paperless caching. Am going to get a inexpensive GPS to go along with it when I am in wooded areas to help the reception and accuracy of where I am, as it loses some in wooded/non-urban areas.

Sounds like the Oregon 400t is lacking a big fundamental requirement. Being able to see the screen outdoors! doh!
Read this review... http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2008/08/garm ... review.php

That'fairly typical for a TFT display. Another possible plus for the Colorado is that it is WhereIGo ready out of the box. (For what that's worth)

OK here's my 2 cents. I have the 60CS, a 60CSX, the iPhone and for 30 days I have the Oregon 400t. I Love the 60CS and the number one pick is the iPhone with the GC app. OMG it does so much and for $199 you can't ask for anything else. The internet on the iphone is awsome. I don't really use PQ's anymore they take too much time. I love the Logging it from the field too no more lost logs. The Oregon was VERY complicated and not that great on the touchscreen. THE iPhone IS THE ONLY GPS NOW.

But ASD, how much is the monthly service to use the iPhone? And, how well does it work in areas where you don't have internet access? Will the GPS still work without network access?

Good questions. Im interested in hearing the answers. As I am also going to upgrade soon.

Well, here you go.

I've been using the iphone since april.

Basically there is a $25/month data plan that AT&T charges for all of the upload/download. To compensate for that, we scrapped our home phone to a bare minimum emergency phone (we don't call out on it, and no long distance or any other features)

The iphone in a town is awesome. Maps, both streets and satellite are easily usable, PQ's download straight to the app now (stickerdude...reconsider that, it's nice now) I can get a good feel where something is easily.

Now the phone does try to use the cell towers first as it is quicker, but eventually will also tie into the GPS sats as well.

However, here's the big problem, and what I plan to resolve later on. It loses half of it's benefits out in the wooded areas.

Since it loses the cell towers, it also loses the data port to download the maps and pictures. In essence, it just becomes a GPS unit without any visal help beyond an arrow and distance away. You can get around part of that issue by saving a cache for offline use, and can access everything (description, hint, recent logs) except the maps.

Days when the phone decides to also not try to find a sat (like the day I went into Devil's Den) just suck. I won't even talk about the lack of accuracy in wooded areas either (I'm lucky if it goes below 150 ft). If I can get a lock on a coord when I'm in coverage, it does tend to keep locked onto it as long as I don't let the phone go into sleep mode.

The iphone also as a free app called Motion-X GPS, which ONLY goes after sats, so it is very helpful. That is the program that I use to set my caches. I use it instead of the GS app is because it updates coords when you aren't moving. the GS app tends to not update if you aren't moving at times.


So to summarize.

-iphone in town=awesome
-iphone in woods=basic GPS functionality if you take the time to save caches pre-trip. Accuracy at times questionable.
-Motion-X GPS free app is very well made.