Engineer9860
Eagle Scout dad
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Joined: 08/10/2003
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Would everyone tell me what handheld GPS units they have/use/prefer.
Also, what features are nice to have, and what are worthless?
I am looking to purchase one of the more higher end Garmin units, and I am wondering how accurate their barometric altimiter is? Can I expect +or- 100', or should they be more accurate than that?
Thanks- 
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L80E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454
30 year student of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
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2oldman
WA
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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Some good posts in here:
handheld subject search
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Caseydon
Simonton, Texas
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Joined: 07/27/2001
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I've owned several GPS's, all Garmin. Most of my use the last few years has been automotive, so I've had Street Pilots and now a couple of Nuvi's. None of these are designed for handheld use, though the Nuvi's are small, light, and do have rechargeable batteries built in, and could get you out of the woods in a pinch.
To answer your question, the handheld unit I use is a GPS V, I think no longer in the lineup. For me, the most important feature is a "Home" button. Updateable topographic, marine, or road maps are naturally very desirable.
I don't know what Garmin claims, but I wouldn't believe any greater altimeter accuracy than 100 ft. Aircraft altimeters can easily be off that much, due to changes in barometric pressure at the ground and the occasional non-standard air column. They have to compensate by manually setting the altimeter to field elevation before departure, and getting an altimeter setting on approach to the destination, typically by radio.
Casey
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1mtnman
Colorado
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Joined: 01/18/2004
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I have owned and used several Garmin handheld units and sold GPS's for Sportsman's Warehouse for several years. I currently have a ETrex Vista and a 60CSX. Most altimeter info on the 60CSX is within 50' which is normally accurate enough unless you are shooting an IFR approach!
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Serena
US
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Joined: 01/12/2008
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Got a Nuvi. Only complaint is the Australian guy - he says left when he means right and can't pronounce common American abbreviations. I wouldn't trust it as an altimeter for precision. In most cases, it gets within 15 to 25 feet on the ground, but I'm only assuming its accuracy is just about equal on all planes, and can't really account for however much of what I see is just lag time. On a mountain, it would be fine. In the air? Dunno.
Serena
I Know Where I Been, Cuz I Was There When I Went.
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nwrandski
Washington State
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Joined: 07/27/2006
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Garmin 60CSX as my handheld (for hiking, geocaching, etc) .. very happy with it
Tim & Cindy
2008 Holiday Ramber Admiral 35SFD
Enjoy our travels and meeting new people
Still working FT as a professional (both of us)
Former Army (7 Years) and Persian Gulf Veteran
See you out there!
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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Joined: 09/25/2007
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I have a Garmin Etrex Vista handheld and in the truck I use a Garmin Street Pilot III. Very happy with both and their tech support is great.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
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BobJoh
Whitestown, IN 46075
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Joined: 05/23/2004
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I plugged my laptop GPS in and it kept walking around varying five feet. This is with 10 satellites locked in and waiting ten minutes. So I will say less than 10 feet error. I went to the Garmin web and it says the horz distance can be more accurate than the vertical. Both are given as within ten meters/thirty feet. The futher north you are the greater the angle of the satallite to you so the greater the error as in Alaska.
* This post was
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jay2003
San Joaquin Valley, California
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Joined: 04/14/2005
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I've owned a Garmin GPSII, III+ and GPSV. I'm currently running with a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSX. My dad has owned a GPS12 and an Etrex.
In my opinion they're all good units and have a lot of excellent features. Handheld GPS units will have a lot more what I call technical features than one designed for the auto like the Nuvi or Street Pilot series. You have to first define what you want the GPS to be used for then make your choice based on features. In my opinion the 60CSx is the best for an all round handheld since it can be loaded with road and topo maps and supports the routing and driving directions that the Nuvi type units do. It's also a great hiking/biking GPS since it has the built in electronic compass as well as the barometer. The high sensitivty antena is great for the mountains and tall tree cover as well.
Once again.. define what you want to use the GPS for then look at the features you really want.
05 Toyota Tacoma DC 4x4 SB Off-Road Package w/Tow 128" WB
2005 KZ Jag 24JB*Newer Model Floorplans Slightly Different
Prodigy Brake, WD hitch, friction sway
Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx
Honda EU2000i Generator
Me.. the wife, the 5 year old, and the 2 year old
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cleo43
Montreal
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Joined: 08/08/2006
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Delorme PN-20 if you plan to use only inside the USA otherwise choose any of the following: Garmin 60CSx, 76CSx, 60Cx, 76Cx, Vista HCx, Legend HCx.
You don't need an altimeter if you don't climb.
You don't need a compass (just start walking, not a big deal).
Every time you change batteries (once or twice a day !) you have to recalibrate the compass & altimeter - a real pain .
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