Well I've been eyeing getting a handheld GPS for awhile now and think I'm going to get one soon but have no clue what to get. Haven't done much research into it. The more gadgets the better i'm a computer geek so I love that kinda stuff. I will be using it for sled trips in ND, SD, WY, and MT. Trips on the motorcycle and in the car and the use that lets me try to say that I have a good reason for this farming. I want something I can mark weed patches, and rocks with when i'm out in the field so I can go back later and take care of them. I would like to be able to download maps to it and upload were i've been and marker points from in the field ect back up to the computer. Can this even be done. Its either a handheld unit or a GPS addon for my PDA which isn't out of the question yet, most crop consultants and custom sprayers around here use PDA based GPS which gives some pretty good mapping abilities but I'm worried about durability. Thanks for any help.

check with any comp store or sporting goods,iknow a couple brand names that are nice(garmin and magellan)but not sure your going to find one with those capabilities.most of them ive seen are just self contained units,the patching into your cpu could be a possibility though,just not sure about downloading maps.moxst of them have the capa.,to record waypoints so youll be able to remember where those pesky weeds and rocks are.

I have a Garmin eTrex Legend and it does everything you want a GPS to do. I found that buying online was the cheapest route to go.

RedF7sp,
Not sure if you heard about Lowrance, but you should look at them as well. You can checkout the post below this post called "Anyone Use Lowrance Ifinder Pro Gps".

I looked at that post woodwurker and I like the idea of the external memory. Otherwise they seem quite comparable only thing i was wondering about was if the mapping software that comes with the Lowarance is as good as everyone says the Magelin software is.

i also bought a garmin etrex legend. works real well, it has enough space to upload maps. I bought mine off of www.gpscity.com. I found it to be a lot cheaper than buying at a local store. If i were you i would buy ether a garmin or magellan. They seem to be the most popular names out there.

i was wondering about was if the mapping software that comes with the Lowarance is as good as everyone says the Magelin software is.

RedF7sp,
From what I've seen about Magellan, their maps are the worst when considering the main three (Garmin, Lowrance and Magellan).

For more info on Magellan's MapSend software, you can go to www.Amazon.com and type in "Mapsend" and see the reviews. There aren't many good reviews, mostly bad ones. Garmin's "MapSource" has great reviews. Lowrance's "MapCreate" software isn't in Amazon yet, but I would say that it would be a very close second. Lowrance has better Topo maps for Canada which is one of the reasons why I'm buying their "iFinder H20" GPS unit. I need good Topo maps for snowmobiling. If you want good USA Topo maps for a Garmin, then you should look at the National Geographic Topo maps (http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/topo/). I have seen excellent reviews on these Topo maps.

One thing you should look for are the updates of the mapping software. Mapping software needs to be updated continously. Does the GPS company (i.e. Garmin, Lowrance and Magellan) come out with new versions of mapping software once every two years? If you buy mapping software, you want to buy a GPS unit that has the latest mapping software (and that they continously update it), ....not mapping software that's two years old.

Also, is the mapping software compatible with all the GPS units from the company (i.e. Garmin, Lowrance and Magellan)? If you buy Garmin's "MapSource" and then a year down the road you buy another Garmin GPS unit, would the Maps work with your new unit? You don't want to re-do all your routes on your new GPS unit. Map compatible is important...

These are just a few things to checkout....

Yes, go to www.gpscity.com, they have the lowest price. I just pre-ordered mine there. They have excellent support with alot of knowledge.

If you have any more questions/concerns, keep'em coming.

Always glad to help....

Welcome to the gps world. So how did you like the first season with your Firecat? Or do you still wish you had the old ZR, LOL?

Any of the major brands mentioned should be able to do what you're wanting, my Garmin does. The availability of accessories and software that Woodwurker mentioned is prob the most important thing to consider. I've done a lot of research on gpscity.com, and have ordered some accessories there. But I actually bought my unit on ebay...there are tons of them there, if you're comfortable with that type of purchase. I saved over $200 on mine compared to the local retail stores...I couldn't believe the markup on these things.

Oops I meant Garmin Software yeah from what I read to I had kinda thrown out the magelin and was between the Garmin Etrex Legend and Lowarance Ifinder. Won't be doing anything tell August atleast so I got time to do more research and decide which one I like better. Thanks for all the advice and suggestions.

Jim I've actually had my F7 for two seasons now but I definetly like it alot better them my ZR night and day difference not that the ZR was bad. Throwing a 151 on it this summer though for heading out west to get me by for a few years until I can get a M series sled.

Originally posted by redF7sp@Jun 22 2004, 10:55 PM
Jim I've actually had my F7 for two seasons now but I definetly like it alot better them my ZR night and day difference not that the ZR was bad. Throwing a 151 on it this summer though for heading out west to get me by for a few years until I can get a M series sled.
It's been 2 yrs already???? 'Guess time really does fly by quicker as one gets older!! Seems like it was just last year that you picked your sled up. :sleeping:

Originally posted by redF7sp@Jun 20 2004, 12:53 AM
Its either a handheld unit or a GPS addon for my PDA which isn't out of the question yet, most crop consultants and custom sprayers around here use PDA based GPS which gives some pretty good mapping abilities but I'm worried about durability.
My advise would be to forget the PDA idea.
For boating, sledding, biking you need something allot more rugged (and waterproof) than a PDA. I have heard that the mapping capabilities of these units were nowhere close to as good as dedicated units too.
I have a Garmin Emap which works awesome, but if I was to get another one, I'd look at one of the new ones with a colour display.

Woodwurker620 seems like you've done alot of research on the lowrance. Does there mapping program do topo maps to.

Also one more question are routes transferable between the Garmin and Lowrance software.