Handheld GPS units

[stitch 0]

Are there any that are actually worth a damn ?

The Garmin Oregon 400t is pretty sweet right up till the point you take it outside in the sunshine then you can't see the screen.

"No cookies for you"- GFD
"I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65
Don't be a "Racer Hater"

[shropshire 0]

I've flewn on my paraglider with my Garmin Vista (monochrome) for years and it's fantastic. It's been used and abused a lot in that time and still works perfectly but I'l like to upgrade to a colour map version (Oregon) but am also concerned about the screen contrast. I need to get a loan one before shelling out my hard earned.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[virgin-burner 1]

i like my GPSmap 60CSx a lot.. even works in the sunlight!

“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.”
-Hunter S. Thompson
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."
-Yoda

[warpedskydiver 0]

put a piece of film over it, choose a color that helps prevent the screen from washing out.

Blue would probably help.

[FlyingJ 0]

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i like my GPSmap 60CSx a lot.. even works in the sunlight!

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Killing threads since 2004.

[stitch 0]

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i like my GPSmap 60CSx a lot.. even works in the sunlight!

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I'm pretty sure thatis the one I'm going to get when I come back from vacation. Wally world sells'em for $289.00. Best price I could find.

"No cookies for you"- GFD
"I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65
Don't be a "Racer Hater"

[FlyingJ 0]

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i like my GPSmap 60CSx a lot.. even works in the sunlight!

+ 1

I'm pretty sure thatis the one I'm going to get when I come back from vacation. Wally world sells'em for $289.00. Best price I could find.

Bought mine at an REI scratch and dent sale. Bought a taped closed box that said it was a 60C for $$40 or $50. Note said "not compatible with customer's computer." Opened it up once I got outside and it was the 60Csx. Score! I've loved mine. Been all over the country, beat to hell on wildfires, dropped in the water numerous times while kayaking and it's still rock solid.

Killing threads since 2004.

[Jumpervint 0]

My wife has one and she loves it. I saw the Best Buy add this week and they're selling them on close out for $299.00.

Vint

. . . . .
"Make it hard again." Doc Ed

“A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

[virgin-burner 1]

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i like my GPSmap 60CSx a lot.. even works in the sunlight!

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I'm pretty sure thatis the one I'm going to get when I come back from vacation. Wally world sells'em for $289.00. Best price I could find.

i dont know your budget, but also look into the etrex-series from garmin; no color-screens and all the other fancy-pancy stuff the 60CSx has got, but very small and the screens are also good..

the new garmin, oregon and the other are known to be badly readable, also the touchscreen seems to have a problem when wet. if you'll use it for that parachuting-thing that probably wont matter, but its just something to consider too..

“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.”
-Hunter S. Thompson
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."
-Yoda

[lurking 0]

I recently upgraded from my first handheld GPS (a simple etrex; no maps) to the oregon. What a difference in usability!

It is true that the screen is not that great in direct sunlight. I use it for hiking/geocaching or in a car (upcoming off-road trip to Namibia) where I can always shield it with my other hand. Then it´s OK. If I imagine it mounted to a bike´s handlebar or a in a paraglider/hangglider that could be a problem.

If you go for the oregon go for the 300, not the 400 and save some money. The only difference is built-in maps and there are a lot of free (legal) maps out there you can install.

Thomas (Germany)