Which GPS ???

Thanks Davoe. Guy in shop said, "get one with a screen you can read on the go" . He said that type (eTrex) is a good unit but small for use in a car.

As for the 2 in 1 jobbie, they do come in a hand held, but I think you're right about the other things.

Thanks Shawn. The difference in price between the GPS 72 with a monochrome screen (approx $300) and the more up-spec colour screen jobbie (approx $800) means I might have to save a bit longer.

Thanks Woody. Good points you make.

Cheers Bob, this is exactly what I've been looking for. Peoples reasons for using particular brands, models. Everyone's response has given me valuable info. I will look at both what you have said as well as what has been written on the response below and make some more enquiries at da shop.

Utemad, thanks for your input, very helpfull. The guy at the shop showed me the eTrex model and showed me the benefit of the bigger GPS 72 type units. Apart from being easier to use (one button to press to save waypoints etc;) the screen is bigger (easier to read).

I've known this guy for a few years and he wouldn't give me a bum steer, he knows his stuff, has owned the shop for years and is a real tech head. Some of the stuff he talked about went straight over my head but didn't help like I thought it would, that's why I asked for help from the forumites.

When you say "expensive mapping software" do you mean NATMAP etc?

muzz I had a Garmin 76 great unit but upgraded to a Map60CS as the colour screen is MUCH better and I wanted maps, it also has both USB & serial connections which I found very handy.

Dont make the mistake like I did and buy lower ($300) then want something extra. If you can, borrow one for at least a month and see how you'll use it. I would go to the shop you intend to buy from, tell the guy you need one for a month trial and then see what he says. Give him a deposit if he wants one, after all you'll have use of a unit.

Suck it and see I believe its called. Wish i could have gone that way.

Still I sold the 76 for $200 secondhand, c'est la vie...

By expensive mapping software I meant Garmin MapSource and I think Magellan is DiscoverAus or something like that. Natmap is not a programme as such for GPS but a collection of maps you can use with OziExplorer.

On my Etrex Legend you can save a waypoint with one button as well. If you click the joystick button then it goes straight to the waypoint save screen. You can then change the name etc (it just numbers them as a default name) but when you click the stick it is actually saved.

Some of the cheaper ones don't have the ability to connect to a computer (not sure of the price points though). Without this connection you can't save your waypoints/tracks etc to your computer or make them on a programe and upload them to your GPS or use your GPS for moving map on a laptop.

A bigger screen model like a 76C would be good but I much prefer to use the Etrex out of the car (lighter and fits in pocket and better battery life than a PDA or 76C) and use the PDA with either Destinator or Ozi CE in the car or even out of it sometimes. I have used a 76C and even though the screen is bigger than my Legend and colour I don't think it is that much better to use although I believe the 76 is slightly more configurable than the Etrex as well. If you want the better screen then get the PDA option IMHO.

I also think it would be a good idea to borrow someones GPS and see if it does what you want. I borrowed someones before I bought my Etrex and have lent it to others for the same reason.

It is easy to get overwhelmed when buying one so read up heaps first so you don't make a rash decision.