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Thanks to both of you for your replies. And sorry for the slow response...got sidetracked with the holidays.

Boyd, where can I get more info on the 'custom maps' feature that you mentioned? If I get a GPS without it, does that mean that I won't be able to use third party maps like the ones that you've made?

Also, how is battery life with your Oregon 400t?

Thanks!

Hi all,

I'm totally new to GPS and would like to ask for some help selecting a unit that will best serve my needs. If anyone can help out, it would be much appreciated.

A little background: I'm an avid hiker and backpacker as well as a rock climber. So far, I've done just fine using a map and compass, but there are two reasons I'm considering getting a GPS unit: (1) I'm doing more bushshacking and it would be great if I were able to waypoint things I find while I'm off trail (hermit's cave or potential campsites etc.) and (2) a recent climbing guidebook for the Adirondacks describes approaches (frequently off trail) with GPS coordinates, thus helping to make sure that I won't need to 'shwack around lost looking for the start of a climber's herd path while carrying all of my climbing gear. I'd like to use a GPS unit to waypoint these coordinates before I leave for a climbing trip.

So, I'm not certain, but I think I'd be satisfied with a relatively bare bones unit. I'll still always be carrying a map and compass, so I'm not sure why I'd need anything too fancy. Maybe I'm just being resistant to getting an "unnecessary" gadget...I don't know. 

Other factors:

- I'm a mac user
- I probably won't use it much while driving
- I would like to be able to get elevation profiles after a hike
- I'd like long battery life. The longer the better.

Other than that, feel free to offer any opinions or advice you think might be useful for a total GPS noob.

A co-worker showed me his Garmin 60CSx recently. That seemed okay, but I don't have much context to use when judging it. I've been reading up on the DeLorme PN-40 and that seems okay too. The Garmin Oregon series might be overkill (and it's pretty expensive) and I'm not sure the touch screen would work with gloves while snowshoeing. Maybe all of these are overkill for me and somehting like the eTrex Legend HCx would do just fine.

Honestly, the options are kind of overwhleming...

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.