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General Category => GPSr Units => Topic started by: Neal on December 14, 2010, 10:49:20 AM

Title: GPS under $200 and definately under $300
Post by: Neal on December 14, 2010, 10:49:20 AM
I am trying to choose between the Garmin60CSX, Delorme PN60 and the Oregon 450.
First I need coastal waterways, not more than a few miles offshore. I would like satellite imagery for some hiking.
Could I donwload maps from this website or others? Of course saving money on maps would be nice.
Those are my primary uses. I have another GPS in my cars.
What would be suggested without breaking the bank?

Neal
Miami, FL
Title: Re: GPS under $200 and definately under $300
Post by: Boyd on December 14, 2010, 12:21:19 PM
No aerial imagery for the 60csx, it's an older design. This site really only offers maps for Garmin units, so it's probably the wrong place to look for opinions on DeLorme units.

The Oregon 450 just dropped to $250 today at GPSCity, one of the best prices ever (they had a Black Friday sale at $230 which was the all time low).

I don't think you will find many, if any, marine maps here. Garmin sells them however. I haven't used DeLorme, but know you can download marine maps as part of their subscription service.

For aerial imagery, your best bet will be Garmin BirdsEye on the Oregon which costs $30 for all you can download. Quality is excellent in my area, but they use different providers so this might not be the same for you.

The Garmin Dakota 20 was on sale for $170 for Black Friday. Don't know what kind of deals you will find at the moment, but I tend to think the Oregon 450 is the best deal at the moment, and arguably the best model Garmin has made.
Title: Re: GPS under $200 and definately under $300
Post by: Indrid Cold on December 14, 2010, 02:04:48 PM
Get the Oregon 450 as Boyde has suggested.

I remember reading a post on DeLorem's forum where a boater from Florida bought their map subscription and ther was a problem with a chart he had loaded and was in desperate need of resolving. The reply was that maybe NOAA had a problem with the RNC, tuff luck, too bad. The issue was never resolved and I always wonder what happed to the guy, hpe he's not in Davie Jones locker. I would stay away from DeLorme in a boat, on the water around Florida and elsewhere.
Title: Re: GPS under $200 and definately under $300
Post by: Neal on December 14, 2010, 04:03:31 PM
So if I go for the Oregon 450, which only has basemaps. Can I download maps on this site for the cities, topo etc. or do I need to purchase additional software?
Title: Re: GPS under $200 and definately under $300
Post by: babj615 on December 14, 2010, 04:13:50 PM
Quote from: Neal on December 14, 2010, 04:03:31 PM
So if I go for the Oregon 450, which only has basemaps. Can I download maps on this site for the cities, topo etc. or do I need to purchase additional software?

Use them directly from this site! Any that end in .img are good to go for the Oregon Series!
Title: Re: GPS under $200 and definately under $300
Post by: Indrid Cold on December 14, 2010, 04:34:48 PM
Quote from: Neal on December 14, 2010, 04:03:31 PM
So if I go for the Oregon 450, which only has basemaps. Can I download maps on this site for the cities, topo etc. or do I need to purchase additional software?
Yes you can, you can use the Custom Garmin Maps and vertor maps off this site with that unit.
Title: Re: GPS under $200 and definately under $300
Post by: maps4gps on December 14, 2010, 06:25:36 PM
Take a look at the Florida Topo.  JBensman recently added some aids to navigation for Florida to one of his my..... overlay mapsets.  Download these and use MapSource or download BaseCamp from Garmin to view these mapsets (unfortunately Garmin's software only allows viewing one at a time).   

QuoteCould I donwload maps from this website or others?
The Welcome section on the front page mentions this site has 388 maps available for download.
Title: Re: GPS under $200 and definately under $300
Post by: babj615 on January 13, 2011, 07:28:40 AM
Garmin Oregon 450 or 550 are best in class! 450 is only unit under $300.
Title: Re: GPS under $200 and definately under $300
Post by: foresterscott01 on February 14, 2011, 11:35:42 AM
Quote from: babj615 on January 13, 2011, 07:28:40 AM
Garmin Oregon 450 or 550 are best in class! 450 is only unit under $300.

Look for factory refurbs.  They are indistinguishable from new, come with a warranty, and you'll save $$$.  I just bought an Oregon 550 for $299 online.  Installed the free 24k topos from this site and used the savings for an SD card with City Nav 2011.30.

Scott
Title: Re: GPS under $200 and definately under $300
Post by: babj615 on February 14, 2011, 01:09:23 PM
foresterscott01, mind if I ask what website you purchased the refurb through?
Title: Re: GPS under $200 and definately under $300
Post by: Boyd on February 14, 2011, 02:46:45 PM
Oregon 550 is currently on sale (new) at REI for $339.93, which is actually cheaper than their price on the 450 ($349.95): http://www.rei.com/product/782640

Oregon 450 is $317.68 at Amazon.
Title: Re: GPS under $200 and definately under $300
Post by: foresterscott01 on February 15, 2011, 06:03:20 AM
Quote from: babj615 on February 14, 2011, 01:09:23 PM
foresterscott01, mind if I ask what website you purchased the refurb through?

eBay-  I can try to find the guy's page if you are interested.  He had quite a few last month but was selling them very fast at $299.00

Scott
Title: Re: GPS under $200 and definately under $300
Post by: woodstramp on February 19, 2011, 01:39:08 PM
I know this is a Garmin-centric website, but if you can ignore less than great battery life and smaller screens (compared to Garmins) the Delorme PN's have some sweet map options. You get some freebie downloads with a new unit, but large downloads reguire a $30/year subscription. If your boat has a 12v cigarette outlet, then power would not be a problem.  The PN's have a waterproof power/data connection on back.

You mention coastal charts.  That is one downloadable map option for the Delormes.   I've used all the imagery/map types  from Delorme and have never really had an issue (aside initial learning curve with the Topo software).  Even the NOAA bay charts of Mobile Bay (Alabama).  Everywhere I went in that bay area looked accurate.  The coastal charts even overlap with adjoining ones.  I've mostly used the USGS topo and aerials and aside from age of the imagery, there have been no issues with the maps.

Quote from: Neal on December 14, 2010, 10:49:20 AM
I am trying to choose between the Garmin60CSX, Delorme PN60 and the Oregon 450.
First I need coastal waterways, not more than a few miles offshore. I would like satellite imagery for some hiking.
Could I donwload maps from this website or others? Of course saving money on maps would be nice.
Those are my primary uses. I have another GPS in my cars.
What would be suggested without breaking the bank?

Neal
Miami, FL