Buying A Used GPS Receiver

Used receivers in thrift stores, estate sales and auctions are generally overpriced and outdated. I have seen many used or re manufactured receivers fail during classes that I teach.

If the hiker is in need of a back-up receiver here is what I would suggest:

·       Keep an eye on the blog www.gpstracklog.com.  The blogger keeps an up to date site on what is happening in the world of GPS receivers.

·      Identify what models are of interest and then visit Ebay, Amazon and WalMart.com to get a price baseline.

·      Get a relatively current model.  For example, Garmin models such as the 60 or eTrek series should have the following nomenclature next to the model name such as H, or HCx (Garmin GPSmap60CX.)

·      A receiver is in reality a hi-tech piece of equipment.  If the viewing screen is badly scratched or the case is cracked or showing signs of rough wear walk away from it.

·     Never buy a receiver without a demonstration.  Take some AA batteries with you when you go shopping.

·     The receiver should track satellites within a few minutes of being turned on and should be locked on, ready to navigate in 4-6 minutes (ball park estimate.)

·      Determine how much mapping capability it has.  For example, my old Garmin GPSmap60 receiver had the capability to store 100 mega bites of data which approximated to about half of the state of Oregon.  Receivers with micro SD cards offer more capability.

·       Retain all paper work and warranty info supporting re-manufactured product.

Smartphone Navigation Apps

It's common in my navigation classes to be asked - what is better, a standalone GPS

receiver (such as a Garmin 64) or smartphone navigation apps?

Philip Werner's blog has a fine post that takes a look at what hikers are using on the trail for backcountry navigation. His post offers a survey of what is most common in the hiking community.

I was gratified to see that a large majority use a traditional paper map and compass.

Smartphone navigation App use is large and from my perspective getting larger.

Thoughtfully, Mr. Werner provides a nice listing of popular smartphone navigation app.

Personally, I'll stick with my waterproof and reliable Garmin 64s.



Considerations When Buying a GPS -

Navigation Book to Read

Recently, one of my students showed me a book by Greg Davenport. This was a new one for me.   Davenport's book Advanced Outdoor Navigation is a great read.

This book is very detailed and is an excellent resource for the backcountry navigator.  I found a copy on Amazon.  My copy was printed in 2006.  The GPS section needs to be brought up to date.  

I wish it was still in print as I'd use it as the required reading material in my next class.

Wilderness Survival: You're Lost

I came across Ryan Tipps' post on Outdoorhub today.  This material can not be repeated often enough.

"Face it – getting lost happens to the best of us. Maybe you were tracking an injured buck too long; maybe the batteries on your GPS gave out; or maybe you hadn’t brushed up on your map and compass skills like you planned. Bottom line: You are where you are – wherever that may be."