Suggestions on a handheld GPS

[Wayne SW/MO]

Is it worth the extra money to get one with the SD card slot?

I would say yes, because without it you probably won't be able to upgrade or add detailed maps of new areas. I believe one of the companies that maps TR is working on a 1' map now, at least thats what I've heard.

There are places to save a lot of money on units, when you decide.

[fishin'chemteacher]

I would spend the extra money and get the SD card model. I have Garmin Vista C and a Legend non-color neither have SD card. Both are now discontinued (only 24 MB and 8 MB of memory). Most of the older non SD card models of Garmin are being discontinued. I added Central and East Lakes and fishing hot spots CD that have most of the lakes in those areas including South MO. I use this all the time on my boat marking waypoints where fish were caught and it has fairly accurate depths on the lake from the topos. If you go to big water a GPS can be a life-saver. Advantage of SD card is that you don't have to erase old maps and reload from your computer. If you stay in only one area that is no problem though; just keep your local map in the memory. I also use my gps for geocaching which has been really fun and has really become popular with loads of people. Watch for specials at different places including e-bay. You can get some good prices.

[yummysmokedham]

I went ahead and bought a Magallen eXplorist 500 LE, I was able to find some good reviews for it on the internet and it was about the cheapest color unit I was able to find that had the SD card capability. What do you guys think about the Magallen units? What mapping software should I purchase?

[Dutch]

What software is available for that model? I have topo and streets for mine but they may be too old for your unit. I use them all the time and also have an SD card with 95 lake topos on it.

[Steve Smith]

http://www.magellangps.com/

Dutch. These folks are who I purchased my chips from. Find out exactly what you want then Google for the best price. I preferred the chip in lieu of the downloaded software install.

[carcione]

i have a garmin legend cx and wouldnt trade it for anything. i use it for everything, hunting,fishing, and traveling. i bought my dad one and he uses it for is business to track milage and time for taxes. very easy to use and it also takes the sd cards. i suggest buying the computer programs and not the programed cards. the computer programs can be transfered from computer to gps and back again the cards can not. if you get the card you can only look at the maps on your gps. i looked at several before i decided on the garmin. it just all depends on what your planning on useing for. i got mine at basspro for around $230. the programs run $100 each but are well worth it. go to your local retaler and ask alot of questions and get alot of brocures on the particuler gps model your looking at.

hope this helped

carcione