How's my GPS for beginer

[Hargus]

Hello,
       I got a GPS several years ago as a gift and never really used it like I could. I've recently found out about geocaching. My question is since my unit is a couple of years older I was wondering about the advances GPSr have made.
 My unit is an Garmin GPS III plus. I am aware that my unit is discontinued and it has a small memory but it seems to still have the common features I've read about. I'm a beginer and have alot to learn. Thanks.

[wavery]

Hello,
       I got a GPS several years ago as a gift and never really used it like I could. I've recently found out about geocaching. My question is since my unit is a couple of years older I was wondering about the advances GPSr have made.
 My unit is an Garmin GPS III plus. I am aware that my unit is discontinued and it has a small memory but it seems to still have the common features I've read about. I'm a beginer and have alot to learn. Thanks.

It's not the GPS technology that has changed much over the years. It is the computer software and almost unlimited storage capacity that has changed.

I started using Sat-Nav (1st generation GPS) technology on my yacht in 1984. Of course, that was for ocean sailing and it's accuracy and dependability was limited because it depended on low orbiting Satellites. In the early 90's the US deployed a system of high orbiting satellites that could give you unlimited communication ability and because of the # of satellites that you can communicate with at once, the accuracy became close enough to even do land survey work. The claim is that they are accurate to within 3'. In reality, they are often accurate to within 1".

This accuracy is what makes them a viable tool for hikers and street oriented mapping systems. The software for those systems started out quite cumbersome but are now being finally refined expanded as memory and storage capabilities become more sophisticated.

At one time, GPS was thought to have questionable accuracy because people would often find themselves far away from where their computerized mapping system said they were. In actuality, the GPS was dead on but the map was wrong. Since the late 90's, all mapping and surveying is done with GPS technology and you will find yourself in the correct place if you have an updated mapping system. If not.......HMMMMM! Good luck.

[OGCG]

How old is old? 4 - 5 years old.?
I would try it anyway..
My Garmin etrex is 1 1/2 years old,use it weekly,no problems..
If your new to Geocaching,go for the ammo cans first! ,
stay away from the micros ,way to hard,,have fun,good luck/

[chip]

We have two of the Garmin GPS III plus units in my office that we use for roadside feature location (guardrails, trees, etc.).  Works well for that application.  Would work well for geocaching, too.  Even has some basic roads programmed into the unit as well to use for navigating.  It's not supported by Garmin, but if you need it, I have .pdf's for the user manual.

My personal GPS is a Magellan 4000X that I bought in 1998.  Works well for geocaching and land navigation.

Now all I need is some more time to spend out finding caches...

[Hargus]

Thanks Chip,
                 Getting started is confusing on anything. I have the manual that came with it, I'm just trying to get used to using the GPS itself. Like any electric toy that's out there these days it got more features than you would ever use. I was wondering since it was an older model (made in maybe 1999, I know it's discontinued by Garmin now) if there were features that made it easier for geocaching. But the more I read I see the features are about the same all around. Chip, since you had the GPS III + in your office why did you opt for another model and brand. I'll be asking for some geocaching books and etc for Christmas.
Thanks all.

[chip]

I actually bought the Garmin units for my office some time after I bought mine.  It was actually a matter of convenience at work--I was buying a bunch of other supplies and hadn't reached my $limit.  

I bought my Magellen as a toy, to be used for hiking, cycling and backpacking.  Then I discovered the Geocaching site.

I take my Magellan along whenever I go camping and attempt to find any caches in the area.  That works as long as DW doesn't have other plans...

Garmin has a group of accessories for that unit still available.  Handlebar mounts, 12V adapters, serial port connectors to connect to the computer.  It's all gangs of fun.

[o2jmpr]

Any GPS will do, they all have essentially the same accuracy.  Just get the one that you find easiest to navigate the features on.  Many places you buy them from will have demo models (or you can look online for demos) .  You will find when geocaching that you really only use the GPS to get you in the general area.  Say within 10-20 feet.  Then after you do a few, you will start to figure out where they are by things that are out of place.  ie. tufts of leaves, branches that are piled up.  odd looking stumps and tattered branches etc.   Just get the one you like and fits the budget and get out there!!!  

[fritz_monroe]

I know some folks that geocached with a Garmin III.  Seemed to work fine.  As someone pointed out, the big changes are in the software and memory.  I have a Magellan SporTrak Map and have used it for about 3 years.  If I was getting a new model, it would probably be a Garmin 60 series.  They have added in features just for geocaching.

Forget about the geocaching books.  Get out there and try to find a couple.  Check to see if there is an active organization in your area.  What I did was contact MD GPS and arranged for one of their more active members to take me caching in a park that had many different types of caches.  It was a lot of fun and I've been doing it ever since.