Choosing The Best Geocaching GPS For You

1. How easy is it to see the information on the screen? You want a reasonably sized screen, good contrast, and, especially for color screens, you want transreflective properties which makes it easier to read the screen in bright sunlight.

2. How quickly and accurately does the gps lock onto satellite signals? Can you continue to receive guidance through tree cover, through the windscreen of your car, or while your gps is secured inside your travel pack or pocket? For this, you want your gps to have 12 parallel channels. You may need an external antenna although it's not always necessary. You may want your gps to be WAAS-enabled, to pinpoint cache positions with more accuracy, again that's not always absolutely necessary. A compass will often help to pinpoint your cache when you're close. As may an altimeter, especially if the cache is at a higher or lower level than you.

3. How easy is it to make sense of the information you receive? To easily understand the info so you can find caches and not get lost? You want your gps to, at the very least, mark cache locations and significant points along the way (waypoints, they are called) - as if you were laying a trail of breadcrumbs. You want to be able to store at least 500 waypoints. At the other end of the scale, you may find it a lot more useful to have detailed, 3D maps.

4. How comfortable is it to carry about with you? You want your gps to be small and lightweight.

5. Is it waterproof? You're very likely to get wet while out on your hunts. Plastic bags and boxes can give some protection, but you want the gps to be waterproof to start with.

6. Decent battery life? The longer the better. Because you obviously don't want your gps to die on you. When considering which gps to get, you will find you have to weigh up lightness, cost, convenience and battery-life. Here are some thoughts:

• If the gps you decide to go for is perfect in every way except that the battery appears to last just 6-7 hours, you'll usually find these are small, light, relatively inexpensive batteries. So it's easy to carry a spare set with you (of course you must correct me if you think I'm wrong).


• With some gps' you have the option to use a cigarette lighter power cable to charge up and save the battery.


• A solar charger may extend battery life while you are out and about.


• Very roughly speaking, the longer the gps' batteries last, the heavier the gps gets.

7. Is it rugged? It will encounter lots of knocks and falls.

8. Is it waterproof? At some point it will get wet.

How do they measure up?

This teeny-weeny powerbomb is surprisingly quick and accurate. Even through trees. It's as light as a handful of grapes, easy to use and tough.

At first you might be a little put off by the fact that it does not display detailed maps. However, it does map out your route clearly, shows you clear landmarks, and sets breadcrumbs along your way so you always know where you've been.

This Garmin 201 is a superb basic GPS if you are a new geocacher, or if you just want a simple, high-performance, robust gps. And if you don't want to be doing with too many extra bits and pieces (Having said so, once your mission's complete, you can play the interactive outdoor games that are included!).

It's brilliant for the kids, too.

Comparing the Garmin 201 to our checklist:

1 Screen
Good contrast? Yes
Easy-to-read (size)? Yes
Easy-to-read in sunlight? Yes

2 Speed and accuracy
12-channels? Yes
Quick finding position? Yes
Accurate? Yes
Accurate under cover (eg trees)? Yes (moderate)

3 Usable info/ Mapping
Waypoints? Yes (up to 500)
Routes? Yes (up to 20)
Detailed maps? No
Upload data via computer? Yes

4 Comfort
Small? Yes
Light? Yes (like a large carrot)

5 Waterproof? Yes

6 Battery life? Okay (You get 6 - 8 hours use in 'battery save' mode. Take spares)

7 Rugged/ Hardy? Yes

8 Easy to learn to use? Yes

9 Extras: Outdoor games, compass, altimeter

Overall tally for the Garmin 201 = 16/21

You'll get more details and comments from Garmin 201 users here.

If you know you'll definitely be geocaching for a while,
If you're looking to upgrade from say the Geko 201 we discussed above
If you're looking for extreme, death-grip-like, satellite-lock from your gps,
You must look at this.

The Garmin Gmaps 60CSx locks unto several satellites from almost anywhere. So as you hunt for the cache, you'll have no concerns about going through woods and forests. You'll still be locked on. If you have to slip your Gmaps 60CSx into your travel pack, or thick clouds take up residence in your sky, you'll be unconcerned. Because your satellite signal will still be locked on.

Comparing Gmaps 60CSx to our checklist:

1 Screen
Good contrast? Yes
Easy-to-read (size)? Yes
Easy-to-read in sunlight? Yes

2 Speed and accuracy
12-channels? Yes
Quick finding position? Yes
Accurate? Yes
Accurate under cover? Yes (Extremely)

3 Usable info/ Mapping
Waypoints? Yes (up to 1000)
Routes? Yes (up to 20)
Detailed maps? Yes (Comes with basemaps AND you can slot in generous memory cards with very detailed maps)
Upload data via computer? Yes

4 Comfort
Small? Yes
Light? Yes (as a large apple)

5 Waterproof? Yes

6 Battery life? Excellent (You can get 18-20 hours)

7 Rugged/ Hardy? Yes

8 Easy to learn to use? Yes

9 Extras: Removable memory (for maps), special geocaching manager, GPS games, compass, altimeter, outdoor calendar

Overall tally for Garmin Gmaps 60CSx = 20/21

You'll get more details and comments from Gmaps 60CSx users here.

The Garmin Colorado 400t Geocaching gps feels like the 60CSx (see above) but ... with enough extra pizzazz to make it that much more fun.

You can sooooo easily go from on-road/in-car navigation mode, to off-road/ geocaching mode, to compass, as you hone in on your target.

Its dedicated geocacher package is sweet, sweet, sweet.

It's easier to use, when out and about, with it's funky rock and roll control wheel.

Lined up against our checklist:

1 Screen
Good contrast? Yes
Easy-to-read (size)? Yes
Easy-to-read in sunlight? Yes

2 Speed and accuracy
12-channels? Yes
Quick finding position? Yes
Accurate? Yes
Accurate under cover? Yes (Extremely)

3 Usable info/ Mapping
Waypoints? Yes (up to 1000)
Routes? Yes (up to 50)
Detailed maps? Yes (Comes with worldwide basemap AND pre-loaded 3D U.S. topographic map AND you can slot in memory cards with more maps)
Upload data via computer? Yes

4 Comfort
Small? Yes
Light? Yes (weighs about the same as the 60CSx)

5 Waterproof? Yes

6 Battery life? Excellent (You can get 14-16 hours. But take spares.)

7 Rugged/ Hardy? Yes

8 Easy to learn to use? Yes

9 Extras: Special geocaching manager, share geocaching info wirelessly, GPS games, compass, altimeter, outdoor calendar

Overall tally for the Garmin Colorado 400t Geocaching gps = 21/21

You'll get more details and comments from Garmin 400t users here.

The Garmin 201 is a fine piece of kit. It's always surprising it's so good at gps-ing. Perhaps because it's so small and so inexpensive.

You need to be aware, though, the display is a bit like a hand-drawn route. If you find it difficult to get a sense of where you are, from that, then the 201 is of no use to you.

Of the three devices that we have reviewed here, the 201 has by far the least battery life. As I pointed out, it's really not too hard to throw a spare set of batteries into your pack. And, while changing batteries, you don't lose any information. However, if this makes you at all nervous, it's worth looking at another gps.

After all you want to let go and enjoy yourself, not take completely avoidable worries with you.

Not so?

Garmin Gmaps 60CSx's phenomenal satellite lock + loooooong battery life = finding caches, having fun, and being totally care-free while you hunt.

The reason it doesn't score quite as highly as the Colorado 400t is because the Colorado comes with a formidable suite of maps already on-board.

To get anything other than the basemaps that come with the Gmaps 60CSx, you need to buy extra maps.

The Garmin Colorado 400t has the edge on the 60CSx.

You'll definitely appreciate the Colorado 400t over the 60CSx ...

• If as a general rule, you get irresistible urges to upgrade your electronics so you can get an additional couple of ultra-delicious features


• If being able to download geocaches directly, not having to mess around with computers and cables, would significantly save you time or stress


• If for every geocache location you download, being able to also download the associated information about the terrain, hints, etc., would enrich your adventure


• If being able to log your cache finds directly on the geocaching.com website, from your unit, rocks your world and opens up exciting competitive possibilities


• If being able to share geocaching information with (Colorado-wielding) friends, just by pressing a button, could mean enjoyable group hunts


• If you struggle with orienteering or map-reading (and please no quips about looking for alternative hobbies). This gps is like a very kind, very patient guide who sneaks you into the holo-suite to show you where you are, the way the land lies, ...

Beware, though, having all of this could ensure that you remain hooked on geocaching for a very long time.

However, if these add nothing to your geocaching experience, the 60CSx is supremely able and may be the one for you.

The Garmin eTrex H is small, quick and accurate.

It has some things in common with the Geko 201: It's small, light and strong. However, it is more tenacious than the Geko. It holds it's satellite lock even in the woods, even when you are surrounded by hills, even in the midst of tall buildings.

That alone... No, that aaaaand it's price make it very attractive for geocachers.

However, it's a bit of a faff entering waypoints manually. You may not mind, but in case you do, you need to know that it doesn't come with PC cables. You'll need to get a serial-to-USB cable as well.

So on to the checklist...

1 Screen
Good contrast? Yes
Easy-to-read (size)? Yes
Easy-to-read in sunlight? Yes

2 Speed and accuracy
12-channels? Yes
Quick finding position? Yes
Accurate? Yes
Accurate under cover? Yes (even in pocket)

3 Usable info/ Mapping
Waypoints? Yes (up to 500)
Routes? Yes (up to 20)
Detailed maps? No
Upload data via computer? Yes (you have to buy the cable, though, doesn't take data cards)

4 Comfort
Small? Yes
Light? Yes (similar to Geko 201))

5 Waterproof? Yes

6 Battery life? Excellent (at up to 17/18 hours, it beats the Geko 201 and starts rubbing shoulders with the Garmin 60CSx)

7 Rugged/ Hardy? Yes

8 Easy to learn to use? Yes

9 Extras: wrist strap

Overall tally for Garmin eTrek H = 18/21

You'll get more details and comments from Garmin eTrex H users Garmin eTrex H

The Garmin eTrex H seems to nudge past the Geko 201.

What do you think?

We do need to remember that it has no maps, no PC cable, you can enter waypoints manually but a lot of people find it irksome.

But it is robust and won't let go of the satellite signal easily.

These maps are rich, detailed, and accurate, similar to 1:24,000 scale USGS maps. You can search them by points of interest such as lakes, cities, camp-sites, etc. They contain many rout-able trails, rural roads, city neighborhood roads, major highways and interstates. When going off-road, though, users of both maps, do recommend you first check that your trail does appear. The DVD version appears to have more trails loaded up.


TOPO U.S. 24K West on DVD


TOPO U.S. 24K West on MicroSD/SD Card

The Differences

• When you look at these DVD maps on your PC, you can do all sorts of things like: zoom, rotate or tilt. You can't with the SD Card version.


• You also get BaseCamp%u2122 software for managing data on your GPS and computer. So you can pre-plan trips on your PC, download waypoints, routes & tracks to your GPS, play back routes and tracks, geotag photos and more. Again, you can't do these things with the SD Card version.


• The DVD covers Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada. The SD Card age covers California and Nevada.


• You transfer your data from the DVD, via your PC and USB cable to your GPS. It's more straightforward with the SD Card. You just slide the card in, switch on, and you're done. It'll take the GPS a few minutes to set the map up.

Click here to get more details about TOPO U.S. 24K West on MicroSD/SD Card

Click here for more on TOPO U.S. 24K West on DVD