Geez! I bought a Garmin GPS III+ several years ago. I didn't ever use it to it's fullest admittedly. But looking at what's available now. WOW there are some features. The question is, should I upgrade, or use what I have? I know what my wallet says.
Outdated GPS?
- Thread starter green73
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all the new wiz bang features in handheld gps are just software. there will be no difference in the "quality" of the location coordinate between yours and the new fancy ones. If you like wiz bangs, get a new one. If you only use it for coordinate location you are good to go.
My $100 Garmin Etrex Venture gives me UTM and Lat Lon at the same time. What else do you need?
A little girls voice to tell you when to turn?
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The one BIG reason for getting a new GPS is to pick one up with the SIRF III chipset. It is AMAZING how well it can lock & track satellites even under tree cover.
I have several Garmins (12XL, V etc) with the Garmin GPS engines and they suck compared to a SIRF III based GPS. I've hiking in tree covered areas where the Garmin V can get a fix if you are very lucky and you don't move and you are just in the right clearing etc etc. Same trail with a SIRF III based GPS and I can have a tracklog nearly the entire trail.
Even Garmin has switched to using the SIRF III engines in their newer range of GPS units...
So, yes, if nothing else, that is one BIG reason to upgrade.
I've used older non-mapping GPS units (back to the first Magellan Nav1000) and they are fine (lat/long etc) IF you have maps or a laptop with moving map software AND can get a satellite fix (at least 3 GPS satellites). The new units that have detailed topo maps AND the SIRF III will make you wonder why you bothered with all the old junk.
cheers,
george.
MoJ
Moderator
If you're using it only for street use than buying new is probably the way to go. I've seen the Garmin Nuvi 250 for $150 preloaded with all the software. It's much smaller and more user friendly than previous generation models not to mention hundreds cheaper.
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I was thinking they have done something to improve reception on these things recently. I rather like my old model, but initializing it takes a long time. I guess I'll just keep it. That sexy voice thing drives me batty on those ones that have it. Another mark for keeping mine.
I have a GPS III+ that I use. What I like about it is I use it in my brand X 4x4 when I go off-roading. My trail vehicle is not very secure. If the GPS gets stolen, then I feel like I got my money's worth out it. I have had my III+ for several years, and it is just a solid reliable device.
To add to George's comment on the SiRFstarIII has -160dBm sensitivity and up to 20 channels. This is a huge improvement from some of the earlier generation of GPS chips and can improve the accuracy under marginal conditions such as obstruction from trees and canyons.
The SiRFstarIII also supports the ephemeris data that aids in time-to-first-fix. Instead of waiting a few minutes for a cold start, the TTFF can be reduced to under 20 seconds.
The SiRFstarIII also supports the ephemeris data that aids in time-to-first-fix. Instead of waiting a few minutes for a cold start, the TTFF can be reduced to under 20 seconds.