My 1st GPS

[jwaterdawg]

I've been stung before and while it hurts like ****, I'm not allergic. However I really hate small flying things and you can't afford to be distracted while flying past a major international airport (San Francisco). So landing and getting the little bugger out of the cockpit was the prudent thing to do.

Oh, I think I misinterpreted your post. I was thinking Hornet as in the fighter jet. I thought you had violated some airspace somewhere and were forced to land. Glad everything worked out.

[ejs1097]

I have the Legend and it's a great GPS unit. I paid much much more then you did. the big question is what do you want to use it for? If your primary purpose is for hunting, hiking, boating, etc. this unit is great and can serve your car needs as well.

this unit is an upgrade from the Vista and has the compass, but it also has a ton more memory so you can store more map segments, etc. I also don't think the Vista has a base map, this one does.

I have the Topo maps and find it indispensable for hunting. You can use the topo maps for car navigation but doing routes will calculate in a straight route from point A to point B. You can navigate using the map and follow the road but the 'total' distance may be skewed. Most side roads aren't also named. It's great for knowing how far you are from a turn so you don't have to worry about missing a turn or exit. I prop it between the window and dashboard and can view it fine without taking my eyes off the road.

If you want to use it for the car, get the metro maps. besides it navigiating with every turn on the road, it has TONS of info on practically every exit off of every highway. you can plan out stops with it. It'll tell you if there's a McDonalds, Burger King, Exxon, BP, etc at every exit. Also does hotels. provides, addresses and phone numbers of these businesses.

Last week I was on a trip to California and downloaded the maps off the computer with routes from the airport to the hotel and office before I left Pittsburgh. I've never been in CA before. After I got my rental, I put it on the dashboard and it got me to my hotel, no worries of wrong turns or passing an exit.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

What will you be using it for? I think this unit is best for telling you where you are at and has some basic maps to follow. If you want one for your car then you may want one that will tell you when to turn. I got this unit 2 weeks ago for $200. https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=6384 The StreetPilot c320. Everything loads on an SD card. A one gig card will hold all of the maps of the US plus points of interest like ( every Rockler location or every Harbor Freight location).

Ya, what are you using it for? If its driving the Garmin Streetpilot is the heat. If you can get the C320 for $200 then go, go, go. I paid $219 for the i2 which is the B&W version 09/2006. I use it almost daily. As mentioned, 1 $10 1 gig card will hold the entire use. The system has voice alerts that tell you when to turn etc. It is really awesome. The only problem I have had is in the Reading PA area due to new construction around 222 etc. Other than that Philly, Pitt, MD, DC (awesome in DC!), WV, OH, CA, NV, FL, NC have all been winners!

[Thom2]

Thanks Guys
(even you peanut gallery members always good for a laugh)

My original intent was to buy a decent pedometer with the $50 gift card as the daughter and I have been trying to get out walking more and it would be nice to see how far we've actually been traveling. I've also had the intent for several years to purchase a low end GPS for geocaching and to take along on campouts etc. I figured now was the time to snag a GPS since it would take care of the primary problem and give me something that would do a little more, especially for traveling if/when the time comes to make our Pilgrimage to the Temple of the Sultan of Woodbine (Popeye ).

I'm not a traveler by any means and have never been any further west than Ohio or further south than NC. It is nice to know that this unit should have the capability to be of use if/when that time comes tho'.

I kinda jumped on it because of the price and started immediately wondering if I was going to experience buyers remorse and figured I'd better ask. It does sound to me like this unit will fit very well into my intended uses tho' and I'm a lot more comfortable about the purchase now, especially knowing that the price was worth jumping on.

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm looking forward to getting this unit and playing around with it. Time to call my geocacher buddy and make plans for training exercises