I am just starting to look around at GPS devices. Anyone have any recommendations for units under $200. Am I wasting my money going with this cheap of a GPS? I want something that can track my route, get me back to my car, and have the ability to save routes. It would be nice to have topography maps that show water. hills, etc.., but its not a must.

I havent seen one, im in the middle of the great debate, ive ordered the garmin 60cx but im attracted to the new Earthmate 40.
Problem is apprently only delorme maps will work on it , which is great for the US but i go to europe everynow and again.
I really want good topo maps and satillite imagry as well.
And i want to be able to use other online maps .
Its hard to get into, Dan will chime in , he knows alot.

Garmin 60cx is around $250 so that is close to my budget. I just need to stay away from the $500 one's.

I paid 303 plus shipping and a ram mount and plug for the cig lighter.
On http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-gpsmap-60csx-with-2gb.html
Dan said it was good ,Where should i get the maps for it ?

Their 100x map looks pitaful compared to delormes maps,
Also will the 60cx display sat. immagry like the earth mate 40 will.
I really like that function while out riding, possibly just as a novelity.

Lastly i hear the earthmate will only use earthmate maps period .
I was thinking that would make it incompatable for downloading trails and data like Dan has compiled.
For our CO trip Charles Wells has several guide books and he has entered all the way points of every trail available for free on his web site .
I would deffinatly not want any GPS that was not compatable with the format that he used .

I do know he used alot of delorme mapping soft ware but im awaiting an e mail from him on the topic.
What do you think Rooster ?

HOLY COW LOOK AT THIS , now is your chance only 239.00
http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-gpsmap-76cx.html

Im returning my 60 for sure as it hasent even been shipped possibly.

I totally agree with that Rooster, but man this baby is suweet.

http://www.singletracks.com/blog/gps/delorme-earthmate-pn-40-gps-review/

http://www.delorme.com/

In that site check some of the imagry.
Look here >>>

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10460&minisite=10020

Im not one try anything new and im sure it has problems, ive heard the battery runs out way fast.
I really like the old delorme topos.
They say the 40 is unreal but the earlier versions had problems.

230 is a great price for the garmin 74csx

As far as earthmate

I Kinda wish i would have never seen it
Read this about the trail sofware do any of you guys use topo usa ?

Trail routes
One of the best aspects of the Topo USA software is the extensive trail network. As a bonus, those trails are routable! Place a starting point at a trailhead, pick your ending point, add via points, and the device will create a route that follows an existing trail network. This will provide you with more realistic distance estimates, the ability to view a profile of the route to see just how steep it is, and you can share your trip plan over the internet with anyone that has web access.

Of course you can download those routes to your GPS and be able to monitor your progress along the trip with much greater precision than just bunch of long joined straight likes like you might do with other GPS devices.
at
http://www.gpsreview.net/delorme-pn-40/

Should I pull the trigger on that 76csx? Wouldn't the Garmin etrex do the job I need it to. Seems reasonably priced. Not sure if you can save your routes though.

Seems like you should , let those who know comment .
Im obsssed , spent like 12 hours researching.

And i can tell you in all seriousness that unit has been sold many a time for near 400 bucks.

I am also looking at one called the lowtrance h20. Looks like it has expandable memory and a built in compass which the etrex doesn't. And it is pretty cheap.