GPS Unit for Field Herping?

[Mercuri]

Hi everyone - I know several of my hiking buddies and herp-minded friends use a handheld GPS unit to record locations and map routes when wandering about. I was wondering if any of the members here have a suggestion regarding brand/type?

Do you feel that mapping is an essential feature or do you prefer a paper map + coordinate gps? I'm just trying to get a feel for what other people are using and find effective.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[paris]

i use magellan 500le, i like it since i can key in full text data to way points, it is interactive with my computer and i can upload topo and regional maps that have lots of water features like streams and spring heads programmed in to the extra software. unfortunately I cannot add to the data base new stuff, but with its upgradable memmory (i have a 1gb chip in mine) i can hold lots of data in my pocket. colour screens reportedly also are less likely to be effected by cold temps. most people use garmins but i do prefer mine. the unit is still around 200$ and the whole NA map 3 cd set is around 100. i also use it in my car as the maps have full streets and needed points (like the nearest McDonalds/hotels/hospitals....) with the software upgrade, lots of cool stuff but you have to use it a while to be proficent, it doesnt have ease out of the box -that is expexted when you have so many features and functions to learn.

 

[John]

I've been thinking of investing in one of these things for similar reasons and hopefully for car navigation too. $200 doesn't seem to bad.