geko 201 and 301

blackadder108 · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 22, 2004 Posts: 2

I've finally decided to get a hand held gps,i've decided that the garmin series are the ones i would like espcially the geko's i have some questions about them sorry if there dumb but i'm a total newbie,are the geko's compatible with memory map? and would i notice any difference with the 201 compared to the 301,or would the etrex series be a better option?,i'm going to be using it for hill walking in the uk so any info would be appreciated.

Ste

revhigh · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 14, 2004 Posts: 13

Without knowing what you plan on using the GPS for, this is what I can tell you.

The gekos do not have internal map memory; it's not a mapping handheld.

The main differences between the 201 and the 301 are: The 301 "has all the features of the Geko 201, plus an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter. The compass provides bearing information while you're standing still, and the altimeter determines your precise altitude and provides a 12-hour pressure-trend tool for gauging changing weather conditions."

I upgraded from a Geko 201 to an eTrex vista so I can give you my general opinion.

The eTrex line isn't better than the gekos unless you get the higher end eTrex models (in fact, the lower end eTrex models have less features than the 201). If you were considering the Geko 301, you should consider the eTrex vista for a few $ more. The Vista has all the features of the 301 with much more and 24MB mapping memory and a much higher resolution screen. If you're loking for a walking/hiking gps, the vista's compact size is a very nice feature but the small screen is a bit hard to read at times. The only real complaint I have with the vista is the lack of expandable memory.

Hope that helped.

revhigh · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 14, 2004 Posts: 13

http://www.garmin.com/outdoor/compare.jsp

Try that.

blackadder108 · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 22, 2004 Posts: 2

Thanks for the info revhigh i was at my outdoor shop yesterday and they said the geko's where really poor ay getting a signal they said that they waited 15mins and that i could'nt go wrong with the venture or the gps76 well now i'm really stumped!!! i'm only going to use it for walking so one with city maps in the memory would be pretty useless no point on buying something with features i'm not going to use,i am looking to get one with waas so backto the drawing board!!!

Ste

revhigh · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 14, 2004 Posts: 13

The only time I had a problem with the Geko and signal strength is under heavy tree cover. I havn't been to that same place with my Vista so I can't tell you how they compare but I have gone under some different med/heavy tree cover and the Vista worked just fine. The geko is very basic in every way and the screen resolution is weak.

The GPS 76 has the quad-helix antenna which is supposed to be a little better but the 76 is also bigger than the eTrex line and includes many "marine" applications which you probably wont use.

From the eTrex line and in that same price range, I would look at the Legend and the Summit as well as the Venture. If you are using it strictly for walking, the Summit has an electronic compass that might be of some use but no basemap which you said you don't need and no WAAS. The Legend has more memory for routes, tracks and trackpoints and has a thumb stick which is a nice little feature....So many choices, so many choices.

Hope that helps, good luck choosing. Any more questions, ask away.

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