GPS

do handheld gps get closer to a waypoint than car gps?

I've been shopping around for handheld gps's that can get to a waypoint but also give turn by turn directions for driving. I only want to spend a max of $150 and that is appearing to be very challenging. I have found the Garmin eTrex Legend Cx for $150, but I think I'd have to pay extra for street directions that involve more than the interstate(correct me if I'm wrong). Will $150 or less buy a good portable GPS for a car that can handle waypoints like a handheld GPS?

Public Comments

1. I have 2 old Garmin gps units and one new one. I have an old legend and it is great for getting close to coords...the one I have does not have turn by turn. I also have Garmin V I don't think it is sold any longer but may be able to find one used. It does have turn by turn but if you change locations with either you will need to download maps since their memory is small. The newest one that I have is the Nuvi 200W. It has all of the lower 48 states downloaded and turn by turn with voice commands and I think it is super.....do not think it will get you as close to coords as other two if you are planning to use with Geocaching. I found the Nuvi on ebay for $145. Good luck.
2. The Legend Cx (and it successor Legend HCx) can autoroute, but you will have to buy maps separately for those units. It will cost $70-100, and the Legends don't speak directions to you. However, they will be more durable should you take them into the woods and off-road. The nuvi200 can be found for $150-200 and gives spoken directions. The Legend HCx is equally as good about getting to a waypoint as the nuvi 200. The difference is that the nuvi is more for car navigation. It has a pedestrian mode, but using that to get a waypoint is not as easy as using the Legend. The nuvi can have waypoints added to it by either using Garmin's POI Loader to load stuff from the computer, or by entering the waypoint on the nuvi manually.