GPS

Best Handheld GPS unit for use at Glacier National Park? (under $200)?

I will be going to Glacier National Park and I want a GPS unit to aid my travel. I am currently looking at the Garmin GPS 60. From what I have read, it is non-mapping. I'm not really sure what that means... The reviews I have read are great. Q's 1. What does non-mapping mean (don't tell me it means it doesn't map, because I know it has a map on it) 2. Can someone suggest a handheld GPS unit for hiking (under $200)

Public Comments

1. Any of the less expensive Garmins will work fine for what you need. Just something to enter way points so you can backtrack. And the 60 is a good unit. Mine is and older Magellan 315, about 6 years old and still works without any issues. They can be hard on batteries, thus make sure you have plenty of spares. I think with the mapping you are referring to the fact the less expensive units will not let download maps for different areas. Mine will not.Which is a non issue for me, as I use it for hiking, backpacking. And again simply put in the waypoints. Erase them when no longer required..
2. 1) mapping GPS receivers display location information on road maps, marking your position in relation to highways, lakes, landmarks and cities while Non-mapping GPS receivers (or mapping GPS units with the map turned off) display your movements by laying down tracklogs and waypoints (position markers), then "connecting the dots" to show your path, allowing you to retrace your route, but there's no road-map underlay. Any of the Garmin units can be upgraded to be a mapping unit through software like Garmin City Navigator. 2) My family has used Garmin 60cx's for quite a while now and have never been unsatisfied with them. However thats a bit out of your budget. I would recommend a GPSr in Garmin's eTrex series (eTrex, eTrex Camo, Legend, Vista, etc.). They are small and excellent beginning units. Furthermore, Garmin's customer support leaves nothing to be desired. Stupid mistakes made by the user (such as leaving your GPS on the roof of your car) will typically be corrected by Garmin for approximately half of the retail price of the unit (quite often they even go so far as to send you a refurbished unit). Its a bit off-topic, but if you're looking at GPS units, you might also want to check out the "sport" Geocaching (www.geocaching.com). Even if it doesn't agree with you, there is an excellent community there that would be happy to help you with any problems you might have with your unit.