I have the Garmin GPS 12 and it is a great unit. Very powerful with a lot of options, maybe too many. The eTrex is also very good and is simpler to use but doesn't have as many features as the 12 does.

If you are a casual user (hunter/fisherman) then almost any of the units on the market will be more than powerful enough. You just need to determine which whistles and bells you would like.

I have the National Geographic CD-ROM for Washington state. It has all the USGS topographic maps for the state in 1:24,000 scale which is pretty detailed. It is powered by the TOPO! software and cost about $100. It is also much more detailed than the maps in my printed version of the DeLorme Gazateer.




Edited by - The Mouse on 08/08/2002 00:29:28