I would like to take a GPS into the BWCA on my next trip as backup to my maps and compass. I have never used a GPS before so would like something fairly simple and applicable for use in the BWCA and canoe travel. Some of the Garmin models look good but they are all quite confusing with so many different models. Any suggestions? Would like to keep price below $300 or so. Thanks.

i have the Dakota Garmin. Bought the Red Pine BWCA maps for it as well. Worked well once we figured it out. We just use it to confirm our location and to locate those hard to find portage entry's. Very accurate.

I have a Delorme PN 40 and like it and have been thinking about upgrading to a PN 60. I do like all of the things that I can do with it such as keeping a detailed map of our travels and total miles and travel time for my trip reports. I also like the map software for trip planning on the computer here at home.

While I still use maps, it's nice to be able to double check sometimes. One year we needed to make up some time after being wind bound for several days and when we could finally get on the water, fog had set in. We got about a two hour jump start by using the GPS. It was a long day of 17 1/2 miles that day and without it it would have been an even longer day.

I will say again it they all have a learning curve so you will need to get it early and play with it for awhile.

GPS functions seem to vary widely. For some unknown reason I bought a Garmin E-trex for under $100 years ago and carry it. It does not have maps but does return coordinates so I can pin point my location on a McKenzie or Fisher map. Of the half dozen or dozen times I've used it, only twice was I other than where I thought.

If you want one with electronic maps and such, listen to others!

Sorry this won't get you in for under $300, but I love my Garmin GPSMAP 62st with the Garmin Upper Midwest Fishing Guide microchip installed and the free Arch Harris portage and campsite data downloaded. I find that having the Garmin BaseCamp software installed on my iMac is most helpful, also.

Do a search on this site for a lot of helpful threads.

Thinking about the Garmin 62s or the ETrex 30. Any opinions on which might be a better fit for a BWCA trip? Thanks. Have read many of these threads but the volume of information is difficult to absorb. Not looking for anything overly complicated, just something reliable and easy to use.

I have a Delorme PN-40 as well, right now if you go to their website they are selling refurbished PN-60 for $225 and PN-60 with satellite communication for $275.
You can find new PN-60 for under 300 elsewhere.

kevins: Comparing those two units, the GPSMAP 62s is a bit larger and heavier but that also provides a larger display. I guess I've never found myself cursing those extra 4 oz. The eTrex 30 specs claim a 25% longer battery life, and that would be great. I've gone 2 long travel days on one set of Energizer Ultimate Lithiums with my 62st, but more is always better.

One thing I like about the 62 series for canoeing is having the buttons on the front vs the eTrex's buttons on the sides. When underway and having the unit mounted to a canoe thwart with a RAM mount, I want to be able to zoom in or change screens or check something else without searching for the right buttons. Of course, it's all what you get used to. The faster USB connection on the 62s might be something you appreciate once you get into a lot of waypoint, route, or map transfers, etc. although the eTrex 30 features wireless data sharing.

Searching around for sales will probably allow you to narrow that $150 MSRP difference, as I believe the eTrex 30 is a newer model and the 62 series could probably be found with some deeper discounting this year.

Over the 62 and Etrex30, I'd suggest the ETrex 20, cheaper and much the same feature set without the compass and barometer. You can roll your own maps or buy Garmin maps/Red Pine Paddle Nav map, and be set to go.
The GPS62st/ETrex30/Delorme PN60, are costlier and carry a larger feature set that you might not use.

butthead

You might also consider the Garmin 62. It doesn't have a card slot but still packs 1.7 gb of internal memory which is more than I will ever use. I picked mine up used on eBay and loaded it with free maps from gpsfiledepot.com and .gpx data from Arch Harris. Couldn't be happier.