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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: GPS :: 64s or 64 st?

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carmike

01/07/2015 09:57AM

I'll definitely get it out a LOT before taking it on a trip or relying on it in any way. I've definitely got plenty to learn. :)

schweady

01/07/2015 03:57PM

I bought the 62st nearly 4 years ago because Cabela's was having a sale that brought the price to only $40 over the 62s. No-brainer. Upgrade to the st model.

Yes, you can download stuff to bring an s up to an st and purchase chips that provide topo detail that is a bit better for that particular area that you purchase, but I really didn't care. I am happy enough with the detail of the topo on the st that is offered anywhere that I take it and I still had the chip slot open to slip in the Garmin Upper Midwest Fishing Guide chip for lake depths... which I never take out. Fantastic bargain; too bad it looks like it is discontinued.

Yes, play with it everywhere you go for some time before thinking that you might use it as a primary navigational device. Great unit. Period. Have fun!

carmike

01/06/2015 11:14PM

Hello all,

A few months ago, I posted a question about buying a Garmin 62s because I'd seen them discounted at a local box store. I want a GPS as a backup when I'm out hiking the Kek, Border Route, Sioux/Hustler Trails, as well as for a backup when I'm out mushroom hunting in state parks.

Well, my parents bought me a 64s for Christmas. I'm actually a bit nervous about the gift, as I'm definitely NOT technologically savvy, and with a $300 price tag, I feel like I should get the use out of it that the price tag warrants. My parents are both retired, and that's a lot of money for them. I feel bad enough getting such a generous gift; I'll feel even worse if I don't use it to its potential.

I've begun doing some research online, and it seems like the topo maps that come with the 64st are pretty helpful. Apparently I can buy a chip that'll have them, or I can download a free one (I have no idea how to do so). My parents said I could get a different/upgraded unit if I wanted to, and I'd be happy to chip in the extra money if an upgrade made sense. I looked on Amazon, and the "st" model is $50 more.

Given my troglodytic technological tendencies, ought I buy the "st" model with the topo maps already installed? Or buy a chip and add them myself? Or just forget about them and use the model as is?

Savage Voyageur

01/07/2015 10:15AM

Yes, you will want to get out and use it before a trip many times. Most trips now I don't even take the maps out of the pack. With a moving topo map on the GPS I know where I am at all times. Just make sure you understand the units battery life, take extra power with. If you think you will use 4 batteries on a trip take 6 just to be sure.

butthead

01/07/2015 12:38AM

For $50 extra for an st version, it's the way I'd go. The mapset on a chip from Garmin is $100 bought separately. It's a very useful mapset. plus more memory on the unit.

Do not put it in your pocket for a backup, till after you have learned how to use it. Well enough to be comfortable with it as a primary navigation tool.

butthead

Savage Voyageur

01/07/2015 07:01AM

Nice gift for you. I had a 10000 topo when I got my latest GPS. This was good for the whole USA. I wanted more detail so I got the chip that was 24000 and more detail for upper Midwest. It just plugged into the slot, very easy.

butthead

01/07/2015 09:38AM

"Given my troglodytic technological tendencies, ought I buy the "st" model with the topo maps already installed? Or buy a chip and add them myself? Or just forget about them and use the model as is?"

Best answered by intended use. Just BWCA/Quetico, State coverage, geographical (ie, Great Lakes), continental, world, coverage.
100K Topo will cover North America with good detail.
24k Topo is much more area specific (multi state).
If you decide to get into computer map programs, Birds Eye subscription Sat Imagery/Topo Raster are nice.
Red Pine PadleNav is a great mapset as are some Navionic Mapsets.

To use the unit "as is" get the st version, the s version will show only basic road maps, no topo. If you decide to add and work with map programs, either will do (the st is still a better choice, more memory internal).

butthead