Touchscreen Vs Buttons: The GPS of Choice

This article was originally published on Cache Up NB. It has been mirrored here for archive purposes only.

The first GPS device I ever owned was a Garmin eTrex Legend HCX. This was at a time when paperless caching was unheard of, and people did insane things to try and cram as much information onto these little units as possible. It was also a “button” interface with buttons on both sides of the unit and a little “nipple” joystick on the front. This was a great little unit and I used it for a long time before moving onto an Oregon 550. I bought the Oregon because at the time, it was considered one of the better units, and it actually came with a camera which was unheard of at the time. Now it seems that everything has a camera. I lost my 550 in the middle of the Pacific ocean while on vacation. I replaced it with a 450 as I loved the unit but didn’t really need the camera. That’s what my smartphone was for.

I have had my eye on an Oregon 600 when they came out and the price has actually come down a little bit. I like the Oregon series and this new version comes with a much better screen. However, during the course of Cache Up NB’s interaction with the producers from The Amazing Race Canada, we ended up working quite a bit with the GPSMAP 64. Like they 62 counterparts, these are rugged units but are all buttons. No touchscreen. It didn’t take long to get used to them and man are they ever nice.

Now, I’m not really in the market for a new unit, but I have been eyeing one for awhile and I suspect that it the new year, a new GPS will happen. Given my affinity for the Oregon, I am likely to go in that direction but have really been impressed with the 64. I’m used to working with a touchscreen on my existing unit as well as my smartphone so it’s an easy transition. But the touchscreen can be difficult in cold weather where a button based GPS is easier to use with gloves on.

Anyone out there ever go from a touchscreen to a button based GPS? Anyone else have experience with any of these units and have any thoughts on them?