Need a garmin GPS with some basic functionality, but not crazy expensive. Help!

[TauPhi111]

So, if you got VIP tickets to the meateater podcast, you got or will be receiving an OnX GPS chip with all 50 states on it. Pretty sweet perk for being quick on the ticket purchase! However, I use my phone for OnX, but now that I'll have all 50 states, I may as well get a GPS. I'm looking for recommendations on a Garmin unit, but I have quite a few other items in my gear budget for this year, so I'd like to keep the price of the unit under $250-300. Basic functionality I'd like to have is the ability to drop pins/waypoints, a compass, track my past route, etc. I've never owned a GPS unit so I really don't even know what functions are good to have, so please chime in if you have suggestions. Basically looking for the best bang for the buck with an OnX compatable Garmin. What do ya got?

 

[Gunnersdad49]

Garmin ETrex 30x

It is only one of two of their lineup that doesn't use a damn touch screen! It will do all that you are looking for, and has a long battery life on two AA batteries. It is small enough to go into your shirt pocket, bino pouch, etc.

 

[Gorp2007]

I don't want to be "that guy" who tells you not to buy a new piece of kit, but you may want to call onX before you buy anything. Wwhen you buy a chip normally it's tied to your email address and you can download the onX Hunt App for free for a year and get the same states as your chip. I'd think that you should be able to register your new chip and then download the app to your phone instead of buying a whole new GPS.

 

[ssssnake529]

This is the correct answer.

I don't want to be "that guy" who tells you not to buy a new piece of kit, but you may want to call onX before you buy anything. Wwhen you buy a chip normally it's tied to your email address and you can download the onX Hunt App for free for a year and get the same states as your chip. I'd think that you should be able to register your new chip and then download the app to your phone instead of buying a whole new GPS.

 

[TauPhi111]

I don't want to be "that guy" who tells you not to buy a new piece of kit, but you may want to call onX before you buy anything. Wwhen you buy a chip normally it's tied to your email address and you can download the onX Hunt App for free for a year and get the same states as your chip. I'd think that you should be able to register your new chip and then download the app to your phone instead of buying a whole new GPS.

Oh please do be that guy! lol. If I can do that, that is awesome. I thought that might be a possibility, but I'm not familiar with how GPS work so I wasn't sure. I use OnX on my phone and just buy Colorado, but I figured if I'm gonna get all 50 for free, I may as well get a GPS. I'll definitely explore that before I buy anything.