anyone use a gps
- Thread starter saddlebum
- Start date
- Status
anapex
Member
I was just thinking about this lately too. My problem is I keep looking at the ones that let you have topo maps on them and they're way more then what I want to spend on one. So I'm interested in a good quality low-priced GPS too.
Lennyjoe
Member
Yes I do. I use a Garmin Rino 120 out here. It has radio capability and if you hunt with a buddy who also has a Rino it will mark his location for you when transmitted.
But, you need to look at your state's hunting regs because some won't let you use a radio during hunting.
I like it cause I mark locations where I see deer and I can later plot their movements. My Rino has an 8mb memory card so I can download topo maps on area's I plan to hunt.
But, you need to look at your state's hunting regs because some won't let you use a radio during hunting.
I like it cause I mark locations where I see deer and I can later plot their movements. My Rino has an 8mb memory card so I can download topo maps on area's I plan to hunt.
If you want a cheap "goto" GPS without all the bells and whistles, try the Magellan Explorist series. The 100 goes for about $95 and is both WAAS and EGNOS capable. Other models in the series throw in more stuff, and of course cost more.
www.gpscity.com is a good place to look around at different models.
www.gpscity.com is a good place to look around at different models.
It's hardly state of the art anymore, but I'm extremely impressed with the quality and value of the Garmin 12. Waterproof (tested), dustproof (tested), and just about bulletproof (droptested). Batteries last about 18 hours continuous use. Few bells and whistles compared to pricier models.
I've seen Garmin Etrex for around $100 recently, it'll do what you want. Garmin supports their products, unlike another GPSr manufacturer mentioned here. If you get mapping, be sure to get color. It makes a HUGE difference in reading the maps.
Shweboner
Member
I have a Magellan SportTrak Map I paid $200 for it a couple years ago, not sure what they go for nowadays... good GPS though
happy old sailor
Member
got one of the more expensive ones. can map out a trail at the house, turn it on at the trailhead and if you get off just a few feet, it goes eep eep eep until you get back on. does lots of tricks, but, i carry a map and compas in another pocket. voices in my head say dont trust anything electronic and this puter proves that weekly. i can stagger around a puter problem, but have never seen the guts of a gps and could only be puzzled by it.
get the gps. carry map and compas JIC. i plan to get an inexpensive one when this one craps out. don't need all those bells and whistles. i use mine mostly for fishing on big lakes. mark spots and can retrack in the dark. is a super good tool to have and use. wife uses mine for bowhunting. says brings her almost exactly back to the truck. further says can spend more time watching for things than worrying about directions. am considering a pair of those that pinpoint the other's position. highly recommend gps.
get the gps. carry map and compas JIC. i plan to get an inexpensive one when this one craps out. don't need all those bells and whistles. i use mine mostly for fishing on big lakes. mark spots and can retrack in the dark. is a super good tool to have and use. wife uses mine for bowhunting. says brings her almost exactly back to the truck. further says can spend more time watching for things than worrying about directions. am considering a pair of those that pinpoint the other's position. highly recommend gps.
swampsniper
Member
Garmin GPS 72
My Etrex finally leaked and died. I carry a GPS 72, it even floats. If you have a GPS, try this freebie software.
http://jdmcox.com/
My Etrex finally leaked and died. I carry a GPS 72, it even floats. If you have a GPS, try this freebie software.
http://jdmcox.com/
I have a Garmin GPSMap 60CS and use it at least weekly for driving and geocaching. By all means do yourself a favor and get both a color screen and a mapping gps. You will not regret it even though it will cost a little more. You will also appreciate both the road software and topo software it does a ton of stuff you cannot imagine. This drives up the cost but it will be worth every cent. It is prudent to keep a compass and map handy along with extra batteries. If cost is a concern go with the Garmin Legend C or Vista C.
the main thing i want to do with it,is i'll be hunting on a 10000 acre track of land this fall that i've never seen. the land owner set up a bunch of stands and took gps coordinates on each one. so he'll give me the coordinates i'll enter them in my gps and be able to find the stand.
Scoupe
Member
Yes I use one and I can't recommend them highly enough.
About four years ago I bought a GArmin GPS12. No maps. Worked to find duck blinds in the dark. Dropped it in the marsh and never saw it again.
A few months later I got a nice size expense check and splurged on a unit that was waterproof and would float. Got a GPS Map76. It has a larger screen than the etrexx series and finer resolution to boot. It's an old modle now and down around $300. Once you start driving with it on the dashboard, you'll find its fixed 8mb memory is a bit of a pain, but It's never been a serious limitation on the unit for me.
Like most things, buy the most unit you can afford. I only have Garmin experience, but it's totally positive.
About four years ago I bought a GArmin GPS12. No maps. Worked to find duck blinds in the dark. Dropped it in the marsh and never saw it again.
A few months later I got a nice size expense check and splurged on a unit that was waterproof and would float. Got a GPS Map76. It has a larger screen than the etrexx series and finer resolution to boot. It's an old modle now and down around $300. Once you start driving with it on the dashboard, you'll find its fixed 8mb memory is a bit of a pain, but It's never been a serious limitation on the unit for me.
Like most things, buy the most unit you can afford. I only have Garmin experience, but it's totally positive.
I used to have a Garmin GPS12 and while it was adequate to find your way home, or through the woods there are a lot better models out there.
I recently picked up a Garmin GPSMap 76CS and it's awesome. Color mapping capabilities and 115 megabytes of memory for additional maps. It plots routes and notifies me of upcoming highway exit facilities...pretty crazy stuff.
I haven't used it for hunting because I'm usually pretty familiar with the areas I hunt.
Ed
I recently picked up a Garmin GPSMap 76CS and it's awesome. Color mapping capabilities and 115 megabytes of memory for additional maps. It plots routes and notifies me of upcoming highway exit facilities...pretty crazy stuff.
I haven't used it for hunting because I'm usually pretty familiar with the areas I hunt.
Ed
L
Logistar
Guest
The Garmin 60CS is a little expensive but it seems to do about everything. Nice display, good battery life... good for road navigation too.
I was wondering about one of those smaller wrist-mounted units for hunting/hiking though.
I was wondering about one of those smaller wrist-mounted units for hunting/hiking though.
Polishrifleman
Member
I have a Magellan and it saved my bacon at least for the night. Heavy fog rolled in and couldn't see more than 30 ft at best, hit the go to button and dropped me right into camp. I think it is the silver series or something like that. It was a package deal at Costco with Topo CD of the US, car charger, etc.. it is a little large but it works!!!!
MrTuffPaws
Member
I have a Magellan Sport Tracker Pro. I got it for just $100 as a close out item. It is a good system, easy to use, good basic functionality, but I hear the add on map software is horrible, being off by 100s of meters.
I would go with something like Garmin if you want something other that some numbers telling you where you are.
I would go with something like Garmin if you want something other that some numbers telling you where you are.
Last edited:
Actually the Sportrack Pro is inherently one of the most accurate consumer receivers currently available (see http://gpsinformation.net/mgoldreview/sportrak-pro-rev.html ). I verified their findings myself.
Pretty much all the background mapping software out there for consumer GPS units has errors in it somewhere in its spatial extent. You'll find some areas that are right on the money, and others that are even more than 100 meters off. This is separate from the units themselves. Pretty much any WAAS capable receiver from any of the big three (Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan) is capable of more than adequate accuracy for any recreational needs.
Pretty much all the background mapping software out there for consumer GPS units has errors in it somewhere in its spatial extent. You'll find some areas that are right on the money, and others that are even more than 100 meters off. This is separate from the units themselves. Pretty much any WAAS capable receiver from any of the big three (Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan) is capable of more than adequate accuracy for any recreational needs.
MrTuffPaws
Member
I have no complaints about the accuracy of the STP. The wife and I use it for geo-cacheing and it is spot on. It would just be nice to actually by some street maps or something that are not full of errors, inaccurate, and out of date, not to mention the software runs over $100. No complaints about the system, just the support.
Yeah, I hear ya. About the only consistently accurate background software I've run across are nautical charts and aviation charts (and that wasn't always the case either). Mostly I think, because updates of these data have always been very controlled and centralized. Land data often come from a hodgepodge of sources. Though it's all getting better, there are a lot of historical errors to still weed out, especially in Datum corrections, which are probably the number one source for errors in the land based background maps.
I just bought my first GPS device 2 days ago. I did a *little* (very little) research comparing the Garmins, the Magellens, and the Lowrances. I ended up going with the Lowrance I-Finder Pro, for $183.99 at Academy. It had a larger screen and more user friendly controls than my 2nd choice, the Garmin Etrex Legend. It's not waterproof however like the Garmin, so I'll be keeping it in a plastic bag for sure when not in use. It has apparently better technology than the Garmin, with very large amounts of data available in the plug-ins, rather than being limited to 8 megs of memory. I'm still just getting familiar with it, but it seemed like the best buy for the money. The box says it has (1) Higher-detail 204V x 180H pixel, 3" diagonal Film SuperTwist display for superb mapping detail, (2) Totally compatible with plug-&-play Navionics and FreedomMaps electronic charts on digital medial cards, (3) Advanced white LED backlighting for excellent viewing at night, (4) dual micro-processors for faster screen updates (faster than what?), and (5) comes with convenien cigarette plug power cable. I dunno how all this compares to others, as I'm still a major newb on these, but I'm sure some other here on THR can chime in and give more good info. This one also has "WAAS mapping" which I was told by the salesman means it pinpoints locations more accurately with additional corrections than older technology. For $230 I could have gotten the waterproof version (called the H2O), but I figured a 50 cent freezer bag makes more sense than spending $47 for them water-proofing it.
http://www.lowrance.com/Outdoor/Products/iFINDERPro.asp
http://www.lowrance.com/Outdoor/Products/iFINDERPro.asp
w296
Member
Garmin Etrex-Vista
I've had a Garmin Etrex-vista now for about 4 years and it has been a great unit. It takes me right to my stand, makes it very nice in the dark and in a new area. It can download 24 meg which is plenty for most people. I also have there TOPO maps so I can download wherever I go hunting. I also use it for geocaching ( www.geocaching.com] ) It's fun and it will help you to learn to use your unit. My unit is not color like the new ones. You can still find the non color models and they are much cheaper. The color ones (Etrex-Vista C ) are very nice but they cost a lot more.The best place to look into gps units is at ( www. gpsinformation.net ) It will answer almost any question you may have. The website also lists some good places to order a unit online. Check several places as prices do differ. I ordered mine from one of them and had no problem. Good luck
I've had a Garmin Etrex-vista now for about 4 years and it has been a great unit. It takes me right to my stand, makes it very nice in the dark and in a new area. It can download 24 meg which is plenty for most people. I also have there TOPO maps so I can download wherever I go hunting. I also use it for geocaching ( www.geocaching.com] ) It's fun and it will help you to learn to use your unit. My unit is not color like the new ones. You can still find the non color models and they are much cheaper. The color ones (Etrex-Vista C ) are very nice but they cost a lot more.The best place to look into gps units is at ( www. gpsinformation.net ) It will answer almost any question you may have. The website also lists some good places to order a unit online. Check several places as prices do differ. I ordered mine from one of them and had no problem. Good luck
- Status
