Garmin Users: Question about replacing an Oregon 650t

[Mr. October]

I've been using an Oregon 650t for hunting since they came out. Mine still works flawlessly. Unfortunately, it has suffered the fate of most of the Oregon and similar series with the side buttons completely deteriorating. I've been using the eraser hack to make it useable but that is getting less and less reliable. I find myself in the woods int he dark having to peel the tape back to get the erasers to work. I'm ready to throw in the towel and get something new. Before the phone app suggestions start, I don't want to use my phone. I prefer having a dedicated device and let my phone be a phone in case I really need it.

It seems like the most direct replacement for the functionality of the Oregon is the GPSmap 65 (or 67 if one can still find it in stock). The 65 would fit the bill for me fine functionally. I can use my existing belt lanyard and I actually like that it takes AA batteries since they are easily replaceable in the field. That said, I'm not crazy about going back to all buttons for controls. Entering meaningful waypoint names is painfully slow with buttons.

So I was also looking at the new eTrex Touch and maybe the Garmin H1. You give up the replaceable batteries but, by all accounts, that shouldn't really be an issue. They are more expensive but you get back the touch screen. However, I'm wondering about the use interface. My typical usage for the 650t is I basically leave it off until I get well in to the area I'm going to be hunting. I generally don't need it to get 95% of where I need to go but turn it on to find a stand site. Once there, I typically turn it off while hunting. Seems like the newer units work like my Garmin Fenix or Edge and one must start an activity as opposed to just turning the unit on. I also use "track manager" a lot to follow a specific trail or easiest, quietest path to a spot. I'm not sure if these new units have this feature or not.

I'm just wondering who has used any of the newer units like this for hunting. I'm hoping someone can lend insight or recommendations to this before I buy. Obviously both the H1 and new eTrex Touch are significantly more expensive.

 

[Pony Soldier]

I have a 64sw that I use for work and for hunting. More so to find where I tied my horse up to hunt.

An important part is the Onex chip that gives me topography and ownership. I have heard that Onex has quit that but mine still works well.

The last thing I will ever do is put more stuff on my phone. I get great pleasure in leaving it at home or putting it on airplane. I also have a smaller one -- 3 something - that works really well and fits better in a pocket. It also has a chip. I like to keep things functioning and simple.

 

[elkliver]

I have GArmin Rinos with ONX and also have ONX maps on my phone. I find that i am using the GArmin less and less each year. The functionality of Onx on the phone is hard to beat. Just run on airplane mode with Offline maps. That being said... in a "Lost " situation, I think the navigation arrow and compass of the Garmin GPS is better.

 

[jtevanMT]

I used to use Garmin and have switched to OnX completely. My old Garmin stays at home now.

 

[Mr. October]

I have a 64sw that I use for work and for hunting. More so to find where I tied my horse up to hunt.

An important part is the Onex chip that gives me topography and ownership. I have heard that Onex has quit that but mine still works well.

The last thing I will ever do is put more stuff on my phone. I get great pleasure in leaving it at home or putting it on airplane. I also have a smaller one -- 3 something - that works really well and fits better in a pocket. It also has a chip. I like to keep things functioning and simple.

That sounds similar to my usage. I do have the OnX chip but it is several years old now and you can't update it anymore. That support was dropped by Garmin in favor of their map subscriptions.