GPS Advice Please

[Mduray24]

I am new to Western hunting and trying to learn as much as I can. Do I need a handheld GPS with me if I use OnX maps on my phone?

Is there an advantage to both or is that overkill and a waste of money?


Thank you for the advice!

 

[farmer14]

If you are savvy with OnX, that should be all you need out West. Other gps apps such as Gaia and Avenza work great on your smartphone also. Standalone GPS units are nice but seem to be a dying piece of equipment.

 

[loggerchas]

I'm probably a minority here, certainly a dinosaur, but sticking with a quadrangle combined with the simplest $100 GPS and $30 compass is a bulletproof system for me. It's hard to beat basic woods skills of navigation and understanding UTM grids and reference datums and how that can be significantly different between a paper map and a digital reference. Granted the areas I hunt worrying about boundaries and ownership is zero concern. I need to focus on where I am and where I want to go, or mark where I was, and the topography between me and there. I generally print a few Google Earth shots of the area and stick those in my Ziploc with the map also for birdseye "visual cues" of the landscape. My areas typically have poor cell coverage which is a factor also. Regardless of your choice, take time to learn about datums and grids and the basics and land-nav. If you don't understand the tool to begin, the application of that tool when it counts is a moot point.

 

[elkdog]

Stand alone GPS unit, compass and 7.5 usgs topo maps for me also. If you need more detail on the map get custom maps from mytopo etc.

 

[kmbrewcrew]

I am new to Western hunting and trying to learn as much as I can. Do I need a handheld GPS with me if I use OnX maps on my phone?

Is there an advantage to both or is that overkill and a waste of money?


Thank you for the advice!

I personally use both...but it is not necessary by any means. Your OP was a question about using the OnX maps. I prefer to use that on my phone, and my current phone works well, and can last a couple days if I am careful with the battery life. I carry the GPS because I can change the batteries in it. I like the redundancy, but it is just that.

Of course having and using compass/maps is greatly useful too...but that is another topic...

 

[Mduray24]

Great info. Thanks guys!

 

[wapitibob]

Depends, if you're packed in for a week you might want both. If you're truck camping the phone is all you need, provided you've done enough research of the areas to know how to get out if the phone dies. I use the phone and have a cheap compass in my pack.

 

[Mduray24]

Depends, if you're packed in for a week you might want both. If you're truck camping the phone is all you need, provided you've done enough research of the areas to know how to get out if the phone dies. I use the phone and have a cheap compass in my pack.

That makes sense, thank you.

 

[Yellowknife]

Depends, if you're packed in for a week you might want both. If you're truck camping the phone is all you need, provided you've done enough research of the areas to know how to get out if the phone dies. I use the phone and have a cheap compass in my pack.

This pretty much has been my experience. I use both regularly. Phones are great for short trips, but the battery life is a real issue, PARTICULARLY in cold weather. Below freezing the battery life drops off drastically, so the Garmin comes along in the winter regardless of trip length.

 

[go4thegusto]

Here is another take....the dang cell phones eat battery life and are a fortune $$ if you lose them or break them. I do have it along and download onX sat views ahead of time but use it carefully and sparingly. Just last year I walked away from my GPS which I set on ground while resting. Still need to replace it but figure new tech likely by August. Would have been a big deal had it been my phone.
I still like a GPS with OnX chip along with map and compass. If I drop my pack to get light and go I can slip the GPS in my pocket and go.

 

[HookedOnWapiti]

I like both for same reasons as others have said. But also worth noting the display on most phones is way better than any GPS that I’ve seen. Advantages there for sure. I’ve now transitioned primarily using my Garmin InReach with maps on my phone. Just gotta keep the phone in airplane mode and restrain from using WiFi for other purposes and battery easily lasts 2-3 days. For longer backpack trips i either take a backup GPS or battery charger, both weigh about the same.

 

[SkunkCabbage]

Inreach Mini pairs with a phone. I personally use that toggled with a GPS program for aerial maps because Garmin only apparently gives aerial images to the lower 48. Sure as shit don't state that when you are buying the flipping thing.

 

[HookedOnWapiti]

I wish the Garmin InReach would also pair with a regular Garmin GPS too. This way you could use the InReach and sync all the data to the GPS. Would be handy for going back and forth between devices. If this is possible, please someone let me know how.

 

[bridgermgmt]

I wish the Garmin InReach would also pair with a regular Garmin GPS too. This way you could use the InReach and sync all the data to the GPS. Would be handy for going back and forth between devices. If this is possible, please someone let me know how.

Until garmin allows ota updates, this is only possible if you have internet reception