GPS Recomendations

[Jerry P]

Looking to pick up a new GPS. Curious as to what everybody is running, what to stay away from. Thanks in advance.

 

[aron]

Cabelas has the Garmin Oregon 600 for $220 which is a pretty good deal and good gps.

 

[PNWGATOR]

What do you want to do with it?

I have a Garmin Rino, Garmin 62 and a smartphone. They all have their place.

 

[Firehawk]

I picked up the Garmin Oregon 600 today at Cabelas. Just loading up the OnXmap right now. Can't wait to try it. So far, it is way easier to use than my old eTrex unit was. That unit was expensive in its day and I never did learn how to use it the right way. So...I decided to leave it on a mountain or let someone steal it at some point. I have turned my house upside down three times trying to find it and never did. That is why I purchased the new one today.

 

[luke moffat]

I have several GPSs but far and away the simple and inexpensive eTrex 20 gets the most use I would say.

 

[rbljack]

I went with the Montana 650T. Its quite bulky, but has lots of features as well. I wanted touchscreen, and the larger screen is easier for me to see. It is heavy, but here are the key features that I liked about it:

1. runs on a rechargeable battery OR can run on 3 AA batteries. (this was important to me because my headlamp also runs on a a single AA battery. So now I don't have to mess with AAA batteries for any devices.
2. It has a camera in it which is nice in case I don't have my Iphone with me.
3. larger screen is easier for me to see.
4. Touch pad that will work with light gloves on. Ive tried it, and it does work with my first lite gloves (the lightweight ones).
5. I can use it in the car with the base and city navigator chip (purchased separately) which has a speaker, so I can use it like a Nuvi unit when traveling in the vehicle.

 

[CiK01]

Cabelas has the Garmin Oregon 600 for $220 which is a pretty good deal and good gps.

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on that one.

 

[airlocksniffer]

I use the eTrex 20 but have also been using my iPhone 6 quite a bit. I have the Trimble GPS app and it works pretty good for checking topos etc. Yeah, the eTrex has topo but the screen is so small that detail isn't great. I also have the OnXMaps chip so that's pretty much essential for any time ownership is questionable. Pros and cons of each:

eTrex

Small, durable, not concerned about getting wet, etc
Battery life is pretty good (over 20 continuous hours, more if I turn off the backlight)
Detail isn't great, navigation with the little joystick around the interface is kind of lame

iPhone
Bigger screen, camera (pretty good for a phone), can get gps signal while in airplane mode
Decent battery life ( 2 days or so depending on how much I turn on the screen)
Can text or call my family if I run into signal
More concerned about scratches, drops, water, etc
Doesn't really work with gloves

I'm thinking my ultimate setup would be an iPhone with the OnXMaps app and some type of rugged case with an integrated battery (or packing a solar charger but I'd prefer the former).

 

[CiK01]

I'm thinking my ultimate setup would be an iPhone with the OnXMaps app and some type of rugged case with an integrated battery (or packing a solar charger but I'd prefer the former).

Can that setup be used in a backcountry hunt? I have the OnXMaps for my iPhone for the state I live in (Indiana). I really like it, but was thinking about buying the Oregon 600 for any western hunts.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Can that setup be used in a backcountry hunt? I have the OnXMaps for my iPhone for the state I live in (Indiana). I really like it, but was thinking about buying the Oregon 600 for any western hunts.

Don't see why not. I've had very good luck getting gps signal when in airplane mode in the middle of nowhere. With a good weatherproof battery case it would be pretty sweet. Not to mention your phone, camera, apps, audiobooks, music etc in one package.

 

[AZ Vince]

Can that setup be used in a backcountry hunt? I have the OnXMaps for my iPhone for the state I live in (Indiana). I really like it, but was thinking about buying the Oregon 600 for any western hunts.

I use a Montana, forgot the exact model number and I'm not at home to check, but I wouldn't be workout my Garmin.

Had an eTrex 20 a few years ago but glad I made the upgrade. Never been happy with the cell phone for my gps as I find it runs out of juice too fast. I like the screen on the Garmin and find it easier to use than the phone. Plus not having to worry about a dead cell phone is an advantage in and of itself.

The phone is lighter, more compact, and easier to carry however.

 

[yardwork]

I have been giving some thought to what Aron S mentioned on the Gritty Bowmen podcast this summer about using a wrist band style GPS like the Garmin Foretrex 401 for basic GPS functions.
That unit supplemented with the GPS my phone with topo maps and a paper map & compass would be a pretty complete package I think. I've had a Garmin etrex Legend for years which I really like but its old, slow to acquire satellites and developing a screen problem which might be the ribbon cable problem discussed on the internet. As I've looked to replace it I've not found anything amazing that I have to have for a reasonable price. Besides, topo maps on a 3" screen were not as beneficial as I envisioned.

Battery life on the phone is the major concern with it being primary but I will have it with me anyway for photos and audio/video recording so to set it up with loads of topo maps makes sense. I have a plastic housing similar to the Plano waterproof stowaway so i could even use it in the wet stuff if need be.

 

[Jerry P]

What do you want to do with it?

I have a Garmin Rino, Garmin 62 and a smartphone. They all have their place.

Basic navigation and something that I can load Topo maps on. Really interested in the ONXMAPS.

 

[Jerry P]

Cabelas has the Garmin Oregon 600 for $220 which is a pretty good deal and good gps.

I saw this one and was thinking about going with it but I wanted to get some input on other options first. Looks like it will cover my needs.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I was in the same predicament earlier this year and ended up going with a Garmin Montana 600. I spent a fair amount of time researching it and this seemed to be the best option for my purposes. I like it a lot, very user-friendly, and I really like the touchscreen, although I know some folks don't care for it so much. Best thing to do is just determine what features you absolutely must have, then what features you'd like to have, and go from there. There are a lot of good GPS's out there, good luck.

 

[Jerry P]

I was in the same predicament earlier this year and ended up going with a Garmin Montana 600. I spent a fair amount of time researching it and this seemed to be the best option for my purposes. I like it a lot, very user-friendly, and I really like the touchscreen, although I know some folks don't care for it so much. Best thing to do is just determine what features you absolutely must have, then what features you'd like to have, and go from there. There are a lot of good GPS's out there, good luck.

Thanks. Gave the wife the Cabela's sales add this evening, looks like I'll be getting a Oregon 600 for Christmas.