Handheld gps for hunting

[OrygunWapitiSlayr]

hi I am new to the forum, this is my first post. i was wondering which gps systems do you guys use i hunt in oregon usually solo. i am looking for something lightweight and fairly compact. my price range is $400 for the gps itself not including extra software. i could not find anything about gps on this site so im sorry if this is the wrong place to post this...like i said im new here lol

 

[hammer0419]

Definitely a model by Garmin. I know Delorme is popular also but I did not like them at all due to their small screen size.

 

[Jon Boy]

I just picked up a garmin oregon 450t for $200! if you look around you still may be able to find one.

 

[OrygunWapitiSlayr]

$200 for a 450t! thats a steal!!! man i cant find any oregon 450t for under $380 lol

 

[Jon Boy]

I know REI and cabelas were both having close outs on them...I really didnt need to drop 200 bones at that moment but I couldnt let a deal like that slide!

 

[Jon Boy]

What about this? http://www.cabelas.com/product/Garm...t=garmin+62S&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

Heard good things about them

 

[OrygunWapitiSlayr]

my buddy has a 62 but he was sent over sea recently so i have to solo hunt now but i think i want the topo feature

 

[blb078]

A few months ago Cabela's had the Oregon 550t for $250, I'd keep an eye out for their sales incase it comes around again. I bought one when they had the sale, but after a few weeks use I decided to return it and stick w/my Android and bought a $5 phone app and did basically the same thing.

 

[gelton]

I like the new handheld gps that jonboy linked to. I have the garmin montana 650t - it has topo for all of north america and I added city navigator so I could use it on my motorcycle. Great for the storage and streets but very heavy and too big for backpacking IMO. My dad has the Oregon and I like it more than mine for backpacking - much smaller and lighter.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Question...... smart phones .....are they true multi-channel GPS recievers?
IOW, when will phones replace traditional GPS's?
Kinda nieve about current smart phone technology, but smart enough to question if we're approaching the time when one device does it all.
Are we there yet?
Hunt'nFish

 

[gelton]

huntnfish - if you listen to the app makers and others then smart phone technology can replace "traditional" gps. However, I dont fully trust them just yet. I have issues relying on a product that depends on a cell phone when there is no cell service where I hunt. (some apps do not require that you be within service range but I am sure that there are issues with this) Another thing to consider is that most handheld gps's have replaceable AA or AAA batteries and smart phones must be recharged.

 

[blb078]

huntnfish - if you listen to the app makers and others then smart phone technology can replace "traditional" gps. However, I dont fully trust them just yet. I have issues relying on a product that depends on a cell phone when there is no cell service where I hunt. (some apps do not require that you be within service range but I am sure that there are issues with this) Another thing to consider is that most handheld gps's have replaceable AA or AAA batteries and smart phones must be recharged.

Smartphones DO NOT need cell coverage for the gps to work. Some apps may require it but an app like Back Country Navigator doesn't which will allow you to download terrain and topo maps for free(prior to going out) don't need cell coverage to work. Pretty much an Andriod phone will do the same thing a dedicated gps will do except it wont be water resistant and wont be built as tough as a dedicated gps. Another thing is almost all newer smartphones will also use GPS & the GLONASS network(Russian gps network), only certain Garmins have both networks, which is an added benefit of more satellites, which means faster more accurate tracking. As far as battery life, my Andriod w/the cell service off will last about 3 days, add in a New Trent 7000mah battery pack(only 7oz) and I can get about 10 days w/my phone and that one pack.

 

[gelton]

Interesting. Does it just display topo or can you see actual satellite imagery like garmin offers with birds eye? The ability to see satelite imagery is huge in locating meadows in the middle of dark timber etc.

 

[blb078]

Interesting. Does it just display topo or can you see actual satellite imagery like garmin offers with birds eye? The ability to see satelite imagery is huge in locating meadows in the middle of dark timber etc.

You can see sat imagery, topo, topo over sat, you actually have a lot of different map sources to pick from w/Back Country Navigator, all of them free. There is also the Backpacker Pro app, which is very similar. I have both and like Navigator better. If you're someone that's rough on gear then you're probably better off w/a standalone gps like a Garmin just because it's built to handle some abuse. But for me, I can do just as much and more w/my Android over a Garmin

 

[gelton]

I looked into the smartphone ap and from what I am seeing there are issues with backpacker pro but it seems that it is the actual phones that cause the problem. (Hardware not software problems) so before taking off into the backcountry relying on an app I would highly recommend testing it out on your device first. As with all apps there are excellent reviews and a few bad ones. I always make it a point to read the bad ones first.

 

[gelton]

You can see sat imagery, topo, topo over sat, you actually have a lot of different map sources to pick from w/Back Country Navigator, all of them free. There is also the Backpacker Pro app, which is very similar. I have both and like Navigator better.

Sounds like a fairly effective system, I will make it a point to download it and test it vs garmin and see how they compare. Just have so much faith in the garmin that its hard to trust something else.

 

[Rizzy]

Iphone with trimble navigator app is what i have been using. Works great!

 

[OrygunWapitiSlayr]

I have The Trimble hunt pro on my iPhone and I can't get it to work without cell service.

 

[CrzyTrekker]

Hmmm, a lot of guys using iPhones.

I don't use GPS very often but I trust my eTrex 20 with lithium batteries a lot more than I trust my iPHone. I know smart phone technology is pretty good but I don't know if a reliable "all in one device" is a reality yet. I've been wrong before . . .

 

[dreamingbig]

My Garmin 60csx is pretty much bomb proof and lasts me all season on the same 3aaa lithium batteries. There are more advanced units but the function vs price vs battery life made it my choice 5 years ago.