How simple a gps

[chindits]

Maybe I should of piggybacked on AK troutbum's thread a couple days ago on topo maps for his Montana 600 since this is pretty similar, but not.

I am a simple fellow who has done fine by compass and paper maps for 30 years. The only GPS feature I have used in the past has been just to get my UTM's and then I plot it on a map. However, on my last scout it was cloudy, rainey, and I was trying to use a narrow strip of public land to get behind a wall of private. I couldn't even make out any distant landmarks to shoot an azimuth to. The GF was told to call me in as missing if I wasn't home by 2200 and I had to find two narrow shoots down a cliff band to make this all happen without a risk of trespassing. It was a very uncomfortable feeling until I got it done.

So with the cost of trespass charges vs. the cost of a new GPS unit in the back of my mind.... what is the simplest GPS unit that will allow a usable display of public lands, private lands, and a topo map. I don't need to take photos, I don't need to geo cache a million points, and I don't need to download where I have been on my computer. I would be happy with just a good map feature, coordinates, good battery life, and a handful of waypoints. Did I mention simpler is better"er" with my limited intellect?

 

[go4thegusto]

I have been using an Oregon 600 with HuntX maps. Very simple and intuitive to use. Great unit overall. I also like to keep it simple but being able to essentially walk right down an unfenced property line with full confidence and proof should you e confronted is priceless. You will enjoy the step up. Any of the mid-sized Garmins would be a good choice.

 

[Shrek]

I have been using an Oregon 600 with HuntX maps. Very simple and intuitive to use. Great unit overall. I also like to keep it simple but being able to essentially walk right down an unfenced property line with full confidence and proof should you e confronted is priceless. You will enjoy the step up. Any of the mid-sized Garmins would be a good choice.

This is solid advice if you want to negotiate private and public property borders. If you are mostly out in the middle of the NF the gpsfiledepot maps will do just fine. I've used both and I'll spend the money for the onxhuntmap sd card for my Garmin.

 

[MuleyFever]

If all you want are boundaries go to gpsfiledepot and download them for free.

 

[chindits]

I was looking at the oregon series, always a mix set of reviews on the internet. You can always find the review you are looking for to affirm or deny what you think.

This would be specifically for walking the wire of public and private. Of course I would use it elsewhere if needed.

So I take it the Oregon 450 would not meet my needs and your suggestions are stick to the 600? Just out of curiosity, that is a touch screen system that has been slammed in reviews as being too sensitive. Is this a real problem?

Thanks for all the input.

 

[chindits]

MuleyFever,

I first need the unit to download to. I am seeking some input on the simplest unit that would meet my simple needs. Of course after that, I will heed advise on what downloads I should be looking at.

 

[go4thegusto]

I do not have any issues with the touch screen. I choose the 600 to get the 3 axis compass.

 

[Shrek]

The 450 will do anything you want to do and I've had no problem with the touch screen

 

[Ryan Avery]

I hate the touch screen! In the cold it works to fast or not at all. I went back to the Etrex series . Simple for my simple mind. Onxmaps work great. I hunt deer on indian land mixed with lots of private, onX has worked flawlessly.

 

[dreamingbig]

Garmin 60 csx is the cats meow. Just enough features but still simple enough.

 

[Hootsma]

Do you have a smart phone? If so, you can use it as a GPS unit along with an appropriate app and keep it pretty simple going that route. I have an iPhone and I use Gaia as the GPS app. Works pretty darn good and has so many other useful features that a backcountry hunter might want that a dedicated GPS unit doesn't offer...camera, digital book, backup flashlight, comms if you can get reception on a peak, notes, alarm clock, games (if your into that), music... It's almost endless. As a map guy, you can use the phone just as verification and still stick with your mapping system.
Works for me.

 

[charvey9]

They all pretty much come with more than you need these days, so anything on the rack at your local sporting goods store will do what you are asking. Garmin, etc. I don't like relying on smart phone, because I don't get service where I hunt (and quite thankful for that).

 

[troutdreamer]

I use the Garmin 62ST with a Onxmaps chip. Its easy to use and it gets great reception pretty much anywhere I go in Western and Eastern WA.
Tried the iphone app for a year and liked it for the terrain images but wanted to use a stand alone GPS.

 

[6mm Remington]

I have the Garmin Oregon 600 and the Hunt X Montana property chip. It is fantastic! Simple to use also!

 

[GFY]

I like my Garmin 62st and On X map chip for MT. Used it this weekend on a 35 mile scouting hike and helped me navigate a bunch of off trail travel in deep dark timber. It's not too big and very simple to use.

 

[Clarktar]

They all pretty much come with more than you need these days, so anything on the rack at your local sporting goods store will do what you are asking. Garmin, etc. I don't like relying on smart phone, because I don't get service where I hunt (and quite thankful for that).

Just a quick FYI note; You do not need cell service (cell signal) to use a smart phone as your "GPS" unit. Atleast my Iphone did not last year, and I am pretty sure my Galaxy wont this year.

 

[Clarktar]

I hate the touch screen! In the cold it works to fast or not at all. I went back to the Etrex series . Simple for my simple mind. Onxmaps work great. I hunt deer on indian land mixed with lots of private, onX has worked flawlessly.

"native american" or "First nations people"

 

[Hootsma]

Clarktar has it right...No cell service required for the GPS to function on a smart phone. You will need to preload the appropriate maps for your area before you loose cell service, but once done, you can put your phone in airplane mode to conserve battery and trek on.

 

[luke moffat]

I hate the touch screen! In the cold it works to fast or not at all. I went back to the Etrex series . Simple for my simple mind. Onxmaps work great. I hunt deer on indian land mixed with lots of private, onX has worked flawlessly.

Agreed....I find I wish my new Rino 650 wasn't touch screen. As such I prefer to use my eTrex 20 most the time unless I am going with a person with another Rino.

 

[Ryan Avery]

"native american" or "First nations people"

Hmm...... It's says BIA land on the map! "Bureau of INDIAN Affairs