Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting What handheld GPS are you using?

I'm gonna be hunting a completely new area with some fairly rugged terrain in a few weeks. Normally don't carry a GPS, but have decided I'm gonna buy one. Been a while since I've used a handheld, don't even know what happened to my old Garmin. Recommendations?

David

I like the GPSmap 62s. It has been fantastic and I like the external antenna

Hunted a new area this year. Downloaded the satellite image to my smartphone and left my GPS at home. Key is to download the image ahead of time. Wireless coverage isn't necessary for the GPS function.

hs

I've been looking at this one:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Garmin-GPSMAP-reg-st/1813418.uts#BVRRWidgetID

Comments?

David

I needed a serious update so I bought the Garmin Montana 600t for my Wyoming Region G mule deer hunt this year. It's somewhat larger and heavier than what we normally like to carry on a backpack hunt, but the larger screen sure is better for these old eyes of mine.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/int...dhelds/montana-600t-camo/prod145556.html

To complement it these 24 K micro card topo maps maximize the detailed info you get from this great tool.


http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/prod...ct.jsp?productId=709848&type=product

I still use the Garmin 60csx. It's a great unit. I have topos on it, so I hope it gives me a few more years.

Garmin 64 is what I bought last year to replace a DeLorme PN-40. Also bought the onXmap for my state which has been useful. You can get the 64 for low bucks... upgraded versions of the same unit have additional features but you'll need to determine if those features are worthwhile for your uses. They were not worth it to me.

Before buying, I talked to a local GPS guru that tests different units for BLM/NFS/etc. He said that nothing has come close to the external antenna Garmins. They tested every GPS on the market. Fella was a wealth of info. I believe one of the courses they use is described below...

Link

In terms of touch screen GPS units... I've been told the screens become difficult to use in the cold. And I want a dedicated GPS rather than my cell, but that is just me.

Good luck.

Jason

Pretty much the same information I've been reading over and over on the external antenna and the touch screens. ST model may be a waste of money....

Thanks!

David

Jeff

You bought the regional map instead of the state?

Happy with it?

Thanks,

David

Garmin Oregon 450. Main criteria was that it could use a chip. I, too, picked up the onxmaps chip for my state and it is a welcome addition. Rather than wonder who owns what land you know immediately.
This year alone I've gone places I wouldn't have without knowing exactly which property I was on.
The gps on the phone is better than I thought it would be. However, unless you are thinking ahead to get the maps while you can and are in a spot where you can charge the phone, I like the dedicated units because you can replace the batteries. The touchscreen on the 450 is nice. But I would be happy with a 62csx without it, too.
Love the gps!

I'm cheap. I have a bargain basement Garmin Etrex 20. It's slow to use and I often wish it had a touch screen but with HuntX maps, it does all I need done.
The manual is terrible, though. A beginner (me) will get nothing at all from it. I've been back to the store a number of times with questions that the young guys behind the counter always have the answers to.

I'm thinking of getting the Garmin Oregon 600 as Cabelas has it on sale for $250 and getting the Xmaps. Anyone used the Oregon 600 and have any problems with it?

Yes sir David, I did. I was on my way from antelope hunting in Nevada when I stopped off in Cabelas in Boise, Idaho. I had a great salesman help me there and after he explained the difference in the regional map vs the state map, I had to jump on the regional map bargain.

The only difference in the regional and state map is that the state map shows private property owner names, and the regional map simply shows private property without identifying the owner. For me, the big deal with the Rocky Mountain regional is that you get Montana, Wyoming and Idaho all on one card for the same price as a single state card! That' a no brainer for me, and although I have only used it in Wyoming so far, I like it a lot.

That is what I use to use all the time. But This year I started using my smartphone and I actually like it better. I got the US Topo map app. and it gives me all the info I need.

Had a Garmin Map60 CS and was pleased with it. Went to the Rino650, radio capable. My hunting partner and I rarely if ever use the radio, but it is nice to track position if anything ever happens. Has SD card which holds lots of maps and details, like the touch screen and external antenna.

I've used the older Garmin rhinos a lot. Nothing fancy on the GPS side, but the two way and location is nice. For myself, most of the time now I use the delorme paired to an iphone with maps. It is just to useful, messaging, maps etc in one.

Garmin Montana with the state map card. It really helps when you road hunt...

Etrex 20 the MT property mapper micro sd chip.


Low end unit....but a big upgrade from my Bushnell Backtrack.

Good information, thanks!

David

Thanks Shrap, not sure about the road hunting thing, never tried it. If I make it up,to Montana maybe you can take me on a ride along.

David

Hunt onX map app on my iphone.

Absolutely outstanding!

Overlay sat images on top of ownership maps or topo maps with ownership info.

Thanks, that will help.








(g)

Some guys use turrets to get more elevation to shoot longer ranges, I just use the electric window on my truck...

Now I'm really confused.

I thought the road hunting involved hitting the elk with your truck.

David

A few weeks ago I came within inches of doing just that. If she hadn't swung her head at the last second, she'd have taken off my mirror. Then I could have used my GPS to set a waypoint right there on the road so I could find her again.

Idaho now allows us to salvage road kill without burning a tag. About time.

If you will be hunting from a base camp and can charge your phone, I would check out the OnX Hunt app for smartphone. Its about 40 bucks for a year (or free with RMEF subscription).

The trick is to download the maps before you leave, then set your phone on airplane mode.

It could save you a lot of money. I got sick on buying garmin products, the interface is poor compared to a smartphone, expensive, map cards are expensive, and the technology will be outdated in a couple years.

Wildcat

I had completely dismissed the cell phone idea, now I'm starting to change my mind. $40 to try? Hell, that would make a good backup if nothing else. Still leaning towards purchasing a gps, but may get the app first just to check it out.

Thanks,

David

My Garmin GPS MAP 62s is the best investment I've made in a long time. Coupled with a mini SD for Colorado,it's been a real asset.

Been looking at this unit as well because of the larger screen and micro card capability. Do the models with an external antenna have better reception or just a different feature?

My main desire is to get one that is fairly simple to use, not a big fan of electronics that require a lot of steps to perform simple tasks.

I have a 550. It seems to be a good enough unit. I mostly use my Alpha, however, as it is just as good and I can keep track of my dog too!

I bought a Montana 600 with the land owner chip just to keep from getting chewed out.

Hard to keep track of BLM, deeded, etc.



If I get caught trespassing I'm gonna just point at the gps and say it must be off.

SamOlson,
I have run into more than enough people who act like they own the land and bluster enough to keep people off. We even had an illegal outfitter in CO post signs one year and we were pretty sure he was on public land. Later, we saw his phony signs in the bed of his pickup. He was simply putting them up to scare people off.
Just about every time I have access to private land someone comes wandering across it and claims to have permission or that it is public land.
So great to know where you are and be able to show it to someone.
So far this year I was able to hunt BLM land that I just wasn't sure about before. Great stuff!

Been using a now discontinued Garmin 60csx for several years and have been extremely happy with it. The landowner chip for the state you are hunting is the only way to go for all the reasons listed above.

With that being said, I just picked up a Garmin Rino 650. Weighs less than my 60csx when you add in the small 2 way radio I usually carry. Being able to keep track of my hunting partner (and vice versa) seems like a good idea. Cabelas had them on sale for 329.00.

In Idaho it's illegal to post public land unless you have an exclusive use lease on it. I don't know what the penalty is for doing it, though. The X maps are great for sorting out what is or isn't private.

Idaho has a unique trespass law. We have huge chunks of private rangeland that can't be differentiated from public land. In many places, the public and private land are checkerboarded in small plots. It's a nightmare to keep straight. So...the law is that if the land isn't cultivated or irrigated, it MUST be posted or it's open for hunting without permission. The regulations specify what's legal posting. Fences don't count since BLM & Nat Forest land is often fenced for grazing.

Are the exclusive leases that then allow posting on state land? Have never heard of anything like that for either USFS or BLM.

Some state land is leased. The law specifies that all school endowment land must be managed for maximum return. However, most of it is open for hunting. A large amount of it is located where it's not good for much commercially other than grazing. Grazing land isn't considered an exclusive lease. A GPS that shows land ownership will show which land is state and which is federal but other than that, you can't tell the difference. Hunt it and enjoy.

I fully get all that. You're previous post hinted that there are public lands in ID that can be posted if someone has an exclusive lease. Who administers the public lands where it can be posted if someone has an exclusive lease?

I see mining claims on public land posted. When I asked the one mine owner he said his insurance required him to post the land but it's public land. I came away not knowing whether or not trespass was legal. Clarification?

An example is one I saw just a few days ago. It was a well that provided water to a subdivision near Ketchum. The well is on Nat Forest land. In this case it's not posted but the water dept. has the right to post it if they think it's unsafe for the public to be close to the well.
Another example is summer homes on forest land. They have long term leases and I'm pretty sure they can post them if they want to.
I don't know about mining claims. They often have heavy equipment sitting around that they don't want the public messing with.
For FS or BLM land, the nearest district office would likely be the place to go to determine what's exclusive or not. For state land in ID, you'd need to go to the state land board.

The Hunt X maps don't show leases. They just show what's private or public. In general, leases are very small plots and aren't an issue for hunting.

Just found going to Plystore for my Android that a limited function onXmaps is a free download.

Also my phone maintain functionality on a single charge for 5 days in Airplane mode. I used the clock, alarm and map views daily.

onXmaps South Dakota Premium is $29.99

338, every year it gets harder to find good public hunting around here so I finally bit the bullet and upgraded GPS.

I hate gadgetry but the land owner chip should be pretty handy.

Now if I can remember how to use it.

The land owner chip is a must have. Worth every penny. I have an Oregon 550 and it's been working like a champ for the last 3 years... Touch screen worked in 3 below zero in a snow storm. It does suck though, having to brush the snow off and affecting function though. There are pros to having a good ol push button GPS...

The external antenna Garmins are supposed to have the best reception in foliage, bad weather etc. I use mine in combined GPS & Glonass mode. Glonass uses the Russian system to add more satellites.

I think it's worth putting some effort into learning how to use a GPS. It's a handy tool, but you only get out of it what you put in.

The GPS on my iPhone 4S stinks. I have two GPS apps on it and the better one can't seem to locate a satellite. The other one shows me a mile away. The $50 Bushnell at least can get me back to the car.

Foretrex 401.

My Etrex 20 with the push button works fine but I haven't yet found a way to carry it so the button doesn't get repeatedly pushed. It keeps messing with the navigation. I've tried a couple different pouches and pockets but it still gets punched.

Sounds like much ado about nothing...

For the most part I agree. I don't know of any federal land leases where access would influence hunting to any degree.

Not really relevant to the topic, but could be helpful. My Garmin 450 has the carabiner clip. I usually have some sort of pack on and I clipped the gps to the adjuster strap on the waist belt and left it on. Helpful to have the track recorded. YMMV.

I use a Garmin 62S and really like it, although its primitive when compared to the mapping of my iphone. I'm looking forward to the time when backcountry GPS units catch up.

Eric

I picked up the Garmin Oregon 600 today for $219 at Cabelas. The base maps aren't that great, but I plan to get the Xhunt maps anyway. I figured for $219 it would be hard to beat.

Do all Garmin units have the capability to leave it on and track record and if so, does doing so significantly reduce the time between battery changes?

I don't know about all Garmins, but the Etrex 20 can have the tracking turned off and save a lot of battery juice. It's not continually checking the satellite locations that way. It's just maintaining the memory.

It does reduce battery life. The Oregon 550, I carry, has an advertised battery life of about 16 hours. In real world use, I can keep it on all day when I'm hunting and have to charge it at the end of the day. I'd say realistically, I'd get about 10-12 hours of use from the 550. The 450 should have about the same battery life as the 550.

BSA, totally agree on the battery life. Get a long day out of a set. I used to just turn it on when I wanted to see confirm where I was. Now I leave it on most of the time.

Yep, I used to turn it on and off. Batteries would last all 8 days of the hunt doing it that way, but hell it isn't as convenient as just leaving it on and the ability to track where you've been is great. Plus you don't have to wait for it to lock on to satellites. I just keep a few extra AA's in the pack incase I run low. I've got my settings as such that leaving it on doesn't waste a lot of the battery during the day. 15 second back light off and battery saver mode on. I also have a lot of the other bullchit turned off like geocaching mode. I also keep It in my pack in a side pocket where it is easy to get to when I need to look at it. While it's in that pocket, it doesn't seem to turn the backlight on so the battery lasts longer. I also run in WAAS mode and have heard that drains the battery more than the standard mode, but I couldn't see a difference.. One thing I like about my GPS is it takes pictures too. Crappy as they may be as compared to a real camera, it is nice that I don't have to pack another piece of equipment in the field. Here are some of the pics I've taken with it recently while out hunting:

The pictures are surprisingly good! I just discounted the camera (plus mine doesn't have one, anyway!)
Great rifles and gear, too!

In most of the places I hunt, I could find my way to the truck blindfolded and drunk. A GPS is handy, though, to tell me how far I've hiked and to find a shot animal if I have to leave it. The tracking is useful for that if nothing else.

What he said!


Lost my original and had to get another GPSmap 62s, add a HUNT onxmaps chip for your state and go hunt.

Those are nice pics...dual duty is not a bad thing. I can carry a few extra batteries just like I do for my Kestrel.

I don't have a GPS but am looking at a Montana 600 because I've read good comments about them. My hunting is changing to remote public ground and I wanted something I could use to find stand sites (and my way back out) in the dark.

I bought a Garmin Oregon 600 with the Montana State ownership chip.

Wish I bought one a long time ago. Instantly let's you know who you should call and ask for permission after you put a deer down.



Travis

Tag. I was just about to start the exact same thread. Thanks all for the feedback!

Did antlerradar tell you to GFY?

Who?




Travis

I rolled for many years without a GPS even while owning one. Just couldn't justify the weight until... I shot a buck late, in new country, right at dark, no moon that night. My light all but died while finishing the animal. No problem because all I need to do was, "walk downhill". It got VERY dark to the point I was shuffling my feet. The terrain got rocky, I kicked a rock that rolled out into space and fell a good ways into the river. I had stayed on the ridge too long and had to shuffle back up and around. I still needed to wade the Boise River, was downstream from the Troutdale campground, and had already decided to make do without waders because I had hid them and no way would I find them in the dark. A vehicle came slowly down the road and it was my camp partners. They used their headlights for me to cross. I carry two flashlights, a smartphone/GPS/third light, and still stay out until well after dark.

Hunting partner shot an elk, tracked it for some time before finding it, got turned around, had to spend the night, mountain search and rescue found him the next day, he went back but was never able to locate the elk.

A couple years ago one of my partners thought he'd lost a deer he'd shot earlier in the day. We finally located it from circling magpies homing in on the gut pile. A gps would have saved an hour of looking and the pack out could have been finished before dark.

Some reasons there why everyone should own a GPS....

flave, are the 600's worth a damn? I saw they are going to be on sale at Cabela's for $219.00....

Mine has been awesome.

I wish I could have got it for that price.

Mine says Oregon 600. Touch screen has been great so far. I hady doubts...



Travis

I remember back in maybe 1997 when I was guiding in Idaho, I had a hunter come into camp and ask if I would set up his GPS and show him how to work it. Hell I didn't even know what it was! I have since embraced the "Dark Side", and now use my Garmin Rino 650 every day when I'm out in the woods. In those days I always knew exactly where I was and could go cross country anywhere and find my way home. I still have a very good sense of direction, I'm not sure how it happens but I always end up coming out right where I thought I was. My brother however doesn't have that ability. A few years ago we were in the timber in a good amount of snow and had split up to cover more ground looking for mountain whitetails. We had small Motorola handheld radios, and he called asking me where he was! Of course I couldn't answer that, and he eventually found his way back. Shortly after that we did a little research and found the Garmin Rino GPS Units. Now when I push the call button it shows him on his map exactly where I am, and likewise. I no longer worry about having to find him. The biggest thing is to always take the time to turn that thing on first thing at the rig and set that waypoint unless it's already there. I love the Rino. We started out with the old 530's and have since upgraded to the touchscreen 650's. It is so nice with the OnXmaps chip to be able to see right where I am.

I notice that the Oregon series is generally less expensive than the Montana series with similar features but the reviews of the Oregon series are as good or better than the Montana so I'm now leaning towards the Oregon because of price.

Some reviews also said the Montana was more "configurable" and better suited for an experienced user which I am not.

I simply want to find my way in the dark to a known stand location and be able to retrace out in the dark. As near as I read, the Oregon will do that for me just fine for about $100 cheaper.

Am I missing anything?

GW, I finally took the Montana 600 hunting last Friday and used it to mark some range monitoring sites today.


It's pretty easy to use, even for a tech ignorant cowhand.


The landowner chip is uber.


I'm not sure about the Oregon but if it is chip compatible(and cheaper) I would get that.


The Montana was on sale last winter otherwise I might have bought something else. Think it was $350 or 400.

Just reread the thread, the Oregon 600 for $219 sounds like a great deal.

I have had an Oregon 450 for several years now and find it very valuable. I am not an high tech person and feel very comfortable w/ map and compass. The X Maps chips are to me most valuable for verifying public and private land and planning routes. I too use the Rocky Mt. combo that gives Mt. Id. and Wy. for $99.00 and also have a Nv. state map.

I like finding the boundaries between public and private and knowing exactly where I am. Being on the border of irrigated Ag. land for coyote calling can be very productive and I don't want to trespass.

I hunt frequently in Idaho which has hundreds of miles of backcountry roads that frequently pass through or near private property. Not having to depend on fence lines can help you be sure and not miss opportunities or trespass.

I consider my gps and Lrf to be game changers that have made a major improvement in my hunting opportunities.


mike r

No.



Travis

I bought the Oregon 600 at Cabelas during that sale and just used it in the woods yesterday while deer hunting. I didnt rely in it to navigate me back to my vehicle as I knew well the land on which I was hunting but did "act" as though I needed it. It worked flawlessly: picked up satellites extremely quickly and even recorded my track from waypoint to waypoint while inside of my vest. All in all I vote it a 5-star buy!

-John

Very cool. I'm glad someone took advantage of that sale. I thought the price was very good on that one.. If you didn't get the land ownership chip, I'd suggest doing that before next years hunt. It is a must have with one of those garmin gps units...

That touch screen is pretty slick too. Being able to measure from point A to point B simply by tapping where you want to go is pretty fugking awesome.




Travis

+1. I had a touchscreen with camera and sold it. The screen was almost impossible to read in sunlight and the touch screen is not fun to use in winter, when you need to take your gloves off to use it. Buttons for me.

Very convenient Flave. My elk hunting partner has been using his old Etrex for about 10 years now and has been eyeballing my 550 since I bought it about 4 years ago. As far as the touch screen goes, I have not had a problem seeing it in any kind of day light. I've also used it in sub zero temps with the snow blowing on it. That's about the only time I didn't care for it. Wipe the snow off and it moves the screen view. Not a big deal, but something to think about nonetheless.. I don't think I'd give mine up because of it though..

Hand held I use a Garmin 64s and my wife uses a Garmin Montana. I have the Colorado Land Owners chip as well but it lives in the Nuvi in my truck. Wouldn't be without it. I don't need it in the hand held as we scope out the area before setting out.

I am the non-conformist of the group, as I use a DeLorme PN-60. I wanted buttons instead of a touch screen, and at the time that I bought it, it had a much better mapping program. When my buddy an I went to Montana hunting last year he had a Garmin with the Montana state map. Mine showed detail better, but the state map was nice. There were a couple of places where our units showed a difference in public/private parcels, so we always went with the more conservative and erred on the side of caution.

I would buy another DeLorme in a heartbeat because I think it is more versatile, but being able to use the landowner info. from the Hunt x maps would be nice.

My Garmin 64s is also a button machine and I much prefer it. When we are not hunting the GPS's get used for Geocaching and in that mode the Garmins are far ahead of the pack. Just Saying.

Looks like Cabelas has both the Oregon 600 and 650 on sale now for 219.99.

My choice/rationale as well.

What Boise said. I use a pay app for my phone and like it. I shot my eTrex with a .40 SW.

Just make sure you carry extra batteries for that smart phone. We had to drive a lost elk hunter back to his camp because his smart phone battery died and he didn't have a gps..

Nice thing about my Etrex - it uses 2 AA's. They're cheap and readily available. Battery failure isn't a worry.

Etrex Vista. Always gets me home

I put my phone on airplane mode and it gets great battery life -- that or simply turn it off till I need it. But my eTrex got better battery life, however, comparing my old eTrex to my phone is like comparing a go-cart to an F150.

None. Map and compass. It really works, weigh's next to nothing, and doesn't need batteries or good weather.

Garmin 64 is on sale at SW for $180.

That's a really good price. Hmm.. I wonder if I could take the chip out of my 62 and stick it in a 64. I love my maps.