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

True, right up to the point when it isn't. I've seen them fail, and I'm not talking about battery life either. And it was a Garmin.

Personally, I go minimalist with a Foretrex 401. High sensitivity receiver, but I can do without a map on a screen, since I always have a paper copy.

Really helps in the dark or in really thick brush like we had this past August. Hard to know if you're on the right route when you can only see five feet in front of you.

The only reason I carry a GPS is the landowner maps. Some of this checker boarded BMA, BLM, State, private non-BMA schit is a nightmare. The GPS shows me if I'm right or wrong and keeps track of everywhere I went in case there is a landowner waiting at the gate.



Travis

That would be the one reason I'd upgrade.

I use the Delorme with my iphone earthmate app. It does a good job showing you land ownership and good enough mapping if you have the maps downloaded to your phone.

I pay a lot of attention to landmarks, and always surveying where I am in relation. I do so for a lot of reasons, sometimes the correct drainage, sometimes noticing interesting features the are worth exploring at another time.

No, it's not.

A few years ago I apparently pushed enough wrong buttons in wrong order and my gps ended up 180 degrees off.

Nor do I have a what buttons in which order I pushed to make it correct again.......I got it to work correctly only after I got home........


Casey

Happens with compasses too. Had a Silva Ranger that no matter how I turned it, how I spun it, or twisted it - that dammed needle kept pointing the same direction! Had a hell of time.

Hey fellows, I just went to put my new Armorsuit screensaver on my Montana 600 and realized that I'd ordered one for the Garmin Oregon 600t/650t instead.

If anyone needs it let me know. It's new in the opened package. I paid $10 for it.

Jeff

Hey fellows, I just went to put my new Armorsuit screensaver on my Montana 600 and realized that I'd ordered one for the Garmin Oregon 600t/650t instead.

If anyone needs it let me know. It's new in the opened package. I paid $10 for it.

this is it: http://www.armorsuit.com/garmin-oregon-600-t-650-t-gps-screen-protector.html

Jeff

Being blessed with the worst sense of direction in history ,I've used GPS's since they first came out. I've probably owned 6 different ones. I currently have a Garmin eTrex HCX and a Garmin Oregon 450t I use them both. The newer models have some reception advantages having GlONASS but it's not huge. The 450 has a 3 Axis compass, which is why I bought it, with the eTrex you have to be moving for the compass to work. I haven't had to many reception issues , both have high sensitivity antennas in them , But the Quad Helix antennas on the Garmin 62 & 64 are a bit better. It was cheaper to buy the T (topo) model 450 otherwise I would have bought the regular 450. There's really good topo maps free on the Internet I use them. I use the 450 most I like the touch screen nothing to get hung up on , the eTrex has a joy stick , most the time I just have it in my pocket. I don't leave it on it only takes a few seconds to lock on after the initial lock in a area. I carry extra batteries and , ALWAYS have a compass usually 2 , I had a GPS go loopy in a Lightning storm years ago. I use mine for way more than just locating camp or the truck . You can do a lot in conjunction with Google Earth. If I bought one now it would be a Montana or a Monterra because of the bigger screen.

Not sure on the cell phone's I always thought they had to have reception for the GPS part to work . Most place's I hunt I never have reception and when I do the battery is at 30%.

Some older models they're phasing out can be had for a pretty good price. 3 axis compass and water proof were important to me , GLONASS would be nice. I don't know what your budget is but here are some models I've seen on sale. You'll have to look and see if they offer what you want. Hope this helps KH

Garmin eTrex 30
Garmin 62
Garmin 64
Oregon 450
Oregon 600

The 401 is also my favorite for hunting in areas where I have a topo for sure. I have a 62st for roaming around though.

Relying on GPS is an excellent way to get hopelessly lost. I use the top of the line Magellan for work and play. It is amazing how often that thing does not know where it is.

The trick to not getting lost is keeping tabs on where you are, even when using a GPS. If you do that, you'll know when the GPS has gone of the rails in time to keep from losing yourself.

Sounds like you better get a better GPS. Garmin makes some good units you should take a look at...

No, but battery power is.


Still using my Oregon 400 T

If you say so. I've used Garmins before. They weren't any better. I have also used the backpack style GIS accuracy level units. It seems to me that people who feel they can rely on GPS don't pay close enough attention to it.

I primarily use a map & compass and if I need to verify my location I use an app on my iphone.

I used to own a garmin gps years ago and sold it because I wasn't using it enough to carry it then last year I finally got one again but that same day I found an app for my phone which easily outperformed my new garmin. I returned the garmin and I don't think I'll ever even consider buying another gps again. The resolution on my phone is outstanding and it's easier to use!