Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting The One True GPS

Unfortunately, I don't know which one it is.

I've heard the Garmin units are the class of the field. I was thinking about getting the Oregon 450 or maybe the Model 62, when it's released later this year. I've also heard it's best to buy the maps separately.

What is everyone using and how do you like it?

Garmin GPSMap60..... They run a newer gps chip in them (Sirf III gps chip) that is the same chip we run in our commercial gps units for legal surveys of standing timber.

Touch screens are just not a good idea.

Gramin Etrex Summit, gets me in, gets me out, easy to use, one hand operation.

The Delorme units are awesome. The screens aren't as large as some on the market and they have a steep learning curve but the mapping features available are great.

Not much help, maybe, but by your description, Polaris.

I'm interested in a good GPS too. I've got a garmin etrex that I don't trust. At all. I've had it try to send me the wrong direction too many times. The last time was when I had my wife and kids out in the woods with me. That's unacceptable!

Just a thought....you guys that had a GPS take you in the wrong direction.....

Do not allow anything electronic (cell phone-radio-anything. even another compass) near the unit when using.....it will alter your reading/direction.

It has happened to me before when I was talking on a radio with a friend while coming out of the woods at dark.

Mt radio was touching my gps and telling me to go 180 degrees different to where I was supposed to go.

Just a thought.

I didn't know about the interference thing Tom. How close to sources of interference is too close? I've had it work just fine while driving down the road in my truck with a satellite radio receiver and cell phone within a couple feet of it.

Out in the woods it's been at least that far away from my cell phone, if I'm even carrying it. 180 degrees out is exactly what it's done a few times. Luckily every time it's happened I've been familiar with the area and have gone with my instincts and memory of the terrain. The last time it happened, I was standing next to my truck while the unit is insisting that the truck is 450 feet away in a SEasterly direction. That's the instance where my wife and 2 little kids were along.

I really like my Garmin GPSmap 60csx, and you can get them from BassPro for $199. As far as maps go I download mine from gpsfiledepot.com

In my case the unit was less than a foot away.

My brother has a Garmin Vista and hates it. same problem you are having...me on the other hand I had one and never had a problem with it.

I now have the Garmin 76 CSX and love it.

Also...do an experiment at home with your unit with a radio, compass etc and see what you can get away with......maybe that will tell you.

That's a good idea Tom. Thanks.

Find it funny that some GPS get weirded out by radio waves. My buddy's Garmin chartplotter GPS on his ocean boat does the spins when the radio mic is keyed. Yet my Garmin RINO has a radio built into it and has no problems.

I always carry a magnetic compass as a sanity check. You only need to learn that lesson once.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The DeLorme was new to me.

A-MEN!

Absolutely! The day I was out with the wife and kids, the compass went around my neck before the GPS did. That wasn't my first go around with a faulty GPS reading. Getting lost a few times as a 12 or 13 year old was enough to teach me about the value of a compass.

That goes double here on my end.
I always carry one too.

My old Silva & a topo map got us out the elk woods some years ago in Colorado after my buddies GPS batteries died.
Let's see............license, compass, water, knife.........

Anyone who just needs to mark points (treestands, fishing spots, etc), have a backtrack feature, and tells you how to get someplace in a straight line, I have a Garmin Etrex that I'll let go cheap!! I've used one (same model but this one's little used) in ID, MT, SD, UT, WY, AZ, and AK with no problems.

I had sent it to a poster who was interested and was letting him pay when he came up with the money. After a month and no money he said it wasn't working for him and returned it... Anyone interested?

Garmin Etrex Legend HCX...has the high sensitive receiver for trees and deep canyons....mine works great and have used it plenty.
Topo maps added is a needed feature. I'm certain other good ones are out there so look around.
I agree, keep a compass with you at all times. A GPS is a "battery" operated tool and it will fail on its fault or yours, so have a back-up.