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Posted this in "Big Game" too in that I was not sure where I to actually pose a question on GPS units.

Looking at purchasing a GPS for hunting. Right now I am considering the Magellan Sportrak Map and the Garmin Etrex Legend.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these units, and/or any recommendations?

Thanks

Greg

I have a Garmin eMap.. I love it. Bought it off ebay with the whole kit for about $150.00 I bought it over the newer ones as it has a larger screen, and Waay cheaper <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Mark

Garmin 12 and it seems to do all I want.

Find a site thast has customer reviews. I used www.epinions.com .I just ordered a GPS tonight. I had ordered a Sportrak Topo and it went back order indefinately so I cancelled the order and changed to another unit.

got a magellan sport trak pro. very happy with it. fairly easy to use. had it about 3 years. i also find myself using it in the vehicle too. it has the highway maps. took it to kodiak island and it performed perfectly, even had the names of the islands and small towns

I already posted this on the big game forum but, everyone seems to be replying here so I'll post it here too.



I just bought a Garmin 60CS. I am very impressed with it, it is amazing. I know this unit is considerably more money but it has many more features including a colour screen, 56 megs memory instead of 8, a much better antenna, and much more. The 60C is exactly the same but lacks the electronic compass and the barometric altimeter ( the same difference as between the Legend and the Vista). It still has a compass though, you just have to be moving to use it just like the Legend. Garmins mapping softwear is really good too. I recommend the Mapsource Topo for your area. It is the best for hunting applications. I would recommend the Garmin products over the Magellan. Everyone I know that has had both likes the Garmin better and their mapping programs are better too in my opinion. Anyways, I recommend you go to their home pages and research the features before you by ( www.garmin.com and www.magellangps.com ). Also, you might want to visit www.gpsinformation.net and read the reviews on the units your considering. If you have anymore questions don't hesitate to ask; I have been researching them for a long time and know most stuff that there is to know. Good luck and good hunting.



The Avid Outdoorsman

Glad you posted on this subject since I ordered a 60C last night. I chose the 60C for it's longer battery life. Neither seems a bad choice and everyone has different needs. The 30 hour max time on the batteries with the 60C was a selling point since when using it in unfamiliar territory I'll have a compass and map to back it up. I know if I want topo maps on it I'll have to buy Garmin's CD or find someone that already has one.

Another Garmin 60C very impressed owner here. I have no problems getting a strong signal in densely wooded areas.

USAPhotomaps is a great (free) aerial photo program to use with any GPS. It's good for overlaying deer sign/trails onto an aerial photo of your favorite hunting spot.

Make sure you buy from an authorized dealer and don't pay more than $360 for the 60C. Gpsnow.com

I know there are many places and situations where a GPS is a good tool, but I can't help but think of all the hunters over the decades that have done just fine with a good compass.

With some exceptions maybe here in the northern part of WI., a GPS is major overkill........

Reneck,

I agree with to a certain degree, but GPS are very useful in certain situations. Now we have units the size of the Garmon Geko you have to ask why not take one?

I would add though that I GPS is only really useful if you can read and carry a topo map; something like a 1:25,000 is ideal. Also you need to use what I think you guys call you UTM but is basically the Military Grid system...

The biggest plus I found when I bought me GPS was that it entailed a good brush up on my map reading skills!

Regards,

Pete

If I hunting in an unfamiliar area I carry a compass for dead reckoning back. I wanted A GPS to use on public land and places I don't normally hunt to help me get to a place I've scouted out previously. A GPS is a real help when you're going into a place in the dark you are not familiar with. It can save a lot of extra steps. Ok, so I'm lazy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

If one relys on a gps alone one can get ones self into alot of trouble. It is a piece of technology which I would never let take the place of a compass. In my opinion one should have to take a map and compass coarse before one should be allowed to buy a gps. I mark my truck but I always follow a rough bearing, with my compass, throught the woods.
Having said that, I have recently found myself, when back in the bush, hitting my truck on the waypoint list and then hitting go to. Most of the time it is the reciprocal(sp) of the bearting I was following from my truck.

Pete E,



My GPS has the capability to download maps; including full topographic maps. I bought the Garmin Mapsource Topo Canada software and have loaded my whole area into my GPS. I now have a highly detailed topographic map right on my GPS in full colour. It is great. But, yes, I do agree with you guys and I do always carry a compass with me when I am in an unfamiliar area, just as a backup. However, it is not really necessary because I hunt with a group of guys and we stay in radio contact and with in a kilometer or two most of the time. I just carry it more as a safe guard. I also like my GPS because I can use it as a range finder. If I happen to take an animal I waypoint the spot I shot it and then the fallen animal, that is if it falls where I shot it. If not I estimate. But, the bottom line is, a GPS unit is a luxury, and is far from necessary. But, if you can afford one it can be a very useful tool. Just dont fully rely on it or you could find yourself (well rather not find yourself <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ) in a lot of trouble. Good luck and good hunting.



The Avid Outdoorsman

If I was going in the bush I'd have a good map, a good compass, a less expensive compass as a backup, and a GPS unit. I'd keep up with my movement by checking the compass and using the GPS to mark my travel on the map.

jjh, you aren't by any chance JJHack?? In either case, you hit the nail on the head. A compass has IMHO much more reliability than an electronic instrument which can go south in a hurry for a variety of reasons, all of which spell bad news if you're in dense, unfamiliar country. I assume most hunters are smart enough to carry a compass as a backup, maybe two of them in case you want to check one against the other for proper function. Why, you ask? Consider the fact that commercial airliners have at least two different compasses in the cockpit. Major maritime units, both commercial and military also have at least two types of compasses on board. Even the old WWII sub I was on had two, and we had to check one against the other every half hour. One fool helmsman didn't one night, the master had tumbled and he didn't know it, and we ended up going nearly 90 degrees off course for about 3 hours. The XO was PLENTY hot...

LOL..

Redneck, no I am not that person. I am just a person who has spent the majority of my recreational time stumbling around in the woods.
I have even seen on outdoor programs on the television where the star of the show takes a gps and travels through the woods and upon wanting to return to the truck simply hits backtrack. No mention of a compass what so ever. This in my opinion is sending the wrong message.
Personally I use the gps for direction locating and I use the compass for navigating but the bottom line is that if the gps goes south my compass will get me out of the bush.
To carry a compass for backup is one thing but to know how to use it is another.

http://www.thegpsstore.com/detail_GA00309.asp

Garmin GPS 72 Handheld GPS - this is the one you want. I have a heavy-duty garmin on my boat and I have owned a basic magellan. this model is very user friendly with great funtionality. I bought it to use for my jon boat on lakes, etc... I admit that I just really like playing with the technology but they are great safety tools. you can find you way back in the dark if you are hunting in unfamiliar territory and in an emergency, with a gps and radio/cell phone, you can guide assistance to your position. I used it to measure boat speed in my jon boat (can you believe 32 mph in a 14 jon boat with a 25 merc?) anyway, for the money, $159, this unit is super!!!

jjh, LOL.... I agree with you. It does send the wrong message. Most of the posters above have posted very good reasons to have a GPS.. I'd love one myself but just can't afford the bux to get this particular tool that I'd probably not use. Now, if I get to the Rockies and traipse around a bit, yeah, I can see it.

You're also right in your statement about knowing how to USE a compass. Many people get confused with using one. I was very lucky to have a grandfather who was QUITE a woodsman and all-around very knowledgeable in outdoor stuff. I've tried to follow his example in teaching my son how to use a compass properly.

Hope everyone has a good and safe hunting season....

The Avid Outdoorsman,

I have seen the type of GPS your refering to, but for now I will stick to my house brick...I mean Garmin 12! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

When I look at a map I like to look at big areas and see whats around...I would find scrolling across a tiny 3"x 2" screen very restrictive...true you can zoom out to show a bigger area, but then your loosing detail as altering the scale.

Also, at least in the UK, those types of GPS are very expensive and so is the mapping software too. No doubt they will come down in price but my basic garmin 12 does pretty much everything I want.

If your please with the mapping aspect of your GPS, great as I firmly believe each to their own...

Regards,

Pete

Jjh & Redneck,

Although I carry a compass I confess I seldom use it (or the GPS) as I find orientating the map to the terrain easy enough and then working from the map...
I can do that because our terrain has plenty of features, but I realise that does not apply everywhere of course.

Where a compass is a life saver is in reduced visability such as fog or whiteout and thats the real reason I carry one...

I normally carry a small Silva Type 27 as an emergency compass as I don't like those small button ones and think they are a wast of time.

If I know I am going to be doing a lot of compass work I carry either a Sunnto sighting compass or proper GI issue compass..I just wish the GI Compass had a transparent base to take bearing direct from the map with out the need of a seperate protractor.

Regards,

Pete