I hunt the backcountry of the Adirondacks, mostly the High Peaks Wilderness Area. And my compass and maps have always been sufficient to get me back to camp or out to my truck, it's just that sometimes I may walk a mile or two further than needed. I have had a gps in the past, a Garmin eTrex Venture HC and found it extremely user UN friendly. I wonder if there is something available that is very simple. What I would like is something that would display a topo map, maybe 10 square miles, points on it that I make, like camp, truck, rub line, etc. And a mark where I am standing. The map oriented so north is at the top is very important! That's it. Quite simple really. What is available like this?

Garmin 64s. They make several versions of it and they show up on sale for around $200 quite often.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/GARMIN-GPSMAP-X/3418949.uts?slotId=9

You'll need to download detailed maps. You can buy maps from Garmin, but most of the USA can be found for free at sites like this

https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

You'll need to buy some mini SD cards. I have one card with all Southeastern states from TX to Virginia. Another card for a trip I made to Indiania. The only map I paid for was Colorado. It was $80 and worth the expense to ensure I didn't wander onto private property.

If you want touch screen the Garmin Oregon is basically the same unit with touch screen. It costs a bit more, doesn't do anything any better, just touch screen, and you rarely see them on sale.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Garmin-Oregon/2376605.uts?slotId=2

Either will do what you want and are a significant step up over the E-trex, but you do have to put in some time learning how to use it.

I lay down tracks showing exactly where I've been each day with waypoints marked. I've never needed it to find my way back, but it can mean getting back in the shortest path. It is also helpful to get back to an exact spot especially if coming from a different path the next time. At the end of each day I download my tracks to my computer and overlay them onto Google earth. That way I can see where I've been and possibly scout other places.

Wasn't there just a thread on this recently? Maybe my mind is failing and it was on another site. Anyway, if you have a smart phone you can download ONX. Yes it works when you don't have cell service and does everything you are asking and more.

Garmin 64

Remember that a GPS receiver is NOT A SUBSTITUTE for a USGS map and a compass.

Buy a subscription to OnX or GAIA and put it on your smart phone.

I used a Garmin eTrex Summit for years and then a Garmin 64ST. The Garmin 64ST screen is too small and it has other problems which I won't spend the time detailing.

I put GAIA on a tablet. It's great but the tablet is a little too big to fit comfortably in a pocket. A smart phone is a better size.

I still loan my eTrex Summit to my grandson because it's easy to set your truck or camp as a waypoint so you can find your way back.

Recently upgraded from my 60ST to the new 66ST. Impressed so far - larger screen, quicker acquisition. Lot's of incremental improvements over the 60 / 62/ 64 versions.

Second Gaia or similar. Mapping and ability to enlarge on your smart phone screen is much better that my Garmin. Only advantage of Garmin is radio

A one year subscription for your state with Onx costs about $30. It'll do topo or satellite and everything else you specified. Before you spend $2 or 300 for a GPS, give it a try. For that price, it's hard to beat. You can use your computer to subscribe, then just download the app on your phone and open your account. You can use your account on any phone or tablet as long as you install the free app. You don't need cell service to use it. You can download the maps you want at home and they will work offline. Just put your phone on airplane to save the battery if you like.
It'll track either north up or current direction up.

They have a free 7 day trial. Give it a try.

If you have cell service, or download maps to your phone first. Your smartphone can do the job. Garmin 64 is about the best one I have used.

Gaiagps- it's the sole reason I bought a smartphone 7 years ago- now my 6 oz phone is a GPS, camera and even occasionally a phone

contrary to what some think, it doesn't rely on cell service, I actually put mine in airplane mode as soon as I head out- solely relies on satellites like any other gps; you can mark waypoints, import routes, track your routes- anything a gps can do

If you plan to use OnX maps make sure you download the area when you have a high speed connection to your offline content. You have options for higher or lower resolution but it will do several miles square.

Then operate your phone in airplane mode when you have shaky or no connection. I also carry a portable recharger for the phone since the battery life suffers in cold weather. It tracks your location well but not perfectly like most gps units but the graphics & property lines are fantastic.

Handy to have gps, phone, camera in one package.

Onx gives you 3 options. 1st is a map 5 miles wide. it has the best resolution. Next is 10 miles wide and then 100 miles wide. Resolution drops as the maps get bigger.
The gps in my phone isn't as good as my Garmin Montana but it's close enough that I've never had a problem. This is open country, though. Someone else will have to tell you if it's good enough for thick swamps. The Garmin will get me within 3'. My phone might vary 5 yards sometimes.

Id suggest a garmin with color screen and on-X maps. I have and use an Oregon 550 that ive used for years, i also have a Dakota. The Dakota is smaller and the batteries last longer, but its only in the pack for an emergency if the 550 fails. I also have on-x on my phone, but dont rely on the phone as a GPS. My elk hunting buddy and i have had to pick up our fair share of suckers walking down the road because the battery in their phone died while using it as a GPS. You guys want to keep using them, well i guess my partner and i will keep helping you out.

I have a Garmin 64st. (Is it needed to say Garmin anymore? I mean....who else makes a retail GPS? I wish DeLorme still did.)

I'm not in the cell phone only crowd. Yeah, sure, it's all possible to download offline maps etc. but show me a person who can do it right their first 3-5 attempts. I guess I'm just stupid.

A GPS with fresh batteries usually just starts up & works and is somewhat intuitive. (Hey, there's a map with me as the arrow in the center.)

And, KC's advice about a good protractor compass with magnetic declination and a USGS 1:24K quad topo map is spot on. This shouldn't even have to be said IMHO.

I call BS, it’s pretty easy to get 3 or 4 days from a phone using On-X.

OP, like many have said, On-X is great but also use the Garmin 66I since I am often hunting alone. Gives the wife peace of mind and am able to communicate no matter where I am.

my Iphone X is good for at least two days using On-X, Usually with a lot of battery left over. I have a 2 big Anker batteries that are each good for 4-5 full charges so that gets me through most hunts. On-x does what I need map wise, the phone also is a camera and plays audio books for when I am back in the tent. I also use it to take notes and of course depending on where you are it may function as a phone.

Now if you in a place with no service and you don't put the phone in airplane mode it will eat battery, or if you have a 5 year old phone with a shot battery then your not going to be pleased with a cell phone as a GPS.

Pretty much any modern Garmin is going to do what you want, especially with an OnX chip. One with the standard 1/100,000 topo may be enough for what you're wanting too.

Lots of folks use OnX on their phones, but I can't figure that crap out. Way easier to throw a chip in and go from there, for me at least, regardless of battery longevity. With a regular Garmin you could always throw a coupe extra batteries in your pack, if that's a concern of yours.

Yes! It doesn't take much to keep a phone charged to be used. Wonder if he challenges them to the 24hour shooting challenge when he picks them up???

that gave me a good laugh

Yes. Airplane mode. I might charge my phone twice during 7 day backpack hunts...

^ at that rate you'll never get a ride from bsa

Unfortunately some of us actually have experience with things...grin

Phones are a giant PIA when rain/wet conditions are introduced.

I like a Garmin with buttons.

I can see where you are that'd be an issue...

I don't think anyone would argue that a dedicated gps has some advantages over a cell phone (buttons vs touch screen, better battery life). But there are advantages to using a phone- weight being the big one. Not just weight of phone vs gps, but weight of phone vs gps + camera (or in some cases people bring their phones anyways, so phone vs gps+camera+phone).

In addition to having a good camera (and a phone in the rare instances I have cell coverage), I religiously carry a inReach Mini that is much easier to use w/ my phone via Earthmate.

For me, I've ditched my gps as I'm comfortable using my phone with gaiagps to navigate, satisfied with the camera on my phone and it greatly eases the use of the inReach Mini.

I tried it last year. Hard enough to get a picture with it and forget about navigating while in a ziplock with a touch screen. I think it rained an inch almost every day during the peak of the rut though. If I hunted in a dry climate I would be all over the phone deal.

One thing I have noticed with my Garmin is a set of batteries lasts less than a day if the GPS is on and tracking where I go. That's with the screen brightness turned down and me only using it when I want to see something specific on it. My phone on airplane mode will last 3-4 days, but I haven't used it for anything but pictures in the backcountry so I am unsure how long it would last otherwise. Nowadays I just turn it off to avoid the battery issue since I don't use it as a GPS.

I can't figure the OnX phone app out, else I'd give it a try because I do see some advantages to it. Carrying a separate charger for it v.s. extra batteries for a Garmin seems to be a tradeoff. Ups and down to it all, I guess.

Honestly though, other than for knowing land ownership I can't think of a single time when I have absolutely needed a GPS, for any reason. I have used one to get me back to a road well after dark when I followed the wrong drainage out, but if I hadn't of had it, I would have just had an extra couple of miles to walk. They're useful in fog though, for sure.

tracking will consume battery life on the phone as well vs just quick peeks for a location check

if I go for a long run in the mountains I'll leave it on the entire run tracking to get the data (mileage/elevation gain/etc), but if I'm out for a couple of days the only time I use tracking is to get through a difficult navigation and try to use it sparingly

my iPhone is an older one (6) and the battery is slowly going, but I typically get 2-3 days out of it taking quite a few pics and checking the gps intermittently- that's in airplane mode and shutting it off at night

I have a small charger for 2-3 day trips (it can also charge the inReach) and a larger one for 3-5 day trips

Gotcha. That makes sense.

Laffin’, no doubt he pulls out his phone and shows them some target pics.

Yep...

I've been using a 26000mAh power bank for the past couple years. I use a short cord connected to my phone. I spent a week in the BWCA and didn't even use 1/3 of the stored power. Beats carrying a bunch of AA battery's and the problem of carrying the dead ones around until I get back. Even has a nice light built in.

26000mAh Power Bank

I see the utility with that thing, but I am not sure it "beats" carrying a bunch of AA battery's around, being that it weighs a full pound (not that that's a lot and is equivalent to about 20 AAs) and you have to also make sure to bring and not loose a cord. Loose batteries floating around a pack can be a PIA though, but they're not hard to organize. Like I said....ups and downs to either method.

Way I understand it only smartphones made in the late 2018 - 2019 or newer are using the new Broadcom twin frequency L1/L5 chips. That and the ongoing battle with L band frequency's. I'd stick with what you have as long as it works and not buy new for awhile.

Phil

my chargers are a Jackery Mini- 3500 mAh at 2.5 oz (2-3 day trips) and a Anker Powercore 10,000 mAh at 6.5 oz (3-5 day trips), longer will bring both

I just turn my phone off when I'm not using it, which is 99% of the time.

I do the same with the GPS, and the batteries last a year+

Never gotten a ride from BSA, but I have seen lots of pictures of groups he has shot. Maybe some day...

I carry a P&S camera in spite of what my phone will do. A phone camera just can't get the resolution for enlargements. The zoom is digital, not optical, and that starts showing up with enlargements. Phone cameras are very good for emailing and social media but lousy for real photography.

Just know he’s out there to save you if needed.

I have been using a Garmin 64 series for a long time very durable unit plus on cold winter days you can use it with your gloves on , my buddy uses his smart phone and he is constantly pulling his gloves off to use it.

The new 66ST version is real nice. Bigger screen & faster acquisition. Interface very similar to earlier versions which shortens the learning curve.

They make ones that weigh about 2oz than run off AAs if you want to go that way as well.

I have both a Garmin Montana and my phone with Onx. Both have advantages. The phone has a great advantage in that you can see a satellite version along with the topo.

Geez the Garmin series as a whole are very user friendly and the E trex series are the most basic model they make.

If you cant use a eTrex you probably are going to have problems with other models.


Lefty

Used Garmins for a bunch of years, various models as they evolved. Still have their Rino 650 but use it very little. Started using GAIA and my smart phone, this is standard practice with the SAR team I am on. I am able to load and save toto maps of our entire county into my phone, I added all of Glacier NP for last summer’s trip without issue. I carry an extra battery pack, not much bigger that 2 Bic lighters. This winter I added an inReach Mini to my gear, it too links to my phone. My wife is much happier about my solo jaunts now. And yes, if my phone [bleep] the bed I can be in a pinch, same re a GPS. There is always a compass in my pack and on most hunts a topo map. Worst case I can use the map to start a fire while I sit tight.

North star. Map. Compass. Digital photo of map.

I've said this before - before you spend several hundred on a gps, spend $30 for a year's subscription to your state with OnX on your phone. Use it for a while then decide. If you don't like it, you're not out much and you might find you love it.