recommend a hand held GPS

[matt85]

as the title says, im looking for a hand held GPS to use while hunting. at first I was looking at the Garmin Rino because I liked the radio feature but decided I really didn't need it. really all I need out of the GPS is for it to tell me where I am, where ive been, what GMU im in, and I need the ability to set way points such as my truck or a favorite hunting spot. the ability to use it as a driving GPS would also be nice but isn't required. im also not great with high tech stuff so it needs to be very easy to use.

suggestions?

-matt

 

[Shortride]

I bought a Garmin 62 st last fall. If I type on my address in the town I live in and the address to the local fire department and hit goto the unit will tell me I can't get there from where I am. Also if I start up the unit and go to the next town then use the trackback function the unit will tell me I can't get there. I have talked to the factory twice and they tell me the unit is working fine. Just food for thought.

 

[richteb]

Sounds like you do not have any maps. The unit does not come with maps. I have the same unit. I have Garmin topo map, bluechart g2, Street navigator all loaded on the same microSD card. Unit works great.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I have a 60csx

A rational comparison of various Garmin 6o series GPS units.
http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/garmin/gpsmap62seriescomparison.html

You can either use it as a simple tool : Where's the truck or deer stand. or other bells and whistles.

Skip the other smart phone functions. They just eat power in IMO.

 

[Bullthrower338]

To quote the mountain men, "I've never been lost, powerful confused for a few days, but never lost". My Garmins have always worked great. Way smarter than I am. Then again it took me 20 minutes to figure out how to make a call on this dam iPhone when I got it!

 

[matt85]

ive never owned a smartphone and i have no idea how to use one. im not a big tech guy and prefer simple easy to use things. i just recently started using text messaging but i havent figured out how to use the camera.

many of the GPS systems i looked at seemed complicated but i didnt get much time to play with them.

-matt

 

[Bullthrower338]

ive never owned a smartphone and i have no idea how to use one. im not a big tech guy and prefer simple easy to use things. i just recently started using text messaging but i havent figured out how to use the camera.

many of the GPS systems i looked at seemed complicated but i didnt get much time to play with them.

-matt

I still carry the same compass that accompanied me around the world with Uncle Sam. A good map, good compass and knowing how to use both have served me well. One thing really cool about the Rino's are the triangulating features when you are hunting with others. I just need to take the time to learn all the tricks to them.

 

[matt85]

bad thing is im not good with maps and generally have a poor sense of direction.

i have had a GPS in my truck since the mid 90s. my first GPS was seriously primitive by todays standards and cost me $600.

-matt

 

[Shortride]

richteb Thanks for the info. No one at REI said anything about being able to or needing to load maps. Also you would think after talking to the people at Garmin twice someone would have said something about needing to add maps to the unit. Do you know if I need an SD chip or can I just download the file?

 

[richteb]

Shortride,
Yes that is customer service for you. As far as maps well it depends on how tech savvy you are. As you know you can get just about anything on the net. However, if you could not be bothered then just buy the maps you need on microSD card and be done with it. Now, if you are considering getting maps to use your 62st as a street navigator you will find that you can buy a dedicated street navigator with maps cheaper then the garmin maps alone (at least here in Australia). The other option is getting garmin maps from ebay. They are a lot cheaper (I have bought 2 and no problem), however make sure to check seller feedback, as this is the first indication they are reputable. The third is to find the map files you want and download, but this requires possibly other software to make the files work and can get messy.

Hope this helps

 

[matt85]

im sorta surprised this thread hasnt got more hits. no reccomendations as to a specific model?

im considering a 64st but ive heard mixed reviews.

-matt

 

[richteb]

Matt
I had the garmin rino, good gps unit, but the radio function was not very good, certainly not even close to a dedicated transceiver. I have the garmin 62st and I am pleased with this unit as it is better then the 60 series in that you don't have to hold the unit level for compass to work. The main complaint I have with all these units is that the screen could be a little bigger.

 

[bluey]

im sorta surprised this thread hasnt got more hits. no reccomendations as to a specific model?

im considering a 64st but ive heard mixed reviews.

if l was home mat l could tell what gps I use , I know its a Magellan ,but don't know the model .
it takes a sd card for top maps.
ive also got another that ive had for over year and havnt even played with it yet .
it is a garmin and came from America ,but has a tracking collar my my dog which was way to big for her ,as she is old as the hills , im paitently waiting ,to have to replace her .
with either an English pointer or an weimararnier.
it takes topo charts aswell

the best gps I ever owned was an old expolerist 100 I think it was .
very basic ,but practical .

-matt

 

[RickP]

On our last trip, I took my Garmin 450 which is bit aged, given how fast technology changes. I kept locations of shot/downed animals and it even kept an elevation profile. I was able to pull the locations and see them on Google Earth to get an overhead view of where I was. It was fun.

 

[bluey]

On our last trip, I took my Garmin 450 which is bit aged, given how fast technology changes. I kept locations of shot/downed animals and it even kept an elevation profile. I was able to pull the locations and see them on Google Earth to get an overhead view of where I was. It was fun.

that is pretty cool .
thanks for the idea ,rick.
rekon l might try this

 

[ton]

Take a look at the Garmin Fenix.

 

[matt85]

i picked up a Garmin 62st off ebay from a certified seller. its a factory refurb and was about $160 less then a new one but came with an extended warranty (2 years instead of the standard 1 year).

here is a link if any one is interested (seems like a decent deal): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garmin-GPSM...er-/171505561799?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160

-matt

 

[bluey]

that looks very similar to the one l got with the tracking collar .
its a good price ,thanks for the link matt