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The_Mountaineer
Administrator
| Joined: | 4 February 2005 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 715 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | rifle |
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Posted: 5 March 2007 04:13 PM |
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WildBill's post on his search for a GPS got me to thinking about what things I looked for in the way of a GPS for hunting and car travel.
These are the features I wanted:
1. Wide Angle Augmentation System Enabling (WAAS-Enabled): simply a correction system to the satellite system all GPS units use. Simply put, it increases accuracy
2. Color LED: makes easier viewing both in the car and afield. Features are easier to distinguish
3. Moderate-high "Track" log memory: "Tracks" is essentially the stringing of digital breadcrumbs so you can record where you've been and find your way along the same trail.
4. High "waypoint" capacity: Waypoints are digital markers that your GPS logs. It simply puts an X on its memory map by recording Latitude and Longitude
5. Long battery life: this is important especially in the field. You don't want to be packing batteries over mountains just so your GPS operates for the duration of the hunt!
6. Downloadable memory: Perhaps most important. It must be capable of downloading map software (e.g., topo maps, marine maps, street maps, etc.) onto the unit. Furthermore, I wanted to tweak maps on my PC and then upload/share them with my portable GPS unit.
7. Water resistant/water proof: There is a difference and let's face it if you're going out hunting chances are good you might be exposed to some water in the form of rain or a dunk in a creek or something. It's good insurance to have a unit that is at least water "resistant." Water "proof" units are typically standard on marine GPS units but you'll pay for it of course.
8. Ergonomics: This is entirely subjective but I wanted a lightweight unit that was fairly compact and durable as well as being able to be user friendly.
I found all of these features in my personal GPS the Garmin e-Trex VistaC. I've used it on a lot of new turf.
The reception has been very good in most cases. I've literally been in ravines that you couldn't climb out of with vegetative cover and still had reception. Reception has been good on the road too, except in big cities where concrete and steel solidly block satellite transmissions. It's important to note that there are two reception limitations with ANY GPS regardless whether you paid $75 or $7500. 1) City environments (steel and concrete) don't allow for good transmission of satellite signals. 2) ANY GPS is ultimately dependent upon the number of satellites at your position's horizon. Neither of these can you change so don't be duped into buying "guaranteed reception" claims by any manufacturer.
Another limitation you must come to terms with is your maps on your GPS. Each GPS typically comes with what is known as a "Base Map". A Base Map is the default electronic map software that is put into your GPS at the factory. It's usually very basic but can still get you from point A to point B, it just won't list all the streets and landmarks. For those of you considering using topo maps - a word of caution. Don't expect a 7.5 quadrangle level of detail. As WildBill mentioned in his post I've literally seen lakes built by the US Army Corps of Engineers 50 years ago be left off digital maps! So don't expect lots of contour lines and high level of detail because you won't get it. Furthermore the topo software I received from Garmin doesn't do squat for city streets and the like. Rather, you'll have to purchase a street map software for that AND you can't have both on your GPS at the same time. Makes it more apparent that you almost need two GPS units (1 for your car and 1 for you the hunter).
That's pretty much it. Shop carefully and wisely. This post will hopefully serve as a voice of experience for anyone looking to purchase a GPS unit. I don't claim to be a GPS expert, I'm not. But I've used them quite a bit recently and believe me they are a right handy tool.
OH! A staunch reminder. GPS is NOT a replacement for a map and navigational skills. Batteries can and will die and GPS units can get broken. Don't put yourself in a bind by being totally reliant on them. Doing so may lead to finding you 10 years later inside an ice cube stranded on some gawd-awful mountain in Rocky Mountain Sheep country!
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Montani Semper Liber - Mountaineers are always free
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Force_Recon_Marine
Administrator
| Joined: | 7 November 2006 |
| Location: | Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 1439 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 6 March 2007 10:45 PM |
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| Hey Mountaineer, What brands do you like?
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Swift Silent Deadly
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wyo300rum
Handloading Master
| Joined: | 20 December 2006 |
| Location: | California USA |
| Posts: | 1025 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 6 March 2007 11:14 PM |
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| I have two Garmin's . My newer Etrex is small and easy to use. I like it.
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Force_Recon_Marine
Administrator
| Joined: | 7 November 2006 |
| Location: | Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 1439 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 7 March 2007 12:08 AM |
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| I was thinking about getting one for my trip. Since it wont be a guided hunt it may be a good idea. I guess it just depends on the layout of the land.
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Swift Silent Deadly
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wyo300rum
Handloading Master
| Joined: | 20 December 2006 |
| Location: | California USA |
| Posts: | 1025 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 7 March 2007 12:42 AM |
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| The Etrex is fairly cheap. Mine wasn't the fancy one but it has allot of features and 12 channels. Works fast and good . Way better than my old one. It was $200.00 at Wally Mart. It saved my ass twice. Once turkey hunting (you would never beleive that story) and once elk hunting . Both in Az. . It's allot easier than getting out the map and compass. You still have to set the declenation for the area you are in. It last a long time on 4 AA batteries, especially if you use lithium. Last edited on 7 March 2007 12:43 AM by wyo300rum
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I live to hunt. Welcome to my world .
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The_Mountaineer
Administrator
| Joined: | 4 February 2005 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 715 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | rifle |
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Posted: 8 March 2007 02:05 PM |
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FR Marine,
I'm pretty partial to Garmin. I've used Magellans too but the Garmin Extrex VistaC that I bought is pretty well an all-in-one model that I'm very partial too.
The only bad thing I have to say about Garmin is that their toll free service hotline is total shyte. I've called numerous times regarding getting service done on my GPS (cracked the glass display screen) and can NEVER get through.
Magellan just doesn't seem to be as user friendly and seem slower to acquire a signal than the Garmin.
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Montani Semper Liber - Mountaineers are always free
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wyo300rum
Handloading Master
| Joined: | 20 December 2006 |
| Location: | California USA |
| Posts: | 1025 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 8 March 2007 05:36 PM |
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| Mountaineer, I've never had to call cust. serv. so I guess I'm lucky. My old Garmin and two other friends that had the same kind as mine, all stopped working at the same time. I was thinking it was because they disabled or changed something to do with the satalite signal back a few yrs. ago when the military changed theirs to allow civil use of it and they had something new. I can't remember the exact story but it was something like that. Weird though that all 3 quit working. My new Etrex is great. I don't remember what the specific model of it is. Had it about 2 or 3 yrs.
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hivoltfl
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 10 January 2007 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 127 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 15 March 2007 01:07 AM |
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| I am fixin to swap boats and looked at a new Garmin model #498, GPS and sonar combimed, anybody know anything about this unit? Good or Bad? Rick
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wyo300rum
Handloading Master
| Joined: | 20 December 2006 |
| Location: | California USA |
| Posts: | 1025 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 15 March 2007 03:51 AM |
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I don't know about that model and soar but Garmin is top of the line. Personally the best. I know guys that have had Magellian,etc. and always ended up with a Garmin. 
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drmajor
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 13 March 2008 |
| Location: | Charleston, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 6 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | No | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | pistol |
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Posted: 28 March 2008 02:32 PM |
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What will it be used for?
Hicking
Boat
Car
Motorcycle??
I have the Garmin 276c and it's really good. I use in on my boat and my motorcycle.
Considerations:
-high resolution
-large screen size so I can read it
-tracking
-Auto-Routing!!!!
-Good Map software
-fairly easy to use- even with gloves on.
-Auto switches to night-time colors
The 276c and all the *76 series are great. The 376/476 have weather, XM radio, etc.
I have found some places that GPS seems to loose its mind and wants to go in circles, so I turn it off, drive a few miles and turn it back on. OK then. This has happened in Western NC and several places in Italy.
As for depth finders, I like the better Lowrance units. Really good resolution.
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varmintcaller
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | 30 December 2007 |
| Location: | Wilder, Idaho USA |
| Posts: | 139 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 29 March 2008 05:51 AM |
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I have a Garmin Rhino 130 and i love it ! My brother has the Rhino 120 and we have absolutely no problem keeping contact with each other in the woods.
Mine has
Waas enabled, FMR &GMRS Radio, Ringtones or Vibrator notification, Weather Radio, Peer to Peer Positioning, Map Page and Map Functions, Naigation Page with compas and Data Fields, Altimeter Function, Trip Computer, Stores up to 500 Waypoints, Has a Find and Go menue that allows you to find pre-selected Waypoints. Has Downloadable Memory, It doesnt have color LED. Has Night Lite screen feature
Sends notes to other Rhino users when you do not want to use the radio, Creates and stores 20 Routes, each with up to 50 WayPoints. Has Track and Backtrack logs, Has Proximity alarms, Hunt/Fish Logs, and too many other features to mention
I paid $ 400.00 for it but i think it is worth the cost. It has brought me back to camp in the dark many times.
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I'll give up my sovereignty when I run out of ammo.
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