After AR contributors home run recommendation of Fenix PD35 flash light I need advice on a GPS device.

It needs to be

- simple to operate
- regular or rechargeable batteries - i don't want to carry another power source with me
- rugged - i am terribly hard on equipment
- light

Its purpose is

- mark camp and i can get back to camp
- mark the truck and i can get back to truck
- mark and remember 2-3 coordinates/points
- mark gps coordinates for me to later check on google earth

It will be on me or on my backpack.

Thanks,

Mike

Have you looked at the garmin Astros I have 2 of them I like them

I have been taking one of the Garmin E-Trex series pocket GPS to Africa the last few years, and I love them.

It is very small, and fits in my pocket.

And just as you are proposing, I mark the camp, and I mark the truck each time we leave it to follow an animal.

I also like to mark the animals we shoot.

Take Lethium batteries with you. They last longer, and are much lighter to carry.

I have been taking a Garmin Oregon. Does all of the above, is easier to remember how to use (touchscreen) and allows you to download all of your tracks which looks pretty neat on Google Earth. It is a little bigger than the Etrex but I have never noticed the difference on my belt

I've been using a E-Trex for many years, does all you need and is reliable.

Etrex is all you need for simple recording of waypoints, tracks and directions. Personally I prefer something that has a mapping feature/software .. but not really needed for simple casual use.

Etrex is simple to use.

Garmin Etrex
Small,lightweight and rugged.
very good battery life + it uses standard AA batteries so it doesn't require a dedicated charger, just recharge via a USB.
Garmin offers an annual subscription service to "Birds Eye" which allows you to download Satelite imagery to use offline on the device, which is a really useful feature when hunting.

I have also been using the MotionX GPS App. on my iPhone which also allows the use of offline maps/imagery.

It must be!!! Hi Matt.

Larry Sellers
SCI(International)Life Member
Sabatti 'trash' Double Shooter
R8 Blaser
DRSS

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Graham:
Etrex is all you need for simple recording of waypoints, tracks and directions. Personally I prefer something that has a mapping feature/software .. but not really needed for simple casual use.

Etrex is simple to use.

I used my IPhone with a dedicated GPS app. Just mark the loc and power it down.

Recharge it from the Cig lighter in the Bakkie if/when needed.

Beretta682E
I'm not saying go out and look for this "Antique", but look at the Magellan brand.
I have a Magellan SporTrak that takes 2 AA Batteries. I purchased this unit in 2002. I did no research and the only reason I purchased it was the price. I took this GPS on my first safari to Namibia in May 2013 I have all my 7 trophy's and Lodge coordinates.
I was surprised that the unit located my position from the Satellites in less than 15 seconds.

Hopes this helps
MauserK98

The etrex also only takes 2 aa's and it can be found for $100. Can't beat it. After 10 yrs I just upgraded to an etrex 20 so I can have mapping. The 20 is about $189

Thanks for info everyone. Etrex ordered.

Mike