Hey guys I've been thinking about buying a GPS for a while now. I'm wondering if any of you have used one? IF so what brand is better? If I purchase one I'd like to get it right the first time. I don't want to throw money into one & have to get another a short time later. It would basicly be used now & then while hunting in areas where my knowledge of the area isn't as good as my Usual hunting places. Any Info & thoughts would be appreciated.

Rich Jake

Hi Rich,
I've been using a Garmin 3+ for a couple of years now. I really like having the ability to download maps into the gps for the areas I will be hunting in. There are several CD-ROMs that are available of the Garmins. They have a great web site, Garmin.com. I've used magellens before but didn't care for them. These are the only 2 brands I've used!

Bob

In spring didn't have too much luck with it tracking and keeping locked on in the deep dark jungles of Roseboom hill.

Though there will be much less tree cover this winter.

I have a Garmin Etrex. Although I haven't used mine much, I got it because one of my best friends and fishing buddies, uses his everytime we go crappie fishing. I have not know it to ever fail and we will usually be within a few feet of the underwater structure that we're looking for.
I'm thinking I paid around $120 for it. Don't know that it will be much help in hunting situations, but for a fising tool it's great.

Rick

Cas
What brand did you try in that black hole of Roseboom?
Rich Jake

I am a Professional Land Surveyor and I use the Garmin Etrex model with the electronic compass on it. Most of my work with this unit involves recovering the old government survey markers. It appears to work fairly well under light to medium tree canopy. Pine trees really kill the signal, even on the $50-60 survey grade units.

Most any unit manufactured these days will work. A fellow surveyor picked up a Garmin 12 at a discount store for about $80 and has very good service from it. Of, the model I use cost around $400.

I've got a $100 Etrex which I bought because it was nice and simple to use. It has trouble picking up satellites in heavy cover, but if you find a clearing it'll give you distance and bearing with no bs. Where I hunt the topo maps aren't any help - it's all basically swamp as far as you care to slog - so lack of downloadable maps is no big deal. I occasionally plug it into my laptop in the truck (this also works in airplanes if you hold the gps up to the window) and run Delorme Streetmap - pretty slick and way better than a 1.25" x 3" black and white map when cruising through West Texas in the dark.

Mark Dumais

I use a Magellan GPS 315 and have had good luck with it. I use it with Boy Scouts and do a lot of camping ect. Downloadable maps would be great but I got this one several years ago and that feature was just coming out with that "New Feature Price" so I opted for the basic model. Very simple to use,,,My 16 year old uses it often and has logged over 130 miles backpacking with it.
PS---Take spare batteries along!!! Some units can burn them up fairly fast, just another spec to check out while shopping.

Thanks guys for the info! It gives me an idea of what to look for. Do any of you have a particular feature missing on your GPS that you wish you had?
Rich Jake

A game locator would be nice!! I got skunked this year, no Elk!

Bob

I got slightly turnaround in N.GA once and my nephew gave me a Garmin 12...when we got home. Its a nice little unit... ditto on the spare batteries. I dont use it much in VA but in the big woods it is useful. The new Rhinos would be my unit of choice now. Nice to have two pieces of gear in one little box and they update you and your buddies positions every time you talk on the radio.
Dave

With the Garmin 3+ I don't really worry about the batteries. I take some extra's along on hunting trips, but this last deer hunt in Central Oregon the batteries lasted all 9 days and I didn't put new ones in before the hunt!
Also something to consider, there are newer models out now that have lots more memory if your going to go with a gps that will hold maps!

Bob