Advice on a GPS

ElkTrout

ElkTrout

Veteran member
Feb 2, 2012
2,443
50
Parker, CO
Hey everyone! I have hunted the same areas for many years and know the terrain well. But now I am starting to hunt new areas which means I am in the market for a GPS! I am looking to spend $300-$400 and wanted your thoughts on a good unit. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
 
Kevin Root

Kevin Root

Very Active Member
Jun 22, 2011
868
0
San Jose, California
web.me.com
I have a Garmin Oregon. It has worked well for me. As with most electronics the technology gets a bit better or advances each year. Having a map and compass for backup is good to have just in case it fails though.
 
Muleys 24/7

Muleys 24/7

Veteran member
Jan 12, 2012
1,406
12
The Golden State
I and a few buddys have the rhino 530hcx, I have to say it has it's pro's and con's.

I'll start with the con's- I have had to make an exchange for a new one three times do to the speaker on the radio going out over the 4 years I've had it, one of my buddy's also had the same problem.This happened again but this time I couldn't return it because it's now discontinued,but you can still find them online. However I found away around the speaker problem by going to the push-to-talk ear peice.The topo map mini sd cards you buy pre-loaded are expensive, and graphics are ok.

The pro's- you have a radio and gps in one unit, you can poll your buddy's location and see where each other are at (great for working the area) that is one of the option's that sets this gps apart from all the others,IMO.It has the national weather channel on the radio.Batt. life is ok as well. All the other options are about the same as other gps's, like way points, electronic compass, tracking your trail, alarm clock, moon phases games, etc. etc.

Over all it's great to use for hunting with buddy's that have the same unit.IMO
 
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BobT

BobT

Active Member
Dec 1, 2011
263
0
Missouri Ozarks
I have the Rhino, never had any problems with it. Last year I bought a Garmin Etrex Legend HCx as a dedicated unit for the hunting gps maps. I also use the Etrex when I'm hunting alone or don't need the radio feature. I would recommend either unit without reservation.


Bob
 
M

MOHunter

Member
Jul 14, 2011
144
0
Joplin, MO
I'm a Garmin loyal. I had an older eTrex and have since upgraded to an Oregon 450t. This past fall I lost it in the woods for a week. It rained on it hard for 3 days. I was extremely lucky to find it, wiped it off, turned it on and it was like it never left my pocket!

I have the huntinggpsmaps program, which is great for hunting smaller parcels of public property.

Also, I really like the Birdseye satellite imagery from Garmin. It allows me to see an image like google earth, which is a huge benefit when scouting. There was a recent post on here about using Apple products like an iPhone and downloading apps for the same functionality. However, I like being able to use AA batteries and I'm sure the Garmin is more rugged.

You want an electronic compass, memory card expandability, and the ability to add satellite images.
 
Bitterroot Bulls

Bitterroot Bulls

Veteran member
Apr 25, 2011
2,326
0
Montana
MOHunter, I think I am going to go the Oregon 450 route this year. How is the touch-screen? Does the T version just come with a preloaded topo? If so, I think I will save the money and get the non-T, since I will be getting Huntingtopo anyway.
 
Kevin Root

Kevin Root

Very Active Member
Jun 22, 2011
868
0
San Jose, California
web.me.com
The touch screen on my Garmin Oregon works well. Kind of similar to my iPhone only more of a matte screen finish that can be difficult to see though with screen glare on my older eyes. The 3D feature is cool although I don't use it all that much. GPS units have come a long way over the years. Lots of great options on the Garmin Oregon.

I give a thumbs up un the huntinggpsmaps.com as well. The micro sd card is an easy install. Seeing private and public land boarders is very helpful. A couple of my friends have had issues with the download installing over the internet. I don't have the computer planning feature which I want to dive into for planning though. As Big Sky mentions, information on it is at, http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/ There are video tutorials and a quick overview on their product there.
 
M

MOHunter

Member
Jul 14, 2011
144
0
Joplin, MO
Bitterroot Bulls said:
MOHunter, I think I am going to go the Oregon 450 route this year. How is the touch-screen? Does the T version just come with a preloaded topo? If so, I think I will save the money and get the non-T, since I will be getting Huntingtopo anyway.
Click to expand...
It took me a little time to get used to the screen. It's not quite as responsive as my iPhone. I don't scroll that much, but instead use the command buttons on the screen. What I love most is that you can use it with gloves on. As long as there's a little pressure on it then it responds. The drawback to this is that you need a case where the screen won't get touched or else it won't go into sleep mode. Batteries don't last too long when this happens.

The only reason I got the 450t was because it was on sale and actually cheaper than the 450. For me it's nice to have the roads for areas I don't hunt. I hunt several states but don't have huntinggpsmaps for all of them. Also, since the topo is loaded to the hard drive it saves memory card space for me to load other maps/satellite images. One thing to think about is that the different models accept different sizes of memory cards. Garmin told me everything from a 4g to a 32g. I have an 8g in there now with no problems.

Also, if you are a Mac user you'll need to do a little work to get huntinggpsmaps loaded. There's a download, I can't remember the name, before you install the maps. I think instructions were on the site. The map company was pleasantly surprised to hear that I had downloaded them successfully to a Mac. I think many older hunters just aren't computer savvy enough for all of the steps. I'm no pro, but it did take some effort.

I know Cabela's runs sales on them every so often. They put the 450t up for $250 before Christmas last year.
 
B

BobcatJerry

Member
Dec 28, 2011
73
0
Westerville,Ohio
Garmin 530chx has been great for my buddy and me. The polling in of locations is an awesome feature. There are so many features and free maps for Garmin too. I'll post it in a separate thread, some things I have found.
 
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