Advice on GPS handheld units

[The last savage]

Hey guys I'm new around here, planning a few hunts next two years that I want to have a GPS unit wit me ,one than can take a chip.i want a bigger screen ..im not super tech savvy..I'm sure there's a Way to search previous posts about this but I can't find it..So thx for the time and help.. Pat

 

[Daubs]

I've had a Garmin Rhino 120 for years...took it to Alaska for Caribou hunt. It has served me well, and doubles as radio. Got a Garmin 655T a few years back, and it's a fantastic unit. Larger, and heavier, but all the features I could ever want.

 

[utmuleman]

I've had an oregon 600 and I run a 64s now. The 64 is the simplest to use as it's all buttons and I can operate it with gloves on. If screen size is top priority check out the garmin Montana.


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[Tim McCoy]

I've got a Garmin Oregon, bought it on close out, the older model. It has features I'll never use, but is a very easy unit to use. For just general hunting use, a more basic unit would be just fine.

 

[Slugz]

Garmin Rhino. 2 way radio, wx radio, scan channel function, color screen, data link, GPS functions. ......to name a few of the most used things

 

[Catahoula12]

Garmin 62stc (couple years old) is what I carry. I believe the new one is the 64 model. I find these type easier to use than say touch screens (with gloves on). Both fore mentioned will operate chips. Best on your selection.

 

[rammont]

Garmin Rhino 650 for me.

 

[badams14]

Garmin Rhino 650 for me.

How does the radio work for you guys in the Rino? Been looking at them for a while.


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[ore hunter]

ive got a garmin 62 sc,,few yrs old ,but great easy to use unit,,screen not that large,,but I don't like the touch screens as ive found they turn on in your pocket and kill the batts,,at least my Oregon did on me.62 or now 64 are push button,,easy w gloves on.

 

[tttoadman]

2-4 miles is pretty reliable. It wants line of site, but it does pretty well at getting in the canyons when only a mile or 2.

 

[Slugz]

How does the radio work for you guys in the Rino? Been looking at them for a while.


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Been using a Rino530 for the past 7-8 years or so. The radio is a hybrid FRS/GMRS radio with 22 channels transmitting and receiving with either 1/2W, 2W or 5W of power. It requires LOS and works really well when you have it. For voice comms it works exactly as I would expect it, you can get some blast though dense vegetation or overhead cover how ever IMO you need to be within 1 mile in cover. With complete LOS I've had a 12 mile radio conversation above 10,000' with another hunter to include waypoint transfer and position updates.

The real plug for the radio is the data link ability to utilize a visual map with waypoints and symbols of all others on the freq and the ability to transfer info. Its like your own personal military style data link. With 22 channels and I believe 36 key codes there is 792 different possibilities of a frequency and key code. Its not encrypted so its all in the clear. A varsity level operator knows how to scan all those from up hi to hear whats going on in an area. Its great also for taking newbies in the woods as you have a voice and map in hand.

The only thing I would upgrade to is one of the newer with a color screens as it is easier to see the topo maps that you can up load. I also dont know if I would want a touchscreen in the woods that the newer ones offer.

 

[Kentucky hunter]

Rion 650 here

 

[JimP]

I don't like equipment that does more than a couple of things at a time such as a GPS function and a radio. When one dies then you have to either buy another whole unit. I have gone through a number of radios in the last 20 or so years and only 2 GPS units.

For now I am using a Garmin 62sc that I found laying in the middle of a road in a mud puddle. It has a camera function in it but I leave the picture taking to my digital camera.

 

[Slugz]

I don't like equipment that does more than a couple of things at a time such as a GPS function and a radio. When one dies then you have to either buy another whole unit. I have gone through a number of radios in the last 20 or so years and only 2 GPS units.

For now I am using a Garmin 62sc that I found laying in the middle of a road in a mud puddle. It has a camera function in it but I leave the picture taking to my digital camera.

I just checked, I'm going on 11.5 years with the same Rino.....with modern warranties I dont think you should have to purchase over and over.

 

[HighCountryJunkies]

It depends if you want a radio included or not. I would definitely recommend the garmin rhino series. I have owned several different models and currently have the rhino 650 and love it, the 5 watt radio is worth its weight in gold. Ive recently purchased the garmin inreach explorer+ so i can have the capability to text anyone of my contacts from anywhere in the world. The maps are better and the capability to be able to pair to your smartphone via bluetooth is a nice option for a much more detailed and bigger screen(depending on your smartphone) The inreach also has an SOS button and if your in need of help they have medical professionals that monitor that channel 24/7/365 and can access your exact location in case of an emergency.

 

[rammont]

I live just west of the Continental Divide (about 25miles SW of Helena Montana) and I use the radio quite often. It is a line of sight radio but with the 5watt capability you can bounce the signal pretty far. I've talked with my wife from 6 miles away from one mountain top to another but if you are on the other side of a ridge it isn't going to work unless you can bounce the signal off of something. If you and your hunting partner stay within a few miles of eachother and are in the same canyon/draw or along the same side of a mountain or ridge then you should have no problem staying in contact. The 650 will also mark the location of another Rhino user when they contact you on the radio, it's a nice feature when you call your partner for help getting your elk out, he'll have your location immediately on the GPS.

 

[COElkFreak]

I use the Garmin 62s with OnXmaps chips...works great for me. I wish the screen was a little bigger but I like that I can operate using gloves.

 

[waveone]

I live just west of the Continental Divide (about 25miles SW of Helena Montana) and I use the radio quite often. It is a line of sight radio but with the 5watt capability you can bounce the signal pretty far. I've talked with my wife from 6 miles away from one mountain top to another but if you are on the other side of a ridge it isn't going to work unless you can bounce the signal off of something. If you and your hunting partner stay within a few miles of eachother and are in the same canyon/draw or along the same side of a mountain or ridge then you should have no problem staying in contact. The 650 will also mark the location of another Rhino user when they contact you on the radio, it's a nice feature when you call your partner for help getting your elk out, he'll have your location immediately on the GPS.

This and Slugz comments are correct.

I would say about 2-4 miles even in canyons or masted heavy cover, probably five.

The polling feature can save your back or your life, if you are in a bad situation or need help packing out a Bull. I've used the radio feature and polling in several situations including in heavy brush in a canyon.

My 130 is about 10 years old and still works well. My 530 and 530 HCX will all work and interact with each other, I've still got waypoints and marks from hot spots in Colorado and Idaho on my 130.

Great features which I have yet to push the boundaries of.

Slugz I'm interested in hearing more about the data link ability. On which one and how??

 

[ScottR]

Will post longer later, but Rino and InReach have been my go to.

 

[Slugz]

This and Slugz comments are correct.

I would say about 2-4 miles even in canyons or masted heavy cover, probably five.

The polling feature can save your back or your life, if you are in a bad situation or need help packing out a Bull. I've used the radio feature and polling in several situations including in heavy brush in a canyon.

My 130 is about 10 years old and still works well. My 530 and 530 HCX will all work and interact with each other, I've still got waypoints and marks from hot spots in Colorado and Idaho on my 130.

Great features which I have yet to push the boundaries of.

Slugz I'm interested in hearing more about the data link ability. On which one and how??

WaveOne, Sorry didn't see the above. I'm calling it a data link because I can transfer waypoints to others on the net. I use that function a lot in this scenario. Base camp is set roughly at 10,500 and we hunt down hill from there within 5 miles of camp most years. I keep 2 horses and or a few warm bodies in camp for the pack out. We also have one radio hanging in camp and on. When a animal goes down we transmit that waypoint/location so the army can meet us for the pack out. I use it also for teaching newcomers to the valley I hunt the geographical features. A lot easier than typing stuff in.