Gps

[ore hunter]

my experience is with the first garmin coler screen one that came out several years ago,,then I got the 62 sc,,now ive got the 64st,,all used the state chips.I really use mine a lot as I jump into new hunt units almost every year,,when you have the chip for your particular state your in ,it really gives me confidence to bail just about anywhere even at night.posibly to much confidence,but so far so good.once you start playing with one set up w chip and understand it,youll wonder how you got by without it.

 

[WapitiBob]

The phone app does not need cell service, all you need is wifi. Use the wifi to download the app, then your offline maps, put the phone into airplane mode, set the app to offline, and go hunt.
You can do your scouting on the web map and when the phone is connected to the wifi both the app and web map will sync. I would start with setting up an account online with the web map, then add the app to the phone, logging in with the same email.

 

[buckbull]

as houndman and bob pointed out, you do not need cell service to use the GPS functionality on your phone. However, you do need to get the maps downloaded onto your phone while you are connected to your Wi-Fi at home. Just requires some due diligence prior to your hunt is all. A cheap garmin would certainly work. Biggest issue with using your phone is battery life, even though airplane mode helps tremendously for battery life you have to still have a way to charge your phone - charging packs, your truck, solar, etc. Certainly not as easy as slapping some double A's into the garmin.

 

[WapitiBob]

"Certainly not as easy as slapping some double A's into the garmin."

this is very true
I use the track feature for every hunt and look at the thing once in a while when on a hunt, maybe having it on all the way back to the rig on an evening hunt right at dark, and re-charge mid day /over night. My truck, atv, and camper all have ports and I carry an Anker 20,000 mah charger in my pack.