Anybody out there have any recommendations for a handheld GPS to hunt wyoming? I plan to get the onXgps chip to go with it. I hunt a few hundred acres in the Midwest and have never needed one. Thanks for any pointers.
Preferred Handheld GPS?
- Thread starter MoBowHunter
- Start date
RICMIC
Veteran member
I too have the 450t. I hunted WY antelope for the first time last season, and with the chip it's easy to keep your crayolas within the lines.
I've got the gamin Oregon also, had it for 4 years really like it.
If you turn it on right away in the morning and never turn it off, you'll burn a pair of alkali batteries by the end of a long day Put lithium batteries in it they'll last a long time
If you turn it on right away in the morning and never turn it off, you'll burn a pair of alkali batteries by the end of a long day Put lithium batteries in it they'll last a long time
I've never measured battery life. I tend to turn it on, mark camp/car or what ever, and shut it off. Then power up a few times a day to mark more spots or check boundaries. Last year I used it on a BMA in MT about 2 hours a day for 5-6 days. Only turned it on and watched the boundaries on the map when exploring a new area or when unsure of a boundary. Not sure if that helps with battery life or not. I did have a low battery warning near the end, the display lights would time out due to low batteroes, so changed them out. Were I packing in, I'd have several sets or a solar charger and an extra set charging all the time. They do eat batteries a bit based on what I experienced.
I am sure there are a few folks here with a better idea. Newer models may be more efficient, this one was closed out at Cabelas, think I paid around 225-240 ish new.
I am sure there are a few folks here with a better idea. Newer models may be more efficient, this one was closed out at Cabelas, think I paid around 225-240 ish new.
WapitiBob
Veteran member
Right on guys, that sure does help. I read a review about the Oregon and its sounds like a winner. Thanks for the suggestions!
sneakypete
Veteran member
I have a Oregon 600, I also have two hunt on x chips for Montana and Colorado. Works great and easy to us.
Fink
Veteran member
I've got the Garmin Oregon 450. I really only use it to drop waypoints, get an idea of upcoming terrain, and make sure I'm on the right track every once in a while. I never have mine on for more than 5 minutes at a time, and will turn it on maybe 20-25 times a day. A pair of lithium batteries will last me at least 10 days, never had to go longer than that.
Musket Man
Veteran member
How good does your cell work without signal? There is a heck of a lot of goat country that you can't get service in.
buckbull
Veteran member
- Jun 20, 2011
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Slugz
Veteran member
Interesting thread. I must be the odd ball out there. We use the Rhino series of GPS/Radio. I don't know if the new ones have the same features but the most common things we use are. Radio for comms, Radio to check weather, waypoint functions of being able to send them to others on the "net" and the ability to use the net like a real time military style link for global awareness of everyone's position. That sending waypoints works really well when the animal is down and everyone in the valley converges to help with the pack out.
RICMIC
Veteran member
I'm on board with Tim and Fink, battery life isn't a factor since I only turn it on when I want to mark waypoints or check the terrain that I can't see. I don't much care for the touch screen and preferred the toggle switch on my old e-trex. This is one of those threads where everyone will have a different answer based on what they have. I don't have a smart phone, but that seems to be a viable option as long as you were bringing it along anyway. The Rhino has its advantages too, but your hunting buds should have them too if you are going to fully utilize the advantages they have. You should never have to pay full MSRP for this stuff if you look around and are patient. One more thought on the smart phone. If you go that route, don't decide to leave a camera at home, and do look at some battery charging options if you are off the grid for a while.
When I tried using mine the battery died in about 4 hours because it was constantly looking for signal, if I put it in airplane mode so it wouldn't search for signal the GPS receiver wouldn't work. Just my experience.