Which GPS are you using? I need to buy a new one!

[4by4]

I am the market to buy a new GPS. After going to MT last year I want to get one and get the chip that shows the landownership. I currently have the Garmin Etrek and need to upgrade. Right now I am leaning towards to the Garmin Oregon or Montana. anyone have any of these and what do you think? I see there is an oregon 550 and 600 and 650. Cabelas has a sale on the 550 that is over 50% off. Or should I go with the newer model so it is not outdated sooner. The Montana is more expensive but I am not sure what the major difference is.

Any suggestions is appreciated. Even if you have a suggestion on a different brand. Thanks!

 

[ivorytip]

everything is outdated a week after its on the market. i have the oregon 550 and i love it and its all ya really need, the rhinos are sweet as sweet gets but not really a need. the 550 works great for me, if ya wanna up grade wait 2 years and get the new montana for 50%off

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I have the Garmin Oregon. Mine is an older model the 400T I bought back in May 2009. It's an excellent GPS and has served me well, especially with the land status cards.

The only issues I have had is the screen can be difficult to see in bright sun. Also the screen is a plastic, and it has been scratched in a few spots from normal use while hunting which makes it difficult to see and read things where the scratches are. Overall it's been a great tool, but if those two issues were improved, it would be even better.

 

[4by4]

anyone know how the touchscreen works? How do the updates work? Do you have to pay something each year to keep up-to-date and if so what is that cost? Thanks.

 

[25contender]

My Garmin 62s has served me well. I also have the Hunting Maps card installed. In fact I just updated it. Updating the Hunting Maps card is simple. Just plug your GPS into the computer and download the update. I think if you buy the card the update is free for the first year and I believe $40.00 to update the card after the first year. It could be a little more or less.

 

[Old Hunter]

I never owned one, but as I get older I seem to be getting lost more often. So, i'm thinking about getting one.

 

[MAKAIRA]

Check Cabelas they had some good sales last week.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have a Garmin 600, bought it at Cabelas a couple of months ago. I also have 2 chips (C0 & Wy). I was going to get the 800 until I actually saw and held both. IMHO the 800 was just too big and heavy for me. I didn't get the T with the topo installed. Didn't want to get too much clutter on the screen. If I had it to do over, I would look pretty hard at the T models. Might rethink it and get it.

The screen works like the new smart phones (I don't have one), its all touch. Put your fingers together, touch screen, spread fingers....screen magnifies. All the program options show as touch buttons on the screen. Rotate unit 90 and the picture rotates too and gets wider. All in color and shows up pretty good in the sun.

I really like the chips as they will show you if you are on PP, NF or wilderness. Even has most of the PP owners name on the parcel....subject to County land records. No comparasion to the older gps I had.

 

[4by4]

What is the difference between the 550 and 600? Other then cost.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

What is the difference between the 550 and 600? Other then cost.

Not sure, probably have to go to the Garmin website to check.

 

[jims]

I've owned an Oregan 450 for a couple of years and it has served me well. It has a nice size screen with the entire unit being only slightly larger than the screen. I consired a 62s which is not a touch screen. It has an overall larger size even though the screen is no bigger than the Oregan. While I usually carry the Oregan in a soft case on my backpack belt, it also fits well in your front pants pocket. You can download topo maps to your microchip of most areas of the country for free from various websites. As others have said, the landowner chips are great.

 

[Grundy53]

I have the Oregon 450t. I really like it. I would get a rhino if my hunting partners had them.

sent from my typewriter

 

[Murdy]

I bought the 550t last spring on a similar sale, like it so far, but haven't used it much.

 

[brooks]

I have the Oregon 450T ....great gps.

 

[packmule]

450t & eTrex 30

 

[cali_hornhunter]

I've recently picked up the garmin 650 rino and so far it's awesome and gets really good satellite signal in thick deep canyons and is pretty easy to use

 

[tttoadman]

We have had the rino 530 for a few years. Really happy with these. The radio combo deal is pretty nice, but they burn up a lot of battery if you are on it all day. You compromise a little screen size with the rino models compared to others, so it depends on your priorities.

 

[4by4]

Last year in MT the Fish and Game was discussing rules with our hunting party. They were pretty clear that any means of using radios to communicate that aids in getting an animal is illegal. I see that with the Rino's you can text. So I was wondering if there is any talk out there that these one day could be banned for hunting? Just like some of the scopes with built-in rangefinders. What are your thoughts?

 

[Calbuck]

I've used an Oregon 450 for about 3 yrs now and it's always kept me from being lost..good unit in my opinion!

 

[4by4]

I am heading to cabelas tomorrow to look at the Oregon 550. $199 there right now. Seems like a great price!