Handheld GPS Units for Hunting/Fishing

[ahhartenstein]

Anyone have any recommedations on a good handheld GPS unit for hunting and other outdoor activities? I'm looking to spend $300 to $400. The Garmin Etrex Legend and Vista caught my eye but not sure if they will suit my needs.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[TrybalRage]

I am a fan of the Lowrance Ifinder H20. Waterproof, and under $200.

Topo/local road maps are extra, however, but I think they are with most models.

My buddies and I use one for ATVing, don't need the topo, just follow the trail back.

 

[Steve in PA]

You can get a basic Garmin Etrex Legend for around $100. This was my first GPS.

You can get the Cx model for about $225. They use microSD cards for added memory.

I upgraded to the GPSMAP60CSx which is probably the best multi-purpose GPS out there. I use it for hunting, geocaching and driving. You can load topo maps as well as city driving maps on it.

Check out www.gpsonsale.com for the best prices.

 

[Market Garden]

theres also the garmin rino line, GPS with built in 2-way radio. thats if you dont already have a 2-way system..

 

[dwschoon]

I just got an etrex legend cx and love it. I even got hooked on geocaching with it. I bought the mapsource us topo maps for it, and can fit the entire state of oklahoma, as well as a strip of the surrounding states, on the 64mb micro sd card that came with it. I got a 512mb card for $25 and can fit almost half the continental US on it. I love the color screen on this model. If you can find an etrex venture cx, it is cheaper. These 2 models are exactly the same, except for the faceplate color and the legend comes with a micro sd card and some other accessories. If you plan on buying a large card anyway, save $$ by getting the venture cx rather than the legend cx.

 

[Dean C]

I just received a Magellan eXplorist 210 for Christmas. I'm still trying to figure out how the dang thing works. Any short statements out there for what these things can do?
dean

 

['Card]

Short statement? They tell you exactly where you are.

Then, if you create a waypoint to mark your current location, they can tell you how to get back there again.

Obviously that's barely scratching the surface of the capabilities of these little gizmos, but that's really the long-and-the-short of it.

 

[ahhartenstein]

How much can the topo/road map software run? I heard it can be pretty expensive. Just want to be sure that I don't go out and buy a $350 unit and then find out that I need another $150 in accessories. Speaking of accessories, what all do I need to use a GPS unit?

Also, what the heck is geocaching? Needless to say, I am a rookie with the GPS thing...

Thanks!

 

[MrDig]

+1 On the Lowrance any model. Best entry in the hand held Market. I got one and am very happy with it. If fishing I would look into lakemaster software. www.lakemaps.com I have seen other software that would ruin a lower unit quickly due to innaccurate contour.

 

['Card]

First of all, it's hard to answer questions about GPS units without knowing which one you're talking about. The most basic types really just tell you what your longitude/latitude coordinates are, and will tell you which direction to travel in to get to a specific set of coordinates. The more advanced ones add all sorts of features and gizmos, such as a display that shows a map of the local area and where you are on it.

Of the ones that have a map display, a lot of GPS units will have a basic map built into them. For more detail, you can buy mapping software on CD-ROM and download the maps you want into your GPS unit, depending on how big its memory is and whether or not it will interface with you computer - but most of them will these days. The CD-ROMs can get pretty expensive. Garmin's Mapsource US Topo series, for example, will run you about $100.

Now geocaching is... well, the Wikipedia entry on geocaching explains it a lot better than I can.

As far as accessories are concerned... as I mentioned initially, that really depends on what kind of GPS you get. If you get one of the cheaper units that really just tell you your current coordinates, then you'll also need a topo map of the area, a compass and a protractor so you can turn those numbers into a position on the map. If you get one of the GPS units with a map display built in, you really don't need anything but a compass and the GPS.

 

[redbone]

I strongly suggest a Garmin unit with a color screen. I first bought a B&W Legend several years ago and it was okay, but when using Topo USA software downloads (maps), the color screen makes a huge difference. I have a Vista Cx now and use it for hunting, fishing, road trips ("hey, where's the next exit with a gas station and restaurant?" - it'll tell you that too). Great for boating - nothing like trying to find the dock on a new lake in the dark.

Topo USA software runs a bit over $100, and is a must. You may be able to find a Legend Cx or a Vista Cx with the software bundled with it for a savings. Shop the web!

Enjoy.

RBH

 

[Father Knows Best]

I have a somewhat related question for those of you with handheld GPS units -- have you ever tried to use one on an airplane? I fly often (commercial), and often find myself wondering what I'm looking at out the window. It occurred to me that it would be neat to have a handheld GPS in the cabin so I could follow my flight path and identify points of interest on the ground. I don't know, however, if the altitude (as much as 35,000 feet above grade) would confuse a handheld GPS unit's software. I also don't know for sure whether it is o.k. to use one on a plane, though because they don't transmit anything I can't see why not.

Anyway, anyone have an idea whether it would work?

 

[redbone]

I have, mostly because I wanted to see how fast we were flying. Worked fine. But, like every other electronic gadget, it has to be off during takoff and landing. The GPS is just a receiver, not a transmitter, so no problem with an outgoing signal.

RBH

 

[Market Garden]

heres a good deal if your a costco member. comes with topomaps which cost in the neighborhood of a $100. i just picked one up.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11173766&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&s=1

 

[Lennyjoe]

We do one of these threads about every 2 weeks it seems.

Run a quick search on GPS's here and you should have plenty of reading.

FWIW myself and my 2 hunting buddies use Garmin Rino 120 series GPS's for hunting and camping. Not only does it show you where your at, it shows you where they are at when called.

 

[Father Knows Best]

heres a good deal if your a costco member.

That is indeed a good deal. It's the Explorist 500LE model, which normally retails for $300. The only difference between the 500LE and the $350 Explorist 500 is that the 500LE doesn't come with the Li-ion battery or AC charger (it uses standard AAA batteries), but you can get the Li-ion battery and charger right now direct from Magellan (www.magellangps.com) for $19.99 with free shipping. So for a total of $200 you can have an Explorist 500 that normally sells for almost twice that amount.

I just ordered mine....

 

[Market Garden]

That is indeed a good deal. It's the Explorist 500LE model, which normally retails for $300. The only difference between the 500LE and the $350 Explorist 500 is that the 500LE doesn't come with the Li-ion battery or AC charger (it uses standard AAA batteries), but you can get the Li-ion battery and charger right now direct from Magellan (www.magellangps.com) for $19.99 with free shipping. So for a total of $200 you can have an Explorist 500 that normally sells for almost twice that amount.

I just ordered mine....

plus it comes with the topo maps that cost a good amount of money from what i understand.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

Search for Garmin or GPS from the root page of THR...

Here's one thread from this fall:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=241427&highlight=Garmin

I think you'll find that Garmin wins more here with THR members.

-Steve