I'm Looking to get a GPS unit and would like any info from those that have and had used them. Please tell pros and cons.
Thanks in advance.
The gps units I tried were the Etrek and it wouldn't work well under the Pa. trees. It wouldn't read the satelites. When the leaves are off they work well or in a open area but in the woods it was a problem. I have never tried another brand so they might work better.
I have used the garmin handhelds since they first came out...imho the best on the market. I currently use the 60 csx and feel it is their best so far. It has all the features you want and need. It works well under canopy also, it has to be real heavy to not pick up satelites. It also is very accurate, we use them to mark pipelines to + or - 10ft...so more than you would ever need for finding your tree stand or truck. I am in the martinsville area if you would like to hook up for a cup of coffee and take a look at mine before buying. Terry
I second the garmins, I have the summit csx and the tracking system I use for my hounds is made by garmin. These are user freindly units as compared to some and can also easily be upgraded with map software for specific areas.
Garmin CSX60 is the best one I've ever had and I've had 5 different brands.
Works great under a canopy and is easy to use.
I've owned both Magellen and Garmin products since they first came on the market. I love my Garmin Rino 120 and will upgrade with Garmin when I replace it.
Mike
I have an older model magellin. It doesn't work verywell between the ridges (in the creek) works fine on a clear day in the open.
I'm using a Garmin Etrex Vista Hcx, Will do just about everything the 60 csx will do for a lot less money. Can even download Topo maps to it. What it won't do you probably don't need anyhow.
Have never had any trouble picking up satellites in the thick swamps or under heavy canopies.
Still prefer using compass, guess cause I'm an old guy.
I'm on my 3rd Garmin Vista, new one last year is the HCX model. This one works in my basement never mind under canopy. Fantastic, I download topos for wherever I'm going and never look back. The last two I had were great with no problems, just needed to keep up with new technology.
Garmin, Garmin, and Garmin. I don't have the new Colorado, but I played with one that a friend had, and they are awesome. I have an Etrex60hcx, and it works great. I have a good percentage of Wyoming and a bit of Arizona topos downloaded on it, and it is dead on accurate.
Garmin GPS's by far are the best I have used. Whatever model you decide on I would recommend getting the HCx or CSx version with SD slot. The SD slot is nice in that you can purchase maps for the part(s) of the country you hunt.
I just helped my secretary get a Garmin gps with the 2-way radio for her husband and he is in love with it.You get direction and communication all in one.My buddy just got one of those pricey cell phones (the droid) and it comes with a gps and he uses that.
I have the Garmin HCX.... like the other guys mentioned this unit has the high sensitivity receiver and it has never failed to pickup a satellite for me. When I was doing my research I noticed that the HCX models with the high sensitivity receiver ate batteries faster than the other non high sensitivity models. For me this was not an issue. I mainly need that unit b/c it was a color unit and I was using it to fish offshore from my kayak
DOWNSIDES: I recently read a study in The Week re: GPS useage. IIRC the results of the study showed that persons who rely heavily on GPS use actually lose thier ability to navigate spatially thru brainpower. In other words if you dont use it (the brain) you lose it. Although controversial, I tend to believe it. Just think about it....anything we dont use we loose. Another example would be doing multiplication in the head.
Now is this going to stop me from using a GPS? No b/c I have been lost. Miserably lost on big tracts of land and sea w/o GPS. HOWEVER, I only pull the GPS out when absolutely necessary (usually for marking location on downed deer). I never use a nav system for day to day driving.
Garmin GPSMap60csx. Fastest lockup, most accurate. Works well in dense trees and steep ravines.
http://gpstracklog.com/2006/02/garmin_gpsmap_6_1.html
like they said - get on with the high sensitivity receiver. you really need that to pickup the signal in the trees.
Use to have all Magellen but have switched over to all Lowrance and really like thos units. I have the H20 for my handheld and use the awesome IWay 600 in my truck and boat and have a XOG as well in my truck for back up and to use to read my trail cam cards with since it has a built in battery. They all have done very well and have no problem locking in on satelites in the woods and are fairly easy to manipulate the controls as well.
I like Garmin. It really depends on what you want to use it for.
Handhelds work great if all you're going to do is hunt/hike with them. Etrex's are good for the money. I have a etrex legend C, and like it. If you want a little bit more you can look at the Map60CS. It has a few more features and better recpection.
If you want one that you can also use in the car, make sure it has a good map that can do turn by turn directions. Just don't buy one specifically made for car navigation and expect it to be great for hiking.
The only other experiences I've had were with Magellan's, and wasn't too impressed. I think it was because I was used to the controls on the Garmin though.
I use the Garmin ETREX and it does every thing that I need. You can send waypoints to other people across the internet and they can find there way around areas that they have never been to. If you keep the software updated they work great......
Have had a couple, my current is a Magellan IHunt and it is a superb piece of gear...
Another vote for the Garmin Rino. Dang near unsportsmanlike advantage when you're hunting with a buddy. Best way in the world to coordinate pushes on game. I love it!
Many have said I will say it Garmin is the way to go. There are several options out there. The etrex is basic fro the most part. As others have said it is not that great in heavy cover.
The GPSmap 60CSX is an awesome GPS. It hooks up fast and is very user friendly. My dad has one and we used it a lot.
I just got a Colorado 400T. I love it. It is not the most user friendly but fairly user friendly.
You wwont go wrong with on of those two.
Ferret...
I've got a Garmin 60C....have been looking at getting an Oregon 400T. I'm interested in how well you Colorado locks on, compared to the 60.
I've also heard the touchscreen Oregon series do not have the vivid color and screen contrast of non-touchscreen models. Any opinions?
I have the Garmin Map 76 csx works better than my old map 76, this one doesnt lose sat. under canopy. it also has altimeter and other flying instraments. very versatile for me,i can use it on my boat and in the field.
I use the e-trex base model with the high sensitivity antenna. It picks up the satellites better than the older models. I don't know if the larger more expensive models with external antenna's pick up better but I have been told that they do.
I've got a Garmin Etrex and it does what I need. I'll mark my starting point if in a new area and mark an area that I may want to hunt in the future. Other than that it usually stays in the pack when I get familiar with an area. It picks up satellites reasonable well in the woods if you stay stationary and let it lock on, but gets sporadic if you start walking in heavy canopy. It is very useful for finding submerged fishing hotspots too.
I've had two Garmins. Very user friendly. I have an older Garmin Geko now. It doesn't have a lot of extras on it but it's small size is a big plus. You can get one on the auction site at a very low price.
I use the Garmin Rhino 530. Best investment I ever made. I use it for everything. My buddy, Mike Orton introduced me to this little baby for an Idaho Elk Hunt. We were in uncharted waters there the this unit shined!
Thanks Everyone for the input I think I will try to get a 60CSX if I can find one. All the stores around here are sell the touchscreen models and I dont think i want one of those with hunting in the cold.
One to consider is the Delorme PN-30. Great maps, and for $30/yr unlimited digital maps downloads. Works great in dark timber. Comes in Green or Realtree (if that matters) REI has them on sale for $225.
I dont know much about GPS technology but I can tell you that on a cell phone Touch screen technology = battery eater.
On both cell phones and GPS I would opt for non touch screen b/c that eats less battery.
Use the Garmin 60Cs only one I have ever had so no comparison with others (experience). But I have had no trouble with the Garmin.
Thanks Everyone I made a purchase and bought the Garmin 60 CSX today it should be here tomorrow. Thanks for everyones input.
Good stuff in this thread. I too use a Garmin Vista Hcx and it rocks! I can lock signal anywhere, like sitting in my office.
One other thing I would suggest. If your unit uses AA batteries (most units do) buy and use lithium batteries. Yea, they are a little more $$$ up front but they run longer, are lighter in weight and are less effected by the cold (battery killer #1). I have been eyeing the Garmin Oregon (400T,550T,ect) series. Anyone own/use? Looks like a cool unit!
Regardless of which GPS unit you carry, buy a quality compass and learn how to use it. A GPS can become uncalibrated (it happen to me once...) and things get interesting when it's pitch black and it say's your at your waypoint but in reality your still deep in the woods.
JL
I looked at the Oregon series also but was concerned with the touch screen during the cold weather since the screen requires the heat from your finger tips, I would be taking my glove off and on just to use the Garmin so that was a draw back in my opinion I like to keep my fingers warm when hunting.
Not sure about the 60 but if using lithium batts with Vista HCX there is a setting in set up where you should click on LITHIUM they say it is required for optimum use.
I will be sure to check on that. How much longer do the Lithium batteries last vs the reg. batteries
In warm weather alot. I used mine in Oz this past Sept, on 12hrs a day and in 14 days still lots of juice. Up here when wolf hunting at minus 20 I go through 1 set of lithiums every 6-8 hrs and regs last 4-5hrs so not big diff in cold. They say lithium not effected by cold but whoever wrote that one does not know what cold is!
Garmin 60csx is the best i have used. Check this site out. i have bought on line from them and have stopped in the store a couple times.
http://www.thegpsstore.com/
I've used a Garmin Etrex Legend for the last couple of years with great results. Never really had a reception problem even in the heavy cover we hunt elk in. I usually just turn it on and stuff it in my pack and use it for a track-back if really needed, or to mark the animal.