Any suggestions or recommendations? I've read a few threads here and found some good information, but I'd love to hear a few last minute suggestions. I'll probably spend between $149-300. I primarily hunt in my home state of Missouri, but could easily be headed to Colorado next year.
I hope someone jumps in soon, 'cause I have the same question......I read something about a GPS that is also a two-way radio. When you key a radio your position shows up on the GPS screen?!?
That could come in handy if your hunting partner tends to wander off! Mike
I have a Garmin e-trex sells for $89-$99 very easy to use. Used it for 18 days all day long on an elk hunt in New Mexico last year on the same batteries then used it all deer season at home, never changed batteries.Very simple to use and very user friendly doesnt have all the bells and whistles of some but well worth the $$.
I am no GPS expert but my whole family has the systems you are talking about. They are the Rino line from Garmin and are the only units I will use from now on. The GPS/radio combo is so much handier than carrying both.
Of course as with any line you have a basic model that is around $150 and then there is the top end models that are around $450 or so.
I have not noticed any diffence in tracking or operational ability between my Rino and old Etrex. For me the real plus is the combo.
Hope this helps,
Chris
I've got the etrex as well. I really like the unit, and I wouldn't go in the woods w/out it. I hunt mostly in LA where it's flat, however I have made a few hunts to MO where it's also gotten alot of use. It's never let me down, and it's very easy to use. If you get the etrex, spend the extra $20 and get an instructional DVD or VHS, it will help tremendously. I've also heard the Rhinos are good systems, just couldn't come off the $$$$ when I got my etrex! Good Luck.
I had an old Garmin that I neglected to remove the batteries from and when I called about repair and found the cost. Garmin said I should consider newer technology and much betterchip and capabilities of a Garmin Etrex-H. It is largely the same as the old Etrex but with a high capability of finding the satelites in dense woods. Mine is on the way as we speak. It was to be released early Sept. but is coming early. Other than what their customer service guy told me I know nothing. Just passing it along FWIW. I think it was about $104 and change including shipping. Good luck.
Etrex users, do you have to buy additional software for maps? Anyone use/recommend units that have a slot for an SD memory card?
Thanks for the comments, keep 'em coming.
Chris
I use an etrex. i hunt colorado. I highly trust it. I wander off and it always get's me me back.. The only thing i dont like is sometimes it gets a weak signal in canopy of trees but I guess they all do. If the radio type marks your buddy that would be a sweet perk.
On the higher end, they now have a unit that actually downloads an aerial of where you are but I looked at them and they're not very clear. I'm hoping another year and they'll have the bugs worked out. In the meanwhile, I juust bought a Garmin 60CSx It has excellent aquisition characteristics even under most canopies. I'm very pleased with it.
Mqqse, I have the Magellan Explorist 500 with downloadable maps and SD cards for extended memory. The downloadable maps are a godsend if you do a lot of exploring or use it for navigating. I use mine for navigating lakes in a kayak and trails while mountainbiking (you would be amazed at how small of a trail is recorded on these background maps. The maps are also incredibly useful to find small lakes when looking for a place to fish. For me, the GPS would not be nearly as useful without the background maps.
As for SD cards, I have a 1 GB card in mine and I have the eastern half of Canada saved in mine. It is useful for me since I go back and forth from Nova Scotia to Ontario several times each year, and make many stops in between. If you aren't going far, the SD card option is not very necessary.
When it comes to GPS units, you can go from simple to wildly complex, so it's important to decide how much GPS you need. Much like computers, the capability you buy now will be eclipsed and obsolete next year.
I've used a Magellan Sport Trak Topo for the last several years. This is about a mid-level capability/cost unit. It's perfect for my needs, that of a GPS to mark hunting/stand locations, downed game, off road travel routes, and so on. The accuracy of the topographics is freaky, it even shows sloughs and prairie trails around my farmstead.
This is a great unit for outdoors use, but you probably want more capability if you intend to also use your unit for road navigation. The Sport Trak shows roads and does the job, but the function is fairly basic compared to stuff that's now available.
When out hunting in say, the Badlands, I power the GPS up, mark my starting point in the morning, cross reference that with a compass & map, then shut it down and put it away. To find my way back at the end of the day, I just power it up and hit the "Go To" button back to my marked starting point.
Going in when it's still dark, it works fantastic for following a pre-saved route to a stand.
Early Goose Season starts next weekend up here. In the next several days, I'll be marking spread locations in fields around my farmstead. Makes it a snap to go right to the exact spot in a several thousand acre stubble field I want to set up in before light.
It's literally the cat's rear end for, after killing a deer at last light in about half section of CRP, coming straight back to it with the game cart to bring it out in the dark.
Ever followed a blood trail in the dark, had to go get help/decide to stop and take it up in the morning? Just mark the location with you GPS and follow your back track right to it when you return.
These functions have saved me a world of work and headaches.
What ever unit you get, make sure it has 12 channels. 8 channels (if you can still even find one) were always cheaper, but tend to constantly lose the satellites. Mid- to upper level 12 channel units will hold the satellites even under tree cover.
Also, if you use it for hunting navigation, ALWAYS carry a couple extra sets of batteries and a compass in case it goes belly up...
"Garmin 60CSx It has excellent aquisition characteristics even under most canopies. I'm very pleased with it."
Ditto. If you hunt in deep woods, this is the one to get. I gave my Etrex Vista to a friend. What is also cool about the 60 is that you can slide SD cards into it with topos already on it. No need to download anything.
If I was willing to spend the $300 right now, I would get the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx also. I talked to the Garmin guys earlier this year and he recommended it for the "high sensitivity receiver" which is much better under a tree canopy or in deep canyons. It also has the barometric altimeter and electronic compass and expandible memory. Its selling for $450 all over, BUT REI has them on sale now for $100 off PLUS a $50 rebate from Garmin, so you can get it for $300 until labor day.
Dang! See what happens when you're impatient. I paid $550 for mine at Bass Pro.
I've had an eTrex (old yellow, now a camo model) for several years and always had great service out of it. It's simple to use and not loaded down with unnecessary garb. It gets me where I want to go and back to the truck.
However .......... after Rick's post I'm really looking at the 60CSx as a new toy.
Powduck, I have the Etrex too but have been disapointed in reception in the woods. Other than that, it works great and for $99 a bargain. I still carry it in my pack as a back-up and use it out west to mark the truck when I leave it.
The thing that annoys me(among other things), is they only put the stuff you really want on the top of the line ones, so you have to pay for all that other garbage you never use. To get the high sensitivity receiver, altimeter and real compass, I also have to be able to get roadmaps of France or some other horrible place!
I have the GPSMAP 60CSx as well.It never looses signal lock and is very fast to aquire satalites.I have a large card in it that allows me to have all the maps for diving any where I ever go.I still have room for any topo maps I would want to put in.I bought this model because of the routing features so I could use it on the road as well as in the woods.I think I saved enough on gas to pay for it in the first few months by being able to get to places without riding all over looking for them. :)I love the way by useing the map source software I can send my info to my buddy to veiw in google earth as well.So much easier to talk to someone over the phone about your latest scouting adventure when they can see everything as you talk. :)
I've had an Etrex Summit for several years. I got the Summit model for "just in case I went to the mountians", which might be what you are looking for too. For the price, it works pretty well and I like the extra little features that come with it over the base Etrex for little extra cost. I, too, don't have the signal acquisition of the more expensive models when in thicker canopy, which can be annoying. But to tell the truth, I just don't use the GPS features much at all. I use the compass on it more than anything, but generally I just use a regular compass most of the time . I do use it in the Rockies as more of a safeguard/backup to mark waypoints every so often, my start location,check altitude and barometers readings. The barometer feature seems to be pretty accurate and can help in predicting the weather a little. I also use the sun and moon info a lot for legal shooting hours. Sometimes I'll use it to mark good fishing spots or mushroom honey holes. Really, I look at more as sort of a useful toy, but if you know you are going to the mountains and want to use it for driving too, plus you are able to spend the $300, I too would go with the GPSMAP 60CSx and be done with it. My wife wants a in dash GPS in the next car we buy this month, but with the cost of the updates for them each year, I figure it makes more sense to buy something I can move from car to car like the 60SCx and be able to use it in the woods when we take the kids hiking. they're getting older and want to take more trips like that, so the ability to use it for the driving and hiking is appealing. The dang in dash adds $1000 to the car, so I think I have her convinced to to this since I can get the GPSMAP 60CSx for around $315 and a good RAM mount for it.
We all must have talked to same Garmin guy...I bought a 60 cs too last year...What I DO NOT like about these new GPS is that they give you an Arrow against a compass dial to direct you to your waypoint (truck or stand).. I like the old way of the GPS giving me a compass heading like 283 degrees to my truck...That way you can take your hand held compass then walk that heading...these new GPS with internal compass can take several seconds to lock on and give you a false direction.........also Mqqse..learn how to mark your waypoints in the UTM fromat not Long/Lat because it's so easy to use a 7.5 topo with it to pin point yourself on the topo from your current position given in UTM
Gee, I don't know what's going on but I seem to be seeing eye-to-eye with Biggie a lot lately :^) I have 2 GPS units, the Etrex "legend" (pretty good for open sky, flat land conditions) and a new Garman GPSMAP 60CSx which is by far the best unit I've played with for keeping a signal in heavily wooded areas and hill country. I recently tested it in the Great Smoky Mountain Nat'l park and it performed flawlously. Another great feature is the 2 GB card I placed in it enabling me to download a ton of topo maps. Like my Etrex Legend, the 60CSx has a built-in map of North America displaying all major highways, exits, water features, points of interest, etc. I bought my 60CSx at Gander Mountain in Indianapolis for $439. It was a special package that included USB, cigarette lighter cables, plus a North America topo CD worth $100. I great deal . . . sorry Biggie!
No problem, I always pay top dollar :-(
In contrast to turkey slam Joey, I LIKE the pointer on the compass. Just remember if you're huntimng a new place, you have to calibrate the compass. It's easy but you have to remember to do it
"declinate" not calibrate :rolleyes:
Joey, I haven't bought the new one yet, still waiting for my old one to die, but I never liked the "compass" on it, since it only works when you are moving and can get a satellite signal, I would think the electronic compass would be a lot easier to use.
You might want to check the topic I put in the Pow Wow Forum here in the last day or so, "Anyone use a Garmin Rino GPS/FRS/GMRS?" This a combination gps/two way radio. Looks to be a very good unit from the replys I got. Check it out. Jim.
I looked at the Rhino but went with the 60cs...Rick nailed it..unless your moving 2-3mph then that initial direction arrow will and most time is off. For example..You stop and say where is my truck? Hit "Go To" Truck and the arrow on the compass page will point a direction...NOW....when you start moving that arrow a lot of time will change.. My Garmin 12xl on the other hand will give me the info ..Truck...283degrees..then I would line my compass up and start walking...It took me a while to use to the electronic compass..I love it on my boat navigating through cypress stumps in the dark...but I love the old way...waypoint info in degrees not and electronic arrow...BUT these new ones will log on 2 to 1 quicker than my 12xl.....Main advice is a GPS is just another navigation device ...always carry your compass and a topo......they don't run on batterys!
i recently purchased the new magellan explorist 210.
it works very well and maps may be purchased and downloaded into it.
it's simple and ez to use and is battery powered and can be USB linked to a computer and external power. it does not recharge batteries, though. (although you could use rechargable batteries and remove them to recharge)you may also get a cigarette lighter adapter charger for your truck/atv/rv/automobile.
so far i've just used in off-roading but it follows your position to within 9 ft. it's pocket sized and variuos vehicular mounts are available, too.
it is relativley inexpensive, one-hundred fifty dollars and seems to be well worth it.
"Before I buy a GPS" ... I'd learn to use a map and compass. I'm not being a wise-acre, but rather a realist. These things fail in various ways, and an old-fashioned backup is always the safe bet. Plus, nobody can claim to be a "woodsman" when navigating with a GPS. Ah, but then, not many today want to claim the old traditional American values in the outdoors ... they merely want to get out alive. So honestly demands to say that map and compass (map far more than compass) also often fail us -- as in flat but wooded terrain where you can surely get lost but there are no terrain features to naviate by ... and those proverbial "dark and stormy nights" when you can't see nuthin, including a map. For those who are really concerned and want to cover all bases, I say learn, carry, and use both. Or just hunt the back 40 and no worries.
I would not get one without an electronic compass.I dont like having to be moving for it to work.Also the new garmins are supposed to have the best recievers for thick canopy.
CB
How to use a map and compass...what a dying art..God Bless Boy Scouts and the Orientation merit badge...Eagle Scout 1976
QuoteOriginally posted by joebuck:
How to use a map and compass...what a dying art..God Bless Boy Scouts and the Orientation merit badge...Eagle Scout 1976
That is exactly where I learned it too. Only made it to Life(1982), but was also "OA" and one merit badge away from Eagle. I wonder if they'd take "life experience" to let me finish it out now? :bigsmyl:
Dave, I agree, I am a compass and map guy all the way, but it sure a lot more convenient when I am walking to hit the goto button and get a direct route then to take off the pack and pull out the map. On one trip to Alaska, the pilot did not take us to the place we planned and the GPS was the only way we could even figure out which one of the thousand lakes on the topo was the one we were on.
I have the prior version of the 60CSx, it doesn't take the SD cards. After this season I am selling mine and getting the 60CSx. I love that unit though, it will usually pick up no matter what you are under. In my area it is also flat and while I say never carry a GPS without a compass and map and know how to use all three IN CONJUNCTION. The GPS has given bme the confidence to hunt the deep woods of the croatan more effectively than ever, won't go in the woods without it.
Flat, thick woods are tough to navigate, sure LA is te same as us here in the coastal woods.
Later
J
Dave2old or joebuck, let me turn ya loose in the croatan with that old and dying art and see where it gets ya!!! LOL Dave2old said it though, I was taught to use a compass by my father a Marine. And I have since used one in all my SAR training (fire dept), I can use both very well, but I have a question?
Who on here can tell me the number of steps, pace it takes them to cover 100yards, 100 feet, 50 feet, 30 feet?
That is what it takes to traverse the woods in my area and then be able to navigate around impossible thickets and return to previous course. Doubt many if any on here can do it. and return to the truck. In my area I pay attention to the compass my map, my GPS, and the sun if it is shining. Use all these things in coordination.
Using all the tools available makes you a smart woodsman at my truck in the evening, not a lost woodsman wondering around getting a blood transfusion by mosquito. LOL
Hope ya paid attention to Bear Grylls teachings on man vs. wild! :D
Trust me use all the tools in the tool box
J
Magellan has always had a better reception. Have even been able to pick up sats inside some buildings.
Everyone thats using a gps needs to check out jdmcox.com download his software usaphotmap excellant. Uses aerial photos mark your way point on the aerial then download them to your gps or gps to aerial. Also trails and route can be download to map.
J-Dog,Don't want to bust your bubble but I have been on many a drop hunt in Alaska, Alberta, Colorado, Idaho, Arizona, Montana and heck North Ga for that matter with a Compass and 7.5 Topo...I couldn't even spell GPS back then..I'm sure there are plenty of silent posters here too with my background or better....There is more to looking at a compass to see which way is North...aquiring the other info is the dying art...
I do not know the answer to your question. I work on Meters that parallel with my UTM cordinates. Do you know what that is?
Joe did you have mountains to go by> Landmarks? I would think so. I use topos like it is going out of style, but on my topo I have maybe one or 2 contour lines, I can only see 30 yards in front of me. My topo is just GREEN FLAT EXPANSE, navigate with that, you can't, or it is difficult as there are NO landmarks not even a cell tower.
What best i do is just know bout where I am and what direction I mainly move in and the area I will normally stay around for the day then I can normally hit back at my road, not right at my truck mind you but within easy walk if it was a deep trip.
Oh yeah Universal transverse mercators(sp?) do you no good here. My brother in law who is a Lt. Cmdr. in the Navy and does all that old navigating by the sun and the stars (celestial navigation) he loves to sail like my dad did, anyway he bought me a plastic see through grid system that breaks down the UTM grids further and allows you to use the info from your GPS to exactly pinpoint my spot on the topos. Pretty neat and again another good tool. A GPS, map, and a compass.
Later
J
Joe no problems, if you could burst my bubble and teach me how to precisely navigate these woods with just a map and compass I would be forever gratefull. My only point is there is more to being a good woodsman than shunning all technology. you have a good un. Never been to all the places you have so I do not have the experience, but i got to think they are easier to navigate. sorry, landmarks are key.
J-Dog ..I started using UTM in late eighties on my 4lb Lowrance GPS because I was wading in a 20,000 acre flooded timber Federal Refuge tracking back to my duck holes. As you know water is flat and flooded timber is tricky. I also grew up in the Mississippi Delta and hunted some of the flatest land in North America on Mississippi River for last 30 years....I use UTM every occasion. I would encourage you to learn that tool (UTM) in conjunction with your GPS and TOPO. It will make you a better woodsman.
J-Dog, after reading your posts ....somewhere in my previous posts you got ( or I gave) the impression I was anti-technology...absolutely not..I own 3 GPS....I love them.... I looked at Croatan National Forest aerial map...your right it's flat...flat like home...Navigating those woods with compass and topo would be difficult but basic orienteering skills would work. For example..sighting down your compass heading to a fixed landmark ( usually a tree) then walking to that tree and again sighting down your compass heading to a landmark ( another tree) then walking to that tree. As you can see this takes time and is slow but you can get pretty precise.Any scheduled change in directions must be prerecorded in a 3" x 5" pocketnote book against a UTM grid to measure meter distance to that change. I know that 3 steps equal 2 meters for me but sometimes I cheated and used one those walking pedometers.I also break and hang brush at every re-heading and change in heading...just basic stuff like that...anyway good luck in swamp down there. you hunt some gorgeous woods....If you bump into my friend Donny Joe ( he farms down there)...He's knows how to get lost...we spent the night in Malmasion, Greenwood Ms one night.....good luck
The basic ETrex is great. The ETrex Legend that you can download maps to is nice but too complicated for my general use. I'm a keep it super simple guy. I did use it in Utah on an elk hunt and loved it but someone set the maps up for me. The times I've had to go through the trouble weren't really worth it.
I'll just add that most people buy way more GPS than they really need. I am on my fourth GPS, and here's what I have learned:
Magellan is easier to navigate the menu's and more user friendly. Garmin is harder to find your way around.
Garmin has a better antenae and keeps sat lock better.
Make sure your GPS is WAAS enabled.
Carry a good papaer map and a compass.
Now the hard part, learn how to effectivly use the GPS in conjunction with the map and compass.. Do you know the difference between a map datum and the magnetic declination? Do you know what UTM is?
Fianally you need practice, I recommend you go to www.geocahing,com (http://www.geocahing,com) for a fun time.. Geocaching is a fun way to learn how to use that GPS and a great family activity.
The best prices I have seen are at http://www.gpsonsale.com/index.html
For free USGS topo maps software on your home puter, go here www.jdmcox.com (http://www.jdmcox.com)
One GPS that I haven't seen mentioned on here is the new Garmin etrex vista HCX. It's color, has the compass, has an SD slot etc., but that isn't the reason I bought it.
I like the form factor of the etrex too. It is the smallest size of the Garmin's. But that isn't the reason I bought it either (I already have the legend).
I bought it because it has the newest chipset in it. GPS folks are reporting this chipset is amazing as far as quick acquisition (the legend is slow) and staying locked on in canopy cover. I have never used a GPS that can do that.
I also hear that the Garmin 60 series is great, but this HCX has the same chipset and it costs a lot less. (And I am sure the 60 has more features, though they aren't of interest to me). I paid $240.
Also check out this software, ExpertGPS. www.expertgps.com (http://www.expertgps.com) If you have access to a good (doesn't need to be great) internet connection, I cannot think of better software. I have used it (and tried others) and I cannot find better software for hunting. It sucks arial photos and topo maps of various magnification from the net, hence the comment on the internet connection. Though I have even downloaded maps via a modem. It still works.
Lastly it would be great to have a GPS question without someone professing that the world has gone to heck since these were invented. It is ok if that is your opinion. It just gets tiring for the folks interested in the topic.
- Dave
LT-M-GROW,
Maybe you can help me ??? I am GPS ignorant sorta, I have a GPSMAP60CSX and DeLorme software. What I want to be able to do is pre-scout and area on the computer, point to lat / long and download that to the unit and have it take em there BEFORE setting foot on the ground. The only use I have for my GPS now is to scout the land, makr spots and then have it take me back. I also want to be able to overlay my tracks and stand locations on my map in my computer so I can compare where I actually am on the map. I bought DeLorme software cause it is 24K resolution, the Garmin software is 100K useless junk ! I even spoke with the techies and geeks at both Garmin and Delorme without any help. As a matter of fact Garmin geeks even agreed with me that their software sucks ! I am so tired of buying something that never works as advertised. The USB cable that is supplied with the Garmin unit to interface with the computer would not work with the DeLorme software. When I aksed for a serial cable Garmin sent it and it has a printer plug on one end !@#$%!!!! Computer has 3 USB ports, but no old style printer output ! I give up ??? :help:
nocams
here are a couple of sites with useful info on using your gps with utm and paper maps for navagation.
http://www.maptools.com/UsingUTM/
http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/UsingaGarminGPSwithPaperLandMaps_Manual.pdf
No cams I believe that some software only works with certain gps.
MQQSE maybe we should apologize for hijacking your thread but extra the info has been very useful.
CB
Thanks to the mods for letting this up. This has been immensely helpful.
I'm shopping the Garmin 76CsX for various reasons. I don't need all the stuff, but I've been so frustrated in deep hollows and under even bare trees with my Etrex it just isn't worth it to me... When it tells me wrong in areas I know, I don't/won't trust it where I'm in need of help.
I love the topo map route, but they get pretty expensive (seems I always end up needing one corner of 4 darned maps to get an area I'm working) to get the right parcel when you tend to move around different areas. And then there is that pesky issue of having to stop, dig it out, dig out the bifocals, and a light... :rolleyes: :D .
Again, thanks for the pricing link above on one and the maping stuff on other posts!
NoCams..sorry to butt in but I would like to help you...Go to Google or Terra Server and find your hunting spot on the aerial or topo with the cursor and it will give you the cordinates. ( i use UTM because it works with my 7.5 topo) then go to your GPS reciever and enter that location ( Google cordinates) as a new waypoint.. That is the easiest when software doesn't match.
Mqqse.....after all this sidetracking, skill challenging, and Boy Scout Orientation 101...heres my advise for buying a GPS in order of preference.
1.Buy one with WAAS satelite tracking ( nite and day from the old parallel)
2. Get one that Only uses 2 AA batteries ( My Lowrance Acumap uses 4-c, My garmin 12XL uses 4 AA, and my Garmin 60cs use 2 AA. My next will uise 1 AA?
3. Select the software menu you like.User friendly. Also I like my control buttons at the bottom of my GPS unit not the top because my hand will cover up the LCD when pressing the buttons. Go somewhere like Bass pro shop and try all theirs
4.IMO don't spend extra money for features. You basically just want one to find your truck at dark or mark a persimmon tree. Later on you may want more.
5.Tie a COMPASS on your GPS lanyard..electronics break.
6. Buy a 7.5 Topo map of your hunting area and learn UTM. It's easy and a great great tool to use map and gps in conjunction.....
Thats it for me..I'm out here and I'll let the other experts take over
NoCams -
First off no - expert. I love a gps. I think it is a great tool to keep me hunting longer. And that makes it valuable. It gets me hunting in the (likely) best spots as quick as possible and back to spots that are prefered -- quickly -- especially if you have wind issues and never trekked the direction before.
So how do I use the software (expertGPS) and the gps...
The bottomline, I generate waypoints in the field (on the gps) and I generate waypoints on the 'puter. I can move the waypoints in both directions and plot them over aerial photos or topo maps. It is so easy it scary. All the maps are "automatically" downloaded from the net as you move around. ie. If you move left and the map hasn't been downloaded yet. It retrieves it automatically. Once you have it, it is stored on the computer for later on-screen and printer use.
For example, I leave for the BigHole, MT Sept 7. Never hunted this area before. I am using the software to "walk around" in topo view or aerial view. Been doing it for days. I am marking areas of interesting either road crossings, mts., H2O etc.
I will transfer these waypoints to my GPS and I have those as starting references. I also print the topo maps and carry those with the waypoints marked.
Now when I get there, I will hunt. So as a stroll around (on foot) I will go to the spots I think have merit and mark spots I see in the field on the GPS along the way. I am also going with two buddies who will do the same. When I get back at night, I will download my gps, and theirs and look at the topos and aerials again. The new markings from the gps seem to always show a "pattern" of sorts and does it in a hurry. We have also speeded up the scouting by a factor of three. Always a bonus when you live a long ways away from the area. This case about 1200 miles away.
The software can do more, like plotting your track (where you've been) from the gps and planning exact routes (where you want to travel)from the 'puter to the gps. Both move easily back and forth. I don't use this when hunting, but have on week-long backpacking trips, which is fun.
One thing, I think there is other software that does this. I have tried the MapSource stuff, I forgot who on here said is wasn't good - it isn't. ExpertGPS is simple and works for me. I used it for years.
So that is it. It is a tool that works for me. And yes I will have my laptop in camp along with my morrison shawnee :-)
- Dave
Joebuck and lt-m-grow,
Thanks for the help, I can use all I can get with GPS ! I do use and know terraserver and google earth. Do not know how to get lat and long on terraserver to show up as you scroll over a aerial or topo ??? I can do that with my DeLorme sofware no problem, just have to enter manually due to software / hardware compatibility. I also wanted to have the map in my gps unit too. I am wanting to be able to see where I am on the topo map with the handheld unit. That was the whole reason I bought a high end gps and software.
lt-m-grow, at least we the same taste in bows too, I love my Morrison ! However, I love my Shrew, and Griffin too ! :banghead:
nocams
No Cams, easiest and cheapest way is change your measurements from Long/lat over to UTM on your GPS....When you look at your GPS location it will give you a UTM number..actually 2...Your 7.5 topo map is divided up into square 1000 meters...Take the UTM number and find it on the 7.5 topo map....thats where you are..heres a crude example from Terra Serva from my hunting club....Those numbers to left and top are UTM numbers ( 7.5 topos have the same thing in a slightly different way)....On this map between each line is 800 meters..up or down or east or west...I'm in the woods at my deer stand..GPS tells me I'm at N701,300 and W 3794600.....I take my map ( this example is aerial Terra Serva but you could use a 7.5 topo) First find the first number..I locate the 700's.. I know the N701,600 is my right border and I'm 300 meters from it( 701,600-700,300= 300 meters....the block is 800 meters long so I estimate where 300 is... then take that line down.. Do the same for the left side and where they intersect is where you are.. This is probably not the clearst example but hopefully you can figure it out......So if I printed this map off of Terra Serva and Had it in my pocket...as i walk through the woods..i can look on it and tell where I am from my UTM numbers..After using this for short time you will be able to eyeball where the lines meet.
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c114/swamprooter/UTMGPS.jpg)
Thanks joebuck, makes sense !
:thumbsup:
nocams
goto MYTOPO.com, you can center your map anywhere you want so you don't have to work in the corner of four maps, that always happens to me to. The mytopo maps are available in several sizes and scales and they have excellent service.
According to my Garmin brochure the only models with the high sensitivity receiver are; the GPSMAP,60Cx,60CSx,76Cx,76CSx.
"
posted August 27, 2007 03:38 PM
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No Cams, easiest and cheapest way is change your measurements from Long/lat over to UTM on your GPS....When you look at your GPS location it will give you a UTM number..actually 2...Your 7.5 topo map is divided up into square 1000 meters...Take the UTM number and find it on the 7.5 topo map....thats where you are..heres a crude example from Terra Serva from my hunting club....Those numbers to left and right are UTM numbers ( 7.5 topos have the same thing in a slightly different way)....On this map between each line is 800 meters..up or down or east or west...I'm in the woods at my deer stand..GPS tells me I'm at N701,300 and W 3794600.....I take my map ( this example is aerial Terra Serva but you could use a 7.5 topo) First find the first number..I locate the 700's.. I know the N701,600 is my right border and I'm 300 meters from it( 701,600-700,300= 300 meters....the block is 800 meters long so I estimate where 300 is... then take that line down.. Do the same for the left side and where they intersect is where you are.. This is probably not the clearst example but hopefully you can figure it out......So if I printed this map off of Terra Serva and Had it in my pocket...as i walk through the woods..i can look on it and tell where I am from my UTM numbers..After using this for short time you will be able to eyeball where the lines meet"
That's as clear as Chinese arithmatic. I guess I'm too old school. Hell, I still prefer the dial telephone. I've Never gotten lost with a good compass....
Rick -
The Vista HCX is new and has the high sensitivity chipset too.
From https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=8703
"Deep foliage, nor canyons faze the rugged eTrex Vista HCx. Its high-sensitivity receiver holds a GPS signal in the toughest environments."
Don't pay that price though... to high by about a third.
Dave
" I guess I'm too old school. Hell, I still prefer the dial telephone. I've Never gotten lost with a good compass....".....
A man definitely needs a good compass to find his way out of 40 acres... :goldtooth:
Just catching up on this thread.
Just my .02 worth...
I have a Garmin Foretrex 101 and love it. Just the basics. My experience proves that most outdoorsmen don't use or need all the bells and whistles on the high-dollar units. I spent WAY too much on my first GPS, a Garmin 12-Map. I also use my GPS for backup for my compass and map, instead of the other way around. So, I would say get a really good compass, like a Brunton 54LU, get a good map scale that'll fit in your pocket, and get a good, basic, GPS. The low end eTrex, a Foretrex 101 or a Gecko if they still make them. IMO, that's all you need.
Rick McGowan is right about mytopo.com, great site, love the color aerials ! After talking to everyone and the VP's of Garmin I now know for sure that we are all being sold a bill of goods with the upper end Garmin MAP series units. The only way to get a map in the unit is to use the Garmin MapSource software. Guess what it is totally useless !!! It is 100K resolution. Our good ole topo's are 24K or better. If anyone knows good GPS websites where I can bash Garmin please, do tell !!! I hate being lied too, don't you ? Please help me spread the word so others are not duped !
nocams
NoCams,
I have a Garmin Vista CX and I love it. Borrowed my brother-in-laws Vista a couple of years ago for a Idaho elk hunt and was so impressed the way it worked I came home and bought a Vista CX myself with the Garmin US Topo software. Even bought the canadian topos for a bear hunt this past spring in Quebec. Thing works like a champ and I wouldn't change to another brand GPS for nothin'. No Garmin bashin' from me. dino
Got maps from MYTOPO too, great service, and excenllent maps. I still always carry a Brunton map compass too.
Garmin is the bomb and you have to use UTM. I nearly upgraded recently to one with TOPO capability, but I have been told that the topos are almost worthless on the small screen-can anyone comment on the detail and usefulness of the topos on the GPS?
I love my basic garmin, it has saved my butt on more than one occasion in the big woods.
don't drive off with it sitting on the bumper after getting out of your hunting duds... I did that...
bummer...
Guys,
I can't thank you enough for the time you've spent on this thread. I will confess that even though I carry a compass, I do not know how to use it to the fullest (*gulp*), but, it is on my list of things to do and will get done sooner than later.
Hat's off to you all,
Chris
I've used two Garmins. The E-Trex Legend and the Garmin Rhino. The Garmin Rhino is tops in my opinion. It incoroprates two way radio and GPS. The biggest feature is its capability to locate and identify the person caling you on a similar unit. Their position is automatically marked on your screen with distance and heading markers. It worked superbly on an elk hunt in Arizona with my son. He was almost out of range when I called him and the only words he heard were "blood coming our of both sides". Because he had an admediate bearing on me by my transmission he was back with me without any difficulty. The Garmin Rhinow is tops in my book.
BD,
+1 on the UTM. I switched to it from lat/lon a while back, and I should have done it much sooner!
UTM: FWIW, all the older USGS topo maps are tic marked for UTM. I grid mine out with a straight edge and a pen. However the last few USGS maps I purchased had the grid printed on them already.
zilla,
Yes, exactly...and if you custom print them at REI, print them on your own software at home, or order them from a place like MyTopo, you can customize the grid overlay. Boy, do we have it nice these days, or what?
Does anyone use a Mac? Have you found a GPS compatible with that?
Thanks!
lt-m-grow, you are right, the vista HCx does have the high sensitivity receiver, that model is not even on my brochure. I dosn't have the double helix antennae of the 60CSx, which is an improvement on the patch antennae used on the vista line. I talked to THREE of the yuppie hiker types at the REI store today, they said don't mess around just get the 60CSx. The Garmin engineer back in January told me the same thing basically.
I will take a meduim priced (FAST lock on) GPS with a 7.5 paper topo map versus a High dollar GPS with High dollar software maps any day.
Reason...That topo is what 24" by 24" and that gps LCD is 2" by 3"
UTM........UTM.........UTM.........TOPO........TOPO........TOPO.......
You can reference tons of more reference off a 7.5 topo than a 2" by 3" screen
Use both. It doesn't have to be either/or.
If you're in deep cover that double helix atennae is preiceless.
Curveman... I was refering to I rather use a decent WAAS GPS WITH a 7.5 Topo.....THAN....a high priced GPS with software downloaded.
Map is bigger than a 2 x 3 lcd..
Curveman... I was refering to I rather use a decent WAAS GPS WITH a 7.5 Topo.....THAN....a high priced GPS with software downloaded.
Joebuck,
I only meant I have the download and the map. and the compass. :)
I was wondering if anyone has tried one of these??
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=0314_gps-search_redir&rid=&indexId=cat21350&navAction =push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&parentType=index&parentId=cat21350&id=0045004 (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=0314_gps-search_redir&rid=&indexId=cat21350&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&parentType=index&parentId=cat21350&id=0045004)
I was shopping on line at American express...and I can cash in some of my points and get it free. Tom nor I have ever owned GPS amd I am not sure if this is a good deal or not. It sells at Cabelas for 299 but I can get it free by spending about 44,000 of my points on it.
Thanks for your help.
Okay...if no one has tried the Bushnell Onix
200CR...is it one you would want to try??? Is a Garmin or other brand better? Do you know if it is user friendly or a pain in the petuna???
Dina look here
http://www.gpsreview.net/bushnell-onix-200/
lots of info on them if you google Bushnell Onix GPS
Personally I'd stick with a Garmin
I you type in comparison of hand held gps's you'll get all kinds of info.
Depends on if you want basic or fancy smancy. Basic will get you back and forth to anything. Fancy smancy will get you back and forth and let you download form your computer, tell you the weather and wipe your nose when it gets runny ha ha Some you can load with streetmaps software and use in your truck for navigation and to find restaurants and such.
Cool....thanks Mickey!
Quoteuse in your truck for navigation and to find restaurants and such.
**find restaurant serving good biscuits-n-gravy after 10 AM**
Now that would be a GPS !
GOT THAT RIGHT JEFF! LOL