Hello all,  Going out west for an elk hunt and was looking into GPS, either a Garmin or a GPS app for the phone. It will be a semi guided hunt on private property and not totally off the grid but would like to map our hunt locations and use in emergency in case we get lost.

Which do you prefer and why? Pros v cons?

I also plan on bringing the old school map and compass

Thanks, Mike

I like Gaia GPS app you don't need cell coverage to use.

I also take note of trail/road directions when walking in so I can walk out if I get turned around in the dark.

I have an app I use on my phone called "huntstand" that is pretty handy, and a Garmin GPS as well. I use the app on my phone more, but I've hunted the same property all my life so I'm pretty familiar with it. On new property I'd take a GPS if it were me...just a lot more flexible as to what it can do than the apps I've seen. Don't forget extra batteries!!

I use the Trimble app and like it.

I posted this on this thread  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=150522  but will offer it here too.

... whenever I hear - I use this cellphone app - I cringe. They are great for the back woodlot, horrible choice for the mountains.

Why? Low grade GPS, poor screen visibility in sunlight, it will use up your battery and bringing a backup battery pack seems silly, it isn't durable if you drop it or fall on it, and will not handle moisture...and probably more. Please never use a cellphone app as your only source for direction in big country.

For me it is printed map, gps and a compass. And I even have maps on my gps and still carry a printed map.

I agree that phones aren't as durable as dedicated gps units as a whole but there are some weather proof units available. I also agree that a dedicated gps unit and a paper map and compass with the ability to use it are best for serious backcountry. I like my phone app to mark blinds, springs, and other hunting info. I use mine in an area that I'm not in any danger if I'd get lost because it's not far to road in any of the areas I hunt. I also have an app that I can send my location to my wife as legal ng as I have minimal coverage. As far as battery usage I've had dedicated units run down batteries and I always had to carry several changes of batteries. So an additional power pack for a phone isn't anymore inconvenient. Whatever unit you use you have to know how to use them in ways to save power.

another vote for Gaia and its ability to use topo or sat. images     but my garmin is so much more reliable and accurate

In big country for elk I'd never go with a cell phone app for GPS.  Remember the GPS in the phone is secondary hardware behind the camera and phone so you are getting very little in the way of quality.

Even the cheapest dedicated GPS units are better by a big margin.  I hunt wilderness and have a Garmin rino 539HCX that works great for anything asked of it.

Mike

I disagree. The GPS in today's cell phone is more than adequate for back country navigation. I totally agree that no one should put all their eggs in an electronic basket, and that a paper map and compass and knowledge how to use it is must have equipment.

However, I haven't touched my Garmin GPS 76 since I started using my iPhone for GPS. You don't need cell coverage to obtain a GPS signal and can use it while in airplane mode. I have far more options for overlays and it's easier to navigate maps. A ruggedized WP case solves any durability questions. Both dedicated GPS and cell phones are accurate to within a couple meters.

http://www.singletracks.com/blog/gps/gps-distance-accuracy-test-smartphone-apps-vs-dedicated-gps/

Not surprised Steve. I had a Garmin 400+ at work which I compared to my phone and the phone was consistently more likely to show my position correctly.

I haven't used a GPS in 6 seasons! I'm not doing anything with a GPS that I need better than the phone will do. I already have it and for a one time fee of about thirty bucks I have a color touch screen GPS with private property boundaries and GMU boundaries. I do carry a small back up GPS, but I've been doing that ever since the last season I hunted with a regular GPS and it crapped out on me, also had a Rhino crap out, never had a phone crap out. Haven't had much battery life problems.

GPS for me... GPS function on phone drains the battery too quick to be reliable . My phone sucks as well as far as reception goes.. Not a tool I would rely on in the backwoods.

Most modern apps and phones do NOT use cell phone towers for GPS.  If battery is a problem get a newer phone, my droid last longer then my GPS when I leave the GPS and phone running.

QuoteOriginally posted by lt-m-grow:
I posted this on this thread   http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=150522   but will offer it here too.

... whenever I hear - I use this cellphone app - I cringe. They are great for the back woodlot, horrible choice for the mountains.

Why? Low grade GPS, poor screen visibility in sunlight, it will use up your battery and bringing a backup battery pack seems silly, it isn't durable if you drop it or fall on it, and will not handle moisture...and probably more. Please never use a cellphone app as your only source for direction in big country.

For me it is printed map, gps and a compass. And I even have maps on my gps and still carry a printed map.

Look no father than this post.  You can add an app on your phone but use a GPS and be safe.

I've have nothing but good to say about onxmaps!!  I think it's like $20 a state for a year.

DIY hunting maps is comming out with a phone app. It is going to be one of the better ones i have seen. I got to play around with it recently, he said in the next couple weeks it will be ready. Look him up on the internet, he has maps and and online map server. You can also print maps of the area you plan to hunt off of his website.