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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Brian Gillispie on July 27, 2009, 02:40:00 PM
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Hey all,
I have never used a GPS. I need to have one for the upcomming hunting season. I am not sure what is available on the market. I would prefer a model with ease of use.
What suggestions do you folks have?
Brian Gillispie
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It would depend on what you wanted to do with it.You can get simple ones that will get you back to the truck or something with maps and routing that can be used on the road as well.More Garmins are in use than anything else.Deciding what you will use it for would be the first step because it is huge price differences in them. jmo
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Brian, I have a Garmin etrex and it works fine for what I do. Anywhere fom 89-100 bucks and simple. What ever kind you get always carry a spare set of betteries with you..G
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Garmin is at the top of the GPS food chain. As J Wrenn says, they have several different models, from very simple to lots of detail and 'stuff'. I would suggest that you go to a store that carries several models and get a hands on look at various models. They are a great tool, but they don't replace map and compass entirely.
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I agree with James. I recently purchased the Garmin 60CX. I use mine (with the corresonding MapSource software) to aid in scouting new properties. I'll also mark my stand sites; buck sign; entrance/exit routes; etc...
I also think it could be a terrific aid in blood trailing.
LOTS of uses I haven't even thought of, likely.
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Yup the Garmin Etrex is about the easiest one on the market to use. At least from what I have found.
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And only use them as a tool with at least one compass to double check. They are useful and I like them but don't totally rely on them. A compass only lies if it is around metal. A gps can mess you up with no apparent reason. Gary
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Garmin 60 Csx. Some of the less expensive one's don't work at all or well under canopy. This one does. Always use a compass too though!
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Jeff the 60csx is a great unit.I lost mine hunting last year and had to replace it.I was really bummed but was lucky and had several years of data backed up on my computer so lost nothing that way.I went with the new Oregon.A bigger screen and a few more bells and whistles but pretty much the same unit.I use mine on the road a lot so the extra cost was covered in saved gas on trips. :)
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Brian, really depends on what you want to do with it. Bushnell makes one that holds 3 waypoints. It's mostly for marking your truck, go to your stand or two and then back to your truck. Others can give up topo maps, driving or location maps, lat/long coordinates, the only thing that will stop you from features is the depth of your pockets. With all the said I have Garmins. The oldest one I have is a GPS 11 model about 10 to 12 yrs old. It's not programmable and weighs about a lb but has gotten me out of Blackwater Swamp in Cambridge, MD a couple times. Doesn't work good under cover, though. I have several other Garmins also. Some are for my motorcycles because the hard drives are made for the rough ride of a bike. Others I use hunting, my wife has one 'cause she gets twisted around on our place here in SC. So, the bottom line is what are your needs and how much do you want to spend. Dang, maybe I do talk too much....ah,well, information is good.
Fred.....
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I wouldn't buy an eTrex. Better to put the money towards a better one. I use mine, but I wouldnt buy it again.
I'm always surprised on these threads that people dont bring up the issue of electronic compass or not. If it doesn't have electronic compass, it's of little use in the woods, to me. All other units rely on satellite triangulation to determine direction and rate of travel. As it turns this requires a fairly steady rate of travel. By "steady" I mean roughly a steady, brisk walk. Speaking for myself a brisk walking pace is rarely practical when I'm wanting to bring home meat. Much less in thickets. The unit becomes useless.
I'm sure it would be great on a boat for finding fishing spots, underwater cover, etc.
Electronic compass units do not have this limitation. Standing still you can rotate them and the arrow will stay pointing toward the mark. These units are also the ones with better antenae and reception.
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Yeah. I gave my Etrex to a friend when I upgraded to the csx. IT would be fine if you're mostly in open areas though.
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Bear is dead on about the E compass feature. Never knew how bad it was with my old unit till I got me a garmin map60CSX. Love this unit ! Hate Garmin for not making their software in a 24k resolution rather than the useless 100K they offer now.
nocams :banghead:
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nocams,
The 24K resolution is on the way. They have most of the western US complete. Check the garmin site under trail maps to see the current offerings. I'm hoping the next release will include Kansas and Missouri. :pray:
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BMN,
Hope you are right..... been hearing that story, even from Garmin folks for years !!! Seems like any technology you buy these days NEVER EVER works as advertised, always a catch. Just once I would love to go to a board room meeting and have my say to everyone in there from the President on down to the developers and just ask them how they can market this junk on the consumer and still sleep at night ??? Does any company or developer ever try to use their new product themselves before they market it ???
Okay, deep breath and heading to the garage to finish up a osage selfbow that I KNOW will work, haha !!! :archer:
nocams :D
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Aloha Brian,
Had a etrex and was happy with it until my wife one day washed it with my hunting clothes----my fault. Got me in an out of my hunting area. Simple to use but the compass sucked. And you had to keep moving for the gps to orient you. Still, simple to use and reasonably priced.
Replaced it with a Summit and am pretty happy with it. Two weekends ago I hiked out in the dark. Had to sit down three times to orient myself as it was pitch black and you couldn't see 15/20 feet in front because of a heavy fog. Reached the truck about 8:30.
There more expesive units out there but value wise,the Summit gets my vote.
Mark
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I would get either a Garmin or a Magellan, as far as consumer use goes they are the best. I have an old garmin etrex Vista that I've had for almost ten years and it still works great, but I make sure to keep the software updated in it. If you don't keep your unit updated, in time the reception will degrade because satellites are replaced or moved and the gps doesn't know where to look for them in the sky. An electronic compass is a nice feature as others have said. One of the biggest improvements in newer models is increased battery life. ALWAYS carry spare batteries (and a map and compass)...
David
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.
There more expesive units out there but value wise,the Summit gets my vote.
Mark [/QB][/QUOTE]
There web site says it is discontinued ???
Brian, after all the answers the only sure thing is to get a get a get a Garmin... :D
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Howzit Geno, got the Summit HC from Amazon. Maybe the Summit with the "black and white" screen is being discontinued? Maybe the Summit HC is being discontinued,thats why I got a great price? Reading the reviews also helped me on deciding on the Summit HC
Aloha,
Mark
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Your right Geno, I just checked the Garmin site and I guess that the Summit has being discontinued. The Summit HC replaced the Summit. I must say that using the color screen is great compared the my old long gone Etex.
Eh Brian I'll echo everyone's opinion that you should always bring spare batteries and always bring a compass. I even pack an extra head lamp when I hunt.
Aloha,
Mark
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I like the Rhino, but then it's because I hunt with my brother who has one too. To be able to see other hunter's position relative to yours is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!! I really like it for pushing game as you can coordinate drives when not in line-of-sight.
Of course, there's drawbacks. I bought the cheaper model without the electronic compass, and if you aren't moving you don't know left from right. Also, the resolution is useless for maps. No contours. Don't rely on ANY GPS. Always have a map and a compass AND AN EXTRA SET OF BATTERIES. I don't know about other units but the Rhino EATS batteries.
Juan
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Thats Ok Mark, It probably just takes a little longer for the news to get to the Islands..
:biglaugh: G
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Hands down, the Garmin 60 Csx is the very best I've used. I work in the outdoor industry and have products tossed my way from time to time to try out, including GPS units, and after testing several Garmin and Magellan models I found the Csx performed the best in a variety of terrain and weather conditions. Last year I popped 2 AA Lithiums into mine and they lasted two weeks in the elk woods. Come to think of it, I used it last fall deer hunting and it's still operating on the same set of battieries.
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Garmin CSX
A GPS is like a boat, you get ne and before long you want a bigger one, then bigger etc.
If you get an Etrex, it will work fine from point to point but your probably gonna want more features. Get the CSX to start with :-)
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Biggie is pretty much right. :) At the least I would go with something like the Garmin etrex vista hcx.You should be able to get one a bit over $200 if you look around.It will give you a good antenna and good chipset so will be as accuate as the higher cost units.It will also have a color screen and mapping with routing capabilities.The memory is expandable with a card so you could buy a topo for it and plug it in.It also has an electronic compass and barameter.It has some of the bells and whistles in a mid range package that will allow you to do most things you would use a gps for.The learning curve on Garmine units is not too bad and they work well with google earth. jmo
Whatever you decide get one with a good antenna and reciever so you won't have problems in the thick stuff and hills.A GPS is just no good if it blacks out when you hit the woods. :)
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BTW..When we talk gps we are always thinking topos and finding our way in and out of woods.I find mine very handy for other things as well.With City navigator loaded in one it gives you millions of POIs as well.This means with a few clicks you can find the nearest motel,garrage gas ect no matter where you might be.Pulling up this infomation can really be a plus.I can be in the woods and find a motel,get the phone number and call and make reservation ect if I decide to stay over somewhere longer than I planned.Want a steak for supper and you can look up the nearest Outback,see it on the map and get turn by turn directions to it.Just pointing out that the more you learn to use a gps the more things you will find you can use them for. :)
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I have the Garmin 60CX (as mentioned before). For all of you guys suggesting the CSX....what exactly is/are the differences?
I paid exactly $257.30 for my New 60CX, 3 weeks ago.
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Jeff the csx has a microSD™ card, high-sensitivity GPS receiver, barometric altimeter and electronic compass.
The main difference is the reciever chipset on the csx is better than the one used on the cx and it has an electronis compass.The 60csx soon become the benchmark all handheld units were and are still judged by after it came out.Any accuracy testing you see done on new units is always compared to the 60csx.The newer units give you color screens,larger screens ect but there accuracy was all built around the cababilities of the 60csx.
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James...I have the same micro SD and GPS receiver in my 60CX.
The difference is the barometric Altimter and the electronic compass (which I hear has to be re-calibrated quite regularly).
If you wanna pay $70-$100 more for those two things.......then more power to ya.
(and....my sreen IS color)
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The elctronic comapss is calibrated in about one minute. Easy to do and is very accurate.
Down here I really use the altimiter too. The difference in 2 feet of elevation means alot in the swamps.
The CSX has the best reception I've ever seen. It will pick up under any forest canopy. Even inside my house!
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Jeff I guess the newer ones have been updated.I was just quoting what is on the Garmin website stating the differences between the two units. :)
I am sure it will serve you well.All electronic compasses have to be calibrated regularly.
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Biggie...
What does the altimeter tell you that an accurate topo wouldn't? I'm not familiar with them.
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A topo generaly is in 10' incriments. Not much help here in the flatlands.
And if I have a good topo and a compass, I don't need the GPS AND I don't have to carry 3 dozen topo's around to cover all the places I hunt.
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I've got my entire state's topo in my 60CX. I still have plenty of room to add KY, CO and any other place I'll hunt in there, also.
I like the topo on the machine....because I can locate potential stand sites on my computer (mapsource) and solidify them in the field.
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I have a 60csx and want 2 download from the 1/24000 cd's. my question is? can i use the supplied micro chip and have enough space to get the whole western us cd on it or will i have to d/l say, just oregon? or do i need to spend $ on a larger memory card? i'm an old guy who doesn't understand all this hi tec stuff..
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I have a 2 gig card. It cost $11 at walmart.
Just check the file size of the file you want to download.
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Jeff, I misunderstood. I thought you were talking paper maps :banghead:
I too like to triangulate a spot on the map (paper or otherwise) and punch in the numbers and go to it.
I'd like to think I was pretty woods wise but I've spent alot of time walking and looking for a particular place before when now I can go right to it. It will surprise you sometimes where something really is compared to where you thought it was :-)
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Check the PN-20 or PN-40 from Delorme Best topo software by far.