GPS Suggestions ?

[wv lungbuster]

Looking to buy my first GPS, any suggestion, are the
Preloaded TOPO U.S. 100K maps detailed enough for hunting, or should one opt for the 24K? Don't really need one with a camera either

[wv lungbuster]

Hows the battery life with these also?

[Nathan Killen]

I've got BackCountry navigator pro app on my smartphone. Better than any GPS I've ever used and its only $12 ! 24k maps along with many other forest topos and satellite images at your finger tips, plus compass and all the other features of a GPS. Only down fall is battery life vs battery life of a GPS. It also works even with no cell service.

[wv lungbuster]

I've have also been using my iphone as a gps with the Trimble app, and yes like you said it really draws your battery down quick. That's why I'm considering a GPS

[J-dog]

Garmin 62st is what I use. Got the 24k maps on a removable little card. I had an older 62 for yrs and yrs til it met a horrible demise.

Battery life is good if you use the lithium jobbers, it will go forever. BUT I always got a spare pair.

I hunt eastern nc which makes Cambodia look like Kansas and it catches satellites quickly through some dense stuff, my older 62 did alright but this one does better.

Lotsa choices on gps these days

[BelegStrongbow]

I've got a garmin in the classified still I think. It's a brand new rhino. If it fits what your looking for let me know and we can work a deal out.

[J-dog]

Flat country I hunt and I like the 24k maps. I could imagine them being really useful for hilly/mountain areas.

Just me though, you can do a lot with GPS units these days and most of it I find worthless in the course of hunting or fishing. I usually mark my truck, my stands, and any sign rubs/scrapes ect.I find.

[Bjorn]

Garmin 60 CXS works everywhere

[picapica]

I too use a Garmin 60CSX. Nice compact unit with great software and battery life.  I found it on the local Craigslist for about 1/3 of new price.

It's nice for marking trailheads, keeping track of distance and time on the trail, and for navigating to set waypoints.

We did some side by side comparisons with smartphone based gps last winter.  The Garmin's battery life was WAY better and its easy to replace the batteries with a fresh set on the go. Its also waterproof and built for rugged field use, which was not the case for the phones we compared it to, though one phone was in an expensive "otterbox" accessory shell that did improve its overall durability. Other features were pretty comparable.

[Onehair]

I know it's something else to carry but I have a battery backup for my phone. It also has a solar panel. About the size of a bar of soap. I have never come close to running it down.

[lt-m-grow]

It is not just battery life where phones fall short.  

A hunting GPS is
1.) tougher thus can take hunting abuse.    
2.)  water proof.  I wouldn't want my phone to get caught in the rain let alone fall in a muddy spring like my GPS did and keep right on ticking.
3.)  a better GPS.  The GPS  chipsets are flat out better.

Maps are free to so don't get caught in that at GPSDepot.com

Don't get me wrong, I have backcountry navigator on my phone and it is nice.  I play with it hunting around home.  But if I am going where I think I need a GPS, I am taking a GPS.  It may save my life.

[Brock]

I prefer the Delorme PN60....all software and topos included.  For $20 per year you get a huge amount of downloadable color and other sat imagery as well.

good size screen...able to add SD cards for additional storage...mil spec water proof...great software package.

 http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=30538§ion=10460

[Jerry Russell]

I tend to lean hard toward a real GPS. I put my units though hell and I cant imagine putting a phone through this torture. I have used many different models but I now have a Garmin Montana 650t and it is the best thing I have ever seen. I use it in the dense forest of Quebec for tracking and it is a lifesaver for navigation and marking last blood in the crazy thick woods. It is a tremendously versatile unit and can be used for turn by turn in your car. I also use it a great deal in marine mode to find wrecks while fishing 10-20 miles off shore. Yes it is pricey but I trust it to get me home in some terrible conditions.

[centaur]

I'm a Garmin guy. Currently I have an Oregon 650t, which might be more than you need, but Garmins in general are dang good outfits.
This site will get you all kinds of Garmin compatible maps. I much prefer the 1:24000 maps.
 http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/state/all