Which GPS...???

[Onions]

Going on a Wyoming hunt this Sept, and going to delve into using a GPS.
I am a "newbie" to GPS.
Curious to what y'all use? I have been looking at two models right now:
Garmin 401 Foretrex and Garmin Montain 600 or 650.
Do I need the more expensive model, with all the bells and whistles?
Thanks!

chris <><

[ProAlpine]

IPhone 6s!
If you already have a smart phone then you don't need a GPS. Why carry more when you can carry one device that has multiple functions? I use my phone for emergency communications (yes, cell service is spotty, but Verizon is you best bet in the west), camera, maps/GPS/navigation (with the GAIA GPS app), weather forecaster, etc. etc.
Honestly, I've had several GPS devices and the map quality and functionality of my iPhone with GAIA is better than any GPS device I have ever used.

[centaur]

Originally posted by ProAlpine:
IPhone 6s!
If you already have a smart phone then you don't need a GPS. Why carry more when you can carry one device that has multiple functions? I use my phone for emergency communications (yes, cell service is spotty, but Verizon is you best bet in the west), camera, maps/GPS/navigation (with the GAIA GPS app), weather forecaster, etc. etc.
Honestly, I've had several GPS devices and the map quality and functionality of my iPhone with GAIA is better than any GPS device I have ever used.

I have had bunches of gps's, and now mine gathers dust. My phone with GAIA does the trick. If, however, I was going to get a gps, Garmin would be my choice.

[awbowman]

I'm the oddball here I guess. I like a GPS because it was MADE to be used for navigating.  Much tougher than any phone on the market too.  I like the tracking log functions of a GPS and you can't match this feature with any phone app IMHO.  

Any of the Garmins will do, but you don't need all the extra "options" on the higher end models.

[DanielB89]

I use a garmin etrex 30x and love it. One thing I don't like about using my phone is how it KILLS YOUR BATTERY!  When you use a gps, "new life", is only a couple new batteries away!  

Yes, you can carry an external battery power source for your iphone, but I just prefer my gps.

[ProAlpine]

GAIA GPS does tracking as well and I find it very accurate - as accurate as a Garmin. It does, however, use up your phone's battery. I have a Mophie, which is an external battery that is the size and weight of my phone and will give it 3-4 full charges - enough to be in the filed for several days with full tracking.

Also of note, you can use apps like GAIA GPS and have your phone on airplane mode, so as not to be constantly searching for a signal when there isn't one. There are certain tricks to maintaining battery life, such as this and closing all used apps, that will allow you to conserve battery power for days.

To each unto their own. I know those that are dedicated to using their GPS instead of their phone won't readily be convinced... just like Ford drivers aren't going to buy a Chevy. But I am sold!

[old_goat2]

Yeah, I have a droid smartphone and it does everything I need including tracks. I download the map tiles at home so i don't need cell service plus it's a touch screen color monitor. You will need a good power pack to recharge it. I use Backcountry Navigator App, been using it exclusively for five seasons now, I do carry a super cheap backup GPS but I did that when I carried a regular GPS also. If you already have a smart phone, the App I use costs less than twenty bucks and for a few more bucks you can buy add ons that show GMU and private property boundaries and these are one time costs! If you don't have a smart phone, them the type of country your in will dictate what you might need, I prefer one now that shows at a minimum topo lines, you can get into some steep stuff fast without them.

[old_goat2]

This is a screen shot of the track we made on a local hike.
 

[awbowman]

Nice hike old goat.  I will say that a large I-phone or Samsung would give you a MUCH larger screen than any of the GPS on the market that I'm aware of.

[old_goat2]

And for any of you that might be Coors lovers, those black squares at the bottom of the picture are part of the Coors Brewery  

[monterey]

Nice view of Coors.        didn't know there is a trailhead on easly road.

I  also use Back country Navigator and it works fine for me.  In airplane mode the battery will last several days.

I don't go that far in anymore but due to a bad leg I need to pick travel routes carefully to stay out of trouble.  Back county let's you download topo, aerial photo maps with markups and FS maps.  You can switch between maps and your tracking and waypoints follow.  It makes it easy to avoid places that I can't bushwhack like I used to.

If you are going in for an extended stay you will need some kind of battery support.  When I floated a river for two weeks we used a solar charger for GPS, cameras and SAT phone and that worked fine even with a lot of overcast.

Funny thing, were set down on the river without knowing our exact location.  The GPS had us on a high ridge several miles from the river.  My partner had a new camera with GPS built in and the camera immediately pinpointed our location with accuracy of about ten or twelve feet.

[Whip]

I stayed old school with my GPS until last fall, even though I carry a smart phone.  Finally took the plunge and got Trimble Maps package and was very pleased. Better maps with more features than I had through my GPS.
 
You do need to put your phone in airplane mode to avoid draining the battery, but in that setting it will last multiple days.  

If you have a smart phone that really is the way to go.  Put your money into a good waterproof case and a solar charger.  An auxiliary battery on a solar charger back at camp, and then charge your phone off the aux. battery as needed.

If you don't have a smart phone then I like the Garmin GPS units.  But with all the guys switching to phones lately I'll bet you can pick up a decent used GPS pretty cheap on Craigslist or the auction site.

[BrushWolf]

I have a Garmin etrac 20 it does everything I need and hasn't got me lost yet.

[Possum Head]

62S Garmin. However I haven't experimented with others enough to make a fair assessment. I do like it's prompt signal.

[Onions]

Guys, Thanks for the info. I like the idea of using a smart phone. I have a Iphone 6plus.
Three apps were mentioned:
Back Country Navigator
GAIA GPS
Trimble
Has anyone had experience with them all, and decided that one was better then the others?

Great info!
Thanks again!

chris <><

[ProAlpine]

I've used Backcountry Navigator and GAIA GPS. For me GAIA GPS was much much easier to navigate and very intuitive. It's a one time $20 purchase - expensive for an app, but cheap compared to buying topos or a GPS! Maybe BN has gotten better in the last several years, but when I purchased it 5 years ago I had a really hard time doing anything with it. Then when I wanted to download more maps I had to buy them. With GAIA GPS, you pay a flat fee and all the maps are downloaded for free. Just my $.02 but the reality is that I use this app almost daily for my job guiding. I think in the end, any of them will be good (including a GPS), just depends which one you are most proficient at using.

[old_goat2]

Unless it changed, Backcountry Navigator wasn't compatible for iPhone, I've heard nothing but good stuff about gaiaa

[rraming]

I just researched and bought a new one this year - decided on a Garmin 64ST - gives you topo maps as well.

Phones suck and you loose signal, then you are done - use a phone as a back up not your main unit unless you hunt in a city. I had the 60S prior to this one. There are a few models better and higher priced in the Garmin line but I'm not spending $500.
Mine was $300
The stuff you can do with them is crazy now - downloading stuff from internet and sending it to your GPS - don't think I will ever have that kind of free time but you never know

[old_goat2]

Originally posted by rraming:
I just researched and bought a new one this year - decided on a Garmin 64ST - gives you topo maps as well.

Phones suck and you loose signal, then you are done - use a phone as a back up not your main unit unless you hunt in a city. I had the 60S prior to this one. There are a few models better and higher priced in the Garmin line but I'm not spending $500.
Mine was $300
The stuff you can do with them is crazy now - downloading stuff from internet and sending it to your GPS - don't think I will ever have that kind of free time but you never know

You download the maps at home and then you don't need cell service to operate! I've had two GPSs blackout on me, never had one of my phones do that!

[ProAlpine]

...What old_goat2 said...

My phone will function as a GPS anywhere a Garmin will, period.
If you don't know that then you are not reading the previous posts and don't know how to operate the app on your phone. It's worth getting to know the app, otherwise you're wasting your money.

Plus, I can literally be in the field, take a picture of a something, (a landmark, a kill, anything) and then drop a pin on my GAIA app, then upload the photo to the way point I just created... all on one device and in about a minute or less. For me it's the multi functionality of my phone and the user friendly interface of the GAIA app that makes a difference. My phone is smaller and more packable than almost all GPS units out there and does so much more!