GPS what does everyone like and use

[Jake Diebolt]

DON'T go for a Magellan. I got one a year ago, and the maps recommended for the model weren't even compatible. It took another user to tell me this: customer support was no help at all.

Go with a Garmin. I use it at work, no complaints.

[Rick Butler]

The Garmin 60 series have been discontinued but are still available for substantially less than the 62 series.  I just bought a 60Csx and saved over  $160.00 compared to the 62.

[frassettor]

Originally posted by centaur:
Just saw the Garmin Summit HC online for $154. I have one, and it works great. Can't go wrong with a Garmin.

Thats what I have and love it!! The HC is a god sent when the tree canopy is thick!

[bowgy]

I use a Garmin Colorado.  It is really fun to use with the topo maps.  I have had a couple of problems with it though.  It froze up on me during the first hunt I used it on and I hadn't studied the manual enough so I didn't know that it could be restarted by pushing the two buttons on the front and the start button at the same time. At the time it was only 6 months old but it needed updated software also.  This year one of the $90 topo disks just quit working while it was sitting in a drawer.  I can't say enough good things about Garmin customer service though.  With the first problem they walked me through how to fix it and to download the latest software for it.  When the disk didn't work they sent me one free of charge.

[excelpoint]

Originally posted by awbowman:
Excel, You just made my day.

Which is the the latest version?

If you are talking about the map I'm not sure i just downloaded the one that was there. Was pretty accurate against paper maps we had.

As for the units the 62 series has only been out a year or two

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Originally posted by Hoyt:
I like the Garmin 60CSx. It does everything I need and a lot more than I use. Don't see myself buying another one anytime soon unless this one croaks.

Ditto

[Swamp Yankee]

Just got a Garmin 62s a few months ago and it blows the eTrex away in sensitivity.  I could never get the eTrex to work under any kind of overhead cover, and up here in New England there isn't much real estate that isn't under the trees.  I've never had the 62s lose position; it actually locks in INSIDE the house!  The eTrex only worked when out in the open.

[Pointer]

Etrex H series bt Garmin...$100 and works great

[misfire]

Originally posted by Mike Vines:
How long is the battery life on the yellow Etrex?  Do you need to keep it turned on at all times?

I would like to get one to, but technology and I don't get along to well.

Mike, you don't need to keep the unit on all the time so the batteries can last for some time. I used mine for 6 days on a hunt in Maine without changing batteries. You can leave it on to track your movement if you want to follow your trail out. I always carry a set of batteries with me just in case.

[wingnut]

I got Jason a Garmin 60CSX for his birthday before we went moose hunting.  Man isit a nice rig.  Now I need to figure a reason to get me one.

I have the Garmin Rino140 and really like it too.

Mike

[JL]

You can say i have been down the gps trail a time or two. Been ising garmin handheld uniys since the made them available back in the day. Currently im using a Garmin Oregon 400T and it is a nice unit. I look at gps units like i do optics, you get what you pay for. I would not buy a unit that didnt have a electronic compass, a high sensitive antenna and the ability to accept maps/cards. Do what you have to do to be sure you get a unit with these features. You need to have the ability to get a true bearing when standing still.

Also be sure to recalibrate your units electronic compass EVERY time you swap batteries. Most people overlook doing this and it can/will get you in a bind if you forget (I know about this firsthand)  I would stick with gamin units also. They have a good track record and accesories are plentyful.

My advice is to get a good unit from the start and you wont feel a need to upgrade later on. I can recommend the Oregon series in a heartbeat.

JL

[RM81]

I use an old Garmin Legend C.  I've had it for close to 10 years and it still works fine.  You can load any maps you want including topo.  The only thing I don't like about it is that it does not have an electronic compass.  The next unit I buy will have an electronic compass and memory card slot to hold extra maps.

[shdwhwk]

A Garmin Rhino 530 for when I hunt with Dad & brothers, who also have Rhino's. It's great to be able to keep track of one another on the map screen.

And a Garmin 60cx when I by myself or don't need a radio.

Both are great units

[Steve Kendrot]

Garmin GPSMap 76csx. Same guts and high sensitivity reciever the 60cxs has but it's waterproof and floats too.

[excelpoint]

On a battery note if you really want to extend the battery life get yourself a decent set of rechargeable batteries. I can highly recommend Sony Enoloops. I have been using these batteries in a lot more demanding situations then a GPS and they are simply awesome. You should be able to get a couple sets with a charger for under $40

[Chuck Wyatt]

As to GPS...I've used Magellan, Delorme and Garmin.  My fave of all is the Garmin 60csx. It just works, is tough and has a 20 hour battery life.

BTW, I've read where folks are concerned with battery life.  Passing on a tip....you don't have to have it on the whole time you are hunting/scouting/walking.

Turn it on before you leave camp or the vehicle.  Let it get a fix.  Mark the spot.  Once saved, turn off the GPS.  See something you want to mark while out.  Repeat as necessary: On/lock/mark/off.  

Now, if you want to go to any of the marked places later, turn on the GPS and let it get a lock.  Look in the list of marked points you set and click the one you want to go to.  Most handhelds will tell a waypoint's distance and bearing (in degrees) when you highlight the point in the save list.  Look at distance/bearing.  Dial in the bearing on a  regular compass.  Turn off the GPS and follow the compass for the distance indicated by the GPS. You should be toting a good compass anyway.

[Rob DiStefano]

etrex h  ... $80, simple, easy, accurate, high sensitivity for heavy wood cover, AA batts last a looong time, no topo maps but it sure is a lifesaver at times.  

[Talondale]

Just got a Garmin Legend HCx and it seems like a nice unit for my needs (and budget).  Main things I was looking at was high sensitivity receiver and microSD card slot.  I have a card for each state I'll be hunting.  Used the free garmin compatible map listed earlier and a few others I found, plus    GPSBabel (free) which will export my waypoints and tracks into Google Earth.

[RM81]

Garmin is releasing a new series that's an update to the etrex line.  There's a 10, 20, and 30.  They're on the Garmin website.  I'd get the 20 or 30 depending on whether you want electronic compass or not.  Looks like a good line and starts out a lot less expensive than the Oregon or newer 62 series.

[Benoli]

Garmin etrex is the BOMB, light on bells and whistles but for the basics of getting to and fro it's fine. BUT, I will never go out without my compass as it has bailed out my GPS using friends twice. Both due to operator error not the unit.