"Calibration failed", over and over again. No matter how many times I tried.
Hand held GPS for hunting/icefishing
- Thread starter scott_r
- Start date
"Calibration failed", over and over again. No matter how many times I tried.
That sucks. I would consider the unit "defective" and get a refund. I have not used that particular model, but compass and altimeter on the older 60CSx that I have used for several years works very well (needs to be calibrated, of course) and altitude has margins of error, but useful. I'd check it out with Garmin if it was mine.
To the OP - avoid touch screens, you will want to be able to use various downloadable maps, larger screens are easier to use, ability to hold a fix in trees and cover is essential, battery life is a consideration. As far as I know they ALL mark waypoints and keep tracks (although I seldom use the backtracking feature - just go a more direct route back is usually faster and less work). Software to use on your computer that is compatible with the hand held is very important, and Garmin is compatible with lots of it (Garmin is only type I have owned, so I know it. Others work too, but make sure.) Have a look at Oziexplorer of Fugawi for examples of 3rd party software that is pretty nice once you learn to use it.
GPS is a marvel, and makes unknown territory safer and less effort. Map and compass and the skills to use them are an essential back up, however, and never go anywhere genuinely wild without them as well. Electronic devices are really helpful, but can fail for no known reason at any time.
And when your phone battery dies... pull out the compass?
At least with a GPS you can just throw in another set of AAs and you are back up and running.
Agreed. A cell phone works pretty good if you're in a city, or just in the country. A real GPS is much better if you actually go anywhere "wilderness" and for any length of time. I spend a LOT of time where there is no cell service or any way to charge my phone.
Bad Elf plugged into Iphone needs no cell. It is a stand alone plug in chip.
I have PIC'd from CYPQ to CYQA to CYOO to CYPQ using the above and it was accurate compared to ground sites below but battery life sucks on all cell phone assisted GPS apps and did on that one too.
I have PIC'd from CYPQ to CYQA to CYOO to CYPQ using the above and it was accurate compared to ground sites below but battery life sucks on all cell phone assisted GPS apps and did on that one too.
Me too. My phone dies within a day. Faster in cold weather. My GPS (before I lost it) was good for weeks as long as I had a few extra AAs with me (which I always do anyway, for flashlights, radios, etc.). GPSs are also built to take some abuse and bad weather. Most can survive a dip in a creek. The average cell phone is like a ticking time bomb. One little slip and its a goner.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I have a Garmin 62st. Whichever GPS you choose, one that has a map display is much more useful in a back country scenario. When I got an original yellow etrex, it proved beneficial, once I had laid in the waypoints, but putting in waypoints from a map or from google-earth can lead to some interesting adventures.
B rampton Mike
CGN Regular
- Location
- Brampton Ontario
I have used the 76csx before it got stolen...was all over the world with it & it was an awesome gps...now have the Montana 650 and love it....have backroads map in it as well....it too has done some world traveling and it has performed beyond expectation.
You just reminded me that I still have an old Yellow somewhere in the basement. It worked fine for me back in the day. I just used it to keep a "track" so I could find my way back if I got lost. Basic, but useful. I should dig it out of its hiding spot.
Good advice here. I have a Garmin 62s. I went Garmin because there are lots of maps around and applications to load them. To me a GPS is a tool I have "just in case" so I want a dedicated tool that will work in the worst case scenario, not the best. Smallish non-touch screen for longer battery life. If I need a big screen in a handheld for hiking I am doing something very wrong. Great for confirming back roads driving as well. On a good day it never comes out of my pack. ATVing etc it might be a different story.
Non-touch screen is essential. I know guys that dropped serious money on their Montanas, got them mounted on their quads/sleds only to find out that they had to take their gloves off to use them. That's a serious drawback especially if you're ice fishing in -20C weather,
I use an etrex 20 for the soul reason that it's easy to use while wearing gloves. Never had an issue with it, and a lot of the features that are coming out on new models don't have a use in my world. Best part is all the older etrex models are being replaced by touch screen so they're selling for a great price. I think 250 for the unit and the topo map pack.
kalsc: Thanks for the explanation. 
I have a 60Cx that I use mostly for recording lat/long data for one of my hobbies - waymarking.
I sometimes get the "gizmo" urge, but I am still ploughing around on my iPad, iPhone, and laptop, so I'm safe for now.
I have a 60Cx that I use mostly for recording lat/long data for one of my hobbies - waymarking.I sometimes get the "gizmo" urge, but I am still ploughing around on my iPad, iPhone, and laptop, so I'm safe for now.
rral22/ironsighter, not true, you're totally missing the tech here. Don't think of using your cell phone as a cell phone or smart phone when in the "wilderness". I am not implying that in the least.
What I am saying is: By using the mini computer we all call a smart phone with an appropriate map application installed on it with relevant and appropriate map files downloaded, when coupled with a true GPS/GLONASS module, it acts and works EXACTLY like a GPS navigation unit, NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE as long as you can "see" the satellites. There is ZERO reliance on wifi, there is ZERO reliance on cell service, it operates completely stand alone, just like a Garmin, etc., etc., etc.
And for those who are worried about being able to change batteries on your GPS device and not on your cell phone, I guess that depends on your flavor of cell phone, iPhone vs. Galaxy, etc. And since we're on that topic, I never hit the wilderness without alternate means of sourcing power. Case in point, rechargeable battery pack that is 12,000 mAh capacity that will recharge my cell phone and GPS several times over if needed, not to mention the battery pack itself is rechargeable via folding solar panels. AND... if I'm using the S5, I have a spare battery for the smart device charged and ready to go.
Lets face it, if you're using any tech for navigation more than you should, they are all going to fail you even with your backup to your backup power. So yes, you should absolutely know how to use a compass with maps of the area you are in. Many people have gotten lost and in need of rescue because they relied on tech to save their ass when they should have also known how to use a compass. That's like going on a long road trip with no spare tire.
And "wilderness" is very subjective. So yeah, I've used this combination in the wilderness. Most disconnected I've been has been up in the Yukon very much away from ANY cell tower, same for BC and AB. Never failed me. So if it's good enough for pilots to rely on while up in the air, then yeah, it's good enough for me on the ground too. But you know pilots have backup to their backup for nav, as well all should.
Anyway, not looking for a point counter-point scenario here. What works for one does not for another and no matter the equipment chosen it is very relative to the individual and the purpose served. There is old school and there is new school. IMHO new school should know old school too. Two is one, one is none.
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Yep, to support your point skypilot, no wifi or cell service needed. As for device battery life, I run in airplane mode with the exception of the Bluetooth radio and close all background processes. Served me quite well. In addition, unless I was needing to record an entire track as opposed to just waypoints, I turn the device off when not needed, no need to run it full time if not called for.
But again, one solution does not service all. Just my $.02 overall and what works for me works for me, we all have different takes and needs.
I guess I am making this a point counter-point afterall. Just making sure that those not in the know who are seeking more information are able to obtain a balanced perspective with feedback from various users and related scenarios.
Ironsighter, again... subjective. A dedicated navigation device that has been ruggedized will definitely take a hit better than a "naked" smartphone. But I don't know too many people that don't put some form of case on their smart phone these days. So as an example, I use the LifeProof case on my smartphone which has been a very rugged case for my smartphone, even waterproof for those creek dips.
Planetmail 12
CGN Regular
- Location
- Wishing it wasn't Canada right now.
First off I'd buy Garmin.
I have an older 60 series GPS Map handheld gps. I've owned other brands and other versions of Garmin. While the etrex is nice and less money it can be harder to use. For example, all the buttons on the etrex are side mounted and not labelled as clearly as the GPSMap series. The current models of GPSMap 64/64s/64st, like previous versions have all buttons clearly labelled. The benefit of this is when you throw the gps in a drawer for 6 months and then try to use it, you'll fumble around with it less because each button is clearly labelled and easier to navigate the unit. Also the GPSMap series can be used not only for hiking, etc but as a vehicle navigation gps. I've used mine as such over the years. While it won't talk to you, it will beep to announce any changes and will offer more information then any of the Nuvi series gps.
Forget the flash of the touch screen gps, like others have said, you'd have to remove a glove to use it. Not to mention cold weather issues with touch screens.
Make sure you have a removable memory card so you can carry multiple map types and switch maps by changing the card.
I have an older 60 series GPS Map handheld gps. I've owned other brands and other versions of Garmin. While the etrex is nice and less money it can be harder to use. For example, all the buttons on the etrex are side mounted and not labelled as clearly as the GPSMap series. The current models of GPSMap 64/64s/64st, like previous versions have all buttons clearly labelled. The benefit of this is when you throw the gps in a drawer for 6 months and then try to use it, you'll fumble around with it less because each button is clearly labelled and easier to navigate the unit. Also the GPSMap series can be used not only for hiking, etc but as a vehicle navigation gps. I've used mine as such over the years. While it won't talk to you, it will beep to announce any changes and will offer more information then any of the Nuvi series gps.
Forget the flash of the touch screen gps, like others have said, you'd have to remove a glove to use it. Not to mention cold weather issues with touch screens.
Make sure you have a removable memory card so you can carry multiple map types and switch maps by changing the card.
