Gps for hunting

savagelh

savagelh

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Saskatoon Saskatchewan
My last gps was a Magellan explorist 110 I bought in about 2004. It has worked well and is a good way to get back to the quad or truck but I think its time to upgrade. What is a good gps nowadays or are people mostly just using smartphones. I like my ihunt app on my smartphone but don't always have service. Are the Inreach units any good? Is there any maps that can be downloaded that are a similar view to Google earth? I like to use Google earth to find landmarks and old logging trails and cutlines. Cabelas has the garmin 64 on sale right now but I'm trying to decide if I need an inreach for peace of mind in the back country.
 
I know a couple people that just use their phone and gps apps, I have the Garmin 64s and its a great unit. I have the backroads map sd card in it, primary use is while exploring preseason and setting points or saving specific tracks during hunting season. As well as knowing which old roads dead end or continue for long distances, has more features than I’ll ever figure out how to use.
 
Phone apps are almost as good as a decent GPS. Almost.

The more you actually use a GPS, the more you will find it useful. You won't regret the Garmin 64s , and it will take a long time to learn all it can do for you. Good investment, but I do still believe a map and compass, and the skills to use them together, are the ultimate peace of mind in real back country. GPS is fast, easy, fun, informative, and accurate, until it isn't.
 
Still have my trusty old Garmin 60CSX and I never head out without it. I think Garmin is up to the 66 now?
Started using iHunter on my phone as well and it works great as well.
 
Butcherbill said:
I know a couple people that just use their phone and gps apps, I have the Garmin 64s and its a great unit. I have the backroads map sd card in it, primary use is while exploring preseason and setting points or saving specific tracks during hunting season. As well as knowing which old roads dead end or continue for long distances, has more features than I’ll ever figure out how to use.
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This is exactly what i have . There are huge networks of logging roads around here that are on Back Road that don't show up on Google Earth .
 
You have to start someplace.
And a Garmin is a good place to start.
You have to ask yourself how far are you thinking about traveling into the back woods.
Then decide if you need contact with the outside world and if ones cell phone will be sufficient if something goes sideways and you need help.
Buy the Garmin and give it a whirl, the start of a hunting season isnt the best time to learn and test the equipment.
Rob
 
Like I said, I already have a Magellan unit and it still works fine. It can and has got me back to my vehicle quite a few times. Like I stated, sometimes I'm in cell service sometimes I'm not. Moose season is over for me this year so this gps will be for upcoming seasons.
 
Garmin E trex 20 are great little units and simple to use, inexpensive, light, small, good map packages, easy on batteries and contrary to popular belief don't take a hunting season to master.
 
Garmin Rino - I've had mine since 2013 and been very pleased. Pretty ideal for hunting with the dual function of being a regular GPS and a communication radio.
 
I have the Garmin Rhino. A bunch of us bought them about 7 yrs back so we could keep track of each other at the hunt camp. Since it also has the built in Radio you can not only talk but you can see exactly each others location. So if someone takes the big one it makes easy to find the body. I have been pleased with it. The electronic compass in it however does throw itself off by 180' so you can't rely on it but all other functions work well. I have the Canada topo maps program in it which is very good. I use it in the summer on large lakes as well for fishing, great for finding your way back to the truck and trailer.
All that being said I would never ever head off into the bush without a good old fashioned map and compass. The GPS is just a fancy navigational aid, but it will never replace a good map and compass for getting your a$$ to where it needs to be.
 
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My dad and I are both running the Garmin 62s (basically the same as the 64) and love them. You can save some coin by buying the unit without any maps and download and install maps from the internet using Garmin basecamp. One bonus is we can share tracks and waypoints wirelessly between units on the side of the trail if need be.
 
savagelh said:
Like I said, I already have a Magellan unit and it still works fine. It can and has got me back to my vehicle quite a few times. Like I stated, sometimes I'm in cell service sometimes I'm not. Moose season is over for me this year so this gps will be for upcoming seasons.
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Please excuse my missing the details about your previous experience with a gps.
If your comfortable with Maqgellan then go with whats comfortable unless of course your not set in your ways.
I have only ever used Garmin GPS and am biased in that regard.
Pass on your buying experience when you have finally decided.
Rob
 
I’ve found the maps on the phone to be much more detailed then most of the gps maps I’ve seen. Wider selection of what I can download or cache. Works great no matter where I go in fact most of the time I shut off cellular service to conserve battery.
 
If the area you are going to has downloadable maps on your phone then you are good to go. If not a Garmin anything and a Backroads maps SD card will be very handy in logging your trip, save way points/points of interest, etc. Advantage Garmin has over phones is that they often work with gloves on and no smart phones can do that without special gloves/coating on finger tips. Garmins are also more rugged than your smartphone. Garmin is waterproof, your phone may or may not be.

Advantage with a smartphone is that you likely already have one, you can charge it via USB, powerbank, solar, etc. With Garmin, you have to have a steady supply of AA's and charging AAs in the field is sometimes not as easily as USB chargeable devices.
 
Gasanwu said:
Advantage with a smartphone is that you likely already have one, you can charge it via USB, powerbank, solar, etc. With Garmin, you have to have a steady supply of AA's and charging AAs in the field is sometimes not as easily as USB chargeable devices.
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I know my Garmin 64s has a port for a cable on the outside of it, not a mini USB but a tad bigger. I know you can plug it in to a laptop in order to upload tracks or download high res sat maps from Garmin basecamp. I’ll have to see if you can charge from it with rechargeable batteries in it from a USB charger in your truck.
 
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