GPS - Practical hunting technology

Chilly Willy

Chilly Willy

CGN Regular
Rating - 98.6%
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Location
Erin, ON
Well after 4 years of owning and using the Garmin E-Trex (yellow body) extensively....I decided to take a step up and buy the new E-Trex Vista Cx with the color screen and 32 mb memory card for map downloading. Wow! what a unit:D The Canada Topo map sure is a nice thing to have and the electronic compass and altimeter is sweet. This little gem has better battery life than my first and is much more powerfull (WAAS enabled). It's not a case that I'm all that directionally challenged...just have lots of things to map in the woods and remember exactly where they are. The topo map would sure help get you to higher elivation to get better radio signal as well as guide you current location to a desired ridge/valley/saddle or funnel. Although the investment was steep.....I'm usually the guy you puts in the scouting for my moose group so to have two and lend one out the next day to another guy already marked with waypoints is a great tool to ensure hot spots are covered properly.:rolleyes:
 
I agree the gps can be a valuable tool for hunting. I also used a garmin "yellow" etrex last season, and it has WAAS enable option. Are you sure yours doesn't?
I plan on getting the Garmin 60CS with the quad-helix antenna, I found the Etrex's model's patch antenna's lose reception easy in any trees. I do like the topo option and can't wait to use it. I see now they have a new garmin 60csX which is even better but more money, it has a "New high-sensitivity WAAS-capable GPS receiver by SiRF", and sd card memory, hmmmmmm....

Great tools for sure.
 
The advantage of the E-trex Vista Cx for me was the button configuration is the same as the base E-trex with a couple extras and will fit in all my applications. I mainly use this when the leaves are down anyway and have only found myself without a signal occassionally. I agree the new 60csX is a sweet unit but not as practical for use while tracking or stalking as I do. The top face button config. just doesn't cut it for me.
 
how would one know a good model from a bad one?what would you,s recommend for a basic unit that would be idiot proof?
i was just looking in the catalog,there are way to options on them for some one who knows crap of them..:redface:

comments all?:)
 
Fog, I would get a simple cheap E-Trex they are more than enough to start out on and are cheap. I just picked on up for $120 check gpscentral or gpscity for deals.
 
I have been looking at these units also and apparently Garmins quality is very good. Does anyone know anything about the Lowrance models? Thanks for any information. Steve
 
I think they kinda got left in the dust as the other makers rocketed forward.
They have a fan club with fisherman, and sailors. A bounce back , maybe..
After all with more satellites going up , and new rx built , who knows.
I think there were 27 satellites in orbit last count, with 24 active, correct me if I'm wrong on that one.
Frank
 
I use a Garmin 12 and really like it. To use it in combination with the Auzi Explorer Program and then print the cutblocks off the Google Earth site, one might be bold enough to say they have the world by the ass.
 
I use a Garmin 12 and really like it. To use it in combination with the Auzi Explorer Program and then print the cutblocks off the Google Earth site, one might be bold enough to say they have the world by the ass.
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Could you amplify on the gps option of Google earth.. I did not get it, pay the 20 bucks, but may do so.
Frank
 
If you guys are looking to buy a GPS unit, check out Prairie Geomatics ( http://www.prairie.mb.ca/ ). I bought a Garmin Map76C for Christmas (awesome unit BTW) from this company. Their price was much lower than SIR and other local stores, and the unit arrived several days after I ordered it. And, they are Canadian.
 
The basic Garmin E-trex has served me very well and has a very short learning curve. I "grew" out of it and wanted a more powerfull tool. I highly recommend it or the Garmin Geko for anyone starting out with them
 
Levi Garrett said:
Could you amplify on the gps option of Google earth.. I did not get it, pay the 20 bucks, but may do so.
Frank
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I just go to the area I want to hunt and print out an aireal photograph. I do not have tha ability to download waypoints onto Google Earth.
 
for those thinking about a gps I have been very happy with this company Bought my iQue 3600 and some accesories from them . wish I had bought my Garmin V from them
http://www.gpscentral.ca/
( never take directions from a guy that owns 2 gps ):eek: :D
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Levi Garrett
Could you amplify on the gps option of Google earth.. I did not get it, pay the 20 bucks, but may do so.
Frank
Click to expand...

walksalot said:
I just go to the area I want to hunt and print out an aireal photograph. I do not have tha ability to download waypoints onto Google Earth.
Click to expand...
For 20 bucks a year, you can overlay your waypoints and tracks onto google earth, (if you have a Garmin or Magellan GPS....other brands are not compatible yet). For that 20 bucks, you are also supposed to be able to print higher resolution maps.

I use my Garmen Legend to map snowmobile trails, and routes through various lakes, swamps and cut blocks all winter. Good for noting where different game is sighted... moose, deer, grouse, coyote, bear etc. all year around.

You could even use it to find your way home if you get lost and your batteries don't die! :D
 
I recently got the Garmin Etrex Legend (Blue) and the topo maps and metro guide, Quite the jump up from my previous unit ( Magellan Blazer 12). It seems like a good unit for the beginner, pretty simple to use and pretty good detail on the topos. I think for the extra money (still fairly cheap) this one would probably be the better first buy than the yellow one, you would probably get more use out of it before wanting to upgrade.

However I did find in thick places it did sometimes lose signal, sometimes when rabbit hunting I get dragged into a lot of very thick stuff in some unfamiliar places, not real concerned but would be nice to maintain a fix.

Does anyone know if there is an upgrade available for the antenna on the legend?
 
If it does not have a removeable antenna , no. If it does, a Mighty mouse 2 will work, got the differant connectors for differant units.
Thats great about google, and you can send the track data from google to the unit, awesome?
Frank
 
I got the Yellow garmin. I love it, but I wish I could just input bearings. Like if someone told me such and such lat/long cordinits I could punch them in and it would show me the way.
 
Ljungman said:
I got the Yellow garmin. I love it, but I wish I could just input bearings. Like if someone told me such and such lat/long cordinits I could punch them in and it would show me the way.
Click to expand...

You can do that with the yellow one. :)
Go to MARK...enter
scroll to bottom & highlight the lat & long...hit enter

Now you can enter the lat & long you want & use you GPS to navigat there!
 
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