What GPS do you use for hunting and why?

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cdngunner

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OK gonna ask santa for a new GPS for Christmas. My old Lowrance GlobalMap 100 looks like it bit the dust.

I loved this GPS. I actually used it to create a map of my hunting area.
There were many reasons why I loved it. It outperformed a lot of the "newer" units which came out. There were a few things I didn't like about it like having to replace 4 AA batteries for every day of use.

I am looking at getting The Lowrance iFinder Hunt.

Which GPS do you use? What features do you like? Why did you buyit? Would you buy it again.
 
i have a Garmin Cx (now replaced by the HCx) or 60Cx is good if not better too. (the little "x" means it has a removable micro chip) I love it. Ibucus topo is free. I paid $130 for deatiled norath america road, and just swap the chips when hunting. Bought a couple 8 gig trans micro chips from Direct Buy. Price: $250. Batteries, NiMH or AA will work. Adapter available for vehcile.I've used it daily for 3 years now. No complaints would buy the 60Cx next time.
 
I use an old Garmin E-trex yellow and a good compass. It's compact, lightweight, easy to use and easy on batteries. If I had to replace it today, I'd probably be looking at an E-trex legend or similar. The onboard maps look interesting, but with the small screen size I wonder how much detail you could actually see on a topo map? I know I would never use the road maps on one.
 
garmin 60 cx...got it for $200 at canadian tire a while back. great little unit and it picks up satellites quickly and the color screen is a lot nicer than older black and white screens.

i have the software on mine that makes it the exact same as an automotive gps minus the voice commands. very handy to have and its free if you know what you're doing when it comes to downloading software...not like id know:p i think that software is over $150 :mad:

i also have topographic maps on another SD card so i can quickly switch from topo to street software in seconds. this is also downloadable software;)


the new model is 60 csx but im not sure about what changes have been made. basically anything garmin will be a good unit at a good price. the touchscreen models look really nice but i was worried about beating them up in the bush...
 
I do realize and agree that a compass should always accompany a gps.

But I used mine for more than just finding direction. Below is a map I made using my old one. I expect to be using the new GPS to its limits. The old one I could attach to my laptop and use it with Microsofts Streets and Trips. That was interesting. The globalMap 100 had different firmware you could down load and make it into a purely nautical or avionic gps. I think the avionic version was called AirMap 100

I dont neccessarily find using a gps for road directions useful. To many people I know are to dependant on them and get lost when the unit fails or the batteries die. I find when I concentrate on using the gps for road directions I dont memorize land marks as much. Used one to get to a fishing location once was very difficult to find my way back.

I want one that is purely for "terrain" and not roads

this is the map I made

bitmap-map.jpg


white - road
blue - water
turquoise - swamp
green - bushline
red - trails
gray - elevation
 
I have a garmin oregon. Upgraded from a 60CSX. It is fantastic. I use Bushmaps mapping software that I got from Maptown here in Edmonton. It has outstanding topo features plus a significant number of the oil and gas tracks and leases. I was using it last week for the openner for bow here. I can not recommend it more strongly.

Yes a compass is important for navigation and emergencies however....I like all the data that I can have at my finger tips. Plus when I get back home, I upload my travels to my computer and can analyse what I did. Hunt smart. If you know your area, and have a little hunny hole to hunt, the GPS might help with navigation and you can get away with the most basic of sets. I look at it differently and like having the data and resources that comes with the better GPS...
 
Amphibious said:
a Compass and my head.

when they day comes where I can't find my way back to the truck without these, I'll take up knitting.
Click to expand...

I don't think I have ever needed a GPS or Compass to find my way home, that's not why I carry a GPS.
I mark stands, trails, rubs, scrapes, where I left my pack if I have to abandon it, sightings, apple/acorn trees, river crossings...
I can sit in my stand or on my couch and use all those pieces to get a better idea of how my hunt may unfold, and why.
My family has each stand lat/long recorded in the event I don't make it home one day too.

I wish I knew how to use a compass, I always have one, but have no idea how to use it properly. I do use the compass to check wind when setting up new stands so there is a choice on game day, but the GPS compass works just as well for that application.
 
I used to have the yellow Garmen etrex, great little unit as well as easy on the batteries and wallet. I have since upgraded to the Garmen 120 rino (GPS/FRS radio in one), I have had it at least 4-5 years and love it for the GPS but the radio is disappointing. This model allows you to see where other people with the same unit are on your map. There are at least 7-8 of us that have them in our moose/deer groups. They tend to be hard on batteries but if you are only using the GPS or radio you can turn the other one off to save on battery life, you just have to remember to do it. I have been wanting to upgrade again to a rino 520/530 for the colour screen, more features and hopefully a better radio. If anyone has one of these models or been around one feedback would be greatly appreciated (before I go and dump $500).
 
I use a Garmin 76CSX, because thats the one I use on a daily basis at work. I've put a 2 gig mini sd card in it, and have map scource mapping for all of Ontario, BC and half of Alberta on it. I turn of the compass because it burns through the batteries too fast, and rely instead on a good Silva Ranger for a compass.
 
Magellan sportrack colour.
The wife bought it for me years ago now. Works good after you figure out how everything works. I would like to get one that is easier on batteries though, this one uses 2xAA per day and rechargeables only last a few hours it it.
 
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