GPS

[birddog]

I'm looking to buy a new Gps to use as an all around unit. I have been eyeing the garmin Oregon 450. From what I have seen the maps are terrible and require an upgrade to 24K almost immediately. Anyone have experience with this unit? It will be primarily for hunting but maybe some hiking too. Also curious about the Birdseye option, I like using google maps and this sounds fairly similar.

As for maps I'm thinking about going with the hunting gps maps that show PLAT info and land ownership. They are 24K topo maps and seem to have strong reveiws. Only drawback with them is they are ~$100/ state.

I found a guy on Craigslist that claims to sell 11 western states for $160. Does that seem fishy to anyone? I would really like his map package but don't really want to be contributing to some illegal shady activity.

If you have other ideas I would love to hear them. I'm pretty new to the GPS world so a lot is new to me. Thanks

[waxthis]

Just out of curiosity, why would you buy a stand alone GPS unit, when many phones have a built in GPS and there are a ton of apps available. I use "Topo Maps" on my iphone and its true GPS. I just load the maps I want before I head out and I'm good to go...The phone App will use 3G or Wifi then switch to internal GPS when those two are no longer available...

[Sharpienads]

I've never seen a good map on a gps, but I haven't really been looking, either. Another good option is to have a gps and a physical map. That way if your gps stops working, you got an old fashioned backup. There are places you can print maps off for free.

[merl]

batteries are another good reason for a dedicated device. not that the dedicated device will last longer but that you can swap them out when they die.

[sniper7]

I have a couple stand alone units...they don't get used any more, they just sit in the glovebox. If you have a smartphone either invest in a mount for it and keep it charging while you drive, if you don't have a smartphone, get one and count it as part of the $$ you would have spent on a stand alone GPS.

google maps on my phones is 10 times better, automatically updates with all the latest and greatest info, has traffic etc.

for hunting I have a gamin which topo maps and the like.

[Inconel710]

You won't find a stand alone GPS for both driving and hiking. I'd also avoid the touch screen Garmins like the Oregon - even if the screen does keep working in the cold, you'll need a special glove or constantly take your glove off to use it. For a hunting GPS, the new Etrex20 is probably the cheapest one you'll find that will take the Hunting GPS Map SD card. I had an old Etrex and that thing just worked. That would be my choice if I were spending the money.

On the spendy side, I've heard nothing but good things about the Garmin GPSMAP 62 series. They're also compatible with Hunting GPS Maps.

All of that to say, I'll be using my beat up and old iPhone 3G and Gaia GPS app for my hunting this year. Backed up, of course, by a paper topo map and Suunto MC-2 compass.

[birddog]

You won't find a stand alone GPS for both driving and hiking. I'd also avoid the touch screen Garmins like the Oregon - even if the screen does keep working in the cold, you'll need a special glove or constantly take your glove off to use it. For a hunting GPS, the new Etrex20 is probably the cheapest one you'll find that will take the Hunting GPS Map SD card. I had an old Etrex and that thing just worked. That would be my choice if I were spending the money.

On the spendy side, I've heard nothing but good things about the Garmin GPSMAP 62 series. They're also compatible with Hunting GPS Maps.

All of that to say, I'll be using my beat up and old iPhone 3G and Gaia GPS app for my hunting this year. Backed up, of course, by a paper topo map and Suunto MC-2 compass.

Just what I was looking for.

I don't need a driving/ hiking unit, just hiking and hunting. I was thinking stand alone simply for the purpose of using the hunting gps maps that show plat and owner information. looks like their maps are onto available for garmin stuff.

I wasn't aware that the iPhone could be used without a signal. I am going to look into that option. I already have the phone and for fairly cheap I could buy a solar charger or battery based charger that I can use to keep it charged.

Anyone know if any of the apps will show landowner information and more importantly hunting gum units?

Also, are the iPhone apps displaying 24k maps?

[Zundfolge]

I don't need a driving/ hiking unit, just hiking and hunting.

Get something super simple that is inexpensive and gives your your coordinates. Something like the Bushnell HuntTrack or BackTrack (make sure its one of the models that displays the cords, so not the cheapest one) or if you prefer Garmin, an eTrex.

Then get some USGS quad maps of the area you want (and/or BLM maps, and/or Rocky Mountain Huntin' Maps) and a good compass in case you lose signal.


Hell, one of the guys that used to work where I work (MacVan Maps) used to GeoCache with paper maps and a compass ... said they were more accurate.

Of course if you insist on digital, we sell the Big Game CD Maps for Colorado. They have a free app for iPhone to read the maps.

[BushMasterBoy]

I use a Delorme PN 20 handheld GPS. I like it because it has interoperability with Delorme Topo USA software on my desktop and my laptop too. I use a USB GPS receiver for my laptop, Delorme Earthmate LT20. All this stuff was quite expensive when I bought it. Now it is fairly cheap on Ebay. Laptop GPS puts the other GPS to shame, keyboard, screen size etc.

Delorme.com

[MileHighOutlaw]

Delorme pw60 is what I have and coupled with the Spot emergency locator I'm never worried about getting lost. HuntData.com is what I used this year and talk about some serious maps. I uploaded them to my IPad and then tossed it into my backpack. With the new IPad3 and its built in GPS I was surprised how well it worked. I used the GoZero solar panels to keep everything charged. If you would like to borrow the CD's let me know.