What to look for in GPS
10-21-2004, 02:10 PM
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Southwest Minnesota
Posts: 835
RE: What to look for in GPS
I don't know alot about GPS's but Moose hunting this year in northern MN we used a Garmin 76S. This thing works awsome. It had maping softwere for the hole USA. It had all the lakes, roads and even canoue portages. From what I hear thats the one to get. Around 400.00. + 100.00 for mapeing software.
10-21-2004, 02:40 PM
#3
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,555
RE: What to look for in GPS
I've used a couple of diffrent garmin gps. I have a bottom of the line etrex and rino 120. I love both and to be honest they are both about as functional as each other. The rino has a few extra bells and whistles. It has a better lcd screen and some built in maps and the ability to download mapping software. The easy of opperation is a bit easier with the rino but neither is hard once you use it a bit.
IMO it comes down to what you're looking for. If you want to be able to get back to a tree you found while scouting 6 months ago either will do it. If you want to beable to back track either will do it.
The reception is about the same in the $100.00 unit and the $250.00. unit. Personal prefrence on how many bells & whistles you want will direct you the the appropiate model. I will highly recommend Garmin units though. There customer services is top notch(I ran my rino over with my car and needed to replace the lcd screen. I sent it out on a Saturday, the following monday was a holiday and I got the unit back on Wednesday) and aside from my own stupidity I've had no problems with either GPS.
IMO it comes down to what you're looking for. If you want to be able to get back to a tree you found while scouting 6 months ago either will do it. If you want to beable to back track either will do it.
The reception is about the same in the $100.00 unit and the $250.00. unit. Personal prefrence on how many bells & whistles you want will direct you the the appropiate model. I will highly recommend Garmin units though. There customer services is top notch(I ran my rino over with my car and needed to replace the lcd screen. I sent it out on a Saturday, the following monday was a holiday and I got the unit back on Wednesday) and aside from my own stupidity I've had no problems with either GPS.
10-21-2004, 07:29 PM
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Braunfels, Texas
Posts: 172
RE: What to look for in GPS
It will depend on your intended use to some extent. If you want something portable (pocket sizes) there are a bunch out there. If you also want to use it while driving or boating I'd consider the larger screen displays. The info displayed can be rather small and cluttered and a larger display helps alot.
Second to consider is how much is the software that doesn't come with it? Usually there is a "base map" which will include major cities and highways but that is about it. The city info is just the main roads and intersections but nothing at the residential level. That is where the software comes in. You will link the GPS to you PC and download data into the GPS. Some will hold a lot of data other less. The software can be pricey too. In my case I have a Garmin GPS162 which I use in my boat and truck. I have softwae for the bays and lakes and others for roads and travel info like resteraunts and gas stations. I just load what I need and go.
Most of the features are standard these days. Most also are configured to use a new system that is yet to be available everywhere (WASS). Basically, once you have turned it on and it fixes you position it will track your every move and leave a trail of where you had been. If you find a scrape or rub you can crate a waypoint to mark that exact location. I have read of folks using them during scouting sessions to map activity and locations and then plan your hunt using real data. I use my data and terraserver to locate arial and topo pics of my hunting grounds and plan my hunts at my PC.
I have also read that some folks hunt in something called a forrest. They say the trees are tall and you can see under them for more than 10 feet. Seriously, the sats may have a time getting through a thick canopy so figure that in. I'm hunting south Texas brush country and you can't even hide from the sun at times!
Second to consider is how much is the software that doesn't come with it? Usually there is a "base map" which will include major cities and highways but that is about it. The city info is just the main roads and intersections but nothing at the residential level. That is where the software comes in. You will link the GPS to you PC and download data into the GPS. Some will hold a lot of data other less. The software can be pricey too. In my case I have a Garmin GPS162 which I use in my boat and truck. I have softwae for the bays and lakes and others for roads and travel info like resteraunts and gas stations. I just load what I need and go.
Most of the features are standard these days. Most also are configured to use a new system that is yet to be available everywhere (WASS). Basically, once you have turned it on and it fixes you position it will track your every move and leave a trail of where you had been. If you find a scrape or rub you can crate a waypoint to mark that exact location. I have read of folks using them during scouting sessions to map activity and locations and then plan your hunt using real data. I use my data and terraserver to locate arial and topo pics of my hunting grounds and plan my hunts at my PC.
I have also read that some folks hunt in something called a forrest. They say the trees are tall and you can see under them for more than 10 feet. Seriously, the sats may have a time getting through a thick canopy so figure that in. I'm hunting south Texas brush country and you can't even hide from the sun at times!
