Does anyone use the Bushnell Backtrack?

WOW! This is exactly the product I've been wanting for so long. I bought a GPS years ago and hated it. I don't like fiddling with electronics when out in the woods. I don't want anything complicated or something I have to pay attention to. I don't like bunches of buttons and multiple screens or remembering how to work it. I like to wander around without even worrying about a compass. When I'm good and lost, I pull out the compass and know that if I hike east I'll hit the road and if I hike south I'll come to the creek. I know that if I hike to either, my car is parked near where the road crosses the creek. I just like to wander, explore and not mess with "left brain" stuff any more than I have to.

The above product is simple enough that I'd actually use it, (but only in combination with a compass.)
 
I was about to say "Why not just buy a (smaller and more capable) GPS instead?" and then I read Scott Free's post.

Interesting....


Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I think it's a great idea, as long as no one relies on it as their only form of navigation.
 
My wife needs this thing everytime she goes to the mall...lol

I think I know what she's getting for Valentines day. That's a pretty good price too, if it works well.

David
 
It seems like it could be useful in a lot of different situations. I agree that it should not be relied on as the only means for navigation.

I think I may pick one up and see how it works out.
 
I like the concept, I usually don't need a full-blown GPS for my hiking/hunting treks. I wish it held more than three waypoints though. Sometimes a straight line to your entry point just isn't practical and the extra two just doesn't allow much flexibility: one point for entry, one for destination and just one left for mid-course? How hard could it be to provide something like 5-10 points, we're just talking a tiny bit of memory, right? Still might get one, but 3-points-only gives me pause.
 
I had a chance to try one recently with a fellow hiker. Its a great lil unit, it does what the designers claim, but i too wish you could mark more points, ie: that H landing pad by the river, or a food/gear cache etc etc.

its a great unit for kids, EASY to use, simple, and with a quick lesson they can find their way back to camp.

the lanyard clip could be a bit more beefy, but thats just me, i tend to like completely over built tank style equipment. I did notice that it had better reception in heavy tree cover than my Garmin etrex did....
 
It uses the new high sensitivity receiver I can't remember the name now, but it is the same receiver that is in my garmin 60CSx
 
It uses the SiRFstar lll chipset receiver, which is about the best right now for consummer GPS's

I have an old garmin 38 which I bought around 1998, couldn't believe the difference in reception between it and my new garmin.
 
The display is very basic on this unit. It only shows direction with the arrows and distance in the center. No way to show lat/lon, so it's useless with a map. My $80 eTrex will do all that for me. In that regard I think it's overpriced. But if you're a complete technophobe it could save your life if you get lost, as long as you remember to set the waypoint before you walk off.

Edit: Apparently these sell for $50 on Amazon and elsewhere, which is about right for what it can do.
 
My mother wanted me to send the link to her when I told her about these. My family seems to have a thing for forgetting where they parked the car. People who have a thing for forgetting where they parked the car need simple, easy to use tools. :) (myself included.)
 
w00d said:
The display is very basic on this unit. It only shows direction with the arrows and distance in the center. No way to show lat/lon, so it's useless with a map. My $80 eTrex will do all that for me. In that regard I think it's overpriced. But if you're a complete technophobe it could save your life if you get lost, as long as you remember to set the waypoint before you walk off.

Edit: Apparently these sell for $50 on Amazon and elsewhere, which is about right for what it can do.
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^ thats the idea :)

hey, we should contact Bushnell and say "hey we are a group of outdoorsy people and want 100 units, what kind of price?"

group buy?
 
I just looked on Ebay and you can buy these for between about $50 and $60. I just might have to look a little deeper in to these myself. Doug
 
DPKnives said:
I just looked on Ebay and you can buy these for between about $50 and $60. I just might have to look a little deeper in to these myself. Doug
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Yeah - I was thinking the same. At the very least if you don't like you can probably sell it for only a few dollars lost.

I guess I'll have to pull the trigger and write a review. I don't really want to buy a big handheld as I"m not sure I'd get a lot of use out of it.
 
It just might be a good backup plan. Use it for if you really cant find your way out. It could make a difference. I have always been very good with direction finding on my own but if were to wonder into totally strange territory it might just serve one well.
 
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