Handheld GPS for Hiking and Hunting

Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
Messages
759
I’m looking for some advice on a handheld GPS unit. I want to start doing some more isolated wilderness hiking and also some remote hunting with my son. I don’t want to stick to the established trails. I’m not too confident of my directional abilities and being able to find my way back to the starting point until I get familiar with the terrain. I want something that will allow me to save certain locations and that will allow me to back track my path. I would also like the ability to download topo maps of the area. To top it off I don’t want to spend an enormous amount of money. What are some of the things that I should look for or consider? What are some things that I don’t want? Is any brand better or more flexible than the other? I don’t really have any experience with GPS units so I thought I would see what opinions you guys have.
 
I have a Garmin eTrex HCx. It is a good unit. Not touch screen though. I have found it to be quite accurate when Geocaching.

For hiking and hunting I suggest a map and compass as well. Learn how to use them. I never depend on a GPS only.
 
I train land Nav to opur ERT tean at work and the Garmin Etrex is all you really need. Pick up a book on using UTM and a topo of the area your hunting in and you will be all set. I do have a Garmin 76 CSX and all the features are nice but hell for the several hundred bucks you save its not worthy it. I think I got hte book on using UTM's on GPSoutfitters.com for like $7.95 well worth it. So for u8nder $120 bucks plus a good topo you will be all set. Just my .002 cents.


Mike
 
sarge1967 said:
I have a Garmin eTrex HCx. It is a good unit. Not touch screen though. I have found it to be quite accurate when Geocaching.

For hiking and hunting I suggest a map and compass as well. Learn how to use them. I never depend on a GPS only.
Click to expand...

Yes learning to use a map and compass is one of my goals too.
 
bigcountry1315 said:
I train land Nav to opur ERT tean at work and the Garmin Etrex is all you really need. Pick up a book on using UTM and a topo of the area your hunting in and you will be all set. I do have a Garmin 76 CSX and all the features are nice but hell for the several hundred bucks you save its not worthy it. I think I got hte book on using UTM's on GPSoutfitters.com for like $7.95 well worth it. So for u8nder $120 bucks plus a good topo you will be all set. Just my .002 cents.


Mike
Click to expand...

Excuse my ignorance but what is UTM?
 
Uneversal Trans Mercator system.Breaks everything down into 1000 meter grids and once you get the hang of it you can look at your coordinates and about pin point your position.Alot more user friendly than lat and long.



Mike
 
bigcountry1315 said:
Uneversal Trans Mercator system.Breaks everything down into 1000 meter grids and once you get the hang of it you can look at your coordinates and about pin point your position.Alot more user friendly than lat and long.



Mike
Click to expand...

Thx I'll see if I can find the book.
 
Best GPS overall (IMHO) is the Garmin Oregon series (550T being their top of the line) and it comes with a TON of features that make GPS tracking fun.

Pricey....and I would love to have one.....someday. :D


Instead, I use a Garmin 60CSx and have been quite happy with it. You can now get it for half of what I paid 3 years ago - about $200 through Amazon (newer models have since been released).

Before the Oregon and Colorado series (Colorado has been discontinued), it was Garmin's best backpacker/hiker GPS for the money. Still has a very strong following, which is why Garmin still sells it.

It won Product of the Year in 2006.

Here's the Award List: http://outside.away.com/outside/gear/buyers-guide-2006/indexes/gear-of-the-year.html

And a direct link to the review: http://outsideonline.com/outside/gear/gear.tcl?gear=Garmin-GPSmap-60CSx&gear_id=2562&action=showgear



Official Product page on Garmin's website:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=310

Amazon sale page:
(do a search for it - not hard to find)

The Etrex series is a "bare minimum" - just keep that in mind. If you are capable/confident with GPS already and just want to find your way back - it gets the job done just fine.

Any GPS is frustrating for first-time-users. You'll definitely want to get one and - with map and compass - use it to "follow along" your trail. Take a notebook along and keep track of your waypoints. I don't ever go "GPS - alone". Always have a map and compass. I use it mostly for keeping records of my hikes, monitoring hiking speed, staying on the trail, etc. It does have a good compass on it but my $4 wal-mart compass still gets pulled out and used too. :D


Dan
 
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60cx for me use it for geocaching. Done plenty of backpacking with it. Use it on my motorcycle as well. battries last a very long time. But i still carry a spare just in case even if i didnt have to use it. It would easy last me for two days of geocaching on one set. While backpacking i would stop once every hour or so or more if i feel like i should turn it on. It would take about 5 min for it to settle down when give me the exact location. I would transfer the location to a map. Also that gives me enough time to rest and look around and even use my campass just for my own peace of mind. The reason i like the 60cx is that you can down load street maps and it would navigate to where ever you go. There are topo maps for it as well and i found that many of the backpacking trail in the high sierras are on the map. The GPS also went to hell and back in the hands of my 5 year old niece. She droped it, fell on top of it. Dont ask me why she dicided to bury it in the sand. The cover i used for it had to be thrown away but it is still 100%. Unless you are going Geocaching i would recommend the 60 above all else.

Sasha
 
it really comes down to how much you want to spend, I use an etrex with a map and compass and I mainly use it to get distances from where I am to where Im going, usually though I just use map to ground skills and the gps is just a luxury.

I implore you to learn how to navigate with only a map and compass, triangulate your position, calculate distance by pacing, using map to ground etc. I know alot of guys that think they are great outdoors men but they can only navigate with a gps. In jungle with a primary and secondary canopy in valleys etc can really mess with a gps. but if youve got the base navs skills your fine.

I would reccommend anything from garmin, work out how much money you want to part with and get the best garmin within your your budget
 
I teach SAR in my department so I will start with the standard warning that I give everyone when I teach the Map and compass course and then the GPS class and tell you. First learn how to use a map and compass. Basic navigation is pretty easy with a map and compass but it needs to be learned and practiced just like anything else.

For any hiking/geocaching/backpacking type of activity I would suggest you look closely at the Delorme PN-40 or 60. I have owned many GPS's since the 80's and switched from Garmins to the Delorme when the PN-20 came out and now use a PN-40. I currently have four personal GPS's including two Garmins currently and other Garmins in the past (12XL, 45, 76cs, Vista C) and even a Magellan, I also picked the GPS units for my Fire Department. We are using and I train them on the Delorme and that is all I use now for the last 3 years.

KR
 
I just have to endorse those who advise, "First learn to navigate using a topographic map and compass." No batteries or satellites required.

Once you are proficient with map and compass, get a Delorme PN series. You can download large scale topo maps and aerial photos to the Delorme.
 
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