Posted: 5/19/2025 5:23:50 PM EDT
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Growing up in the woods I've never been big on GPS, just used photocopies of platbooks and a map to get around the woods. Now that I'm a little older and would like to make easy maps of our deer hunting areas for kids and other adults to use when they're out in the woods. I'd like an accurate GPS that I can mark stands and trails with that's reasonably accurate. I'd like to keep it around $100 if possible because I'm sure that I'll be loaning it out and replacing it multiple times. I fully understand what comes with cheap and if I were the only one using it there wouldn't be an issue. Share with me your experience please. Thanks, -CM |
Among our chief weapons are...
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VA, USA
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Originally Posted By celticmarksman: Growing up in the woods I've never been big on GPS, just used photocopies of platbooks and a map to get around the woods. Now that I'm a little older and would like to make easy maps of our deer hunting areas for kids and other adults to use when they're out in the woods. I'd like an accurate GPS that I can mark stands and trails with that's reasonably accurate. I'd like to keep it around $100 if possible because I'm sure that I'll be loaning it out and replacing it multiple times. I fully understand what comes with cheap and if I were the only one using it there wouldn't be an issue. Share with me your experience please. Thanks, -CM Got an android phone? OSMand+ is a great app and stores maps locally. Road, topo, nautical, you get to pick. |
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Originally Posted By SpanishInquisition: Got an android phone? OSMand+ is a great app and stores maps locally. Road, topo, nautical, you get to pick. Originally Posted By SpanishInquisition: Originally Posted By celticmarksman: Growing up in the woods I've never been big on GPS, just used photocopies of platbooks and a map to get around the woods. Now that I'm a little older and would like to make easy maps of our deer hunting areas for kids and other adults to use when they're out in the woods. I'd like an accurate GPS that I can mark stands and trails with that's reasonably accurate. I'd like to keep it around $100 if possible because I'm sure that I'll be loaning it out and replacing it multiple times. I fully understand what comes with cheap and if I were the only one using it there wouldn't be an issue. Share with me your experience please. Thanks, -CM Got an android phone? OSMand+ is a great app and stores maps locally. Road, topo, nautical, you get to pick. iPhone also... |
It's not adventure until something goes wrong.
“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”
G.K. Chesterton
“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”
G.K. Chesterton
| I once considered myself an avid backcountry hiker. I loved my Garmin 60c but tbh, with battery packs these days, I prefer downloading maps and using my phone. I've been using Gaia GPS since it came out and it's been very good. Much easier to navigate and figure things out with a bigger screen. |
"The answer to crime is always cows." -Cheesebeast
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Phones are great. But, I really like having a dedicated handheld GPS. I have a Garmin GPSMAP 64ST. I can definitely recommend it. I think you need up increase your limit a little but check ebay. I got a REALLY good deal on my Garmin on ebay. It was used but in the original box and looked unused. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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OP, I have a Garmin 401 (since discontinued). They’re available on EBAY for around $50. Looks like this Easy to use, you can set waypoints in advance, or like breadcrumbs to follow your way back out. I ran mine with the MGRS system on the main screen with military maps. Nice and easy. Only takes a couple of AAA batteries. |
Wild Man of East TN
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Originally Posted By Haveme1: Don't put it in your shirt pocket pointed over your shoulder. It'll have your track backwards. I loved mine. I could go anywhere and come out within 25' of where i went in. Mark the truck then shut it off. When you get ready to go home, go to truck. Attached File |
It's not adventure until something goes wrong.
“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”
G.K. Chesterton
“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”
G.K. Chesterton
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Originally Posted By celticmarksman: Do the phone apps run off of GPS satellites or are they reliant on cell service? The specific areas that I want to use this for have almost zero cell service, hence the reason I like these spots. I have an IPad mini I use for Jeep trail riding. The cell phone capable ones have a built in GPS but the WiFi only ones do not. At least the older models like mine….not sure about the newer ones. I like the size of the iPad mini but it’s always plugged in to the vehicle. Wouldn’t be all that great for use on foot. I use it with Google maps for on road use and have to download off line maps when using it in areas where there is no signal. I believe you are limited to 25 off line maps in google maps and if they are more than 1 year since you updated them (I think that’s right) the maps won’t work. I update the road maps before any trips while connected to my home network. Since I don’t have my iPad mini connected to the cell network, it only works with off line maps. I could connect it to my phone’s hotspot and have full functionality as long as my cell phone has a connection to the cell network. If you use your phone for mapping, it’s a good idea to download off line maps to the areas you will be in. I have found the east coast has very few dead cell areas (so far in my experience) but the west has a LOT of dead cell phone areas if you get off the interstate highways. Definitely want off line maps there. My GPSMAP handheld will run maybe 12 ish hours on a set of regular Eneloop rechargeable batteries. I keep it in the Jeep as well because it keeps a track of where I have been and offers another method of mapping my area. I keep 3 sets of rechargeable AA batteries (one in the GPS) and a 12 volt AA charger. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By celticmarksman: Do the phone apps run off of GPS satellites or are they reliant on cell service? The specific areas that I want to use this for have almost zero cell service, hence the reason I like these spots. You definitely get much better life out of a dedicated unit, but that's where battery packs come in. And with all other services turned off, battery life isn't bad. I also had a GPSMap 76 which has a bigger display, but still not great. And the apps let you choose different layers. Maybe you want to see the actual image vs a topo view. Just change layers. I just think the flexibility, ability to easily move the map around, zoom, search, check pinned spots, etc. are too good to pass up. |
"The answer to crime is always cows." -Cheesebeast
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: Phones are great. But, I really like having a dedicated handheld GPS. I have a Garmin GPSMAP 64ST. I can definitely recommend it. I think you need up increase your limit a little but check ebay. I got a REALLY good deal on my Garmin on ebay. It was used but in the original box and looked unused. I have the same unit. I use my phone. Screen is much higher resolution. I just have to remember to download the maps if I'm going somewhere with spotty cell service. I use OnX. Generally pretty good - I like having the ability to see public or private. It can be hard to tell sometimes in eastern MT. The phones use GPS and are plenty accurate- but you have to have a map overlay or all you get is a spot on a blurred screen. If you have cell service OnX can display the map or satellite image of the area. If you're going somewhere with spotty or unknown cell service you can download the maps / images ahead of time for that area. |
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Originally Posted By johnh57: I use my phone. Screen is much higher resolution. I just have to remember to download the maps if I'm going somewhere with spotty cell service. I use OnX. Generally pretty good - I like having the ability to see public or private. It can be hard to tell sometimes in eastern MT. Those are reasons my GPS (Garmin eTrex 30x) usually stays stowed. Being able to see private/public land is really important around here. |
"What is socialism? The most difficult and tortuous way to progress from capitalism to capitalism." -Stated at an intel conference, East Berlin, Oct. 1988
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
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I like the idea of a dedicated unit. I get a little rough sometimes and accidents happen, I'd rather replace a GPS than a phone. Are there any units outside of Garmin worth looking at? I have nothing against Garmin, just want to make sure I'm not leaving out any other good units. |
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Originally Posted By celticmarksman: I like the idea of a dedicated unit. I get a little rough sometimes and accidents happen, I'd rather replace a GPS than a phone. Are there any units outside of Garmin worth looking at? I have nothing against Garmin, just want to make sure I'm not leaving out any other good units. Years ago I had a Magellan. It was ok. Personally in my opinion, in the world of handheld GPS units today, the Garmin is the one to go with. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Among our chief weapons are...
Joined:
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EE: 100% (1)
VA, USA
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Originally Posted By celticmarksman: Do the phone apps run off of GPS satellites or are they reliant on cell service? The specific areas that I want to use this for have almost zero cell service, hence the reason I like these spots. GPS. Pretty much all cell phones have GPS built in. The app I cited earlier stores map data on the phone while you're at home for as many states and types of data you want. It does not need a live data connection to display maps or routes. Not all mapping apps (looking at you, Google and wayze) do not store large amounts of data for you to call up anytime you want. |