I've had several. My current one is the Garmin 64. I've also had the Vista, Oregon, and asteo 320 which is like the 62 only it can utilize the tracking collars for my dogs if I chose.
If you get one you need to practice using it before you need to use it, they are great but have little quirks that you need to get used to, they are merely a tool. I also have a compass with me to confirm the electronic compass of the GPS. Where I am there are no landmarks to see so a map and compass is almost useless. If something happens to my GPS I can also use the compass to know what general direction to go to to hit a road or known trail.
I prefer my handhelds to a phone because the handheld is waterproof and sturdy, plus I can carry extra batteries and easily change them. I'm also used to the software.
The instruction manual that comes with them only tell you how the functions operate, they don't tell use how to actually use the functions when you are out. This seems like a small thing but I've seen people struggle with this.
The settings seem complicated at first but are actually quite intuitive once you fiddle with it for awhile. You have the ability to change data fields, change the page orders, etc and you can change the way the map displays and the units it uses for distance, coordinates, etc.
Once I get to where I am going I reset my trip data. I clear my track log and trip data so everything is nice fresh and clean on the screen. I mark my vehicle.
It's good to waypoint things along the way, that way if you change your mind you can do a "go-to" to one of those you marked.
Sometimes it's better to do that instead of simply following your track. Reason being is that accuracy can be off by a few feet and if you are in thick underbrush it's easier to watch your go-to arrow and pick your way along the clearest path.
I have mapped entire hunt clubs with my GPS. While everyone else is staying on main paths ive been able to bushwhack and find the uncrowded spots. I've also been able to find deer and hunting dogs at night in thick overgrown woods with my headlamps and gps while others sit in their truck with their thumb up their ass waving around their beeping radio wave detector that only gives the general direction of their dogs, not that it matters because they aren't going to go in the woods anyway.
I like keeping track of how far I hike in what looks more or less like a jungle. When I rode my quad I had it mounted to the handlebars.
Oh, you don't need to get special Garmin maps, you can get free topo ones from
Here
This was a hot day, it was 102 degrees! I had a camelbak of ice water.
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In a lot of forums when this topic comes up the knee jerk response is "use a map and compass, it's the only way". I suspect a lot of those people never get off the couch. They never actually talk about the different compasses, like they have never used one and don't know there is an actual difference. Or that a compass can break as well. Or that if it's dark or no elevation that map and compass is useless.
They are both tools used in different ways. I recommend getting both but I mostly use my GPS, it's just because of my unique style of the outdoors. My favorite compass is either the brunton truarc 3 or the suunto m3 because of the global needle.
I know this is a long winded response but hopefully someone will find the info useful. Handhelds have really enriched my outdoor activities. You just have to learn to use them and know their limitations.