Posted: 3/18/2008 7:24:00 PM EDT
| I am in the market for a good handheld GPS with topo capabilities. I will be using it for hunting in hilly country and was wondering what your guys thoughts are on a good one? |
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For bare bones basic with great relaibility and weather proofness, Garmin Etrex...$100 I now have a Garmin 76CSx with blue map chip...Very nice but it was $450 more than my Etrex.....I guess it depends on what you want/ need/can afford... Happy with Garmin overall. |
| Ummm, it shows topog lines and such and with it's land card it shows roads and suchbut with such a small screen, it's of limited use. Th eEtrex just draws lines but you can follow them back ifyou need to. There are inbetweens the will work. I had an insurance thing so I bought the top of the line. Nice but if it was my cash???? Hummm |
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If you're going to get a mapping GPS then you really need to spend for a color screen as big as you can manage for your application. I have a Garmin Legend that is grey scale and you can't tell a stream from a topo line from a trail unless you select it with the cursor. I like mine best for street navigation in a strange place. When I'm out backpacking I find I use it more like the Etrex in conjunction with my good old paper map. |
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The DeLorme PN-20 not only has color topo maps but also lets you load aerial photos ala Google Earth. They are offering a "March madness" rebate deal. www.delorme.com/retailmatch/ |
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I have a Magellan Explorist XL. It has a huge color screen on it, with adjustable brightness. I chose this model because it can take rechargeable and normal AA batteries and it is expandable by an SD card. It came with a free copy of Magellan's north American map system.. It has topos nationwide and roads. The battery life on it is insanely good. I forget who but an online retailer has it on closeout right now. Magellan has the new Triton series which is replacing most of the Explorist series. If you have the $ the new Triton's look very cool. |
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I'm not trying to piss in your Wheaties, but why do you want a GPS unit in the first place? The are power dependent, heavy when compared to a topo map / compass, expensive, and susceptible to damage. If we are truly talking about survival, nothing beats a map and compass knowledge. Not to mention its more impressive when someone can navigate without modern technology. Just a thought. Don't get me wrong though. GPS is a great tool. |
You just answered your own question: GPS is a great tool. Lots of things you can do with it that you can't on a map and compass. |
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I bought one about 6 months ago. I decided on the Garman GPSmap 60CSx. here is why. 1. Double helix ultra-sensitive antenna. It recieves a very strong signal under heavy trees, in my car not next to a window, in the middle of the REI store I bought it in, and in my house on the crapper in the bathroom that has NO windows. The reception is awesome. 2. Big color map display. 3. Topo and street CDs are extra. each are $130 not on sale. 4. Takes 2 gigabyte micro SD cards for maps. I can get the entire country worth topos east of the mississipi on the card. 5. has computerised best fishing times and sunsets and sunrises built in. 6. runs on 2 AA batteries for 20+ hours 7. takes an external antenna if you want. 8. has a data port to interface with plotters and such 9. built in compass and barometric altimeter. 10. on the fly directions from address to address with the street maps. I love it. It sells for $400, but you can find it on sale for $350 on occassion. PS. I have nothing to do with the compan, I just love the thing. |
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| I like the ever simple Garmin Foretrex 101. It takes alkaline batteries- a big plus when you are using it for more than 8 or so hours. It straps to your wrist. Lightweight and water resistant. I don't need mapping on my GPS because I always carry a paper map. Color screens are nice but, tend to drain battery power. Rechargeable battery packs require solar recharging or a plug to recharge- something I am not likely to have. If the grid is down forever, I am more likely to run across a common AAA battery than I am a way to charge my rechargeables. |
Much the same thing with my Magellan 210. It can be difficult to read, with a tiny screen and shades of grey. |
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I would dare say that a map capable GPS is easier to keep up with than a host of topo maps. I was impressed by my hunting buddy's Lowrance GPS. He was able to check the position of roads in relation to our position so as to find the easy way out to vehicles. Unfortunately, his unit croaked early in December of 2007 and Lowrance wanted 50% (about $150) of a new one to fix it. He is doing without at this time. If you are bugging out into unfamiliar territory, a mapping GPS could be a lifesaver by giving you possible routes away from the sheeple stampede. I have two older non-mapping GPS units, but I am divided about whether to invest $350.00 in a new one at this time. RS |