GPS question
Moderator: Excalibur Marketing Dude
GPS question
I have never used one so im in the dark here. anyone have some advice on which one to use?
what I want is something simple and can get me to the stand and back to the truck.
what I want is something simple and can get me to the stand and back to the truck.
Micro RTX
Nikon Bolt XR
BEE Arrows
Slick Trick Magnum
Unshot Beta Chrony
John3:16
Nikon Bolt XR
BEE Arrows
Slick Trick Magnum
Unshot Beta Chrony
John3:16
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Re: GPS question
I've used a few different kinds and if you hunt in remote areas it's hard to get enough satalights to lock in to mmake them work. A few years ago I tried the Bushnell Go Back and have been more than pleased with it!!!! It's really simple to use and very accurate at getting you right back to the spot you started at. Mine only has 3 lock ins but that is more than plenty for a days hunt. Check Ebay and you'll probable get a grewat bargain.....I did. hope this helps. Oh, asnd it has a light mode for walkinjg at at dark or going in the dark....just follow the little arrow!!!!!
Re: GPS question
Interesting, I purchased the go back a while ago figuring its all I needed and really liked the simplicity of it but ended up bringing it back due to very poor accuracy. Maybe mine was a bum unit.
Exocet 200
S5 System
Shadowzone
S5 System
Shadowzone
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Re: GPS question
We use a TrackBack when we can find it, that unit replaced our Garmin Rino.
Now I just use my phone, has a great GPS unit built in for the odd times when I am out of a cell zone, but when in a cell zone it will access Google earth, you can even see the deer trails through the woods.
My one and only paid app is "Back Country Navigator", it works on and off cell reception. layers topographic maps with many others, seperates WMU's, shows every log trail and beaver dam around, worth the few bucks I paid for it.
Now I just use my phone, has a great GPS unit built in for the odd times when I am out of a cell zone, but when in a cell zone it will access Google earth, you can even see the deer trails through the woods.
My one and only paid app is "Back Country Navigator", it works on and off cell reception. layers topographic maps with many others, seperates WMU's, shows every log trail and beaver dam around, worth the few bucks I paid for it.
If you are not willing to learn, nobody can help you, if you are willing, nobody can stop you.
A bowhunter with a passion for shooting firearms.
WMU 91
Boo string
A bowhunter with a passion for shooting firearms.
WMU 91
Boo string
Re: GPS question
What about a few topo maps and a compass?
Never have tried a stand alone unit, but have tried various apps on my phone, including a few paid apps. Of the bunch, my favorite is 'MyTracks'... definitely not the most feature-rich app out there, but quite simply it works. Even if you cannot get a data connection to pull map data (i.e. satellite photos), you can still get back simply using the bread crumb trail it generates for you -- just your trail on a blank background but it works. Some of the other feature-rich apps will allow you to download local maps ahead of time to help cut down on data transmission, but I've found most of them too cumbersome for what I need. Best part is it's free.
Another nice feature is the ability to share and upload your tracks to Google Maps and the like. Allows me and my hunting buddy to mark trails and stands to share with each other. Sure beats the "walk 100 paces down this trail until you see a moss-covered log, turn east and walk another 50 paces, etc.." method we were using before
Ultimately, the best option will depend on the types of areas that you hunt. In northern MI where I hunt, it is still relatively populated and I could probably hit a main road by walking a mile in any direction. Makes the consequence of getting lost a lot less than some of you who might be packing it in quite a ways.
Never have tried a stand alone unit, but have tried various apps on my phone, including a few paid apps. Of the bunch, my favorite is 'MyTracks'... definitely not the most feature-rich app out there, but quite simply it works. Even if you cannot get a data connection to pull map data (i.e. satellite photos), you can still get back simply using the bread crumb trail it generates for you -- just your trail on a blank background but it works. Some of the other feature-rich apps will allow you to download local maps ahead of time to help cut down on data transmission, but I've found most of them too cumbersome for what I need. Best part is it's free.
Another nice feature is the ability to share and upload your tracks to Google Maps and the like. Allows me and my hunting buddy to mark trails and stands to share with each other. Sure beats the "walk 100 paces down this trail until you see a moss-covered log, turn east and walk another 50 paces, etc.." method we were using before
Ultimately, the best option will depend on the types of areas that you hunt. In northern MI where I hunt, it is still relatively populated and I could probably hit a main road by walking a mile in any direction. Makes the consequence of getting lost a lot less than some of you who might be packing it in quite a ways.
Re: GPS question
thanks guys. I have always used the bright eye method to find my stand in the morn and walk out..
most places I hunt I don't need them..i know the land so well I can get out blind folded.
this new property is very mountainous and some thick stuff to boot so you can get turned around pretty easy in the dark. I got my trail to my tree marked for in the morn so im good but I always wanted to try a GPS.
most places I hunt I don't need them..i know the land so well I can get out blind folded.
this new property is very mountainous and some thick stuff to boot so you can get turned around pretty easy in the dark. I got my trail to my tree marked for in the morn so im good but I always wanted to try a GPS.
Micro RTX
Nikon Bolt XR
BEE Arrows
Slick Trick Magnum
Unshot Beta Chrony
John3:16
Nikon Bolt XR
BEE Arrows
Slick Trick Magnum
Unshot Beta Chrony
John3:16
Re: GPS question
Hey strum, I've used many over the years for prospecting. Garmin and Magellan are still the 2 main brands as far as rugged hand held units go. The more you pay the more bells & whistles you get, but not necessarily more accurate. If you don't need maps, and only want to save and name waypoints, check distances,save your tracks, backtrack etc, you can get one on ebay pretty cheap.
Its when you get into the complicated mapping units that the price goes up a notch. Although I like mapping, at the end of the day its not usually necessary for most of what I do. Remember if someone trys to sell you a phone with GPS, the majority of them use the phone signal to triangulate position than true satelite GPS. So double check its stand alone GPS if your using it out of phone range.
Its when you get into the complicated mapping units that the price goes up a notch. Although I like mapping, at the end of the day its not usually necessary for most of what I do. Remember if someone trys to sell you a phone with GPS, the majority of them use the phone signal to triangulate position than true satelite GPS. So double check its stand alone GPS if your using it out of phone range.
Re: GPS question
X2 on the Garmin handheld GPS units. I have a Vista HCX. Its about 3-4 years old now and I have been extremely well pleased with it. If it isn't standard by now on all Garmin units, try to look for one with the 'high sensitivity' GPS chip, it makes a difference. I turn mine on in the truck on the way to wherever I'm hunting, it takes less than a minute to acquire the satellites, and it rarely, rarely ever loses the signal. Under heavy cloud cover, pouring rain, under heavy canopy, down in the deep 'hollers' as we call them, in a metal shooting house, stuffed in my backpack on the trail, in my living room, it has signal. Battery life is fantastic, too, I can use it two consecutive days of daylight-to-dark hunting with the tracking feature on with fresh batteries. Granted I'm not constantly fiddling with it, that will run your batteries down faster just like anything else. I've though about moving up to the new larger screen touch-screen units, and if I were to buy one today that's probably what I would be looking at. Those were still fairly new when I bought the Vista and therefore still pretty pricey, and I just couldn't swing it, but like any technology the price has come down a lot since I bought mine.
One really cool feature is you can turn the tracking on, then save your tracks and waypoints you've marked and download them into google earth and look at where you've been. One day I rode the 4wheeler around all day and mapped out all our hunt club trails and fields and marked and labeled everything, then downloaded those tracks and waypoints into a google earth satellite image of our club, then had that image blown up into a 18x24 poster print at wally world. It's now our club map and sign-in board. Anyhow I love mine, I would buy it again.
KB
One really cool feature is you can turn the tracking on, then save your tracks and waypoints you've marked and download them into google earth and look at where you've been. One day I rode the 4wheeler around all day and mapped out all our hunt club trails and fields and marked and labeled everything, then downloaded those tracks and waypoints into a google earth satellite image of our club, then had that image blown up into a 18x24 poster print at wally world. It's now our club map and sign-in board. Anyhow I love mine, I would buy it again.
KB
Matrix 380
18" Zombies, 400 gr w/ 125 gr Magnus Stingers & Lumenoks
Exomag
20" Zombies, 380 gr w/ 100 gr Magnus Stingers
18" Zombies, 400 gr w/ 125 gr Magnus Stingers & Lumenoks
Exomag
20" Zombies, 380 gr w/ 100 gr Magnus Stingers
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Re: GPS question
X3 on the garmin. 100 bucks or less and very dependable
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Less work.....more hunt
Derry Hicks
Excalibur only
Leupold scopes VixenMaster Strings
Big john arrows. BOO strings & things
Montec g5
DaGriz knive
Less work.....more hunt
Derry Hicks
Excalibur only
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Re: GPS question
Bushnell BackTrack just bought one for $39.99 on sale for a friend. Used one last year could not be happier. 3 waypoints, will have 3 set ups on a up coming hunt in the MI UP. Each waypoint is set to the pick up point. Had the Garmin eTrex, glad I lost it!! A good $50.00 and under investment IMO.
Scott
Scott
'13 Matrix 380/Hawke XB30 Pro Scope
'13 Matrix 355/Hawke XB30 Scope
Boo Triggers & Custom Strings
Wabi Custom Calls
AND A WHOLE LOT OF FRESH AIR!!
Godspeed!!
Scott
'13 Matrix 355/Hawke XB30 Scope
Boo Triggers & Custom Strings
Wabi Custom Calls
AND A WHOLE LOT OF FRESH AIR!!
Godspeed!!
Scott
Re: GPS question
Used a Garmin for several years with good luck. Do you have one of them "smart phones?" I have been using an app for my IPhone called Trimble. It's great. Topo maps, satellite, and has a lot of nice features, around 9 bucks if I remember right. I've used it for 4 years now without a hitch. Also the tracks sync. to my IPad. You can add picts. etc. the Garmin has been in the drawer since I started using it.
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Re: GPS question
Silva Compass - no batteries required.strum wrote:I have never used one so im in the dark here. anyone have some advice on which one to use?
what I want is something simple and can get me to the stand and back to the truck.
Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.
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Re: GPS question
Bushnell Backtrack HuntTrack. It has 25 way points. Cant beat it for $90. Accurate and very easy to use. Doesnt have topos built in, just an arrow to tell you the direction to go and how far away you are. You can use the application with it which uses Google earth to preset waypoints from maps which is very cool.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... details&Q=
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... details&Q=
Re: GPS question
one reason I never do this is because I don't want other hunters to follow them..phern wrote: If you only want to go back and forth from your blind to your vehicle....why not just put bright orange ribbons and forget about buying a GPS.
real I have made it all my life with out one and I get around pretty good.
the new property I was concerned about is becoming more familier to me so the GPS would be more of a toy to me than a tool.
I agree about the trak back being a waste. I do like the Garmin Etrex.
Micro RTX
Nikon Bolt XR
BEE Arrows
Slick Trick Magnum
Unshot Beta Chrony
John3:16
Nikon Bolt XR
BEE Arrows
Slick Trick Magnum
Unshot Beta Chrony
John3:16
Re: GPS question
The Garmin Etrex Legend was my first recreational type GPS and I loved it. A friend downloaded mapping software on my computer that I could use to copy files back and forth between the GPS and computer. I used it for work too and used it so much I wore out the little joystick. I bought two refurbished ones but they didn't last long. Upgraded to a Garmin Nuvi for the truck and don't use a handheld any more for recreational use. Oh, except for fishing!!