Handheld GPS Preferences

[7mmfan]

This year for my Idaho hunt, I purchased OnXmaps for my phone, and it was extremely helpful. What I did not like was that if I changed my hunt location, and had not downloaded those particular sections, I was left high and dry until I got good service again. This was a real bummer a couple of times.

So I'm considering getting a handheld unit that I can get the chip for before this next season. I know that the technology is constantly changing, so what might have been the best 6 months ago is old news now.

I want touch screen, I know the downfalls of it, but that will be the most intuitive for me to use. I obviously need SD/Micro SD slots. Other than that, I have no real requirements other than good color screen. I don't need a Rhino, as no one else I hunt with has a GPS, and I often hunt solo anyway.

What would be good starting points for my research? Really need to have it done by Thanksgiving so the wife or In-laws can do some black Friday shopping 

[pianoman9701]

I would still get a Rino. I love mine with the touch screen.

[vandeman17]

I would still get a Rino. I love mine with the touch screen.

  I hunt solo a lot and still use it every time.

[NRA4LIFE]

I just bought a Garmin 610T for this season and love it.  I didn't think I would care for it, but the camera on it is awesome.

[7mmfan]

I would still get a Rino. I love mine with the touch screen.

  I hunt solo a lot and still use it every time.

So what makes it better, other than the radio, than say a Oregon 650 or a Montana 680?

[pianoman9701]

It's powerful, the radio is great, and if you're hurt and someone can get you on the radio, then they can see where you are, too if they have one. I would think most SAR teams would have at least a couple. 

[cle elum bowhunter]

Bought Rhino 650's last year and even though we often hunt "solo", it is so nice when you get something down and you can call for help and then they can walk right to you.  My son and I were over a mile apart separated by a drainage when he got his elk down this year and I was able to walk right up to him.  Same story when I got my 6x7 bull down, let my buddy know and started to work on the elk.  Short while later he is standing right beside us.  Other buddy with just a radio and no gps had a lot harder time trying to locate us on the thick and steep side hill.  With all the terrain and timber, blowing a loud bugle he was still having a hard time determining where exactly we were.  We also use them for snowmobiling, riding motorbikes or anytime we are in the mountains and potentially separated.

[7mmfan]

Ok, the vote for Rhino's is well accepted. By solo, I mean, solo. As in by myself and no one else around. Plus, my hunting buddies are cheap, talking them into buying a Rhino as well would be an uphill battle. My main goal is to have a unit that I can use OnXmaps in and find property boundaries so I don't trespass. I may, down the road, regret not having a Rhino, but I'm willing to accept that to save some $$$ right now and accomplish my goal.

So, with that said, anyone have preferences for non-Rhinos? I just perused the Garmin website and it looks like a Oregon 750 or 700, or for budget model, the Etrex Touch 35 could be good options. I like the size of the Montana 610, but its heavy and expensive.

[vandeman17]

I would still get a Rino. I love mine with the touch screen.

  I hunt solo a lot and still use it every time.

So what makes it better, other than the radio, than say a Oregon 650 or a Montana 680?

Versatility. When you are hunting completely solo, it is a great gps unit but also gives you the option if your buddies end up picking up one too. Battery life is good, screen in clear and with onxmaps, I have no complaints.

[Bob33]

I don't prefer touch screen models, and rarely need a radio function but at $350 you will be hard pressed to find a better value than the RINO 650 on sale.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Garmin-reg-Rino-GPS-Radio/1214167.uts?productVariantId=2963932&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03233175&rid=20&gclid=CO3j56_zl9ACFUNrfgodi2IE9g&gclsrc=aw.ds

[fishngamereaper]

Another vote for rhino. I have the onxmaps chip in mine. Very accurate and other cool thing is it tells me when I'm going to cliff out before I fall off it.  And the buddy I'd/ locate function is awesome.

[ghosthunter]

Rhino

[7mmfan]

Bringing this back. Has anyone used a Etrex Touch 35? I'm going back and forth between it and the Oregon 700 for $100 more. The screen is a little smaller, but the weight is a couple ounces less, and has more internal memory.

I know EVERYONE loves Rhino's, I'm hoping for someones experience with these two units or something similar.

[PastorJoel]

I used a Garmin Nuvi this year.  It is designed for car use but it has an internal battery that lasted plenty long for me.  Also, it accepts an OnX card, which I used.

As a backup for the battery, I carried a small and light battery designed for charging phones, but I never needed it.

I did not leave the unit on, but turned it on for only 5-10 seconds when I wanted to note my location.  It started up in less than 2-3 seconds and had my location right away.

For the limited purposes that I needed it for, its low cost, and usability in my car, it worked absolutely perfectly.

[7mmfan]

I have heard of these, but never looked into them. I know the battery packs you're talking about, I have one for my phone as well. Thanks for the input preacher man!

[Kit Carson]

I like my Garmin Oregon 650t. I've used it for trapping and hunting, marked lots of spots with it and and it's never failed. It has a camera which is kind of a nice feature. Screen and unit itself are perfect size in my opinion. Clear color screen, durable (have dropped mine a few times), pretty quick to launch the different "apps", and it accepts an Onxmaps chip. What else are you lookin for? 
I hunt and trap alone the vast majority of the time so I haven't really had much need for the walkie talkie capability included in the Rhino...
I just use the Garmin caribeaner that came with it...clip it on my pants belt loop and I can flip it up to use it without having to unhook.
I think you can probably try the ones you're interested in at a store before buying? 

[7mmfan]

Thanks for the response Kit. I've heard good things about them in general so its nice to get a response from someone that's used them. Based on the research I've done the last couple days I've narrowed it down to the Oregon 700 or the Etrex Touch 35. The Etrex has a smaller screen but better battery life, more internal memory, etc...

[Kit Carson]

Unless you're saving a lot of stuff to the device I think the Garmin will probably be good for internal memory.
The Garmin 700 looks like a good device for the money.
Sounds like you've done your research, so I'm sure either will suit you well.

[Skyvalhunter]

I would go with the Garmin 62sc. Reason being you can buy it on EBay relatively cheap compared to the newer models with unneeded bells and whistles. It is considered one of the best models that they made and is very popular in the GPS community.

[quadrafire]

I have the garmin 650 and it's great when you have partners.  I'd like a bigger screen personally. I'm wondering what piano eluded to. Could a rescue unit use that to find you if needed. Good question. Anybody know for
Sure??

[ghosthunter]

I have four rhinos.

I leave one on my truck dash on ,under a hat when hunting alone.
As I Travel around I key the mic every half our or so.

My family and friends know , so if Idont show up on time.

[quadrafire]

Great idea ghost. I have an extra 120 in the safe. Never thought of that. 

[Reidus]

I have a garmin oregon 600 at it works great for what you described. I think the Etrex's have to small of screens for looking at maps. There's usually some deals on gps's this time of year. If you're not going to use the rino part, they're bigger and burn up more battery. Amazon has the oregon 600 for  $277. The 700 or 750 are newer but I don't think it'd benefit you much over the 600 for what you're doing. I'm with you on the app. App is great when you have service. It's a pain downloading the map. I like having the whole state or states in my handheld gps.

[7mmfan]

I will have to look at some of those older models. I really don't need, or even want some of the features on the newer units. I just want the best screen, memory, and GPS signal capabilities I can get. Thanks for the input.

[dreadi]

I bought a Garmin E Trex 20e the day before l left for elk camp. Came in handy.