Which GPS do you use for elk hunting

[Chesapeake]

Problem with using phone's  is when out service. You have nothing.

You have the wrong phone or the wrong app or both. I can only speak to the iphone, don't have an Android but believe it to offer the same functionality. The GPS in the phone works rather flawlessly regardless of cell service, or airplane mode, ect... And most any mapping app worth having has a feature allowing the download of maps (map sections) for use without cell service.

I currently use "hunt maps" but there are several apps out there to choose from. ( I have onX HUNT, Motion-x, PDF maps, Topo Maps, Navigator pro, IsailGPS, and Navionics all on my phone) Speaking of Navionics and Isail, did I mention your phone makes a great chart plotter.

Benefits of phone based GPS mapping:
You can have a great color touch screen with intuitive operation.
Topo, satellite imagery, hybrid, USGS topo maps, ect.... can all be loaded to your phone.
Easy to load new maps, land ownership data, ect... without the need for a data cable or laptop with proprietary software.
Cost, the phone apps are much cheaper than a pre-loaded SD card.
You can take pics and easily text them to others, ect...

If you shoot long range your phone can have your ballistic comp., perform shot angle calculation, and measure wind velocity (depending on your phone case). (I have Wind meter, Ballistic AE, and Shooter on my phone)

You're likely carrying the phone anyhow, why not put it to use. Your phone is most likely a much more powerful computer with more memory and a far better screen than your GPS.



 

[dvolmer]

I bought the Montana 650T and it is wonderful and huge.  Too huge though!  So big that I keep leaving it out of my pack!  I would get the Oregon version with what I know now.
 
My buddy had the Rhino I think.  If that's the one that has the radio in it too.  The idea behind the GPS and radio all in one unit is good but his radio had medium to lower power and he couldn't transmit near as well as our just plain radios so now he has to use his Rhino and a separate radio.  spend the extra money on a better GPS and not on the radio part if you ask me.

[Southpole]

I bought the Montana 650T and it is wonderful and huge.  Too huge though!  So big that I keep leaving it out of my pack!  I would get the Oregon version with what I know now.
 
My buddy had the Rhino I think.  If that's the one that has the radio in it too.  The idea behind the GPS and radio all in one unit is good but his radio had medium to lower power and he couldn't transmit near as well as our just plain radios so now he has to use his Rhino and a separate radio.  spend the extra money on a better GPS and not on the radio part if you ask me.

[Gearhead1940]

For what its worth, Cabelas has a really good sale right now on Garmin GPS units - the rino 650T is marked down from $549 to $399 and the Oregon 650T is marked down from $549 to $299. Just in time to ask Santa 

[mburrows]

My phone and gaia map. Ill probably never go back to a handheld gps.

[Tbob]

I ended up getting a Garmin 64 ST.  I really like it! I wanted to use my phone with the onx map app, but my iPhone dies super quick when using the GPS. I find it easier to use my hand held all day and it runs on 2 AA batteries. I think it'll last around 16-18 hours of constant use.. It's easier for me on a multiple day hunt to change a few batteries than worrying about how I'm gonna charge my phone or how many charges I have left on my Akor battery pack.. I have an onx chip for my 64 ST and I really like it..

[Naches Sportsman]

I've had a chance to mess with the newer oregon, rino, and my 64s side by side by side.

I'll take the 64s any day. When bringing up the satellites, I've constantly been able to narrow down within 5 feet of where I am trying to get a way point. The others haven't gotten within 20 feet. Also, in my personal preference, I like buttons better. Never liked the toggle or touch screens.

[Jacque]

Garmin Rhino 650, worth every penny if you are hunting with others.

[Bob33]

I ended up getting a Garmin 64 ST.  I really like it! I wanted to use my phone with the onx map app, but my iPhone dies super quick when using the GPS. I find it easier to use my hand held all day and it runs on 2 AA batteries. I think it'll last around 16-18 hours of constant use.. It's easier for me on a multiple day hunt to change a few batteries than worrying about how I'm gonna charge my phone or how many charges I have left on my Akor battery pack.. I have an onx chip for my 64 ST and I really like it..

I'm a big fan of the 60 series models (60, 62, 64). I have several others including 3 RINO 650s, but use a 62s more than any of the others. If I'm hunting with someone else with a RINO it's nice to keep in touch, otherwise I grab the 62. It's lighter and has an interface that I prefer.

[huntingbaldguy]

I use a Garmin Oregon 650.  I like it a lot.  Started using rechargeable L-ion batteries last year.  I track all day every day i'm in the woods and a full day drops the battery a 1/4 maybe. 

[CAMPMEAT]

I remember the good ol' days when hunters never relied on a GPS, just knowing the land and where they're at was all you needed to know.. Boy, have things changed.

[cbond3318]

I remember the good ol' days when hunters never relied on a GPS, just knowing the land and where they're at was all you needed to know.. Boy, have things changed.

  I own the Rino 610 mainly because I thought I needed it and the radio , buddy tracking would be a cool feature.  5 or so years and I have never relied on it once, not even to get back to a water hole I stumbled on in a new area. The only time I use it really is to see how far I've gone and how miserable the hike out in the dark is going to be (sometimes better to not look at it  . ) I hope I never have to rely on it but , it does add a little peace of mind knowing its in my pack.

[huntingbaldguy]

I don't rely on it.  It's on with the screen turned off.

It tracks and i download its tracks to my laptop and overlay them to see where i was that day and where i saw elk.

[Southpole]

I remember the good ol' days when hunters never relied on a GPS, just knowing the land and where they're at was all you needed to know.. Boy, have things changed.

I have never used a GPS in my life either, I just always knew where I was going. This year was the first year ever having to rely on a gps due to hunting in a unit that was foreign to me and the fact that, some places I went, I knew there was private property nearby.

[cbond3318]

I don't rely on it.  It's on with the screen turned off.

It tracks and i download its tracks to my laptop and overlay them to see where i was that day and where i saw elk.

that's a good use, although I have never taken the time to learn the tracking feature. I just turn it on, mark the truck or TH and turn it off. I will have to play with it this offseason.