GPS Advice Sought

[havershap]

I just returned from a Wyoming antelope hunt over the course of which:
1) My GPS receiver died
2)I lost one of my radios
3) Use of my OnX Hunt app on my phone was limited by spotty coverage and data limits.

So I am looking into buying a GPS unit that with which I can use the OnX hunt software and that also works as a radio.  Does anyone I have any experience with these devices?  I would like to know what you know; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

[Ridgeratt]

Here's what is compatable with onx maps chip.

https://onxmapssupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002921008-Is-my-GPS-compatible-with-the-Hunt-Chip-

[huntnnw]

I have a gps and it hasn't left my house in 2 years..phone apps are far better, bigger screens(if you have a large phone) clarity, battery life and one less thing to carry. No need for service if you download before you leave.

[MADMAX]

I use a Garmin 530HCX with a chip in it, but its discontinued the new ones are the Garmin 750, dont have to worry about cell coverage

[Bob33]

If you want a unit with radio, the Garmin RINO series is the way to go. Be advised that the radio isn’t much value unless you’re hunting with or in the vicinity of someone else with a compatible radio.  Radio transmission range is highly dependent on terrain. In open country from ridge to ridge you can often get ten miles or more. However, it dense canopy the range can be less than one mile.

When hunting by myself I use a GPS without radio. When hunting with someone else I’ll usually bring two RINOs: one for me, and one for my hunting partner. We can keep track of each other’s location which is handy.

Any GPS that takes micro SD cards can work with onX.

[Stein]

If you load the maps on your phone, you won't need cell coverage or data.  Most phones today can load any area you may have tags for without storage issues.

Once I switched to the phone, I ended up getting a ton more value out of it as I can scroll, flip layers, measure distances and a ton of other things that just aren't practical with how behind GPS units are as far as usability.  I don't see them getting better or catching up because it is essentially a dying technology.  How many people lug around a Tom Tom and take 10 minutes to punch in an address these days?

[bobcat]

Garmin RINO if you want a GPS/Radio is the way to go. I use an older Garmin 60 and I prefer it over Onx on my phone. I do like having Onx for the aerial photography view, and the larger screen. But when hunting, for navigational purposes and to be sure I stay on property I can legally hunt, I always take the GPS. It runs on 2 AA batteries, and I leave it on all day when I'm hunting, and it will last at least two days before changing batteries. And I don't have to worry about if I have cell phone service or not- the GPS always works. The phone I like to save the battery for if I need to use it as an actual phone, or as a camera. I don't see myself ever going hunting without a Garmin GPS. I'd like to pick up a couple of RINO's as well if I can find them for a good price.

[OltHunter]

If you load the maps on your phone, you won't need cell coverage or data.  Most phones today can load any area you may have tags for without storage issues.

  Off-Grid - Save New Map.  Just download all areas when on wifi, and possible areas you might go to on each hunt.

I know your post was about GPS with radios, but just wanted to eliminate #3 from your list!  I've never used one, but I would find value in having separate devices in case one craps out.   If your Rhino dies, you now have no navigation or way to call out for help when no cell coverage is available.  I would be willing to bet most radios are way more reliable than any GPS radio.  It also might be a little cheaper too to get a sweet GPS and a radio set.

My opinion - get a GPS AND a radio AND have your OnX pre-loaded on your phone as a backup

I run a Garmin Montana, Garmin InReach SE, Garmin Fenix 3 watch, Midland Radio, and have my OnX on my phone.  So I have 3 possible navigation devices and 3 possible communication devices on me at all times in the woods.  I'm okay with being called paranoid with stuff like that! 

[Bob33]

There’s little doubt that phones provide certain benefits that a dedicated GPS doesn’t. I will still use a dedicated GPS when hunting in the field for the following reasons:

Batteries. Four AA batteries weigh about 3 ounces, are available everywhere, cost a couple bucks, can be easily field replaced, and will power the GPS for 25 to 30 hours.

Durability: a dedicated GPS is more weather resistance than most phones.

Advanced features: there’s probably a way but I haven’t yet found a way to easily and quickly project a waypoint based on distance and bearing on a cell phone application. It’s straightforward on a GPS.

Compatibility with computer software: I have decades of tracks and waypoints stored in various computer files associated with programs such as Basecamp. It’s very easy to connect the GPS and download/upload selected waypoints and tracks.

Replacement cost: I drag my GPS through mud, snow, sleet; through them into packs, bang them around in vehicles, and basically trash them. If I need to, the replacement cost is around $250. Replacing my cell phone would cost $600 plus.

To each his own.

[C-Money]

I see the OnX App, Any idea how much it costs to download?

[Bob33]

.

[C-Money]

Thanks Bob! Does this charge show up on my phone bill to be paid?

[ghosthunter]

I use a Rhino 650. I have two.
I also have Rhino 110 s and 140s no chips.

If I am hunting alone I leave a 110 or 140 on in the truck. Every so often I will key my 650 while hunting. The Rhino in the truck monitors my location. Should something happen my buddies and family know to look at the Rhino in the truck.

I don't own or want a smart phone.

[Bob33]

Thanks Bob! Does this charge show up on my phone bill to be paid?

You pay onX directly.

[Stein]

Camofire has OnX for cheap right now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pianoman9701]

My partner uses his phone with OnX. It's pretty sweet. The one thing the phone doesn't have is the ability to communicate when out of range. The Rino 650 or higher has the ability to communicate with a strong radio - 5W, places your partner on your map any time he keys his mic or location button (as long as he also has a Rino), and coordinates with a desktop application to edit tracks and waypoints and create tracks and waypoints for future use. I really like the GPS for those reasons. I have the 655T. I think the 650 has a slightly bigger screen, though.

[ctwiggs1]

I don't use OnX because I really haven't had a need in WA yet.  If I pick up any WY antelope tags next year I'll just put it on my cell phone.

I picked up an inreach mini this year and absolutely love the thing. 

[Tbob]

Yeah, I run the onx on my phone, but in cold weather (even in airplane mode), my phone can die quickly! It happened to me in AZ one year in late December. I even kept the phone in my pocket closer to my body heat. Thing was dead in a couple hours.. my Garmin 64st is rock solid (with onx chip)so I always have it and a few xtra batteries now. Never to be stranded again!

[yakimanoob]

There’s little doubt that phones provide certain benefits that a dedicated GPS doesn’t. I will still use a dedicated GPS when hunting in the field for the following reasons:

Batteries. Four AA batteries weigh about 3 ounces, are available everywhere, cost a couple bucks, can be easily field replaced, and will power the GPS for 25 to 30 hours. Long term, I find a good battery pack to be a better option. My Anker PowerCore weighs a few ounces and holds 13,000mAh and will charge either my phone or my Garmin inReach.

Durability: a dedicated GPS is more weather resistance than most phones.

Advanced features: there’s probably a way but I haven’t yet found a way to easily and quickly project a waypoint based on distance and bearing on a cell phone application. It’s straightforward on a GPS. Check out the Spyglass family of apps.  They are battery-intensive as they're Augmented Reality apps, but they work surprisingly well for orienteering.

Compatibility with computer software: I have decades of tracks and waypoints stored in various computer files associated with programs such as Basecamp. It’s very easy to connect the GPS and download/upload selected waypoints and tracks.  This is a big criticism of the OnX system, and it's one of several reasons that I only use OnX for verifying that I'm standing on legal ground.
 For general navigation, mapping, note-taking, etc., I use TopoMaps+ on my iPhone.  It's an obscenely fantastic app with the best map suite I've seen, and, among other things, can accept standard GPS-format data into it.  Tracks, routes, waypoints, etc can all be loaded in.  I've heard similar compliments about the Gaia app, but I've only given that one a cursory glance.

Replacement cost: I drag my GPS through mud, snow, sleet; through them into packs, bang them around in vehicles, and basically trash them. If I need to, the replacement cost is around $250. Replacing my cell phone would cost $600 plus. No argument here.  Smartphones are cripplingly expensive.  That said, choosing a waterproof phone and getting a solid case will get you a LONG way.

To each his own.

Fair points.  Counterpoints from a phone-user in blue 

My setup is my iPhone 7, a Garmin inReach SE+ (used just for communicating with my wife while I'm out and, God forbid, as a PLB), and a battery pack for trips longer than an overnight. 

I hunt solo though.  If hunting near, but not exactly with, another party, I can see how a Rhino would be a game changer. 

[T-Dozzer]

Onx in offgrid mode, then an inreach mini if you need to text out when out of cell service.

[C-Money]

I went for it and got a new Garmin 64s and the WA OnX chip. Seems pretty straight forward to use. Pretty excited. This new Garmin is a HUGE leap in technology from my old Magellan Explorist 210. The new Garmin is a TON faster. Can't wait to get out scouting with it!

[Bob33]

I think you'll really like that GPS.

[pianoman9701]

I went for it and got a new Garmin 64s and the WA OnX chip. Seems pretty straight forward to use. Pretty excited. This new Garmin is a HUGE leap in technology from my old Magellan Explorist 210. The new Garmin is a TON faster. Can't wait to get out scouting with it!

The 600 series is really amazing with the speed that it locks up, even in heavy cover or overcast/rainy skies. We were hunting in the first three weeks of September and for 5 days, the rain was torrential. The only time it wouldn't lock was occasionally when it was in my pocket. When I took it out, instant lock.

The wireless features on the 64S look interesting. Will it synch with a Rino and have you show up on a partner's GPS? That's a great feature of the Rino.

[C-Money]

I think it will? I saw a feature that family can track me on their cell phones. Lots of aspects of this GPS that will take some learning...Being old school, I wanted buttons vs a touch screen. The 64s appeared to have everything I wanted. Tri State in Moses Lake price matched Wal-Mart.