GPS recommendations

[Night goat]

Im looking for some advice on picking a handheld GPS.

I will admit, ive never used a handheld gps before, so I dont know what to look for, however ive been a sailor and fisherman my whole life so i know what a big gps chart plotter looks like and how to use one.

Whats out on the market that is reliable that wont break the bank? What features do I want? Is a big screen important? Is there kind of an industry standard workhorse that everybody goes with? Does the model of gps depend on the way on which I spend my time outdoors? Is there one that works better in mountainous wooded and hilly terrain? Are there trail maps loaded onto the units? Is there one out there that is like a topo map?

[Stein]

Use your phone, spend a few bucks to put OnX maps on there and you are good to go.

[ghosthunter]

Rhino by Garmin

[Night goat]

Use your phone, spend a few bucks to put OnX maps on there and you are good to go.

Will it work w/o cell reception?

[Stein]

Yeah, you can either run from the cell signal or download the maps for where you are going at home before you leave.  They have satellite image layers, topo layers, roads, trails and full GPS functionality.  Add a cheap battery charger and you can go a week in the backwoods for far less money and better interface than any consumer GPS.

[Crunchy]

If you mainly hunt solo then OnX is fine.  I usually hunt with a partner so we prefer Garmin Rinos.  Nice to have walkie talkie and gps built into one unit.  It would cost you around 400 for an entry level model though.

[Night goat]

If you mainly hunt solo then OnX is fine.  I usually hunt with a partner so we prefer Garmin Rinos.  Nice to have walkie talkie and gps built into one unit.  It would cost you around 400 for an entry level model though.

I WANT to hunt solo.... Well, at least solo in the sense that I will get left alone and wont have anybody following me stepping on sticks making noise...

I was thinking about getting walkie talkies, so we can split up

With the onx, will it have an icon showing where you are in relation to the map? Or is it just charts and a compas and stuff?

[Magnum_Willys]

You are an active dot on the map.  Heres sat resulution. 

[Bob33]

You are at the blue dot.

[Stein]

Unfortunately, they are still working on the red dot for the animal you are looking for.

[TommyGun496]

I used a garmin for years, after it broke I decided to try onx.  It works great.  They have a 7 day free trial so you can check it out for nothing.

[Bobmaier]

Thinking about getting a farm in mini in reach. It's a gps and a iridium sat alive phone for when you don't have cell service. Can be Poughkeepsie for around $350. Does need a service plan though. Check it out!

[ghosthunter]

If decide to go the Rhino route, don’t be afraid to by used. I have boughten two off this forum and they work fine. Five year old 650s really only is two years or less use for the average guy. Just using it for hunting. And most come with extras which cost you more if you bought new.

Recently I got a 650t which was $600.00 five years ago new.
A double AA extra battery pack. Worth $30.00
OnX wa chip worth $100.00
Charger
And the standard Nicad pack that comes with the units

$280.00 shipped to me.

There are good deals to be had if you take your time.

[Night goat]

If decide to go the Rhino route, don’t be afraid to by used. I have boughten two off this forum and they work fine. Five year old 650s really only is two years or less use for the average guy. Just using it for hunting. And most come with extras which cost you more if you bought new.

Recently I got a 650t which was $600.00 five years ago new.
A double AA extra battery pack. Worth $30.00
OnX wa chip worth $100.00
Charger
And the standard Nicad pack that comes with the units

$280.00 shipped to me.

There are good deals to be had if you take your time.

onX chip??

I downloaded onx for my phone, seems like its google maps crossed with the assessors map with some added features.... But... A chip? What exactly is the parent company of onx? Some sort of gps company or aeronautical compa lny or survey group?

[bobcat]

The "chip" is a micro SD card that Onx sells for I believe $120 that goes in your GPS unit. I have one for Washington but I bought it used for $50. I prefer my GPS over the Onx app on my phone.

[Magnum_Willys]

Thinking about getting a farm in mini in reach. It's a gps and a iridium sat alive phone for when you don't have cell service. Can be Poughkeepsie for around $350. Does need a service plan though. Check it out!

Great for texting.  Not a good gps option.

[MLHSN]

I use my phone also. Let's of free software, but I use Avenza maps. You can download the USGS 1:24k topos for freeI used multiple models of GPS for 15 years. I finally gave my phone a try and was sold. Make sure to put your phone on airplane mode. On airplane mode, I can run my phone for 4-5 days.