a good gps?

[Houndhunter]

ok well after getting my new pack i've decided to spend some more money and get a gps. with the areas i hunt i would like to have one, but i've never even turned one on before. was wanting to know of some good types to use, and what ones not to get. i would like one that can load topo maps, and is fairly easy to use. any suggestions or past expeirence would be great, thanks

[billythekidrock]

Spend the money on a good one. Preferably the Garmins with the new receivers. The Rino (GPS/Radio) is a great option.

[tonymoe]

I've only used a couple cheapos, I barely ever use one. I will say, the new Garmin Oregon? I think its the Oregon, man that thing is really nice, kinda pricey, but nice

[Branden]

I think with the garmin you can only use map source with if you want to load a topo map on it. But like btkr said those rhino's are nice.

[Houndhunter]

let me add im lookin around the 350 400$ range, but will spend more if it seems like i should.

the oregon one looked sweet, but its not cheap

[bobcat]

I have the Garmin 60csx and have been very happy with it.

You can get it for $299 here:

http://www.gpsonsale.com/garmin/products/60csx.htm

[littlebuf]

I have the Garmin 60csx and have been very happy with it.

You can get it for $299 here:

http://www.gpsonsale.com/garmin/products/60csx.htm

   its a great unit and very user friendly. it doesn't have the radio capability's of the rhino but i hunt alone most of the time so no big deal for me. what was the kicker for me was the color screen is real easy to see and read . do your self a favor tho and buy the washington topo map chip for it, actually its wash/org/mont/idaho/alaska i think, it was like 60 bucks and well worth it

[gasman]

I have the Garmin 60csx and have been very happy with it.

You can get it for $299 here:

http://www.gpsonsale.com/garmin/products/60csx.htm

   its a great unit and very user friendly. it doesn't have the radio capability's of the rhino but i hunt alone most of the time so no big deal for me. what was the kicker for me was the color screen is real easy to see and read . do your self a favor tho and buy the washington topo map chip for it, actually its wash/org/mont/idaho/alaska i think, it was like 60 bucks and well worth it

I'm with them. 

[Houndhunter]

thanks for the advice, i should also add about 275$ is in gift cards to cabelas so that limits me but i was thinkin maybe i coul get a good one for a bit cheaper in the cave

[bobcat]

Cabelas wants $100 more for the 60csx.   

[280ackley]

I've only used a couple cheapos, I barely ever use one. I will say, the new Garmin Oregon? I think its the Oregon, man that thing is really nice, kinda pricey, but nice

The Oregon is a great GPS.  It is very user friendly and easy to use.  If it was a little cheaper I'd have one.

[alecvg]

Garmin Etrex Vista HcX, awsome....  Great coverage everywhere, best I have ever used... just my 

[littlebuf]

Cabelas wants $100 more for the 60csx.  

i brought a online add for the csx to cabelas and the matched the price, got it for 250. all ya got a do is print it out and they fill a little paper out and give you the price. one reason o like cabelas they'll do that with any add. look on cameraland.com for some good prices to print out 

[BLKBEARKLR]

I am with alecvg, the vista is the best one I have used, spend the extra 100.00 and get the cd with it load it on your computer and you can talk back and forth between computer and GPS. I used mine while turkey hunting and it told me I was on a road, when I was deep in the middle of nowhere, so was confused for a minute until I laid down and looked through the treeline and could see that I was in fact standing on an old skidder trail from many years past.

[bowhuntin]

I have only used two garmins. The first one didn't get a very good signal in the woods and would always lose satellites. I upgraded to the new Garmin Colorado 400t, it came with the already loaded topo of the United States. It has worked flawlessly. It gets about 20 hours battery life, is easy to operate with one hand and no matter where you are in the woods will get a strong signal. It has a lot of different functions and what not. Been a good purchase so far. I think you can pick one up for $350 or so now.

[Firing Pin]

Look into the Delorme PN-40.  Areal sweet GPS and they are good with the customer service and tech help.  Plus they have the capability to down load satalite imagery and layer it on top of the topo maps.  It is priced right in your range and it is available from cabelas.

[Shadow Cat]

I spent the money and got the Garmin Rino 530HCx. It has the radio built in, and you can also send your location to another user. I like the bult in altimiter and the weather radio. I use them a lot when I am out. It has a lot of features that I use at different times. I spent the money and got the street navigator and the topo maps for it as well. I can transfer info to and from my computer to the GPS and is a great aid when planning my hunts. For me, it was worth every penny I spent.

[stumprat]

I upgraded this year from a Magellan Meridian gold to a Garmin Legend hcx. The legend is a great little unit. My only complaint is that the color screen absolutely sucks in the sunlight. The black and gray screen was visible in all light on my old unit.

[SnakeEyes]

I have the Garmin 60cx. These are very good for the money. Just remember the topo map programs are extra. I use mine all the time for hunting and geocaching. The Garmin 60 csx has the electronic compass and barometric altimeter. If you do use these extra features it will shorten the battery life some. I carry a compass in my pack and felt battery life was more important. I have not researched the newer models.  

[elkspert]

I'm with shadow cat. The Rhino 530 Hcx is a nice unit. Comes in handy with the weather channel and the walkie talkies. We had them in the big horns last year elk hunting and they performed great. Get the mapping software.

[PA BEN]

You can't go wrong with a good Garmin.

[C-Money]

I like the Magellan Explorist model. I have the 100 and the 210. They work great!

[Pat/Rick]

Topo map, compass, altimiter. No batteries.

[zackmioli]

Garmin Colorado 400t, it came with the already loaded topo of the United States. It has worked flawlessly. It gets about 20 hours battery life, is easy to operate with one hand and no matter where you are in the woods will get a strong signal. It has a lot of different functions and what not. Been a good purchase so far. I think you can pick one up for $350 or so now.

i just got this gps. used it twice hiking around so far. still trying to figure out all the bells and whistles but marking way points and all that is very straight forward and easy to use. so far i really like it.

[Houndhunter]

just got back from looking around and the garmin 60csx looks pretty good. i found a bushnel to, you guys have any experience with these? its called the bushnell onix 400, its a good deal i think but no one has said anything about them so im kinda iffy. also looked at the garmin oregon 400 today, that is sweet but i just cant justify paying 500 for it

http://www.bushnell.com/gps/gps_onix400.cfm?section=GPS here is a link to the bushnell

[Houndhunter]

thanks guys for the advice on here, all this is really helpful

[HntnFsh]

Are the maps for the Garmin Rhinos fairly recent.I think the ones I loaded on mine are old.Would like to get newer ones if possible.

[RUTNBULL1]

just got back from looking around and the garmin 60csx looks pretty good. i found a bushnel to, you guys have any experience with these? its called the bushnell onix 400, its a good deal i think but no one has said anything about them so im kinda iffy. also looked at the garmin oregon 400 today, that is sweet but i just cant justify paying 500 for it

http://www.bushnell.com/gps/gps_onix400.cfm?section=GPS here is a link to the bushnell

The guys I hunted with in Wyoming last year had the Bushnell 400 and the other had the 60scx, the 60csx out performed the Bushnell in recieving and holding  sattelites in dense areas and seemed to be more user friendly.

[cully]

Rhino 530hcx... $375 walmart online   
Best unit out there and at this price.

[JBR]

After my Garmin Rino 130 finally crapped out, I began researching GPS units last year looking for a new one.  I narrowed it down to two...the Garmin 60CSX and the Delorme Earthmate PN-40. I was just about to pull the trigger on the 60CSX when I found the PN-40 and researched it.  I ended up going with the Delorme PN-40 for the following reasons...

It comes with 1 GB of internal memory and an included 1 GB SD card (which most sell seperately).  It comes PRE-loaded with Topo USA 7.0 (topo and street maps of the entire US!)  That included 3 CD's covering West, Central and East and includes a Desktop Mapping system for viewing on your computer and trasferring data.  Its rugged, waterproof, has a high sensitivity Cartesio chipset, 32 channel WAAS-enabled system with dual-core processor for quick map and satellite imagery redraws, bright color display (the screen is a bit smaller than I'd like but what's on it make all the difference for me).  It uses AA batteries that so far seem to last all day but I haven't had time to really test their range. 

One of the biggest deciding factors for me were the MAPS!  Not only does the Delorme PN-40 come pre-loaded with streets and topo maps for the whole US, Delorme (a MAP company) has a unique feature with this GPS.  Instead of purchasing a state topo mapping software (for around $100) and loading it, Delorme has a MAP LIBRARY, which you pay a $29 annual subscription fee for, and with that subscription, you can access ANY of their numerous maps for download to either the INTERAL memory of the unit or to the SD card,  and then layer those maps with the Topo USA street and topo maps already on the unit, including: USGS 7.5 minute QUADS, high-res color satellite imagery and NOAA nautical charts!!     So, you decide on an area to scout or hunt and you can go download USGS 7.5 QUAD maps and color satellite images of the area, to layer over your pre-loaded topo map.  After looking at the topo area of an area you'd like to investigate further, you can look at that bench or saddle on a satellite image and see the actual vegatation or water or meadow before you decide to go there. 

The buttons and screens are simple and easy to navigate and the unit goes for around $399 (including the 1 GB SD card and pre-loaded US topo maps), with the ability to get imagery not available on most units.  I still have a ton of experimenting to do with it and plan to get much more experience on it during scouting trips in the next few weeks, but for me, it was well worth the money! 

Check it out, you may be surprised.

[bobcat]

I read about that Delorme unit and thought it sounded great but already had my 60csx. Would be nice having the aerial photos in addition to the topo maps.

[bobcat]

Cabelas has the Garmin 60csx advertised on sale for $299. The sale starts June 25th.

[Bob33]

Garmin 60CSx or the 60Cx (S model has a barometric altimeter).  They are as rugged, reliable, easy to use, and as sensitive as anything out there.

[Houndhunter]

Cabelas has the Garmin 60csx advertised on sale for $299. The sale starts June 25th.

i saw that yesterday in an ad, i will buy it as soon as i can. getting a truck today so not sure if i will have the extra $$ to spend, how long will the sale last you think?

[bobcat]

I don't have the flyer here at my house, saw it at my parent's house. I believe it was a week long sale. Actually, no I take that back, I think it was for 2 weeks, as they called it the 4th of July sale, or something like that. Must be two weeks.

[MIKEXRAY]

I bought the Rhino 530 hcx this spring with the Oregon / Washington topo chip & love it. It has a rechargeable battery that lasts a very long time. Left it on twelve hours with back light on 60% & had 60% battery left at end. Also I hunt deep canyon / timber where my buddies unit last year lost satelite, my rhino never lost satelite anywhere & actually was tracking 9 satelites all day.  It also has a built in compass & knows which direction it is always pointed, my buddy had to walk 50 yards at least before his would point to the truck. His was some Magellan model . Radio is nice & sending location to other units is nice also. I give it 5 stars out of 5. Mike

[ivarhusa]

JBR, nice report on the Delorme PN-40.  Very helpful.

[Houndhunter]

thanks again for the replys, all helpfull think im stillthinkin im goin with the 60cxs

[bowhuntin]

thanks again for the replys, all helpfull think im stillthinkin im goin with the 60cxs

Are you planning on getting the maps for the 60cxs? If so add that on top of the $300 dollars they want for the unit plus probably another $100 for the topo maps. Why not just get the Garmin Colorado 400t that already has the maps preloaded and has all the features except for the touchscreen of the Garmin Oregon units?

Here is the comparison of all three of the units side by side of what they have and don't have from garmins website.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=145&compareProduct=14904&compareProduct=11022&compareProduct=310

You can get a garmin 60csx for $293 without the topo maps which is around $100 value, garmin colorado for $385(comes preloaded with U.S. Topo map) or the garmin oregon for $435(comes preloaded with U.S. Topo map) from amazon.com

[reddog132]

Garmin has a $50 rebate offer going now for Rino 520HCx & 530HCx models.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,28120.0.html

[ratherhunt]

Garmin 60CSx had it for years and love it, I did buy a topo map though

[CHSNGSTLHD]

DELORME PN-40f for all the reasons stated above! I got mine for $399 @ CAbelas last month WITH a $100 rebate.  The Maps are what made me go with Delorme over the Garmon 60 csx. 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Garmin 60csx for me also, I know there are better ones, but at the time it was the best I could find and cannot come up with an excuse to replace it yet.....

[georgia redneck]

Well for me it is all about having it set up in UTM instead of Long/Lat. IF you have a map in UTM it is as easy as reading a streat map you just go by the grid and you can find your way to any spot on the map even if you have never been there before but you have to just trust the gps, the map and your compas which is not always easy to do when your instincts are telling you something else. If you would like to know more about using the UTM setup on the Gps just P.M. me and I can hook you up. Also Arnolds Maps in Vancouver Washington is one of the best places to get maps in the state and you can get them via snail mail if you do not live in the area. Good luck.

[M_ray]

I've heard that a lot of the Rino's will "freeze up", and sometimes you have to take the batteries out to get it reset.

That was a problem on the first Generation Rino's they updated the tranmitters and recievers on the HcX versions of the 520 & 530 to solve that and in the process made them much stronger. I have the 530 HcX and it's awsome! I have no problem with keeping my signal even inside my house and while they were at it improving the freezing issue they added a digital compass (so you dont have to be walking at 1mph to get it to initiate) and the weather channel to the 530 HcX!!!

[whacker1]

I have used several handheld GPS units.  Garmins are definitely the easiest brand to learn how to use - very user friendly. 

I have a garmin e-trex vista.  i bought it 6 years ago for $300

I just bought a Garmin Rhino 530 and really had a chance to use it this weekend.  I would buy this one again.  Very happy with the features and battery life.  Now I don't have to carry both radio and gps.

5 watt radio, gps - dowloaded map, compass, altimeter and with the new 530 HCx you can buy mini-sd cards with the topo maps, so their is no downloading. 

Walmart as much as I hate them had them for sale for $375 with a $50 mail in rebate to Garmin for a grand total of $325.

best of luck

[Houndhunter]

now with my job i will most likely get one with downloaded maps, i just got back from bear hunting and sure wished i had it

georgia redneck what is UTM? not sure what that means

[georgia redneck]

IF you look in the setup part of your Gps you can either have Long/LAt or Utm it is just a different and much easier way of reading a map than Long/Lat you have to have a map that is Utm it is set up in a grid with markers along the top and the side that coincide with the UTM coordinates on your GPS you simply line up the top number with the side number and can accurately pinpoint your position on the map whether you have ever been in the area before or not I do not go hunting without it. You can find maps set up for it in several places I personaly use Arnolds map service in vancouver washington and he ships all over the country any map for any area in any state you need in either Long/Lat or my prefered UTM. There is an adress and phone number in the regs for Arnolds his son now runs the business he has gotten a little old his name is Phill great guy and very helpfull.

[Houndhunter]

thanks for all the input, i just brought home the oregon 400t