Want to Buy a GPS Unit

[338_Thumper]

Hey Guys I want to buy a GPS Unit this year and am wondering what you guys would suggest I get. I have used a compass and flashlight my whole life for going in before daylight and coming out after dark but I think it's time . I hope to go to Colorado this year and figured it would be a good idea to have one if I'm going to hunt deep in the woods like I do here.

[junkyard]

I have a garmin rhino 110 and i love it. Not only is it a hand held but also doubles as walkie talkie. Has a function that allows you to search for other in your area.

[6x6in6]

Have had the Rino 120 for quite a few years.  Worked very well.
Picked up the Rino 530HCx a little less than 2 years ago.  Flawless.

[BurleyDog]

Is it hard to get a signal on the GPS units in WA?

I am from KY and we are always losing our signals even though we don't have mountains to speek of.

I don't mean to hyjack the thread but I am also looking for a GPS when I move to Wenatchee
and don't want to be continuously losing the signal

Thanks

[Bob33]

Is it hard to get a signal on the GPS units in WA?

I am from KY and we are always losing our signals even though we don't have mountains to speek of.

I don't mean to hyjack the thread but I am also looking for a GPS when I move to Wenatchee
and don't want to be continuously losing the signal

Thanks

Your poor reception is a function of your GPS, not your state. Newer GPS models with better chips will work inside a building.

[woodman]

Rino 530 (great)

[C-Money]

I have had great success with the Magellan Explorist model. It won't work well in a building, but it will keep a signal in my pocket. I have the 100, and the 220. Never had a signal issure in the outdoors. They are great. They are a bit out dated now, they have some real fancy ones these days. I like the explorist for ease of use, and I have the mounts on both quads for when we are out on a ride.

[BuckHunter23]

Rino 530 HCX.....everyone in my hunting party has one and they are great.  Awesome GPS with radio, plus tons of other features.  Kinda spendy, but if you look online, you can find great deals on them.

[Alan K]

I've been eying the Garmin Oregon 550t.  I like the idea of the camera, and it's ability to stamp those photos with coordinates etc.  I'd be using mine primarily for scouting, and would love to snap pictures of anything interesting I come across and later be able to see it on an aerial on my computer. benches, vantage points, bedding areas, trails, rubs, sheds, etc.  Also like the larger screen size.  Everyone in our party has already got radios bought and paid for, so the radio capabilities of the rhino doesn't do much for me.

Also helps I've got a buddy who owns a store which carries Garmin and can get me one at wholesale.  One of these days. . .

[6x6in6]

I would lose signal on my 120 from time to time in thick and tall cover.  But not for extended periods of time so it wasn't of any real concern.
My 530, I don't recall it ever losing signal and it's visited the same locations where I would lose signal with the 120.

[vandeman17]

I completely agree on the 530. My old man and I have one and they work great and once you get your signal, I have never lost it. My other hunting buddies are going to get some so we can all be in contact. Like said above, they are a bit spendy but worth it if you ask me

[whacker1]

530 for me.

[dreamingbig]

I have had great luck with the Garmin 60csx.   

[grundy53]

I'm also interested in getting a GPS. I've never owned one but they sound like they could be handy for scouting.

[JKEEN33]

I have the Magellan explorist 600. It's getting a little dated too, but still a great gps. Keeps signal in the deep woods and has the capability to add maps to and SD card. You should be able to find these on ebay fairly cheep now. I believe the 500 is basically the same thing with a few less options like altimeter.

[jjdavis2222]

 The Rhino 530!! Its the only wat to go. Especially if you can get your buddies to get one.

They have a feature where it tells you where your buddies are if they have a rhino also.

Last year in Montana after I got my deer, my brother was coming to help but couldnt find me, took him way to long to find me. My other buddy that has a Rhino just said I will be there in a bit. Never asked where I was. Just pulled my location and the GPS told him where to go.

These units are outstanding!

[SkookumHntr]

If you already have a radio get the Oregon 450T. I had the 530 and took it back for the oregon 450T And am so glad I did! Worked out alot better 4 me

[CoachNemo]

I actually just bought 2 Delorme Earthmate PN-20s off of eBay.  I mean they are older models, but I got them and software for $120 total.  Which was a lot easier to stomach than $300 or more.  I am just getting them setup now.  Plus, I figure if they get me through a couple of seasons, it was well worth the risk.

They of course are not nearly as nice as the newer Garmins, but I get nervous with the whole touch screen thing.

[Bob33]

The Rhino 530!! Its the only wat to go. Especially if you can get your buddies to get one.

They have a feature where it tells you where your buddies are if they have a rhino also.

Last year in Montana after I got my deer, my brother was coming to help but couldnt find me, took him way to long to find me. My other buddy that has a Rhino just said I will be there in a bit. Never asked where I was. Just pulled my location and the GPS told him where to go.

These units are outstanding!

If you don't need a radio, the Garmin 60CX and 60CSX will give you all the functionality of the Rino 530 for around $100 less.  It won't track another Rino, of course.  Rinos are really of value when you have two or more in a party.

[MtnMuley]

Oregon 450T was my choice after many hours of research last year and talking to at least 20 serious gps guys.  Best unit I have ever used.  I leave the Rinos at home now, as imo this unit is twice the unit minus the radio.

[uplandhunter870]

i have an older etrex its a good unit but ill be looking to upgrade but we got my dad a garmin dakota for xmas and if you dont need all the bells and whistles such as a camera and radio its a real solid unit. it has an sd card slot to upload digital topos to it. we got him the package deal that came with the 100k topo which is a good map but if you want better more area specific maps you can buy the 24k disc.

for a first gps unit i would highly reccomend the garmin dakota

[BENCHLEG]

i have the 450t . this is the one for you.

[THINK_N_ELK]

My whole hunting group either has the 520 or 530 Hcx, and we love them very seldom loose satelite signal even in the deep dark timber.  And like posted before it doubles as a walkie talkie.  Also another nice feature is that it update where your partners are at on the map every time you talk.

[funkster]

I have a Oregon 450T. It is a really good gps with cool features but I really just don't use it. If anyone is in the market I would sell it for $400. I have the box and printed out the manual. It is in  "brand new" condition, that would save you about $100 buying new.

[cohoho]

450T is great, learning to use it prior to start of seasons.  I like it alot, has alot of easy to figure functions.  Some functions are a bit to get used to as I had the simple versions previously...

[Heredoggydoggy]

Has anyone tried one of those Bushnell basic GPS units?  I think they are called "Backtrackers"?  I had a Garmin 60cs, and it worked good, but buttons kept getting pushed while it was in my pocket.  Finally Ebayed it off with Topo CDs and all, because it was way more unit than I needed, and it was becoming outdated.  Just something to get me back to the truck in the fog or dark is all I need, and that Bushnell unit seems to fit the bill for that, if it works.

[Heredoggydoggy]

450T is great, learning to use it prior to start of seasons.  I like it alot, has alot of easy to figure functions.  Some functions are a bit to get used to as I had the simple versions previously...

Geocaching is a great way to learn to use a GPS.  That's how I learned to use my Garmin when I got it.  It was the first GPS unit I had ever had, and didn't know anything about their capabilities.  Besides that, it was kind of fun, too.

[Magnum_Willys]

i have the Oregon 450T and like it - though the satellite view gps on the iphone looks way better - if you have cell reception.  I downloaded the birds eye view on the garmin and its interesting but the resolution is nothing to rave about.

[tjgerm]

Main downside of the garmin 520 and 530 is unwanted people can hear your radio traffic and then can pull your position. I've seen it done especially during muz, and mod elk seasons. 60 cx and cxs have a better button contol layout, their screen is larger, they are a smaller unit, take less batteries and they're batteries last longer. My advice if you go with one of these is the 60cx or cxs. I own a 60 cx and have been in some pretty bad places and never lost my signal. Have owned a 120 rino in the past and they are very outdated. The new Oregons and such don't know much about but do know they also pickup strong signal. Any newer model garmin is probably good. Main thing is signal you can pickup a 60 cx on amazon for around 200 and I guarantee it is all you need. You can download free maps at www.gpsfiledepot.com

[338_Thumper]

Thanks Guys - This helps a bunch ! Still need to do some more research and input before I make my finale decision - Plus I got to come up with the money first too.

[yajsab]

If you don't need bells and whistles, Cabalas has the 60csx for $200. 

[Big P]

I bought a garmin rino 530HCx this year. It is awesome! My dad is buying one as well so and a couple of guys from camp have the 120's. So we should be easy for us to stay in close communication this year. But if you don't need the radio, there are some other good suggestions on this thread too

[rasbo]

if your partner has the 530,and you get hurt or who knows what he can locate you

[ghosthunter]

Well I have Rhino 110 two of them. Six or seven in our hunting camp. And some of the higher up Rhinos we love them. When the old guys get something down they just sit down next to it and press the button. Everyone locks in and heads their way.

One year I lost my Rhino elk hunting, while on blood trail. Did not realize it till the next day. Used my other Rhino to poll its position and found it. Layed in the rain all night. New batteries and it was fine.

[palousemoose]

I've had the Oregon 450T for a while now and its better than any other GPS unit I have ever used.  Great reception in all areas.  For me, the GPS allows me to "explore" new areas with confidence of being able to find my way back in a different direction than I came from.  Great purchase for only $350-$450 depending on where you buy it.  Check online for those of you interested.

[Wanttohuntmore]

I really wanted the 450T, but ended up buying the much cheaper DeLorme PN-40  about 3 weeks ago.  So far, I've downloaded 3 states on it, Wa, Or, and Montana, at 1:100,000 detail.  I've also downloaded 1:24,000 detail of my elk hunting units, and have just loaded areal imagery for about 2000 sq miles, all fitting on the 16gb SD card I stuck in it on Friday.  So far I'm impressed with it, only dislikes are screen size for viewing maps...  Also I wish I could get the same map services of public/private land ownership overlays for the Delorme, it's easy to find them for the Garmins.  I figure if I go back to Montana for deer again, I'll just buy a Garmin for that specifically, but for WA hunting, the Delorme will work great.

[jrebel]

I absolutely love my megellan.  Way easier to use than the Garmings IMO.

[zmhayward]

Garmin Rhino 530 hcx.  Get your buddies to get it too!  The radio has awesome range and for under $400 you wont finder another gps with more features.  You can even buy different maps for it although for $100 for the northwest topo maps they can be kinda spendy.  I have never lost signal on mine and its real handy seeing the location of the people Im hunting with on the screen so we can cover more ground and stay out of each others back pockets.  Got mine on ebay brand new for $350.

[wormfood]

I have had a couple magelian's and used them very heavy for hunting and geocaching and looked at all the new stuff last year really hard and when Cabela's came out with their 50 th anniversary sale they have the Oregon 550t on sale for 399.99. I bought it and the birds eye subscription for an extra 29.99 and absolutely love it.  Better than anything else I have ever seen or used. The aerial photos you upload are just like having google earth in your pocket except cooler because all your topo lines show up and the unit will go into 3-d mode. At 399 you cant beat it. Hands down the best I have used or ever seen. You gotta seriously look into it.
 

[sakoshooter]

Lowrance H2O C. C for color. Great unit and is fully waterproof.

[MtnMuley]

Lowrance H2O C. C for color. Great unit and is fully waterproof.

Glad yours works for you.  Mine was a POS.  Acutally 2 other buddies had them, and one ended up in the lake because it was a POS.  Never got more than a half hour out of any batteries with that unit.  It'd take forever to get service, even on a lake.  Great life out of my other Lowrance's though.