what gps do u use?

[bobcat]

How do you use "terrain association" when the terrain is relatively flat? I don't know, a compass just seems like a basic navigation tool that I wouldn't want to be without. Like I said I normally I can get by with just the GPS, but a compass sure makes life a lot easier. I'd much rather have a compass than a map, if my GPS quit on me. At least I could go in a straight line, even in the dark.

But hey, whatever works for you.

[colockumelk]

I used terrain association in Iraq both times I went. Which is pretty flat. Not many terrain features but there is some features you can use. A building here a clump of trees there etc.

As far as WA goes I have never seen a spot in WA that is flat. There is always terrain features and elevation changes. Even in Eastern WA.

[colockumelk]

I should also mention I didn't go straight from compass and map to ditching the compass. I relied on the map/compass combo for awhile. But through all my land nav training and patrolling training where I had to use navigation skills, I slowely but surely had my compass out less and less. Eventually I got to where I would only take a general bearing with the compass and go. Looking at the map all the way there. Eventually I got to the point where I could figure out almost exactly where I was just using my map.

 Sort of like when using a road map to navigate you don't need a compass. To me the hills valleys, and contours of the terrain are like roads to me. I can look at a map and correlate to what I am looking at in the actually terrain in front of me.

[bobcat]

Well I can do that with a map too, but it's still easier to pull the compass out my pocket and give it a quick glance once in a while, instead of trying to keep track of where I am on a map all the time. I like to look at a map at the end of the day back at camp, or at home, but I don't very often pull it out while I'm hunting. Especially now with the map on the GPS. I very rarely will use a paper map.

[CplRaines]

Personally, I would rather spend my time looking for sign, animals, tracks, etc.  instead of constantly looking at my map or GPS. 
But then, I have rarely needed my map/compass/gps when out in the woods.
Great God given sense of direction is a beautiful thing. 

[Chesapeake]

I carry map, compass, gps, I phone with aps for all of the above, SPOT, and often an arial photo. Rarely use any of them but the gps. With my mapping gps I can easily see what's around me as far as terrain, roads, land ownership, ect.... Map or arial show the same. The rhino buddy tracking feature is great. I often mark stuff with my gps but rarely use the marks. If I've bean there once, I can generally walk right back to the spot even years later. Probably from years of setting trap lines. Never used map or compass, and didn't know what a gps was back then and never lost a trap or myself. Current gps of choice is the 530 hex just cause I can't bring myself to upgrade to the 600 series.

[JimmyHoffa]

I just use the old e-trex.  Works great in the high country.  I barely use much in the forest, the tree canopy is so dense I can barely get signal.  Occasionally, I'll find an area open enough to get a location entered in. 

[colockumelk]

Personally, I would rather spend my time looking for sign, animals, tracks, etc.  instead of constantly looking at my map or GPS. 
But then, I have rarely needed my map/compass/gps when out in the woods.
Great God given sense of direction is a beautiful thing. 

Well obviously when I'm hunting I do this. I'm referring to when I'm scouting a new area. If I'm hunting a place I've been before I dont need this stuff. Other than the gps to mark wallows, rubs etc. I imagine most people on here are like that. If they've been there a few times not a whole lot of map and compass work.

And yeah a good sense of direction is priceless. My wife when it comes to the mall has an internal gps. Take her to the hills as soon as she takes two steps from camp she gets lost

[bobcat]

And yeah a good sense of direction is priceless. My wife when it comes to the mall has an internal gps. Take her to the hills as soon as she takes two steps from camp she gets lost

I do pretty good in the woods even without map, compass, or GPS, but it seems like as soon as I step foot in a mall I get turned around, and my wife has to lead me back to the car when we're done.   

[CplRaines]

Malls are easy once you locate a few key stores that will get your internal compass oriented in there - Sears, whistle work wear and Victoria's Secret. 

[colockumelk]

And yeah a good sense of direction is priceless. My wife when it comes to the mall has an internal gps. Take her to the hills as soon as she takes two steps from camp she gets lost

I do pretty good in the woods even without map, compass, or GPS, but it seems like as soon as I step foot in a mall I get turned around, and my wife has to lead me back to the car when we're done.   

you and me both.

I purposely get lost at Victoria secrets.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I used terrain association in Iraq both times I went. Which is pretty flat. Not many terrain features but there is some features you can use. A building here a clump of trees there etc.

As far as WA goes I have never seen a spot in WA that is flat. There is always terrain features and elevation changes. Even in Eastern WA.

 I also primarily use terrain navigation but I still carry a compass because it only weighs a few ounces. It has never saved me from being hopelessly lost (and doubt it ever would because I can't imagine that I would ever be hopelessly lost at this point in my lifebut) However, it has saved me some time.

Navigating in most of the flat areas of Iraqs different from being in the forest. Most areas of WA are easy to terrain nav but I can think of a few areas where it's flat enough and thick enough that a compass would be handy (though not critical).

I definitely agree that a guy who knows how to terrain nav could make do without a Compass in all but the rarest of occasions.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

And yeah a good sense of direction is priceless. My wife when it comes to the mall has an internal gps. Take her to the hills as soon as she takes two steps from camp she gets lost

I do pretty good in the woods even without map, compass, or GPS, but it seems like as soon as I step foot in a mall I get turned around, and my wife has to lead me back to the car when we're done.   

you and me both.

I purposely get lost at Victoria secrets.

X3 me too

[Kain]

First off I NEEED that class on using a map and compass.  Sadly this is a skill I have never learned.   

Second I really want a GPS that will work in heavy timber.  I have a Rino 120 and a cheaper Magellan.  They both work great for my needs as long as there is open sky and I have 10 minutes to wait for a link up.  But I got turn around one night in some timber and both GPS's were worthless.  I had a compass (thank god) and knew there was a road close as long as I kept traveling south.  Never been more scared while in the woods and I was only lost for about 30 minutes.     Was not even cold or anything and I totally had a mini panic attack.   

I might be able to talk the wife into a better unit if the price is not to high.

[Kain]

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