bwcatripper
New member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2016
- Messages
- 86
I'll be in the market this summer for a GPS, looking to spend under $300.... It needs to be able to accept chips. Any recommendations?
GPS recommendations
- Thread starter bwcatripper
- Start date
ardrhi
Member
My smartphone has completely replaced my gps. It is so much easier to have everything in one unit that I carry anyway.
JohnCushman
Well-known member
I use an etrex20 and it does everything I need and takes the chips and it's well within your price point.
VAspeedgoat
Well-known member
Ditto the etrex 20. Mine was a refurbished one and has done great.
Bowhunter60
New member
Garmin 64st
I purchased my Garmin 64st from Amazon for $275 brand new. It takes the OnX chips and works like a charm!
I purchased my Garmin 64st from Amazon for $275 brand new. It takes the OnX chips and works like a charm!
hansontyrel
Active member
How do you afford the data it uses though! YIKES.
WapitiBob
Well-known member
You load the base maps from home, on wifi.
Chucknduck
Member
I have the smart phone app. It's good for scouting at home but I don't think it's as accurate as my garmin. Plus I don't have high speed internet so loading maps can be a pain. Plus I'd rather lose a $200 gps than a $500 phone
stephenk22
Member
just picked up a garmin 64s off craigslist for under $200 - they have pretty good reviews.
ida homer
Well-known member
smart phone 100%
A gps is obsolete in my opinion, but a few guys still use them.
A gps is obsolete in my opinion, but a few guys still use them.
PAGOAT
Active member
Like mentioned above I am very happy with my etrex 20, very easy to use and excepts a chip
Goat
Goat
Yeah,like the compass I still carry.
putm2sleep
New member
garmin 450 - phones are for the office in my opinion
Magnum Sherpa
Well-known member
It's a little more than you want to spend, but I love my Garmin Montana. Smart phones can certainly do the same functions as a GPS, but a dedicated GPS has far superior battery life. If you are going to do any kind of backcountry hunt and plan to use a smart phone, you will definitely need some sort of charger.
bwcatripper
New member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2016
- Messages
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I've been looking at the garmin montana, thats a good looking unit. I'm definitely leaning towards the 64ST, if i can find one on sale.. It's odd to hear that people think GPS's are obsolete, especially with my Army training, where we still emphasize the use of compasses, maps, terrain features, and actual land navigation, and then after those skills are mastered, do we introduce GPS's.
Bowhunter60
New member
The Alternative
what's your alternative then. If you're referring to solely relying on the GPS without having tried and true compass and map, then I agree. I would not go into the field without having maps, compass, and protractor to utilize as back up in the event the GPS failed for some reason.
what's your alternative then. If you're referring to solely relying on the GPS without having tried and true compass and map, then I agree. I would not go into the field without having maps, compass, and protractor to utilize as back up in the event the GPS failed for some reason.
Bowhunter60
New member
Redundancy is key to survival
I know this post is not necessarily about survival. But, several have posted their thoughts on the use of GPS v. mobile phones. So, let me chime in a minute and bear with me.
I would not go into the field without either of the above. But, I do not rely solely on either. They have their purpose and function. However, in many places we hunt, cellular service is either weak or non existent. No, that doesn't negate the use of the phones GPS system but it limits you to that function alone.
When I go into the field, I carry back up systems.
I know this post is not necessarily about survival. But, several have posted their thoughts on the use of GPS v. mobile phones. So, let me chime in a minute and bear with me.
I would not go into the field without either of the above. But, I do not rely solely on either. They have their purpose and function. However, in many places we hunt, cellular service is either weak or non existent. No, that doesn't negate the use of the phones GPS system but it limits you to that function alone.
When I go into the field, I carry back up systems.
- Garmin 64st with applicable OnX Hunt maps installed
- iPhone
- Map, Compass, and protractor
- Satellite phone (I only buy a block of minutes just before the hunt)
Bowhunter60
New member
Great Point
I carry portable chargers for my equipment. In fact, I bought a nice one at K-Mart a couple of years ago that has worked exceptionally well. It's about 2.5" long x .75" wide. Works great in my pack.
I carry portable chargers for my equipment. In fact, I bought a nice one at K-Mart a couple of years ago that has worked exceptionally well. It's about 2.5" long x .75" wide. Works great in my pack.
I carry map & compass,Garmin 450T w/onXmaps, love the accuracy. Map system is also loaded in my notebook PC that I keep in my truck. Map & sat. overlays on a decent screen.
Chargers in truck & spare rechargable batteries power all my other electronic gear.
I do have a cell phone I plan to load the new onXmaps system on it. Smaller version of the PC.
Cell phones run down out here quick in NM,so they are always in a charger.
Someday soon they will figure out the battery problem.
All of the electronics is actually a backup for my map & compass. It always works,anywhere.
Chargers in truck & spare rechargable batteries power all my other electronic gear.
I do have a cell phone I plan to load the new onXmaps system on it. Smaller version of the PC.
Cell phones run down out here quick in NM,so they are always in a charger.
Someday soon they will figure out the battery problem.
All of the electronics is actually a backup for my map & compass. It always works,anywhere.
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