Handheld GPS question
I have never really wanted or needed a handheld gps so I am in the dark as far as what is available.
So could someone point me in the right direction to find a hand held that also can be programed with the USGS topo maps.
A game warden told me about them and said it is about the only way to know for sure you are still on public land while hunting in a patch work of public and private land where no fences are used.
It makes a lot odf sense to me and would like to know what is available with this feature.
So could someone point me in the right direction to find a hand held that also can be programed with the USGS topo maps.
A game warden told me about them and said it is about the only way to know for sure you are still on public land while hunting in a patch work of public and private land where no fences are used.
It makes a lot odf sense to me and would like to know what is available with this feature.
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I've used GPS a fair amount, but not recently enough to give you any direction as to specific models. I do have this to offer:
1) The ones that will interface with DeLorme's digital topographic maps are a plus in my book because the DeLorme company has good maps that are based on the USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps (they also make the gazetteers that many of us know). You're going to pay a little bit (~$100) for the DeLorme's TopoUSA software but IMO, it's worth it. Edit: check out DeLorme's website; I think you can buy GPS units bundled with their software there. But do some reading on antenna technology first (see #4 below).
2) The features are many and varied, and in my book, mostly all worthless. All I need is a location, a map, and the ability to store about 30 waypoints. You may believe differently. The point is not to get sold on bells and whistles that you don't need.
3) If you use the map, you'll want a nice big color screen.
4) And most importantly: what really matters is the antenna. I can't tell you what to look for, but I know that the antenna makes most of the difference between a $99 unit and a $4000 unit. This becomes more important as your landscape becomes more complex. On the open prairie, a cheap antenna might be fine. Get into a system of gulleys and draws and you'll start to confuse a good antenna. Put those gulleys and draws under a forest canopy and I'm not sure that there's an antenna that is too good.0 -
The one thing I hated about my old GPS (over 5yrs old) was the compass feature. On most GPS's you have to have signal and be moving for the compass to work. In my new unit I made sure to get "active" compass in it. As long as you have power the compass work even if you do not have signal. You do not have to be moving for the compass to work, it works just like a normal compass. 0 -
Im looking too, and the Lowrance Hunter seems to have the best reviews in Cabelas. I want the ability to install the lakes (Canada) chip also. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Nwcid
The one thing I hated about my old GPS (over 5yrs old) was the compass feature. On most GPS's you have to have signal and be moving for the compass to work. In my new unit I made sure to get "active" compass in it. As long as you have power the compass work even if you do not have signal. You do not have to be moving for the compass to work, it works just like a normal compass.
That's a good point. The compass on the last one I used frustrated me for exactly the same reason. I didn't know there was an "active compass" feature out there!0 -
I may have misunderstood the game warden but I thought he said there was a model that would be able to display the USGS maps that have the BLM and state lands identified. 0 -
Depending on what you want to spend.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=&pID=310
or
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=&pID=8703
Both do well in tree cover.0 -
quote:Originally posted by spurgemastur
quote:Originally posted by Nwcid
The one thing I hated about my old GPS (over 5yrs old) was the compass feature. On most GPS's you have to have signal and be moving for the compass to work. In my new unit I made sure to get "active" compass in it. As long as you have power the compass work even if you do not have signal. You do not have to be moving for the compass to work, it works just like a normal compass.
That's a good point. The compass on the last one I used frustrated me for exactly the same reason. I didn't know there was an "active compass" feature out there!
Here is what I have https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=310 . Any of the Garmin series that have the "x" on them are for "active compass". I use mine on wildland fires in the summer. I got mine at the end of the season so I have not had a chance to "use" it for real, just play with it. I am very happy with it though. I got it on the Evil Ebay with a map for my region for $400.
Antenna is awsome on mine. It will pick up in my house with the blinds pulled about 90% shut. I found this out by playing with it in the middle of the room and all of a sudden I had signal. I thought I would have to sit very close to an window with the blinds open to make it work. With my old one you are lucky to get coverage with a single tree in your yard, but it was good when it was new just like other electronics.0 -
quote:Originally posted by MVP
I may have misunderstood the game warden but I thought he said there was a model that would be able to display the USGS maps that have the BLM and state lands identified.
Topo maps are add on software.0 -
quote:Originally posted by MVP
I may have misunderstood the game warden but I thought he said there was a model that would be able to display the USGS maps that have the BLM and state lands identified.
As somebody else said, the maps are an add-on. Check the specs on the DeLorme maps, and on the downloadable maps of any unit you plan to buy!0 -
I've got a Lowrance and have been happy with it. I bought the Topo software for it ($99 at Bass Pro) and it does show forestry and state park boundries. Bushnell has one now that you can download satellite images to overlay on the screen. I think they also have the capability to show real time weather radar. 0 -
Any of the Garmin Rino series. You can load them with either topo or street maps so when you're not hunting, they're a nice addition to the car on trips. 0 -
This one is a little pricy but works great. You have a choice of aerial photograph, USGS topo, sat view or the delorme 7.0 topo software. It tracks you as you move and all the info (tracks and such) you can download to your pc. When you put your mouse over any spot on the track it will tell you what time you were there and how fast you were moving.
http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=27558§ion=100480
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