Looking for a GPS

[Deertick]

Suppose you lost your GPS ...

I\'m thinking of replacing one, see, and I\'m looking for thoughts.

I\'d prefer to stick to Garmin, and eventually, I\'ll want to use a Hunt-GPS map chip, so it\'ll need to accept a micro-SD card, but I\'m open to other thoughts.

I thought I\'d get along without it ... and I could ... but yesterday scouting pronghorn ... well, all of those hills look amazingly the same. Add in trying to negotiate that landscape in the dark, and a GPS is reassuring. I also use it for measuring workouts for me and my horse, and wife uses it for the same plus making trails for others to follow. Hunting elk alone, I could use flagging tape to get to stands, cameras, and carcasses, but a GPS is more usable at night.

I know there\'ll be a post about \"You don\'t really need one\" and I already said I agree with that ... it\'s a \"want\" not a \"need\", but I don\'t \"want\" to over-spend.

 

[razorback]

I got a GPS MAP 62S for my birthday this spring. I had never used a gps until this year. It takes a sd card. You can download free maps from gpsfiledepot. The one I used for MO was extremely accurate in distinguishing private/public boundaries. It locked on to the satellites quick. I have used military GPS systems before and I think this unit was actually better. I\'m pretty happy with it. My wife got it for me to mainly use for my elk hunting trip but I practiced with it this spring during turkey season. It was very easy to use and battery life was pretty good as well. I think it has actually been replaced by a newer unit but she got mine from Costco for 199.

 

[Deertick]

The 62S is pretty high on my list, actually, so that\'s good to hear.

 

[Swede]

I like a simple easy to use unit without games, tv, video, or radio, horoscope or anything not directly related to GPS. I like those cute little maps, but they are not necessary. I want a unit that will quickly pick up satellites, even when I am in a canyon under dark tall timber. Do they make such a GPS these days?

 

[Deertick]

Sure, Swede, but I like the landowner maps since I do hunt and ride on private land sometimes ...

But the base model eTrex would do that for you.

 

[mtnmutt]

I like a simple easy to use unit without games, tv, video, or radio, horoscope or anything not directly related to GPS. I like those cute little maps, but they are not necessary. I want a unit that will quickly pick up satellites, even when I am in a canyon under dark tall timber. Do they make such a GPS these days?

I have the old Garmin 60CSx. 60CSx model is comparable to the current 62st. They now have models 62, 62s, 62st, 62st, 62stc. I have no need for a camera (c) on a GPS. Since I buy the huntinggpsmaps.com, I have no need for the topo (t) either. The s for the current models indicates 3-axis compass. I do not normally use the GPS compass, but it is a nice backup if I misplace my real compass.

I had a cheap gps before the 60CSx and it did not work in dark timber. The 62 comes with an external antenna and easily picks up 3-4 satellites in dark timber. It picks up satellites inside my house. I have not used it next to a cliff yet. It has buttons too, not touchscreen. I want a unit that I may use with gloves on. Even without gloves, my fingertips are too cold for touchscreens. The 62 downside is a smaller screen because of the space for the buttons.

Most people use the chip option from huntinggpsmaps.com. I prefer the computer downloaded version and then load it onto the GPS\' chip.

The 62 units can be found on sale. No sense paying full price. If I replaced my unit, I would buy a 62s. 2 years ago while hunting, I scratched my GPS screen bad. Occasionally, I see the 62s on sale and think about buying it.

 

[Swede]

I have the old Garmin 60CSx. 60CSx model is comparable to the current 62st.

I have the 60Cx. It is very similar to yours. It has a few less features, but they are excellent. I went a little cheaper, and don\'t know if I would have been better off with the upgrade. Anyway mine does what I need it to and it is a lot faster than my older Garmin. I like the Garmin for its simplicity. I am trying to keep my brain is unused mint condition, so I will have something to pass down to a needy soul someday. If I wear it out now, somebody will have to completely clean and restore it. It would probably be more trouble than it would be worth.

 

[mtnmutt]

Swede, I thought you followed an owl to and from your stands.

One feature I like if I forget to write it down or do not have cell access: sunrise and sunset times. Normally, I make a cheat sheet for my location. I do not know if this is a common feature or not on GPS units. I use that feature occasionally.

Also, I want the GPS to make it easy to name the waypoints. It takes me awhile to make the selections for labeling and naming my waypoints, however, I don\'t know if it is more or less cumbersome than other models.

 

[Swede]

Mutt, the owl doesn\'t wake me up or do anything much. I think she is a modern female, and she can really talk a lot. The owl stays up nearly all night, so she wants to sleep in the day. She won\'t wake me up, but is plenty lively after it starts to get dark. I can only guess what kind of animal she is, considering her hours. lol oops!
Anyway my GPS is easy to work with. I can mark my location or add waypoints if I know the coordinates. Naming the waypoints is easy too.

Okay, okay, I know you owe me a good insult or two for this post.

 

[mtnmutt]

Swede, I noticed your purchase of the Troy\'s High Heel Hottie. Makes me wonder what you may be up to. Are you heading to CO to mess with Brad while he is in his treestand? You may also want Troy\'s Demanding Diva. This will help you converse with that owl you hang out with.

I foresee JF banning :banned: you from this forum for the month of September just to teach you a lesson. And who choose you as a site admin? What were they thinking? Shouldn\'t there be vote on this?

Of course this has nothing to do with GPS units. John may never get his GPS and he will blame Swede for getting lost.

 

[Swede]

Mutt, I was going to have you drop by for dinner, but after that post I have changed my mind. I\'m going to see if I can find my other can of Stagg\'s Two Bean Chile. Its the one I could never eat. I will see if I can get the owl to deliver it. Don\'t worry about the owl needing a GPS. It will quickly find it\'s way back from Colorado. Pound for pound, I don\'t think Enola Gay carried anything more potent in a steel can than Stagg\'s Two Bean Chili. I will let the bird know on our next visit. :lol:

 

[Deertick]

I think that\'s the first Enola Gay reference of this entire forum. (Correct me if I\'m wrong.)

I\'m sure it won\'t be the last! (Because now I will use it.)

 

[cnelk]

John
I did some research on the Garmin 62st this morning and I like the specs / looks / cost of it.
If I was in your position looking for a new unit, I would be interested in this.

If I didnt get that one, I would go with the Garmin Montana for a bit more $$$.
Two of my buddies have them and they like them.

The talk of chili is a gentle reminder that I better get busy cooking some up for elk camp
I have fresh tomatoes and green chilis from my garden that would compliment it nicely.
And of course the elk meat in the freezer

 

[Deertick]

Yep, I think the 62s is the leader right now ... it\'s just that I\'ve spent quite a bit of money this year already on other stuff ... not sure if I want to do that or not, but hunting alone I think a GPS is a great asset. Daytime navigation isn\'t tough. Nighttime navigation in deadfall and overcast skies can be dangerous.

 

[mtnmutt]

Swede: Thanks for the chili. It will help keep the boogie man away. Since Brad appears to have far better food had his camp, I may have to go eat there.

John: Make your life easier, pull the trigger on the 62s. I bet your wife would agree with me. Sorry you missed out on the sale that Cabela\'s and REI had on this unit. I almost bought one and may do so next year when they are on sale again.

We don\'t want you to get lost. I bet Brad made you put your stand in a hard to find place.

 

[elky McElkerson]

Which ones did you lose. I have a buddy giving me two older units he won. New in box.

 

[Swede]

Brad, those jalapenos are great. They don\'t last long in our camp when we have them just like that. I prefer to put Pinto beans in a slow cooker, add a little salt, and cook them that way. We add the other ingredients on the plate. Those tomatoes, a little onion, and jalapenos diced, would add a great cover.

Mutt, you are a great sport. I truly look forward to seeing a picture of you, and your elk, on the BTO meat pole thread.

 

[Deertick]

Which ones did you lose. I have a buddy giving me two older units he won. New in box.

Oregon 450t.

I didn\'t really like the touchscreen, but it was otherwise an excellent unit.

 

[Glacier Country]

I have the Garmin 60csx and have just recently got my wife a Garmin 62S. You can\'t go wrong with either of those and the huntinggpsmaps chip is really handy. especially if you get the download version I think you can load it on 2 different units. They give you a code.

 

[mtnmutt]

Troy is correct that you can download the computer version of their maps onto to 2 different GPS for no additional cost. Nice if I decide to upgrade to the 62s next year.