Lets talk GPS

[posigian]

Ok, I think I can now justify the purchase of a GPS to be used for hunting. Just this month I made the move to Northern Michigan just south of Cadillac and that means I now have access to more hunting land than I know what to do with:D

Most of my hunting took place in the Oakland County area and I never felt the need for a GPS because I know the lay of the land better than the land itself. Now that I have all of this wounderfull State land to explore I find that a GPS will come in very handy for a lot of reasons;

1) I can pay more attention to hunting and less to keeping track of my current location. Espeacially when I am on a still hunt or tracking. Of course a compass will still be in my bag for those times when the batteries fail:(

2) A GPS along with a topo map program will allow me to better understand the land in which I am hunting and also allow me to find alternate routes to my stand under differnt conditions.

3) The GPS will allow me to view a topo map, pin point an area of interest, and then download it to the GPS so I can locate that point while in the field.

4) Ect., Ect., Ect., and oh yeah I can now justify buying one to my Wife. After all, she wouldn't want her Husband to get lost now would she? :eek:

So now Im trying to educate myself on the differnt GPS units and software and wanted to hear from you on the pros & cons, do's & don'ts, and the wrong & rights of GPS.

1) What should I look for in a GPS?
2) How accurate can a GPS be?
3) How well can GPS work here in Michigan when it comes to the
forrest canopy?
4) Any other feedback?

So thank you everyone in advance for any feedback or direction you can offer with regards to my first GPS purchase.

I hope to get a GPS soon so I can get started with some pre-season scouting for next season :cool:

[Joe_G]

You guys are more knowledgable about GPS than I'll ever be, but my Garmin GPS12 XL has taken me all over the state of Michigan, as well as it's most important feature now, consistently placing me on top of them tasty Perch without fail. It's about the size of a pack of smokes, I think there about $140 now, I paid $200 when they first came out. They are computer linkable, but I'm not up to speed on that kind of stuff....yet. When I used to use it deer hunting, the canopy penetration of the signal was excellent.

[Michigan Hunter]

I have been using Garmin for 6 years. I now have the Garmin eTrex Legend. You couldn't take it from me for anything. I have the topo CD and the Metro Guide CD. Depending where I am going is weather I use topo or Metro. Generally out west and CA I use topo since they have mountains. I hunt 7,000-13,000 acre ranches and GPS is invaluable to get around them. Here in MI when I am on my 200 acres I have every blind marked. And can get to them in complete darkness or fog. If you can afford mapping get it. Maps seem to open your eyes to the world. Get a buck in the back of property, you might know the way out but a map will show you maybe a road closer!
Get GPS and use it. The more you use it the more you love it. I carry mine around with me in town. With Metro Guide I have streets, addresses, and services noted. (really)......
Check out their site and make your selection.
http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexLegend/index.jsp

[quest32a]

oh yeah..... if you know what you are doing you can get most gps software offline for free. not the most legal but much cheaper. oh yeah you need a cd burner and highspeed connection.

[bvanzalen]

I also have a Garmin GPS 12XL and love it. Besides hunting and fishing I use it to find street address'. I have a CD called "Streets and Maps" which gives the coordinates of any location in the US.
Recently I needed to find a hospital in Cincinnati. The GPS took me right there. It won't be long and all business' will have GPS coordinates advertised along with their address'.

I have not tried the ones that display maps. I'd love to have one though. I'm not sure but don't you have to buy the program for each area you want to hunt/fish?:confused:

[BOSSTOM]

Splitshot

What particular models would you recommend?

Thanks

[SA ULTRA MAG]

Also, when you find that "hotspot" (fishing or hunting) you can give me the co-ordinates and I will check the accuratecy of your GPS. :D Just willing to help. :eek:

Pat

[Oct.1]

Check this site out.

http://joe.mehaffey.com/

[Huntnut]

bvanzalen,

Garmin GPS uses Map Source software.

Map Sourse provides the following cd's:

MetroGuide
US Roads and Rec
Topography
US Waterways and Lights

Each CD covers the entire US.
You use the interactive map on the CD to highlight the areas of map you want on your GPS.
You then download them to your GPS unit.

Many models have internal memory, and many have external memory chips.
I would absolutely go with a model that has external memory cards.
Most with external memory come with an 8 meg chip, but you can buy chips that are much larger.
The downfall of internal memory is that most of the units only have 8 megs, and you cant increase it.
A GPS with a 256meg external memory chip holds a TON more map area and info than a GPS with 8 meg internal.

EX.
An 8 meg chip will almost cover the entire lower pennisula in Topography software.

A 32 meg will map the entire state of Michigan.

Personally, I have a Garmin e-map deluxe that i use for my land based missions with a 64 meg chip.
It is a mapping unit, with external memory, easy to use, water resistant, and I would NEVER EVER GO HUNTING OR FISHING WITHOUT IT.

Retails at about 199.99 I think....

I wont even begin to tell you everything it does.

hunt

[bvanzalen]

Guess I need to explore my Garmin and see all it's capable of. Don't even have a cable to connect to the computer yet.

I basicall took mine out of the box and started using it. :(

[Cap'nJon]

GPS is a great tool for the outdoorsmen! I wouldn't leave home without it! As long as you have access to topo's, or nav charts, or like the other posts mention the US map cd's you can go anywhere. I, being a Pilot out on the great lakes started out using dead reckoning, a stop watch, and loran to get me from point A to B, and to have a GPS unit now it is amazing.
Only thing I would add is to have a spare pack of batteries with your day pack...
Use it, learn from it :D

[posigian]

Thank you everyone for the feed back. Lets keep it coming!

Are the topo programs as detailed as the topo maps you can buy from the book stores?

I had a chance to see a program called Map Source and it doesn't seem to be anywhere near as detailed as the topo map I bought from the store. I will always keep my hard copy handy when I am in the field for comparison, but it would be nice if the GPS was just as detailed. :)


Thank again everyone,

Posigian

[hitechman]

Originally posted by posigian
Thank you everyone for the feed back. Lets keep it coming!

Are the topo programs as detailed as the topo maps you can buy from the book stores?

I had a chance to see a program called Map Source and it doesn't seem to be anywhere near as detailed as the topo map I bought from the store. I will always keep my hard copy handy when I am in the field for comparison, but it would be nice if the GPS was just as detailed. :)

Posigian

There is a great map site on the internet. You can "CHOOSE" your area and get either a single topo map or aerial photo of the area you select. I am not promoting this web site as I have never "purchased" a map from them, BUT I have selected areas for aerial photos and saved them to my hard drive and printed them as "fit to page". Most will give you fairly good resolution and if you print them they are free. The topo maps do not give good resolution when printed. I am sure that the "purchased map" will have much better resolution and will surely be larger (you have a choice of size and scale). This site has helped me a great deal in my initial "scouting" of areas. Check it out and let me know what you think. If any of you purchase/have purchased a map/photo from this site please let me know what you think of them.

Buy or Free Topo Maps and Aerial Photos (http://www.mytopo.com/)

Steve

[Huntnut]

Posigian,

Map Source is a company name.

They Make:

A Topography CD -Topo lines, rivers, roads, trails, boat launches, camp grounds etc.

A U.S. Roads and Recreation CD- Highways, major roads, exits, addresses, point of ineterest, etc.

A MetroGuide CD- Highly detailed road maps with every business listed.

U.S. Waterways and Lights CD- Exactly what you're thinkin...waterways and nav lights.

Their Topagraphy map is WAY more detailed than the big red Michigan Atlas you see everywhere.

When I turkey hunt, I park the truck, take out my GPS and mark a waypoint at the truck. then I turn the thing off, put it in my pocket, and take off cross country chasin gobblers.
At the end of the day...when Im completely lost....I turn it on, and punch in "Find waypoint Truck".

BAM, I get an arrow pointing towards the truck, the exact distance it is away, and how long its gonna take me to get there.

That is jusy one SMALL thing I do with my GPS. It has thousands of cool uses like this.

In the past 3 years, they have shut off the limiters on the Satellites. A few years ago, a GPS was only able to bring you within 300 feet of your waypoint. (Government didnt want EXACT technology to be used against them)
They must have changed their mind, cause they shut the SA off, and now most GPS's will bring you within 10 feet.

Cool cool things...I never take mine out of the truck....and I have hundreds of river holes, deer funnels, turkey roostin spots, underwater structure, etc...all marked as waypoints around the state.

Hunt

[SA ULTRA MAG]

Posigian,

I just purchased the Mapsource TOPO program yesterday. I played with it a little last night and my 13 year old son played with it this morning. Overall, I am very happy with it.

You are correct, it does not show the detail as what the other TOPO maps that I have seen but I don't believe that you can download those into the Garmin GPS's.

I think that this program along with the one that NorthernOutdoorsman gave a report on earlier in the GPS post will pretty much get you into and out of anywhere that you have the desire to go.

Pat

[posigian]

Huntnut;

Sorry, I am talking about the Topo Map program they sell.

SA ULTRA MAG;

Your right, its not as detailed as I would like to see on a GPS but at the same time it is just enough.

Its primary usage will be to get me back to the truck so I dont need to worry so much about back tracking in circles. A spare battery and a compass will always be with me as well and at the same time I do tend to take note of my current heading and position relative to the road.

I cant wait to get mine :D

Posigian

[SA ULTRA MAG]

Posigian,

Check this price out, it seemed good to me.

http://dealmountain.com/010-10215-02.html

Pat

[jc502]

I have a Garmin E-Map and love it. I use Maptech software for topo maps. The maps themselves cannot be downloaded into Garmin (Garmin's Mapsource is the only one that can I believe) but the topo maps are real and as detailed as the ones you buy and you can send waypoints from computer to GPS and vice versa. It also has a 3D feature that is useful when you bring home a bunch of waypoints and want to see them as they lay on the land. The GPS itself is a nice tool for navigating, but I also find it very useful for determining where everything (rubs, scrapes, blinds, trails, roads) is in relation to each other.

[The Nailer]

Check out Garmin's web site , there you'll be able to do a side by side comparison of everything they make. It should help w/ deciding which features suit your needs. I have an E-Map and the mapping software and like it very much. However, it has many more features than I need or use. If I had to do it over again I would look at one of their newer models that has an electronic compass. But, whatever you do make sure the one you buy has download capabilities. Garmin is always upgrading and you can download free from their website.

www.garmin.com

[jc502]

I agree with Nailer, the e-map needs to have compass bearing capability. That is it's only drawback.

[hitechman]

Originally posted by SA ULTRA MAG
Posigian,

You are correct, it does not show the detail as what the other TOPO maps that I have seen but I don't believe that you can download those into the Garmin GPS's.
Pat

Posigian

I agree (see my previous post above). I like to look at the aerial and topo maps to find a promising spot (hunting mainly) and enter those lat/lon in my GPS, find them, and go from there,

Steve

[Huntnut]

"but I don't believe that you can download those into the Garmin GPS's."

Yes, you can, you just need the memory card and download cable.

I teach a GPS class, and we use the Garmin E-map Deluxe.

If you only have the E-map you cannot download MapSource maps.

But the Deluxe has the cable and 8 meg chip included.

Not only can you download upgrades and patches to Garmin Software, but MapSource and Maptech maps can also be downloaded to the units.

I swear! LOL

Hunt

[BOSSTOM]

HN

What's the specifics about your GPS class. Sounds like a way to burn up some time this winter. Any openings?

[Huntnut]

BossTom,

The classes my company produce are strictly for the UAW. We teach classes on site at all the local autoplants.
The classes are free to employees of Chrysler, GM, and Ford.

If you are an autoworker, I can look into getting a GPS class scheduled at your plant.

Otherwise, I dont think I can help much...we dont really offer classes to the public.

However....if you get a Garmin E-map....I could send you all kinds of info that may help.

Sorry I cant help more.

Hunt

[The Nailer]

Huntnut

That's too bad you don't teach a class for the general public, I for one would be very interested. However, if you could e-mail me any info you have specific to the E-Map that would be great.

Out of curiosity why would the UAW be interested in having their members learn to use a gps?

[Hunt4Ever]

Posigan,

I am a long time user of GPS. I have been using GPS recreationally since it came out. The first GPS I had was a non-mapped based model, but it plotted your position on the screen as a trail. Now I have a Eagle Map Guide Pro. A much better unit, although there are smaller units out there now. It has only been in the last 5 years or so that I really learned how to use it correctly.

Here are my thoughts for you.

First, make sure the until you get can display map coordinates in the UTM Grid format. (Universal Transverse Mercator).

Second, learn to use the UTM Grid format. This is really the key to using a GPS to it's highest level. How To Use The UTM Grid Format (http://www.nps.gov/prwi/readutm.htm)
Once you know how to use this format, you will never use degrees, minutes, seconds again, it is just to hard.


Third, get a hold of good topo maps. Maps that have the UTM grid lines on them, or grid them yourself. Once you understand the UTM system, you can look at points on a topo map and enter their coordinates into your GPS and go there. It is really great.


Here are some links that may help you:


MapTools - Tool to help you map GPS coordinates (http://www.maptools.com/index.html)

GPS Outfitters (http://www.gpsoutfitters.com/)

GPS Nuts (http://www.gpsnuts.com/)

USGS Topo Maps (http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/topomaps/)


I hope this helps you.

Brian

[Engsetter]

Originally posted by jc502
I agree with Nailer, the e-map needs to have compass bearing capability. That is it's only drawback.

I have a Garmin GPS 12Map which has the built-in electronic compass but I never use it.

What I do is have the GPS set so the top of the screen is locked on North (use "North Up" not "Track Up") by using a compass to orient myself and the GPS unit North I can easily see which is the correct (best, easiest) direction I want to go.

I then turn the unit off to save batteries and use my compass to keep my chosen direction. I generally turn the unit back on and check every half hour or so and make any necessary corrections.

What a super tool these units are, my unit has saved me many miles of walking over the years that I have had it. But I still won't go bushwhacking without two compasses and a map.

[Hunt4Ever]

This is for those of you who have a GPS that can give a compass bearing.

Question: Does the GPS make the declination adjustment automatically?

Comment: For those of you who don't have one, don't forget about the declination lines. This could change your compass headings by many degrees. It isn't that big of a problem here in Michigan, but out west, it is a big deal.