GPS Units

[RMV]

I'm working a side job this weekend to earn money to buy a gps. Wanted input on what features to look for and price ranges. Thanks in advance for the help.

[Labrat]

I have a Garmin Legend and am very happy with it. The Garmin web site describes the features of the different models they offer.

I think you should also go to the Magellan web site to check out their products.

When looking at the different models also look at the accessories that you can get.

If you go scouting in unfamiliar areas you may want to consider a tracking feature so that you can backtrack your path to get home.

From another thread on this site I found a good idea, write down your coordinates for your spouse to give authorities if you don’t make it home at the right time. My wife knows I go to the AuSable and the Manistee but she doesn’t know where on the rivers I’m going to be. I can give her the list of locations that I plan to be. If I don’t get back home at the right time my wife can give the authorities possible locations to find my body.

[On Point]

From my experience, I would advise against a Magellan. They tend to take quite a bit longer to "lock-on" then Garmin's do.
This experience is based on comparisons between Magellan 310 and 315's vs. Garmin 12XL and Venture.

On Point

[Labrat]

My Garmin Legend takes about two or three minutes to finish tracking its location when I turn it on even when I’m in the house with two windows with the blinds closed. Do you know how long the Magellan takes?

RMV
A really neat feature about having a GPS unit is being able to enter the coordinates into TerraServer and get an aerial photo of the area you are fishing in. A coworker helped me find a good fishing hole this way.

[Shoeman]

I just bought the Lowrance iFinder Plus.
It comes with a 16 meg chip, the software and the card reader to load it with. It retailed for $400, but Bass Pro had them on sale for $249. Quite the bargain.
John was able to locate a 256 meg chip for it. Considering the entire State requires 89 megs, it worked out great. Features like closest restaurants, motels and baitshops are only the tip of the iceberg. The software is easy to use and transferring waypoints from the computer to the unit or from the unit to the puter are great for storing info.

I highly recommend it.

Love it and the price was right

[Michigan Hunter]

I suggest to talk with people who USE one (not those who 'own' one). Then check out all the products. I have used Garmin for several years. Had Garmin 38, Garmin 12 and now Garmin eTrex Legend. I USE them all the time in the woods. Even at home in town with mapping. If your funds can handle it, really look into mapping units. It's like opening your eyes to the world. So many great things can be done with maps. But getting into mapping adds significant cost (CD maps, higher priced unit). But if you hunt more than in your backyard, maps are awesome and necessary. I hunt in the south, out west, and in California on ranches 7000 to 15,000 acres and you need not only GPS but maps! Good that you are giving it much thought and good luck with whatever you chose. One thing, USE it and you won't go wrong.

[Steve]

My Magellan 330M can take up to 3 minutes to lock on especially it seems if the location has changed drastically. Seems to take less time to lock on again in the same general area. Other than that it performs quite well and has enough memory (stock) to store the entire LP with the exception of the very southern fringe.

Best things I've found it useful for are
1. Not missing your take out point on a river
2. Remembering just where you put that tree stand
3. After tracking a deer in the dark and finding it, finding the easiest and most direct route to get the deer out.

It is a big time battery eater though. Even with the best AA batteries they seem to only last 4 hours tops. Magellan claims 8.

[Backlash]

I have solved the prob. of GPS's using batteries. This year I started using rechargable batteries. You get a good set of batteries you can recharge up to 1000 times.

[Steve]

I tried that, but at least the NiCads I tried only worked about two hours.

[FIJI]

I have one of the original Garmin GPS 45 models and It still works great and it gets a LOT of use.

Recently, I got a pair of the Rino 120's GPS + FRS & GMRS Radio units. They work even better than the 45, (faster aquisition etc) plus give me mapping and radio capabilities all in one unit.

If your budget allows, consider the Rino 120 ! Down the road you can pick up a second radio to take advantage of "peer-to-peer" radio features.

NiCads won't last as long, especially in cold weather. And I've yet to find an outlet to recharge them where I use the GPS !!
LOL

[Chuck]

I bought the garmin etrex (yellow one) on ebay shipped to my door brand new for under 80 bucks. I have been very happy with it so far. I was able to punch in cords for my Oregon hunting trip and go right there when I got there. For what I will use it for it is great so far. It takes about 18 hrs or so to use up the baterries. Its very light and water proof. Its also very easy to use. I only read the instruction book once!

Get one of these and see if you like using them then you get a better one if you want.

[kbkrause]

I bought the Garmin Extrex Legend a few weeks ago, I love it. It comes with a base map, but I would recomend getting some of the software map upgrades. The base map includes a good amount of info, but the road mapping wasnt detailed enough until I loaded the maps off the software. I used it for fishing so far, but I've also used it when I've run up to the store, or went for a bike ride. The more I use it, the more thinks I learn about it. Cant wait to use it this week on a fishing trip to a lake that I've never fished b4.

I tried that, but at least the NiCads I tried only worked about two hours.

Steve, I've gone through 3 charges on my NiMH and they have lasted at least 8 hrs, plus with the charger I have, they recharge in an hour.

[salmonslammer]

I have the legend as well, great tool to have. I am going to get the street mapping software soon, not sure what I want yet. I want to check out the delorme versions, only 1/2 price of the mapquest software. I have used it on LSC four or five times and it rocks. I paid 199 at BPS, but you can snag on Ebay for a 150. I was in one of those moods where I had to have it NOW!!!

[Steve]

Yeah I haven't tried the NiMh.... probably should. The maps that came with mine were decent but I would like to get my hands on the topo maps for Magellan.

[Michigan Hunter]

My eTrex Legend takes 20+hours on the batteries. Unless you are making a track back to your vehicle while going into the woods, you don't have to keep it on. Just turn it on to see where you are or which way to come back. Using it that way, batteries last a long time. When you change locations more than 100+miles it will take 2-3 minutes on a cold start to locate. But after that it's a few seconds to lock on. I have the Metro Maps and Topo maps. I load Metro maps for the major towns I will be spending time in and topo maps for the area I am hunting in. The legend will load both easy. Topo maps show ranch two track roads, hills and valleys. The Metro maps show streets, addresses, and even McDonalds, Gas, bars, and major stores! But you are talking $99. each. But well worth it if you use them.