First GPS--- help

[mag shooter]

Guys, I have never had a gps in my hands. I"m thinking about getting one for hunting. My basic need is to be able to mark point A and return to point A ,more or less straight line, from any given point in a 1000 acre plot. If I could mark trails that would be a plus. What do I need ?? Probably won't ever up-grade if the first one meets my needs. Please keep it simple as I am chalenged, electronicly speaking.

Thanks for your replies.

[EsoxLucius]

Magellan eXplorer 100

[tucoblue]

I am MAJOR challenged with anything electronic but took the GPS plunge last year. It looked like the Garmin Etrex Camo was simple to use so I picked it up for $109.00. I also grabbed the instructional video. I found out more about using the GEC by using it than by viewing the tape.

I use it for hunting and this unit does everything I need to do. Marks my "Secret Spots" and will do tracking. The unit has a useful battery indicator, tells time, "High Activity" times for wildlife/fishing, sunrise/sunset times. Used it for most of the hunting season last year and replaced the batteries near the end of the season. Those batteries are currently in the unit with 3/4 of their life still available. It's easy to use. If Tucoblue can master it ........

[ShadowMover]

If you have a computer, which you already do ;-)
You really can't go wrong with this super deal from Cabelas; a Garmin GPS-V for $249, which includes street maps software disk.  I've been using my GPS III+ for years and it's a blessing to be able to drive to a spot you've been to three years ago, at night. They used to charge an arm and a leg for all the extras, but this looks like a real nice package.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0020241225308a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnString=hasJS=true&_D%3AhasJS=+&QueryText=GPS+V&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.22&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=GPS+V&noImage=0&returnPage=search-results1.jsp

Just my 2 cents worth.

[jgalar]

I paid around $500 for the Garmin GPS-V a few years ago. Its more for automotive use. It will tell you the closest shopping, food, lodging to your location and give you the phone number and directions. You can search for say McDonalds and it will give you a list of them with the closest first. When you drive and have a destination set it will beep and tell you when to turn. It will also display the distance and time until the next turn. It gives you an estimated time of arrival based on your speed and the speed limits of the roads you are going to take - I usually drive around the speed limit and the ETA is always within a minute or so.

The bad thing about the unit is it has a small screen for automotive use, but it can still be used by hand out in the field. I don't think the small screen is that much of a problem as the programming takes the small screen into account.

For a combination automotive and handuse GPS the Garmin GPS-V is a great unit and for $249 it is well worth it.

[JoeG52]

I agree about the Garmin GPS V. I've had mine for a while, it was ~ $350 when I bought it.

[Siskiyou]

mag shooter:  Most of my user experience is with Garmin gps units.  But I have had a chance to have a Magellan eXplorist 100 in my "hands."  It will do everything that your post describes.  But it has a design characteristic I do not care for in a basic gps unit.  Unlike the Garmin Etrex series which I operate one handed because of the excellent ergonomics the eXporist requires two handed operation.

You will find the basic yellow Etrex in the pack of many veteran helicopter repellers, smokejumpers, and other emergency responders.  When I was looking for my first gps these are the users that I asked for a recommendation.  One of those people who recommended the Etrex to me was a graduate of  Penn State who makes his living in the woods.  This was before the eXplorist 100 came on the market.

The Yellow Etrex and the eXplorist 100 share some near common characteristics.  One of the important ones is the power source.  Both take common over the counter AA batteries or re-chargeable AA batteries.  If you are close to home this might not be important.  But I think in the terms of being an emergency responder, traveller, fisherman, and hunter.  I am a big time user of re-chargeable batteries close to home for both my portable radio, and gps.  But I like all the options.  I consider a gps that takes a none standard size battery a liability.  

If you would like a gps with a good base map take a look at the Garmin Legend.  I like the base map and it has made my travels easier.  You will have the ability to load more detailed mapping software on it, but you do not need to do that.  When I was sent at "O-DARK-30" Out of State I grabbed my Garmin Legend and the basemap took care of my needs.  I just tested the Legend and the basic map shows Pittsburg and the highways system.  You might get similar service from the eXplorist 200 or 210.

Others have suggested the Garmin GPS V package.  It is a great deal.  It will do everything you want and more.  It is a little bit larger, but it's older brother, GPS III Plus,  set the standard for field use by many land management agencies.  You are more apt to find this units in fire engines, and command vehicles, rather then in the gear bag or web gear of the ground pounder.  For those who need an external antenna because of heavy foliage this unit will take one.  This class of gps is a little more complex.  It offers more flexibility, but it also requires a little more from the user.  You will like this unit when you hit the road.  A good road and off road gps unit.

In summary the basic Yellow Etrex or eXporist 100 will met the needs you have spelled out.  You can easily spend to much for either model.  Take a look at Internet vendors or local sale prices.  If I was looking to buy a simple, reliable, basic, gps I would chose from the two above.  Price being the deciding factor.  It is no secret that Magellan was targeting the highly successfull Etrex when it came out with the eXplorist series.  

But I would not be happy with basic!  Once I played with a basic gps I wanted more, and I recomment more.

[msar24]

I have to agree with Siskiyou on you most likely will want more once you get one.  A unit with mapping capabilities is very useful.  If you are Extrememly familiar with the are you hunt, a basic unit may suffice.  But if you go to different areas the mapping really helps.

One of the great uses of a GPS when hunting is marking where you were standing when you fired and where the animal was standing when it was hit.  How many times have you heard of someone, or done this yourself, having made the shot, can't find the animal and then can;t figure out where they were when they made the shot so they can start tracking again.  This can be done with the basic units.

I have taught classes to Search and Rescue teams on GPS.  As Tucoblue said, you'll learn more using it than you will with the manual or a video.  Once you get one use it every where you go.  I do not suggest using it while driving, other than turning it on before you leave somewhere and checking it when you've stopped.  Just walking around with it can help you learn what it can and cannot do.  I've seen people in the GPS classes year after year, using the same model each year, and they still do not have a good understanding of how to use it.  Mainly because they never use it other than at the class.

Whether or not you get a unit with mapping capabilities, be sure to get a mapping program that works with you GPS.  Half the fun is being able to go back home and download your tracks and points you marked and see where you really were on the map.  You'll be surprised at what you find and where you actually were.  Then you can see where you want to go next time.

The major manufacturers, Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan, etc. all have good units and they all use the same GPS chip so they will all perform well.  Make sure to get one that can use regular batteries.  Nothing worse than having the batteries run out and you have to wait to go back and recharge them.  Mine uses AA batteries and so does my flashlight and anything else I take with me.  That way I always know what type of batteries to take with me.

If you hunt with other people and you want to be able to talk to each other, take a look at the Garmin Rinos.  Then you have a GPS with mapping and a two way radio all in one unit.

[mag shooter]

Thanks guys, this is the type of  info that I needed. Now all that's left is to choose one and learn how to use it.  :-)

[msar24]

I'm making a change to my last post...not all units are using the same chip.  Most of the major brands are using the same chip.  Many of the new automobile units (TOM TOM, etc.) are using a different chip.  And some are 16 or 20 channel.  12 channels seems to work just fine.  If I can;t figure out where I am with up to 12 sattelites, I'm lost.

Don't forget to carry a map and compass and by all meanss learn how to use them.  And the maps are fun too.

The waterproof paper that TOPO puts out is great too.

[mag shooter]

Well guys ................. ya'll were right !  2 years ago I bought my first GPS ( explorist  100 ) and it served me fine until this year .  While hunting with a friend that had a e-trex vista with topo maps , we hunted a little deeper than we intended . While I had the truck marked , we were hunting new ground .  If we would have had to rely on my mark , it would either been very late getting out ( back-track ) or we would have had to cross a very thick swamp .  He took out his unit and found a country road a 3/4's mile from us with open woods to walk out.

I now see the benefits of a map-capable unit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So now ( just as I was told by some wise folks ) I just bought a Legend HCx and  the topo map is on the way .

Thanks for the  " good advice " that I am now taking   

[Siskiyou]

Congratulations on stepping up in technology.  I would be interested in any field data from your two different units. 

[Rainman/GA]

One of the important ones is the power source.  Both take common over the counter AA batteries or re-chargeable AA batteries.  If you are close to home this might not be important.  But I think in the terms of being an emergency responder, traveller, fisherman, and hunter.  I am a big time user of re-chargeable batteries close to home for both my portable radio, and gps.  But I like all the options.  I consider a gps that takes a none standard size battery a liability. 

Sorry about not being on subject, but Siskiyou, have you tried out the new Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable AAs?  I just bought some to try out with my GPS and digicam and they look promising.  They're supposed to have a much slower discharge rate than a standard NiMH, holding up to 85% of their charge after a year of storage!  Seems promising if you're in the field a lot and you need to grab some spare, charged batteries off the shelf.  I found a kit at Costco that has 8 AA, 4 AAA, C & D adapters, and the Sanyo charger for $25.

[Jal5]

Rainman be sure to let us know how those workout for you, that sounds like a good deal if they live up to their advertisement.