Thinking of getting a gps. Help!!!

[sniper2u00]

Help I am thinking of getting a hand held GPS. This is all new to me!!! One thing i would like it to do is when we go out west to Wy.& Mt. hunting. Have a downloaded map that would tell us if we are on public blm land or on a private land. Not being for the west more than once we have sat and scratched our heads at a gate that was not posted. It would be nice to have a gps with a blm map downloaded to it or maybe the maps like you can buy from Delorme. I see allot on here about Garmin??? or I see Delorme has a new map?? will it do what I need? Does it have other features you might need? I see some talk about signal strength are the Garmins better here than the Delormes?? Or any other brands for that matter.  Any advice appreciated !!!!! Thanks

[Siskiyou]

I am not aware of a gps that currently breaks out land ownership, private, National Forest, BLM, and Indian. 

You can get National Geographic Topo! Explorer Deluxe for Magellan Triton gps units.
http://www.magellangps.com/products/map.asp?tab=0&PRODID=2168

If (IF) it displays the Section number and you have the appropriate Forest or BLM map for the area you can tie down the location. 

Back in the dark ages before gps units and I was a fire patrol I would use a topo map and a FS map along with a compass to determine my location.  I would shoot a bearing on a distant lookout tower and get the back bearing.  I would place a flat plastic compass on my map and run out the bearing with a string.  I would take a second bearing on another lookout or peak and repeat the process.  The crossing point of the two bearings was my location.  I would check the FS map for ownership, the Topo map for topography and additional information. 

A few members have DeLorme gps units.  Hopefully they will let us know if the software displays, Township, Range, and Section data. 

When I am in the woods I still use a map along with my mapping gps unit.  I also keep my eye open for property monuments/signs to tie my location down.


http://www.esg.montana.edu/gl/trs-data.html

A few years back I gave a granddaughter my first laptop, it is now way out of date and it has come back to me.  I am going to load my National Geographic Topo software on it.  The reason is that the section numbers are displayed on it.  I can connect my Garmin gps and track my location on it while in my vehicle.  If it shows me in section 6, I cannot use the information to orientate me.  If it shows me at or near a Section corner I should be able to location the boundary monuments.

The agencies have software license for this product and input data.  I have not seen this data picked up by a vendor and put together in a gps software package for the general public.  For the agency people who have it they can determine if they are on public or private land.  A very small percentage of field people use this product.   http://www.arcpad.info/
 Many times a field unit will call the dispatch center and provide a LAT/LONG and ask if it is public land or private land. 

Order a Forest Service Map?
http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/nationalforeststore/#about

[Empty Quiver]

I would make apoint of contacting a few outfitters in the area and get their input as well as a couple of sporting goods stores. I will offer this up, get as big a screen as you can find. Another thing to consider is how much sd chips cost if that is how it works. Then my problem, the software no longer works in the new Vista 'puter so at this point I wish I had SD cards.

nothing is perfect

[Siskiyou]

Empty Quiver what brand and mode gps are you using?  Same question for mapping software.  If you are using a Garmin product I will see if my wife lets me try my software on “her” computer.  I can try it after I get done hunting.

Garmin uses Micro SD cards in most of its units.  Other manufactures use standard SD or micro SD cards in their unit depending on the model.  Walk into most office supply stores and most likely you will pay full price for a card.  I watch for sales or buy off of  http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_e/002-1418840-4363236?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=Micro+SD+Card&Go.x=14&Go.y=9

I use the standard micro sd cards, not the microSDHC my units will not work with them.  2GB will get you fifty percent of the country us US Topo 2008.  It is easy to change cards. 

[Empty Quiver]

It's a Magellin with Topo US I think its called. Worked fine with the older Window we had just won't work with the Vista.

[Siskiyou]

Purchase AccessoriesBACK  FEEDBACK  PRINTGuest will not work with vista

Maggie Is it true that you want to know about Windows Vista compatibility?

Guest Yes

Maggie From what you've told me,I understand that:You want compatibility information.

You want to know about Windows Vista compatibility.
 
 
Maggie The following Magellan GPS units are compatible with Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP (SP1/SP2/SP3 32 bit), Window Vista (32/64 bit):
Maestro 3100, 3140, 3200, 3210, 3220, 3225, 3220, 3250, 4200, 4210, 4220, 4250, 4350, 4370
RoadMate 1200, 1212, 1400, 1412, 1430
RoadMate 1210, 1220, 1340, 1440, 1470
Triton 200, 300, 400, 500, 1500, 2000

http://www.magellangps.com/support/product.asp?prodid=113

 

[hunt-m-up]

Not sure what other's experience is,but I find Garmin to be the most user-friendly. Especially as a new user you want to become familiar with basic operation before going all out with the software. I would also suggest you not do away completely with a good set of topo or BLM maps as they give you the broader perspective, that you can never get with a little screen.

[Siskiyou]

Guys I am heading out for some time around the campfire with old friends.  The batteries for my Rino 530HCx are charged and ready to go.  The 76Cx is packed just in case, and available to one of my hunting partners if needed.  Just checked my day pack and the compass, headlamp, and map are there.

Keep posting and if I get into town I might get a little computer time at a friends.

Take care

Siskiyou

[sniper2u00]

Thanks for all the info.  Maybe I should try to find a buddy with one to borrow for a while or take on the trip and get some experience with one before I buy one for myself. Thanks again!

[S.B.]

Siskiyou, I see in this thread you recommend Magellan Tritons and their software for them. My experience, I would never recommend these units or software to others? I know you have far more experience with this stuff than I but, phone calls to the manufacturer taught me they know nothing of the product they sell and can't help with any problem customer may encounter?
Don't even come with a manual, you must download from internet? They agreed my unit wasn't operating properly but, drug their feet when I wanted to send it back to them for repairs?
Steve

[Siskiyou]

I guess I will have to watch my wording more closely.  What I wrote was
“You can get National Geographic Topo! Explorer Deluxe for Magellan Triton gps units.”
http://www.magellangps.com/products/map.asp?tab=0&PRODID=2168

I should have said that I like National Geographic Topo!  I use National Geographic Topo and lot on my tower computer and my laptop.  In fact a friend contacted me about an old gold mine in an area I patrol in the middle 1960’s.  The first mapping product I went to was a paper Forest Service Map, the second one was National Geographic Topo because it shows some of the old mine tunnels, and the third was Garmin’s Map Source.  And last but not least I used the view option in Map Source to view the location I had created on Google Earth.

Without a doubt I have been a steadfast Garmin customer and I know a couple of rare professionals that use a Magellan alongside their Garmin.  The neighbor up the street bought a basic Magellan a few years back for his son.  On our daily gps walks I had to teach him how to use it by reading the manual. 

When I bought a Garmin 76C he bought a Garmin 76C, and a couple years later when I bought a Garmin 76Cx he bought a Garmin 76Cx.  Months later I was showing him little details about the unit.  We both benefited in having the same gps units.  You can tell we are getting older when a neighbor lady asked if that was a heart monitor hanging from his neck.

I guess I need to start adding a disclaimer, “There are gps units and mapping software offered by manufactures other than Garmin, should I mention the product it is for consumer awareness and not a recommendation of the product, buyer be aware.”