Talk to me about GPS.

[Sledge1]

I'm thinking I'd like to get a GPS system. I know next to nothing about any different models etc. My wife and I are starting to kayak some local rivers and streams and i think the gps would help out a lot when the question of " where the Hell are we?" comes up.
Obviously being waterproof would be a requirement and I'd like to be able to download other maps if possible. Other than that, I don't know what's out there.

Thanks,
Steve.

 

[charvey9]

Pretty much any new GPS will do the trick for what you are asking. Might not be a bad idea to get on ebay and pick up a used garmin etrex, or something similar, for a few bucks to get some experience with one. After a little use, you'll be able to decide which features you do or don't need.

 

[clrems77]

I was just in the same boat as you and found a great Garmin 62s on sale at Cabelas. Normally $499, got it on sale for $249. I spoke with guys on the hide and several other hunters/hikers who all really liked the Garmin unit. Of course there are some that have many more features and cool additions, but for the price, I think i made the right decision. Its still on sale at cabelas. Check it out!

Garmin® GPSMAP® 62ST : Cabela's

CJ

 

[Machinist-Mills]

look for sales or last years model, more reviews and lower cost. Garmin are good but cost $200 plus.
i have the bear grylls bushnell's the square and round ones, clearance Meijer $15 and they only work if moving and out in the open. but for me just hiking there ok.

 

[Hookturnr]

I have an etrex legend C I'd throw your way for a fair price if your interested. It was my first hunting GPS and served me well, I just upgraded to an Oregon 450 a couple years ago. In addition I ended up ordering an Astro 320 the other day to use for tracking the hounds when we run them through the fall. I was keeping the etrx for a backup but no longer need it. PM if youre interested.

 

[Pinecone]

Cabela's has the Garmin 62st on sale right now for $250. $200 off (they say $250 off, but Garmin sells them for $450)

Garmin® GPSMAP® 62ST : Cabela's

The unit comes with the entire US 1:100,000 topo maps. You can add 1:25,000 topo maps on SD cards. About $100 per region for the 1:25,000

Waterproof. We got one for fishing (fly fishing small streams) and being able to find our car.

 

[roggom]

Garmin will run store specific sales very often and the 450 series will drop down below $200 I think I got mine for $160 or so. Anyway. The 1:24k maps are by region and help out greatly You can also take wildlife maps and state specific hunting maps and create overlays with google earth and import them to your garmin. So instead of just topo info you can have hunting boundaries sat pictures. Even if you have a paper map with notes you can take a pic with a camera and then create an overlay and then import to the garmin It can take some time but cheap. You can also buy sd cards with all that done already.

I can use a map and compass but like to have the gps when I'm way out in the woods

Cool thing is back tracing your hunting trip on google earth when you get back.

Pros. For 450 series

Compact. Compass. Color. Overlays. Decent battery life. Good reception. Waterproof tether. External memory.

Cons

The touch screen is resistive. So in your pocket it can zoom in and out while pressed against fabric and be zoomed out of whack when you grab it. Not that bad but can be frustrating

 

[Javelin]

Garmin GPS units are great. I have an old 60cs that I picked up for one of my tours in Iraq 10 years ago. Once it was stepped on during a mission and screen broke. Once back in the states I sent it to Garmin and they fixed the screen and didn't charge me. Great company and I still use that GPS today.

 

[beb0541]

Sold out at Cabellas...

 

[Sledge1]

Thanks a bunch guys.
I had a couple hundred bucks worth of Cabelas gift certificates so I picked up a 62st. Now I gotta find some maps.

Thanks again,
Steve.