Handheld GPS question

[WayneB]

The only downside I have heard to the 'preloaded' maps is you can't 'download' them to make space on your device, they are on the memory chip and if you swap in a blank one you have space but no maps unless you buy the uploadable ones.

This might be true? I am not sure. I own the Nuvi 750 and after I purchased it when I register it on the Garmin site they offered a discount to purchase the auto-upgrade. It does have a slot for a memory card and I have used it to view pictures and what have you, but not to store map information.

I know I can use Map Source and import the directions into the Nuvi. Beyond that I am not to sure just what one can do.

I was told to be careful when programming my vehicle GPS and setting our home location. If someone steals your GPS known where your car is all they have to do is direct the GPS to go home and they will end up in your driveway and can rob your house too!

My first GPS was the Palm / Garmin Ique 3200 and Ique 3600 series units. The 3600 was the advanced one with voice turns and what have you. Both worked with my sales database and I could go into the database find a contact and tell the GPS to plot the route for me and I had the driving directions to get to a client.

The bottom line is I think the NUVI series is great for the car, but not for going out into the woods or hunting, unless you need to find a cup of coffee!

 

[whistlepig]

I have a Garmin GPSmap 60CSx hand held that I am very happy with. After going through a couple of hand held GPS units I came up with a set of priorities for a hand held: Quick satellite aquisition, good signal strength even through trees, live compass, and a screen that's easily seen in bright daylight. The 60CSx fills this bill very well. Although it does have road maps the screen is too small for me to navigate while driving. I think a dedicated GPS for driving would be much better.

 

[Pilot]

Magellen and MapQuest send folks about 2 miles out of the way when coming to my place. They tell people to turn off Springwater Rd. onto Hayden, then turn on Hwy 211, then back again on Springwater and backtrack about 800 ft. to my place, going kind of in a 3/4 circle to get here. Garmin has them just stay on Springwater. All the roads are 55 mph rds.

 

[Wis Bang]

I een using a garmin E-trex legend for the past 7 - 8 years for hunting. The 60CSx ia praised for it's improved reception. Most of my reading recomends it or the oregon.

Go w/ Garmin.

My legend came w/ a road map of the US and I have used it when not driving to navagate car trips in conjunction w/ road maps but the audible car units are more suited to this.

 

[WayneB]

This week my son picked up a Garmin Astro. It is really nice if you have a hunting dog or two and want to track them. Actually you can track up to 10 dogs with one unit. Be prepared to pay around $200.00 per DC-30 transmitter collar though. We only have the one dog to track, so we are sitting good.

It is really pretty advanced tracking unit along with nice mapping GPS functions. At the end of the day you can also calculate how far you and the dog actually traveled.

Then you can up load the data to your computer and view the actual trail (s) you have traveled.


https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=209

 

[Piperflyer]

CurlyDave has the answer. The Garmin Rino series are one of the best units for in the woods. The best feature is that other Rino users could find you if there was an emergency and you were hurt or disabled

 

[Uncle Doug]

Been thinking about a hand held GPS for in the woods or on the lake. Still carry a compass in my hunting vest. Good information here, may have to get one soon.

Never had much use for one in the auto but I guess if I was on the road more it would be helpful.

 

[caver]

My first GPS was bought in the mid 90's. It was a brand new Magellan 2000. It only had a couple channels in it and after a few weeks of frustration I took it back to the store. The technology just wasn't there yet for me. Not long after that the newer 12 channel units came out. Then it was a Garmin 12, then a Garmin 12MAP, maps!!!!!! a big improvement.
Somewhere along this time frame I felt one GPS wasn't enough. I bought a larger screen marine unit for the vehicle and motorcycle. Welcome Garmin GPSMAP 176 monochrome screen. Super fast pan on the screen and very large map capacity. My next handheld was a Garmin GPSMAP 76C with a color screen. The color screens were the next big improvement for mapping units. You now had more distinction between whether it was a road, stream or contour line. Around that time I also bought a 176C which was the color version of the other version I mentioned. The screen on the 176C just didn't deal with screen glare that well. Even Garmin realized they could do better and came out with the 276C. I still have that one today. Too bulky to hike with but I do sometimes carry it on short walks to check something out.
The handheld 76C had a horrible recieving personality.
You are still reading this, must be bored ehh?
Garmin came out with a much improved 76Cx so that is the current handheld.
If it doesn't have an x in the model number, I wouldn't buy it if you are looking at the 76 or 60 units.
I like the bigger screen and fast zoom/pan speeds of the 276C for driving and exploring on the motorcycle so that is why I keep the 276C.

The 76cx floats and contrary to what many say about the 60Cx,,, I actually like the buttons on top. I can select any button with my thumb and never block the screen. I've seen this argument on GPS forums and it is absolute twaddle. Both have the same guts in them and are fine units.

 

[Piperflyer]

Good to still carry the compass UncleDoug. Batteries can go dead and the GPS can be lost or broke real quick in the woods.

 

[CurlyDave]

I use my compass more than my GPS in the woods. When we hunt we try to cover territory at a given bearing and the compass is much faster than the GPS for this.

When buying the GPS, I got the built-in compass display, but it is a back-up to my old-fashioned compass. Now all I have to do is get the other guys in my party to learn how to set their compasses for declination.

Whichever GPS unit you get, be sure to get one with a high-sensitivity antenna. It costs more, sometimes twice as much as a cheapie, but I have only once lost the signal due to tree cover, being in a ravine, etc.

The Rino units broadcasting your position is useful for a lot more than being lost or disabled. When you shoot an elk, everyone else in the party can home in on your location and help with field dressing and packing out.