Guess I'm bored fellas. All dressed up and nowhere to go yet, planned to listen this morning but didn't realize daylight savings time went into effect so I've got to wait.
Anyhow I've got time to post a random question? Does anyone use a handheld GPS? I typically use a phone app but it's not always friendly when there's limited signal. The touch screen I'm no fan of, some gps have buttons, the battery on my phone I don't wish to run down.
Anyhow being there's so few birds anywhere near here apparently I may need to expand to new areas.
Marking spots, roosting birds, morel areas, run lines or the correct oak trees full of nuts to go back to is good. Again I commonly use a phone. Besides the button thing does anyone see an advantage? Also how bright is the light in the dark? I use no flashlight and seldom the phone shen I get close. I know my areas decently but if I'm on new places?
Any suggestions/ideas/thoughts would be appreciated. I leaning toward everything already works as is
I use a bushnell backtrack sometimes. However it only let's you mark 3 spots and thats it.
On the other side of the spectrum is the Garmin InReach.
It does everything you're asking about plus can send text messages and call in a choppa if you ever hit the SOS button.
Thanks guys.
I use a Garmin 64 when I'm out of state. I have OnX chips for several different states. It's really nice for keeping me on properties where I'm allowed to be and off the ones I'm not.
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 13, 2022, 08:08:57 AM
I use a Garmin 64 when I'm out of state. I have OnX chips for several different states. It's really nice for keeping me on properties where I'm allowed to be and off the ones I'm not.
I've heard the 64 recommended over n over. That's one with buttons. Seems you can load area maps but is that computer hard or are they already on the card for immediate use?
Quote from: Bowguy on March 13, 2022, 08:25:35 AM
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 13, 2022, 08:08:57 AM
I use a Garmin 64 when I'm out of state. I have OnX chips for several different states. It's really nice for keeping me on properties where I'm allowed to be and off the ones I'm not.
I've heard the 64 recommended over n over. That's one with buttons. Seems you can load area maps but is that computer hard or are they already on the card for immediate use?
You go on Garmin's site and you can custom crop maps for download into the unit. It's pretty slick, actually.
Absolutely use a GPS when hunting big country in CO, NM and AZ. Also have OnX on my phone and load offline maps of the area before the trip. Lastly carry a compass.
I feel very well taking off cross country and over mountains. It's nice to mark a spot from years past that held birds even though those Merriams may have moved off a few miles depending on snow and water conditions.
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 13, 2022, 08:27:13 AM
Quote from: Bowguy on March 13, 2022, 08:25:35 AM
Quote from: Yoder409 on March 13, 2022, 08:08:57 AM
I use a Garmin 64 when I'm out of state. I have OnX chips for several different states. It's really nice for keeping me on properties where I'm allowed to be and off the ones I'm not.
I've heard the 64 recommended over n over. That's one with buttons. Seems you can load area maps but is that computer hard or are they already on the card for immediate use?
You go on Garmin's site and you can custom crop maps for download into the unit. It's pretty slick, actually.
Ok thanks. I was hoping it'd be just plug n play. I use an alpha gps pkg on my hounds and need help updating it every so often. I think I'm getting it now though
Thank you guys, appreciated
Lost my hand held last year in the Arizona desert. Had it clipped to my belt. It pulled off while navigating with my phone. No matter hadn't used it in a couple years. Strictly phone app for me. I keep a battery bank handy to charge phone when needed. My bank usually lasts for about 5,6 charges.
I really don't use one of those App.. but i do carry one of those small rechargeable phone banks in my satchel .. I paid less than 6 dollars for it at Walmart..
InReach for me. Wouldn't be without it when out of cell service and I've seen too many phones unexpectedly die to just rely on the phone GPS. I carry a compass too for real wilderness trips like the Gila in New Mexico.
Phone, no reason for another piece of equipment that does the same thing. Download maps, use in airplane mode to conserve battery. Carry a small power bank that can charge my phone fully 2 times.
Compass for backup in the mountains.
Quote from: Dtrkyman on March 13, 2022, 11:56:17 AM
Phone, no reason for another piece of equipment that does the same thing. Download maps, use in airplane mode to conserve battery. Carry a small power bank that can charge my phone fully 2 times.
Compass for backup in the mountains.
.
This is what I do, except I'm usually back at the truck before the phone is near out of power, so just charge in the truck.
I use both. I love the onyx app but also carry a small garmin that I really do like. Half the size of my phone.
I will go pull it out shortly and get the model.
At the strong insistence of my wife I carry a InReach .
Quote from: bobk on March 13, 2022, 01:53:22 PM
At the strong insistence of my wife I carry a InReach .
Hmmm if I was still married I'd be trying not to be found bud. When they put a microphone on me at the wedding I though it was a lojak. It worried me
I have a 64, compass and OnX. I prefer the OnX, but the compass is a dependable light backup to have in your best somewhere.
The 64 burns batteries just as fast as your Alpha. Ain't to sure why you wouldn't just use the Alpha, I would if I already had it.
Idk why you think an alpha burns batteries. Mine is used prob 3-4 hours at a clip multiple times a week, than I charge it. A compass is obvious and in all my outdoor vests, bags, etc
Regarding the alpha as well, one,, that handheld is pricey. Imagine if it gets lost. Two of it gets lost being I use it multiple times a week, and Im deaf in one ear, can't tell direction to catch my dogs I'd not be able to run until I got another. Three, if I ran the battery down again I'd not have it to run with. Very often I'll go straight from turkey hunting, running dogs, roosting, than maybe it needs charging. Tomo
I leave to hunt, hmmmm where's that gps? Oh yea on the charger still. As stated I typically use my phone. Or if a bird is roosted, count steps to a trail, prop a stick on tree so I trip over it in the dark. It works and basically I was just inquiring
I am still using a garmin Oregon 450t.
If you are so dependent on your Alpha I would buy another. They don't cost that much.
If I buy another it'll be the 200 just because of the bigger screen. I don't need the rest. But the 200 is even pricier. I do eventually plan to buy another though and you could be onto something in that regard
Get the 200i, it has in reach as well. Listed at 750$, probably get it for 50$ cheaper from Lion country or somewhere similar.
Garmin is pretty standard across the board. They don't change store to store. Only when garmin themselves allows it. That's why so many include extras with the purchase you def gave me a good idea though
GAIA and downloaded maps is my go to. Thought about a GPS, but I have so much saved onto externals for my phone that it would take a world of wonders to get it all transferred over.
Just a thought. Garmin runs Glosnos, Russian satellites.
Hard to tell what may happen in the upcoming months with that.
I carry both a real gps and my phone. I'll mark where I park my truck at with the gps and that's about it. Pretty much a fail safe if my phone dies I can at least find the truck if lost. App on my phone takes care of the rest.
Quote from: Dtrkyman on March 13, 2022, 11:56:17 AM
Phone, no reason for another piece of equipment that does the same thing. Download maps, use in airplane mode to conserve battery. Carry a small power bank that can charge my phone fully 2 times.
Compass for backup in the mountains.
Pretty much what Dtrkyman says. For offline mapping I use Gaia. Not as intuitive as OnX, but cheaper and more functional once you get the hang of it. Because I'm remote and out of cell service I do also carry an inReach Mini for emergency commo.
Sure wish there was a single device available that:
1. Has a large touchscreen to easily read and navigate through maps
2. Ran customizable mapping apps (OnX or Gaia or ?)
3. Has satellite communication for check-in and emergency
4. Ran on replaceable batteries for piece of mind
I think Garmin makes a GPS that does texting via satellite connection. I don't know if it has replaceable batteries tho.
I carry a compass and usually use my cell phone for mapping when it works. I do have an ancient Magellan GPS that still works but I rarely carry it. It's kind of heavy.
GAIA and downloaded maps for me with phone on airplane mode.
Compass and topo map for backup.
Guys I'm sorry to be ignorant? What is GAIA?
Have depended on a Garmin 12 since the late 1990s. I can remember when many worried y2k would make them inoperable. I have over 125 waypoints stored from four states. Wouldn't hunt without it. When scouting will mark waypoints and then when returning home put the coordinates on a mapping site and find alternate routes in and out and aerial views of the surrounding area. Invaluable!
Quote from: Bowguy on March 14, 2022, 06:28:58 AM
Guys I'm sorry to be ignorant? What is GAIA?
www.gaiagps.com
It's a customizable mapping application where you can download maps and use offline (out of cell service). Much like OnX, but a lot cheaper.
I switched to GAIA a few years ago and pleased with it. Though it did take more practice to be proficient with it compared to OnX.
GAIA is a good option, however it is missing many layers compared to ONX, one place I hunted it would have been useless, and ONX was vital in identifying open hunting lands with a particular layer!
Thank you guys
I own a Garmin eTrex and use it a fair amount, even on property for which I'm familiar. I'm a run and gunner and have various points on the properties I hunt where birds have been roosting or are common travel points. I like to have sitting spots ready in those areas. I pick a tree tree back in the woods a ways and I cut the brush and branches here and there to make sure I have room to swing my gun, cover angles, have shooting lanes, etc. I mark these on my GPS. The spots frequently change from year to year due to man or nature circumstances.
I am a techy by nature but avoid phone apps for hunting and fishing. Even though I'm sure may apps have come a long way, my experience is that if you don't have internet, many apps often become flakey. On the hunt I frequently have poor service and have much more important things to worry about and don't need to be sitting at the edge of a field trying to deal with phone issues.
The gps in your phone doesn't need internet service to work properly as it runs off satellites.
If you download the map of the areas you plan to hunt to your phone before you lose internet service there is no need for an internet connection. I us Onx.
Make sure you are logged into the app before you lose service or you will not be able to access your account. I keep logged in so I don't have to worry about this situation. Problem is don't let your battery die or turn off your phone when out of service or you won't be able to log back into the Onx when you power back up
Your phone gps works the same as your hand held . Hand held already has the software downloaded to perform proper GPS function. You need to download the software in the form of an App to your phone in order for gps function to display properly.
My hand held basically turned into an expensive paper weight once I found Onx. To bad I lost it before I had the chance to download all my waypoints. Not sure but I think they might be in my Google Earth account.
Thanks fellas
I agree on the OnX, lots better than my GPS. It too is just a paper weight, matter of fact, the girl used it for hiking for a couple months and switched over to All Trails for hiking.
That's actually a pretty good app to check out. It has help/security lines to loved ones in the event of missed times and such. Her phone send a me progression of her hikes and way points as she goes along. Her choice, not mine. It shows more hiking trails than OnX.
I use Huntstand and download the map for the area I am planning on hunting if service is an issue. I am able to use the tracking option on there with the phone on airplane mode.
Quote from: mcw3734 on March 14, 2022, 10:46:55 AM
Quote from: Bowguy on March 14, 2022, 06:28:58 AM
Guys I'm sorry to be ignorant? What is GAIA?
www.gaiagps.com
It's a customizable mapping application where you can download maps and use offline (out of cell service). Much like OnX, but a lot cheaper.
I switched to GAIA a few years ago and pleased with it. Though it did take more practice to be proficient with it compared to OnX.
OnX is way less customizable IMO. Once you get Google earth as a layer and figure out the multitude of layers available, it has way more details.
The only detail that is not quite as good is the Landowner information...but I rarely attempt to get permission. I hunt 90% public though.