Can anyone recommend a GPS app or handheld that's simple to mark locations for hunting. Looking for something simple to mark say the truck or road for new land
On X Hunt
If you've got signal your phone with google maps will work OK for that. If not, get a Garmin 64 loaded with maps of where you will be. The OnX maps is the next level for both. I find a good cell signal can give as good or better a fix than the handheld recreational quality GPS.
Be aware that relying on a GPS is a great way to get completely lost. I have been truly lost twice. Both times I was relying on a new GPS. You gotta keep track of where you are and have a compass handy even if you are using GPS.
The good thing about OnX is you can save maps and go offline no matter if you have cell service or not.
I got a garmin 64st just a few weeks ago. still learning it . I already know its got about 100 times more features than I need but the cool thing is I can mark my truck and any way point i want . Most of the land im hunting i really dont need it but its cool to be sitting at a tree and know the exact distance and direction to any other spots I may have marked. Its also cool to find a spot/tree
I want to hunt and be able to walk straight to it in the dark with no flashlight. gets you there with in 3 meters.
Its 25 miles to one of my spots by truck but the garmin says its 12 1/2 miles as the crow flies.
Quote from: strum on April 29, 2018, 09:37:06 PM
I got a garmin 64st just a few weeks ago. still learning it . I already know its got about 100 times more features than I need but the cool thing is I can mark my truck and any way point i want . Most of the land im hunting i really dont need it but its cool to be sitting at a tree and know the exact distance and direction to any other spots I may have marked. Its also cool to find a spot/tree
I want to hunt and be able to walk straight to it in the dark with no flashlight. gets you there with in 3 meters.
Its 25 miles to one of my spots by truck but the garmin says its 12 1/2 miles as the crow flies.
this may be what im looking for
the onx maps how much does it cost?
Onx is set up as an annual subscription. You can sign up for a free week trial to give it a whirl. Here is their page- https://www.onxmaps.com/
The Hunting Public has a great youtube video that shows how they use the program to prescout hunting places they've never been to. They also have a 20% discount code for the Onx subscription. Check it out- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86PTTf-rVz0
I use the Bushnell backtrack. You can mark 3 points on it and at least find your vehicle. It is pretty basic but it does all I need it to.
For me the more I use it the more realize I should have had this years ago.nothing beats good ole compass reading and woodsman ship but it gives me more confidence when im in unfamiliar territory. I have found Im apt to explore and branch out a little more now that i have it.
here is what has happened to me before. Shoot a deer right at dark . start tracking . finally find the deer (pitch dark) and realize I have no idea where im at. Drag the deer the longest, hardest way possible way to the truck.
With the truck way point ill now be able to see the exact direction and distance and decide the best route back .
OnXHunt is fantastic. It costs $12-15 for a single state for a year, and you can see property lines, landowner names, satellite imagery (not quite as good as google maps, IMO), topo, download maps for offline use when you don't have service, etc. Works like a charm. If you know you'll have service where you hunt, the free version (without paying for a year's subscription) is ok, as well. With as much hunting as I do on public land, I don't think I could go back to hunting without it.
i'm still a fan of the dedicated gps unit rather than a phone. two main reasons are they are water resistant and i can simply swap out the batteries if it dies.
onx is that used to say mark your truck and then it brings you back to it or is it just maps
An OnX account will give you both a phone app and a web based page. It includes an aerial photo layer, topographic map layer, private ownership layer, hunting zone layers, and other options. You can enter a waypoint in either the phone app or the web page and it will show up on both.
If you are interested in marking a waypoint where your truck is parked, the phone app will mark it. There is also a distance measuring tool (how far am I from the truck??).
If you are in an area with poor cell coverage, you can download a map of the area you are interested in and the app will use the GPS on your phone to show your current location, add waypoints, etc. A backup portable phone charger might be a good thing to carry....
On the phone I use HuntStand, works great and FREE App, otherwise pickup a Garmin.
MK M GOBL
I just use the free scoutlook app. Used it last weekend to work the terrain when relocating on a roosted gobbler.
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I killed two public land birds in Alabama this year and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have gotten either one without using OnX. One I was able to find a different approach into a turkey from the week before and the other bird I spotted on some private, drive way around in my truck, climbed in from the backside and called two gobblers right in to me. I also like how you can view all your waypoints on the laptop. My only complaint is the satellite imagery is a little outdated. A lot of areas that look like woods have been clear cut. I would say it had been my most important tool this year in the turkey woods. It's giving me the confidence to go on some big walks and do lots of exploring.
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I'm also going to speak up for OnX maps. I think it's the most versatile option out there. You can use it on your tablet, PC, phone, or even update your handheld GPS chip to include your OnX data. If you're a MeatEater Podcast listener, you're probably aware of the coupon code meateater to save a few bucks off the subscription as well. For ~$2/month it's pretty tough to beat. I don't know how many hours I've spent "E-Scouting" by checking public land, or digging up private land info from OnX. Below are a few screenshots of what you can do with it.
Cheers,
Jimmy
(Click images for larger views)
You can mark areas to easily reference...
(https://i.imgur.com/nXDh9nS.jpg)
Make waypoints to save hunt/scout data (and also see land owner info to know where you are)
(https://i.imgur.com/ufgTOGA.jpg)
How do you all deal with battery life on your phone out in the field? Would eat mine up pretty quick.
Quote from: akp on May 02, 2018, 09:13:46 AM
How do you all deal with battery life on your phone out in the field? Would eat mine up pretty quick.
Auxiliary batteries that can be connected to your phone. Also, there are solar chargers that will charge an auxiliary battery if you are camping and away from electricity.
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Cell-Phones-Accessories-Portable-Phone-Power-Banks/zgbs/wireless/7073960011 (https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Cell-Phones-Accessories-Portable-Phone-Power-Banks/zgbs/wireless/7073960011)
I love my Garmin 62S and I also got the onX app this year and really like it as well
Quote from: akp on May 02, 2018, 09:13:46 AM
How do you all deal with battery life on your phone out in the field? Would eat mine up pretty quick.
With OnX you can download the map/s you want to have handy. If you do this, and set the mobile device to airplane mode, you can maximize your battery time in the field; or, as others have mentioned, carry a small powerpack to re/charge.
Quote from: iamjimmychew on May 02, 2018, 01:31:19 PM
Quote from: akp on May 02, 2018, 09:13:46 AM
How do you all deal with battery life on your phone out in the field? Would eat mine up pretty quick.
With OnX you can download the map/s you want to have handy. If you do this, and set the mobile device to airplane mode, you can maximize your battery time in the field; or, as others have mentioned, carry a small powerpack to re/charge.
This is what I do if I am not going to have service the whole time I am out...which is the case at all the places that I hunt except one. I turn it on airplane mode, and have a pocket juice portable charger that I got at Walmart for $15 that will charge my phone 3-4 times completely before needing to recharge the portable charger. The portable charger only weighs half a pound at the most.
As for waterproofing, put your phone in a ziplock bag. The touchscreen/thumbprint unlocking/face recognition will all still work through the ziplock bag, and it keeps it completely dry. Kind of like what folks do putting a box call in a bread bag to keep it dry.
I have GAIA gps and onX. I prefer GAIA if you want it for navagtion. That being said I am never without my Garmin Etrex legend
Might not be able to buy them any more but my eTrex has gotten me out of a few jams and into at least 1. Bout as simple as it gets. It sure helped last week in SD.
I have noticed onX off grid does not seem to have the clearer images than when it is online....or am I doing something wrong?
I purchased the onX for Oklahoma app yesterday. I have a card that I use on my Garmin Astro unit when quail hunting. I like the app. You can download three different resolutions for use with the off grid. I noticed the middle one was a bit fuzzy.
Quote from: akp on May 03, 2018, 09:39:10 AM
I purchased the onX for Oklahoma app yesterday. I have a card that I use on my Garmin Astro unit when quail hunting. I like the app. You can download three different resolutions for use with the off grid. I noticed the middle one was a bit fuzzy.
I bet that is what I did wrong....need to check that.
The high res option is a pretty big file though....
Quote from: tha bugman on May 03, 2018, 09:23:29 AM
I have noticed onX off grid does not seem to have the clearer images than when it is online....or am I doing something wrong?
When you save you should have three options for the size and resolution you save. The smallest/highest resolution which is 5 square miles usually works for me.
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Quote from: ccleroy on April 29, 2018, 08:34:37 PM
On X Hunt
Been using a Gps for years with no problems. I've had 2 Oregon's & now I'm using a Montana with a rechargeable battery. The only negative about the Montana is it is a little heavier than the others I've had but it has a bigger screen. Never used the app's but I do like my Gps.
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I use OnXhunt first yr and I like it so far. :firefighter: