Also, take the time to experiment and learn all the features. I know people that only look at the map page because they don't know how to do anything else. You should be able to save a waypoint, find a waypoint, save and follow tracks, at a bare minimum. If I am in "uncharted" territory I will clear my tracklog, then let it save the track while I walk. I then save the track, keeping in mind that it will save everywhere I have walked. If I save it before I track back, it will make a nice uncluttered path on the map that I make, and on the gps.


One of the really nice things is being able to bushwhack to get to my stand, or back to the truck, without wandering around too much.

Always bring spare batteries. I have a lot of rechargables because I use them in my headlamps, gps's and cameras. I always have spares. The vista has much better battery life than my venture, something to keep in mind.

Also be aware that they can fail so don't get too dependant on them. The area I hunt is not that large so the risk of getting lost is slim to none. I use my gps for uses other than gettng lost, it can pinpoint something, which a compass can't do, and I like it for that. Also, an area will look a lot differant in the winter than it does in the summer. The gps will let me know where a good spot, or a stand is, when the landmarks change.