GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

I would like to get some opinions on a new GPS. I am hunting a large tract of national forest and I think I could expand my hunting area with a GPS. I just want to ask a few questions. (1) How simple are they to use. (2)Can you really find your stand in the dark a mile away with one. (3)Can I get a dependable one for around $200.I would appreciate all the info I can get on this.

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

CANT YOU SPELL BOY?

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

hc4runner, in answer to your questions...
1) Very simple to use (carry spare batteries)
2) Usual accuracy is +-15ft to 20ft
3) $200 US will get you a smokin' GPS.

I would say look into the Garmin lines www.garmin.com or Magellan http://www.magellangps.com/en/

I currently own a Garmin Vista, and LOVE it. I've heard that the newest Magellans are comparable (though slightly larger).

Good Luck,

Jim.

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

GPS are easy to use and a great tool. As far as will they get you on your stand in total darkness...probably not to the tree but close and once your in the area you find it on autopilot(your own GPS-upstairs). The accuracy depends on where you are, satellite pos., canopy of trees, etc. I have had my Garmin say accuracy within 9 feet and yet other times within 30 feet. The bottonline is it will get you in and more importantly out. Would i use one to try and goto the same spot on GPS alone...never. But I can't really see how anybody would, unless they pass it around the campfire at night and try the old chinese firefighter drill.....NOW GO!LOL

I would recommend you get one with a digital compass. Mine is etrex(yellow) and you have to move a few steps to get the compass to orientate. As such i still carry a compass with me(not such a bad idea for backup), for wind dierction, etc while sitting.

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

Not only will it get you to your stand and back, If you use some of the better topo programs, it can get you to your tree even if you have never BEEN there before.
Open your topo program, study and look for funnel zones when concidering travel routes (to/from food/bed)
Make a waypoint on your GPS as to where you want your stand, and download this to your GPS.
It'll take you right to your area, and you can find the best tree in the area to use.
Get a GPS with at least some availible memory for uploading maps (preferable one with removable memory) and one that is WAAS enabled.
Some have electronic compasses..most have compass features that work when you start moving...others have a REAL compass built in.

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

All my hunting partners and I, have, use, and swear by Magellan [315's]. If I ever need to replace mine it would be another Magellan.

Accuracy . . . to the foot.

An interesting story: For opening archery elk I found crossing trails in the Eastern Washington Cascade Mountains and around a three + mile hike from camp and set up my stand, camoflaged it, and marked it with my GPS. On opening morning I followed the GPS right to the stand area but could not find the stand in the super darkness. I had camoflaged it too well and my tree steps are the folding kind and I had them folded against the tree. I decided to sit at the base of a tree that the GPS led me to and wait for enough daylight to see the stand and get into position. When there was enough light I started looking. The last place I looked was the tree under which I sat. Sure enough my stand was 16 feet directly above my head.

Twenty-five minutes later I passed on a cow, hoping for a better shot at the third one in line. She winded me and I lost the only chance I was to get this season.

BUMMER!


Dick

Edited by - Dick Cress on 11/28/2002 12:29:55

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

Thanks guys,I have been looking through my Bass Pro catalog and am thinking of buying the Magellan Meridian GPS Green. Do yall know anything about this particular model. I dont know much about them so I dont even know what WAAS enabled means. Please explain.

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

WAAS enabled basically means, it uses extra signals from the ground to further zero in on your location.
Go to magellans web page...it will show you LOTS more.

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

The following URL gives a complete explanation of WAAS and what it means.

http://www.gpsinformation.net/exe/waas.html

Dick

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

I have a Garmin GPS12XL & I don't leave home without it....works fantastic & is extremely accurate...I use it for hunting, fishing, hiking, atving, travelling etc......always carry a compass with you thought, as even the most expensive electronic toys can break down when you need it most....just my .02 cents worth...Brampton Mike

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

I agree with Brampton Mike my compass is in the fitst pouch of my day bag. I always include maps of the area I'm hunting and its surrounding area as well. [Usually 2 Greentrails Maps.]

Dick

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

I have a Garmin 12 and it works great.


If you purchase a Magellan Meridan check out this site.
http://www.gpsonsale.com/

Their prices are about 50 dollars cheaper than Cabellas or Bass Pro. I purchased 3 Meridans with all the accessories from here. These where given to our local Conservation Officers to use from the United Bowhunters of Illinois and they love them.

"Im not a guide, but i did stay at a Holiday Inn Express recently"

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

Hello

I have a webpage with info and reviews of GPS units at http://www.jesseshuntingpage.com/gps.html

There is also a helpful GPS forum at http://www.jesseshuntingpage.com/for...hp?act=SF&f=39

~spectr17

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

For exactly $200 I got a Garmin E-Trex Vista ($250 with a $50 mail-in rebate). I used it extensively while scouting and hunting this fall, and it saved my skinny butt several times. It's great to be able to devote 100% attention to scouting, knowing that the GPS will get you out of any situation (so long as your batteries don't run out). This unit is smaller than a cell phone, very light, and has a lot of memory.

Most of the time, accuracy with any unit will be 20-40 feet. This is pretty darn good, and if you can't find a tree with this you would never find it anyway. I found it very useful for knowing when to cut in the woods from a field edge, and for backtracking my way out of deep woods on a grey day. The WAAS is nice and makes the unit more accurate, but the truth is that most of the time you will not be able to get a WAAS signal- and turning this feature on drains your GPS batteries very quickly.

If you are in very mountainous country, you will have trouble getting a signal when in deep valleys. This is just the nature of the beast. Mounting the unit on a hat will increase signal strength very dramatically- if it's in a pocket, your body will block the signal. If you have a computer, and use the topo software that is available, theen you are really onto something.

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

Like everyody said, you can get a great GPS for $200. All the types of units work basically off the same type of techology. The more you get up in price, the more gadgets you get with it too. The digital compass is very nice to have, along with a base map, and downloadable memory. With rebate right now, you can get a new vista for about $300(Cabelas and bass Pro prices), and the rebate is good through the end of december. If the vista is too much money, the summit would be the next best choice at around $180 after rebate. The summit is a lot like the vista, other than it doesn't have a base map or any downloadable memory. But is great for anybody would doesnt need it for driving.

I would recommend the Garmin models over the Magellan models, not saying the Magellans are bad though. Garmin has better software to download, easier to learn, the display has better precise detail, etc. The vista would be a great model to get. You could use it for driving just as easily as hunting and fishing. It has practically every option, except getting driving directions, which the 76s, V, and street-pilot are popular for, since they can. Good luck.
Visit My Hunting Page

RE: GLOBAL POSITIONING STYEMS
 

Magellan also updates their software from time to time and it can be downloaded to our 315's to keep them updated. The latest software switches to feet from target when it gets within a certain distance.

Though I couldn't find my tree stand on opening morning of elk season . . . it was only because I had camoflaged it too well and couldn't see it but mu Magellan took me right to the tree.

Dick