Handheld GPS units - Wheeling and Camping

[brockeverly]

Just curious what you guys are using for GPS when wheeling and camping/hiking? I am on the market for a handheld as there are a lot of times I have no cell signal so the GPS in my android phone is worthless. Looking mainly to save POIs and leave breadcrumbs for trips back.

 

[JAH-T4R]

I use an older Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx. It has been a great handheld and has gotten me back to camp well after sundown on many occasions. I usually carry it as a back up in the 4Runner because my NAV unit has led me astray more times than I can count.
My only issue with the Garmin is how much the charge for additional maps. Spending $300 on the unit and then another $300 on maps to unlock its full potential is a little underhanded in my opinion.
If I was to buy another GPS I would research map support a little better. But I do know that the quality of the Garmin is there. I have been able to pick up signals at the bottom of a narrow canyon where other GPS in the group were not able to get a lock to save their lives.

 

[KidVermicious]

I've had a little Garmin ETrex for years that's been great. I use shareware topo maps, I've never paid for one in my life. The screen is kinda small, and there's no flash port to expand the storage, but for basic hiking and routefinding it's all you need.

I'm using my smartphone more often, though, especially since I found the Gaia app that'll let me store maps locally on my phone instead of needing cell signal. Very groovy.

 

[limamike]

iOS has a great application called Motion X HD that allows you to download and store maps on your device (iPhone, iPad, etc) for use when you don't have a data connection. I use it in my truck on an iPad.

I would guess there are similar applications for Android. Doing a quick google search yielded a couple like: Backpacker Magazine - Backpacker GPS Trails App for Android Phones

Other than that, I use a DeLorme PN-60W that links into the DeLorme inReach. I also have a Garmin Montana that I keep in the truck just in case. But, if you're looking for a simple way to follow some breadcrumbs and mark waypoints you certainly don't need a color screen with all kinds of crazy wireless features. Go with a simple Garmin eTrex for that kind of stuff.

 

[36bound]

I use an older Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx. It has been a great handheld and has gotten me back to camp well after sundown on many occasions. I usually carry it as a back up in the 4Runner because my NAV unit has led me astray more times than I can count.
My only issue with the Garmin is how much the charge for additional maps. Spending $300 on the unit and then another $300 on maps to unlock its full potential is a little underhanded in my opinion.
If I was to buy another GPS I would research map support a little better. But I do know that the quality of the Garmin is there. I have been able to pick up signals at the bottom of a narrow canyon where other GPS in the group were not able to get a lock to save their lives.

Up until it was stolen from me at my servicing Jeep dealer last Fall (basta---!), I had extensively used my Garmin 60CSx with complete confidence. It's a great unit with vastly superior satellite signal reception- in any terrain or weather condition. I had used mine on dozens of hunting/camping trips throughout Michigan, and into Ontario and Manitoba where it also worked equally well. On a particular hunt in Manitoba I was grateful to have created a waypoint at my stand because, while searching for a downed bear after a rain in dense woods, my guides GPS unit lost reception. But when I pulled my 60CXs from my hip pack and turned it on, I had full signal strength. In terms of reliable performance, these older 60SCSx models are still light years ahead of many alleged "state-of-the-art" competing GPS units- and can be purchased for a good price.

The 62-series now replaces the 60-series, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend an older 60-series to a friend. The primary advantages of the newer 62-series is that it has a 3-axis compass, a more user friendly interface, and as one would expect, slightly better reception. As soon as I have a chance to fiddle with one in person at Cabelas or REI, the 62st will be my next purchase.

 

[Intruder]

I've got an older Garmin handheld as well, and while I agree that they're good for the intended purpose the screen is to small for me to use while driving. For offroading I use MotionX GPS HD on my iPad. Love it so much since I downloaded it that I'm looking into getting an iPad cradle for the truck.

 

[36bound]

Intruder makes a good point. The Garmin "handhelds" like the 60-series and 62-series work perfectly in the context of hiking, hunting and camping. In the field they are durable and absolutely reliable. But in a car, the inherently small screen size renders most "handhelds" a less than ideal, and unnecessarily costly choice as a primary automotive Nav unit.

As with other things, choosing the right tool for the job applies here too.

 

[Okki]

I have an offline map reader on my phone and tablet (maps+ by coderminus) . It allows me to save various map types and navigate without a cell signal (your gps uses a different signal ; although it may use cell towers for a quicker approximate location).

I believe that the latest Google maps update allow for offline guidance as well but I've not messed with that yet.

Okki

 

[Ttn333]

I've had an etrex hcx for a number of years and it has worked flawlessly. As others have mentioned, reception is fantastic. Highly recommended. only issue is the screen is a bit small.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I updated to a Garmin 62stc last fall. https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=89557 I updated from an old Garmin emap. The 62stc is expensive but I could never go back to a lesser unit after using this one.

 

[Reata]

60CsX is what I have used. It works great in tandem with my laptop. I have downloaded the motion xd, but need mike to give a tutorial while camping at Medano pass for iPad use.

 

[Huskey]

With the capabilities of most new smart phones, I see very little point in owning a seperate phone, camera, gps, and so on. Just upgrade your phone

Saying that, I tried several apps for wheeling on my Experia X10 the best was "Maveric". its accurate, has all back roads already on it and has loads of very cool features.

Now that I have a new iPhone I definatly miss my android. I am yet to find any app for it that comes close to Maveric's capabilities and until I do I will always keep my X10 for wheeling/camping/hunting and so on.

I will definatly give Motion X HD a shot thanks to limamike's suggestion

 

[shawn719]

I used the Garmin Dakato while deployed to Afghanistan - and another Garmin model while deployed to Iraq (years back).
:ak472: :gun5:
Both Garmins never failed and they were accurate.
I have used the Dakato model while hunting and fishing trips. :hunter: :fishing:
I use a car model in the 5th Gen
Love em.

 

[FERAL 4R]

Garmin Oregon 550T

Da best!

 

[Reata]

With the capabilities of most new smart phones, I see very little point in owning a seperate phone, camera, gps, and so on. Just upgrade your phone

no cell in many places. Not good when you are lost, it's dark, and it's cold.

 

[westwind77]

Garmin GPSMap 76CSx - can be in a basement and have 3 floors above you and still get a STRONG fix. Nice thing about the 7x series over the 6x series.....it FLOATS

 

[brockeverly]

With the capabilities of most new smart phones, I see very little point in owning a seperate phone, camera, gps, and so on. Just upgrade your phone

I work for Verizon, I have a cool phone. The problem is that cell service is not available in a large portion of the areas we go.

 

[Huskey]

I work for Verizon, I have a cool phone. The problem is that cell service is not available in a large portion of the areas we go.

Maveric only uses Satelite GPS, lets u plot trails, make waypoints and add pics, and a bunch of other cool stuff.

Here's an idea what it looks like:

 

[brockeverly]

Downloaded and playing with Maverick now. Seems like $4.95 just saved me a few hundred bucks! Thank you!

 

[KidVermicious]

no cell in many places. Not good when you are lost, it's dark, and it's cold.

There are several aps for Android and iPhone that will let you cache maps offline. Just preload the maps for the area you're going to be in, and you won't need cell reception.