GPS

[Xi Bowhunter]

Any of you guys use GPS? Have any preferences or complaints about a certian brand of model?

Matt Goetz

[Multidigits]

Never buy a high end model at first. Buy a cheaper Garmin Etrex or something simple to use. You can always get your money out of it if you want to move up to a better model. Take the simple one and learn how to use it. A lot of people have 'em and don't know how to take advantage of their features.

[mbeeler]

I have a Magellan 315, simple, easy to use. It does come in handy marking routes and things... but always keep a map and a compass in your pack as a backup...

Marc Beeler
- Redneck Programmer

[Wildcat]

I agree with Multidigits. Get a cheaper Garmin first. Then read the book that comes with it several times and take it with you to pratice. PRATIVE, PRATICE AND PRATICE again in a place where you know the land like the back of your hand. Too many people give up after a few times but once you get the hang of it , it will be one of the best things you have for deer hunting.

I started out with Garmin 12XL and put Topo USA software in my PC. After season closed I would scout and mark every rub, scrape, and bed I found and downlosd them on my PC to creat a map. I've been doing this for 5 years now and have a Garmin Map 76S that has been updated to 48 MB and use MapSource which has made it far more easier than just printing a map everytime I find some new rubs. You should see the maps I have of LBL.

[Xi Bowhunter]

if you don't care, I would like to see those maps of LBL. It is my favorite place I have ever hunted...If not I understand!

Matt Goetz

[Pooge]

I use have a PALM Pilot (organizer) and a while back I decided to buy the GPS attachment for it to play with. I took it downloaded some maps of the smoky mtns. and wend down for a weekend in the backcountry to test it out. I was very suprised to see it track every movement along the trail. Pretty neat but mainly just a toy or for use in emergencys. There is still no substitute for studying topos and learning how to use a compass. It really is quite simple. Here is a good read for anyone not familiar with reading maps and using a compass. Make sure you practice in a familiar place so you can see how the principals work in a friendly environment :)

http://www.map-reading.com/

Jody




- Rumors of my sanity are greatly exaggerated...

[Wildcat]

Xi Bowhunter,
WHAT???? Those maps go to the grave with me.[;)]

I've probably put in close to 400 miles in the past 5 years walking and marking those rubs, scraps and beds in LBL. I have so many you need to zoom in to see them. Today if I find a new rub anywhere I have maped I can look on my new GPS and it will show all the ones in the area I found and helps me figure out where the rubline might be. I'll start following them and find new ones all the time so I know I was right and have a very good idea where he's bedded and fedding.

[Xi Bowhunter]

Sounds like you have done your homework! Do any of you know where to get good topo maps of places like LBL and even private lands on the web?

Matt Goetz

[Pooge]

Try http://www.delorme.com/topousa/default.asp
I have an older version of this and it works well. I have the TOPO layouts of my family's farm from it. You can pretty much get maps anywhere you want.
Cool thing is it works with most GPS units so you can download the map you want right in and off you go.

- Rumors of my sanity are greatly exaggerated...

[duckdawg]

here guys don't know if you all know of this resource or not. Digital Ortho Images http://kymartian.state.ky.us/doqq
works best if you can save them and insert them as an image in Autocad. you can put photos together then and see what is going on from a birds eye view.

[JLee]

Thanks for bringing this up XI Bowhunter, I was just wondering about that as well, since I am new to KY (hunter for years in GA) and trying to learn my way around some of these WMAs.

Hey Pooge, I have a Palm m125, what is the cost for the attachment, and is that something you can get at big electronic stores (I haven't ever really looked)? Thanks.

JLee

[Ky Headhunter]

I have a Magellan Blazer12, not made anymore. It's been really good. I agree with what's been stated, start low-end unless you see a feature you just HAVE to have on a high-end model. Ease of operation is important to me, and the one I have is simple to use.

I think everything on the market has a 12 parralel channel receiver nowadays, which is important (locks on faster & more reliably). If my low-end, 5-year old gps has it, I'm sure they all have it now.

I don't know anybody who has regretted buying a gps, though they can't totally replace a compass & map. Actually, maps & gps go hand-in-hand.

[Hunt n nut]

I have a Garmin Legend and really like it. I just got it this season for Canada trips, but I have used it a lot more than I thought I would.

[Pooge]

JLee, I picked mine up from Office Depot a few years ago for around $200.00 They are pretty common. I like mine. It is not as handy as a self contained unit like the Garmins and whatelse but it does the trick...

- Rumors of my sanity are greatly exaggerated...