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Hi guys
Looking at getting my first gps for hunting. Wanted some options and ideas of what are good features, overrated features and other things to consider.
Budget is $400-$650ish
Good to get one that is gps and glasnoss?
Worth the extra for and inreach?
Worth the extra for a rhino type one?
Chuck in your 2c
Cheers
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What kind of phone do you have? Download the nztopo app and your good to go. My Garmin stays home know.
Being old school .....Get an older model Garmin 60CX or 60CSx - they are very reliable and better imo than what’s being offered today. You pay $250 - 300 for one in good knick
A cheaper alternative is to look at top maps before you go into the bush. Whilst in the bush you can bend branches and retreat out same way if need be required.
Being old school compass and map...... but the nztopo is good too! Tried it last time I was home!
More importantly you need a good battery bank for the phone!
I’ll be taking a few to Stewart island...along with a geny to charge them at the base camp.
It's not so much for the reason of not getting lost more the fact that I like to know where I am how far I have gone etc.
My phone is a galaxy A8, how do you find the gps on your phone in Bush and gullies?
Got a map and compass, need more practice with those
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Not bad @Dan88 when I hunted with it 90% of the time I was without cell coverage.
In fact to save battery I had most of the phone shut down only this app open.
Was the Kaimias thick bush so tree cover for most of the day apart from a few slips.
No big gully’s apart from slugging up the side in the morning and did not miss a beat.
I’ve not seen this beside a gps unit but still impressed with what one app can do. Did save me on getting the map out every 20min, just open the pocket and see where your going. Handy at the end of the day as I could see how much ground I needed to cover to get back to the track. Down side is that you will lose your map read skills if you only used this. Also if you don’t mark our fix your position on the map then if your battery dose die you have a whole load of work to re fix your position to get out of their.
I use my phone on flight mode, it doesn't need signal for topo and gps to work. Battery lasts for ages and I have not yet had any issues with losing position. GPS stays in the pack now as a back up.
Go for the app and see how you like it, if you find it does all you want save your money and get an inreach, they must be getting down into your budget by now (think I paid 650-700 for mine over winter) map on the inreach is useless (spoiled by my Garmin 62s) but I guess it will improve with newer models
I have a Garmin 64s that sits at home and just use my Samsung s7 phone with Topomaps pro which cost something like $14
Phones are good but not as rugged as a proper gps. Most hate water and mine stops when it gets cold( yes it needs a new battery or be replaced) and a gps should take more of a knock than a phone. Each has their advantages and limitations. The rhino's that people have used around me seem really handy. In reach I understand have reasonably expensive running costs but work. There is talk of a heap of new mini satellites being launched to give virtually complete cell phone coverage over the next few years. With phones getting more robust and better and if the full coverage happens I'm guessing that will be mostly the end of hand held gps's if you're prepared to wait. I'd say either a cheaper gps like a 62/64 or phone and a plb so not matter what goes wrong with the phone/gps you can still get help
Thanks guys, already have a PLB so might just look at getting a garmin 64
Cheers for the input
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