Handheld GPS unit

I’m looking at buying a handheld GPS unit. The unit will be primarily used for locating treestands in the dark, and the possibility of an out west elk hunt at some point in the future. I would like the option to use an OnX type map chip with it as well. While looking at the major sporting goods stores, there seems to be a lot different units, but most of them seem to be very similar. Can anyone give a good recommendation on a solid gps unit that isn’t going to require forking over a ton of money. I’m not opposed to getting a used one, or one that is a few generations old. Thanks for all the help.

Use your smartphone of choice. A lot better bang for the buck IMO.

I use Backcountry Navigator Pro for GPS software. You can load different basemaps, everything is downloadable so it works off the network grid. More than enough to find treestands and map trails.

I have a separate battery that I can plug my phone into to charge it, it’s a 12,000 MAh battery that will run the phone for several days or charge it completely about 5 times. I can also charge this battery with a small solar panel, so I can leave it back at camp for a day and top it up.

Grouse

Good advice for sure. I should have mentioned that my smartphone sure does not like cold weather. It will die almost immediately if I take it out of my pocket in winter.

Things I would consider for Garmin models:

1) Screen size and controls. If it’s a 3″ or 4″ touchscreen is fine. If it’s smaller than that (like the eTrex series) then I would prefer the joystick or button controls because it’s just too small for fat fingers. If you want to use it frequently with gloves then you may prefer the joystick or buttons anyways.

2) Battery type. How long will you be away from power? Some have rechargeable battery packs, some us AA batteries. I find it a lot easier to carry spare AAs than bother with buying spare Garmin batteries. Some models have the option of using either so you can bring spare AAs if your rechargeable one dies.

3) Map support. You said you wanted to use onX so it has to have a color screen, that rules out the cheapest ones like the eTrex 10. I haven’t used the onX maps but I do have the Garmin HuntView maps which are similar. There is a *lot* of information displayed so this kind of comes back to a screen size question. I would consider 3″ that I have now the minimum but 4″ would be really nice. Some come with built in topo maps but they are the lower resolution 100k maps and are not routable. If you are going to buy a chip anyways then save money by not buying one with built in maps. For detailed maps you need to use a chip. One difference between Garmin 24k or Garmin Huntview and onX is that the Garmin ones will be routable so that you can get turn by turn directions on roads on trails, onX is not routable.

Doesnt cell phone GPS require a cell signal to function? I know my smart phone isnt true GPS and wont work in some places I visit. My handheld GPS works EVERYWHERE. I still have an old H2O so as long as it keeps working I will use it.

suzuki wrote:

Doesnt cell phone GPS require a cell signal to function? I know my smart phone isnt true GPS and wont work in some places I visit. My handheld GPS works EVERYWHERE. I still have an old H2O so as long as it keeps working I will use it.

Not all of them. I have a Samsung Galaxy S6. It has a GPS transmitter, so the positioning is a true GPS. However, most mapping services need the data service to load the maps

The garmin 64 is a good solid gps,fast lock on stays locked on,easy to use and more features than most will use without being overkill.It is a smaller screen with keypad,which is what I prefer,color unit so a variety of map cards work.I use the onx ND premium,which gives landowner info and for 30$ a year can be updated with current info.
My last gps was an finder huntc a bump up from the h2o,and I do like the garmin better,but do miss the ability to turn off more specific map catagories like I could with the Lowrance.