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handheld gps's for in the field

Posted on 11/20/12 at 1:05 am
Posted by indytiger
baton rouge/indy
Member since Oct 2004
9834 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 1:05 am
I've been looking at them and am having trouble deciding on one. There is such a variety of them. I'm looking towards the cheaper end, any suggestions?
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22631 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 1:07 am to
iPhone works great. Many different apps to choose from
Posted by Hammertime
Will trade dowsing rod for titties
Member since Jan 2012
43030 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 1:16 am to
Garmin GPS map ones have always suited me well. Rugged, some waterproof, and work really well. A cheapie one will just end up being frustrating
quote:

iPhone works great. Many different apps to choose from
Most phones have a hard time getting signals in the woods. I believe that they use phone signals to triangulate instead of gps, because they rarely work when I don't have a signal. I have had them put me 1/8 mile away from where I actually was.
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22631 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 1:26 am to
True. Clear area it will get me within 10'. It does use satellites. But you can have trouble loading a map with weak cell signal.
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22631 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 1:32 am to
Downloaded this the other day

allows you to download the map you want, then you can use the iphone without cell service. Haven't used it yet.

Motion X allows you to do that also.
This post was edited on 11/20/12 at 1:40 am
Posted by DownSouthTiger
downsouth
Member since Jan 2005
2550 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 7:04 am to
Look up the garmin Dakota. It's a small handheld and touchscreen. I got one last year really like it. It's smaller than cell phone
This post was edited on 11/20/12 at 7:05 am
Posted by Scrowe
Louisiana
Member since Mar 2010
2926 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 7:09 am to
quote:

Look up the garmin Dakota. It's a small handheld and touchscreen. I got one last year really like it. It's smaller than cell phone


I have the Montana, I really have enjoyed it so far. I used my phone for a while, but my phone just drowns battery while using GPS so I decided to get a handheld to make sure my phone will always be ready to make/take a call.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 8:05 am to
I'm pretty sure you're right about using service towers to locate themselves.

Posted by diplip
the Mars Hotel
Member since Jan 2011
897 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 8:54 am to
quote:

I'm pretty sure you're right about using service towers to locate themselves.


depends on what phone you have.

alot of the android phones (not all) have gps chips in them. you can turn the gps on/off.

when it is off it will use tower triangulation.
Posted by LSU_Lou
The Landmass between N.O & Mobile
Member since Jul 2005
2094 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 9:05 am to
I have a Garmin Colorado 400t. It works great and you can sometimes find them used for a good price. The GPSmap is also a good one. It's a little more basic but it's the gold standard for handheld GPS's. Something to keep in mind with the touch screen GPS's (i.e. Dakota) if you are using it while hunting you have to take your gloves off to work it, or get techtouch gloves. Good luck.
Posted by AboveGroundPool
the basin
Member since Aug 2010
3770 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 9:08 am to
i have a garmin etrex summmit hc, works great for what i need it for, small and has a color screen
Posted by Hammertime
Will trade dowsing rod for titties
Member since Jan 2012
43030 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 9:20 am to
quote:

depends on what phone you have.

alot of the android phones (not all) have gps chips in them. you can turn the gps on/off.

when it is off it will use tower triangulation.
My last 2 Android phones have had a gps that I could turn off and on, and I am almost positive that it didn't do much in the woods. Had a hard time getting a signal in clearings sometimes
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
81642 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 9:32 am to
I have been in areas that my GPS Maps 60 will not work due to trees, yet Mung's iPhone does work. I was amazed. I now have off line maps on my Windows phone and can't wait to test that out. Still, I like the handhelds more than a phone, if they will work.
Posted by MSWebfoot
Hernando
Member since Oct 2011
3263 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 9:36 am to
I have an OLD Garmin e-trex, the very basic entry level model. It does not work well at all in woods with a lot of tree cover. I have been using my phone lately with alot of success. I just turn off GPS when I don't need it.
Posted by ForeverLSU02
Albany
Member since Jun 2007
52148 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 9:55 am to
Garmin Oregon 450t
Posted by Hammertime
Will trade dowsing rod for titties
Member since Jan 2012
43030 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 10:03 am to
quote:

GPS Maps 60
I haven't ever had them not work for an extended period of time. They can sometimes put you a hundred yards from where you actually are though.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
81642 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 10:05 am to
If I stand still and wait...and wait....it eventually finds the satellites. If I'm walking? No way. There are some pretty big woods though.
Posted by chesty
Flap City C.C.
Member since Oct 2012
12731 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 10:13 am to
Small garmin. Don't remember the name. But I use it with the Marines. We call it a dagger.
Posted by diplip
the Mars Hotel
Member since Jan 2011
897 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 10:24 am to
quote:

My last 2 Android phones have had a gps that I could turn off and on, and I am almost positive that it didn't do much in the woods. Had a hard time getting a signal in clearings sometimes


Was just pointing out that some of the the phones do have a gps chip.

It is usually not the best chip, plus the antenna is usually not the best either. and the software... It is a phone first... there are some aftermarket apps that can improve performance, but i dont use my smartphone ase my primary gps device.

I am partial to the garmin line. currently using the Dakota series. It is small and has the ability to load all sorts of factory and aftermarket basemaps.
Posted by CoastieGM
Member since Aug 2012
3185 posts
Posted on 11/20/12 at 11:21 am to
quote:

Small garmin. Don't remember the name. But I use it with the Marines. We call it a dagger.


The DAGRs ("dagger") came out after my time. Been told the DAGRs are super-awesome...hell of alot better than the Pluggers (PLGR) of my latter days in service. Though I'll bet a coke and a candy bar that a DAGR (like the PLGRs) is illegal as hell for civies to possess (secure code enabled).

I've loved using an entry level Garmen eTrex without any maps, bells or whistles. Reason is that it has more than double the battery life of other more advanced Garmins. (just have to use your brain a bit more)

Down side of civilian GPS is that pine trees are the worst enemy (not much an issue with military GPS). The size of a civilian GPS signal pulse is about the same as the diameter of a pine needle and gets filtered in a pine canopy. It still works, just not nearly as well as the mil equipment.
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