| Posted by | Message |
indytiger 
LSU Fan
baton rouge/indy
Member since Oct 2004
7117 posts
| handheld gps's for in the field (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?
|
| Back to top | Share on  |
Nodust
LSU Fan
Member since Aug 2010
15321 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 1:07 am to indytiger)
iPhone works great. Many different apps to choose from
|
| Back to top | |
Hammertime
LSU Fan
Hiding in your back seat
Member since Jan 2012
8875 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 1:16 am to Nodust)
Garmin GPS map ones have always suited me well. Rugged, some waterproof, and work really well. A cheapie one will just end up being frustratingquote:
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.
|
| Back to top | |
Nodust
LSU Fan
Member since Aug 2010
15321 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 1:26 am to Hammertime)
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.
|
| Back to top | |
Nodust
LSU Fan
Member since Aug 2010
15321 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 1:32 am to Nodust)
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 at 1:40 am
|
| Back to top | |
DownSouthTiger
LSU Fan
downsouth
Member since Jan 2005
2062 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 7:04 am to indytiger)
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 at 7:05 am
|
| Back to top | |
Scrowe 
New Orleans Saints Fan
Louisiana
Member since Mar 2010
683 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 7:09 am to DownSouthTiger)
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.
|
| Back to top | |
DownshiftAndFloorIt
LSU Fan
The devil dreams on an idle horse
Member since Jan 2011
30438 posts
 Online
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 8:05 am to Hammertime)
I'm pretty sure you're right about using service towers to locate themselves.
|
| Back to top | |
diplip
LSU Fan
Half-way to Valhalla
Member since Jan 2011
153 posts
|
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.
|
| Back to top | |
LSU_Lou
LSU Fan
The Landmass between N.O & Mobile
Member since Jul 2005
2005 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 9:05 am to indytiger)
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.
|
| Back to top | |
AboveGroundPool
LSU Fan
Member since Aug 2010
3046 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 9:08 am to indytiger)
i have a garmin etrex summmit hc, works great for what i need it for, small and has a color screen
|
| Back to top | |
Hammertime
LSU Fan
Hiding in your back seat
Member since Jan 2012
8875 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 9:20 am to diplip)
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
|
| Back to top | |
AlxTgr
LSU Fan
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
27775 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 9:32 am to Hammertime)
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.
|
| Back to top | |
MSWebfoot
LSU Fan
Hernando
Member since Oct 2011
662 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 9:36 am to indytiger)
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.
|
| Back to top | |
ForeverLSU02 
Penn Fan
Albany
Member since Jun 2007
20729 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 9:55 am to indytiger)
Garmin Oregon 450t
|
| Back to top | |
Hammertime
LSU Fan
Hiding in your back seat
Member since Jan 2012
8875 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 10:03 am to AlxTgr)
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.
|
| Back to top | |
AlxTgr
LSU Fan
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
27775 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 10:05 am to Hammertime)
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.
|
| Back to top | |
chesty 
USA Fan
BR
Member since Oct 2012
1097 posts
Online
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 10:13 am to indytiger)
Small garmin. Don't remember the name. But I use it with the Marines. We call it a dagger.
|
| Back to top | |
diplip
LSU Fan
Half-way to Valhalla
Member since Jan 2011
153 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 10:24 am to Hammertime)
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.
|
| Back to top | |
CoastieGM
Member since Aug 2012
1234 posts
| re: handheld gps's for in the field (Posted on 11/20/12 at 11:21 am to chesty)
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.
|
| Back to top | |
