Handheld GPS for Hunting

Hey all,

Am looking at getting a handheld GPS ahead of hunting season, for mapping kill sites, spots to hunt on, etc. Part of this is due to the new CWD testing rules in my area, and part is due to me just expanding my kit. My mind’s kind of swimming with the million plus options available, so what do you guys and gals use and what do you like about yours? I’d like to keep the cost below $500, but if there’s a good one higher than that, I’d be open to it.

 

Use a cell phone with GAIA GPS.... If needed, pair with a external Bluetooth GPS device like Bad-Elf. Now your cost is WAY lower. Around $150

https://bad-elf.com/pages/be-gps-2200-detail

To me, the best parts of this setup is that:

1) ALL of the devices in my vehicle can use a common GPS receiver for continuity
2) ALL of my devices use GAIA, so a map I create on my PC will automatically update on my phone AND on my iPad

 

If I run GAIA on my phone, will it still be useable for navigating and positioning in areas without cell reception? Also, wouldn’t I need to attach the GPS receiver to my person while stalking game on foot? Part of the reason I’m thinking handheld is because the separate receivers I’ve looked at in the past need a power source, and I don’t want to have to carry a separate power bank and run a cord to it while walking.

 

I can tell you that the Garmin Etrex did very well in Iraq years ago. I even used one on Ft.Carson quite frequently back in the day. If I buy one it will probably be an Etrex. I'm sure there are better, I just know what worked for us/me.

AA or AAA batteries.
Micro SDs for maps
Updateable
Rugged
Somewhat waterproof
Dont need to be cartographer to use it.

 

researching as well, subd

 

Garmin makes some great products. There big touch screens products like the Montana are nice but hard to use when you have a decent set of gloves on your hands. I've heard good things about their non touch screen versions like eTrex.

I have since gotten rid of all those products and just subscribe to OnX hunt maps. $30 bucks a year and I use my phone. You can download the area you'll be hunting for offline use and it will still track all your movements and way points using the phones memory and GPS. Any e-scouting you do from home on a computer for laptop before the hunt automatically moves over to the mobile app.

 

I’ve run Gaia and Topo Maps. Both are okay but Gaia i is constantly trying to up sell services.

My preferred app is MapOut. All three work without cell service as long as you have down loaded the area you need in advance. For a none phone system, I’ve got this garmin “Oregon”,
you can download regional maps (PNW is 3 states), and swap out the micro card. Nicest thing about this garmin, is the camera that automatically geotags the picture and places a marker on your trail.


I added a signal booster for when the phone or iPad mini is on my dashboard.

 

I use Gaia GPS or Motion-X GPS for hiking and both work great. Cell service isn't an issue with either as you can download the maps for the area you will be in before venturing out. Both allow you to tag areas with position, photo's, etc and do everything a standalone GPS will do. Just about any cellular enabled device today has a GPS chipset so you should be good there.

However I also believe in redundancy so I do always carry a map of the area, both a lensatic & orienteering compass as well as the appropriate UTM tools to figure out where I am. Also if you haven't learned UTM or MGRS positioning systems yet do it. Lat/Long is useless for land navigation by foot and just ends up pissing you off.

And since 2 is 1 I also carry a Garmin InReach as a backup to my backup. My version doesn't have the maps built in but will communicate with my phone over bluetooth and I get the maps on the phone. It gives me text-messaging, position tracking, SOS and will give me my exact coordinates anywhere on the planet without the phone. Yeah it's $24 bucks a month for the subscription but if something happens and i'm alone it's a cheap insurance policy. I've been on enough SAR callouts to know not to go into the woods or mountains unprepared!

 

GAIA GPS works offline. You download maps when you have WiFi and the app does the rest. Don’t need a separate receiver. I paid 20$ for the app and have used it on my iPhone and iPad (. Both have GPS receivers built in) all over NW Wyoming, Idaho & S Utah with zero issues.

 

Nice system, but for me, I avoid subscriptions like the plague.

 

I second GAIA...works flawlessly on a cell phone without cell service. Just went up to New York to visit family and my bro-in-law was using it as we scouted the Adirondacks...

 

Yes... The GAIA on your phone will be accessible offline (when no cell reception is available). Just go into the app and download the map for the area you will be in. I can download a 400sq mile area (20x20 miles) with satellite imagery quite easily and down to a VERY detailed resolution (individual trees and shrubs). If you just use a topo map, it will take up maybe 1/4 the space needed for satellite imagery.

You will have to attach the Bad-Elf to your person, but this thing is tiny (3.2oz) and it will operate for 16hrs on a single charge. I'm sure that you will have the ability to re-charge back at base-camp every night, so really that is all you need. You can even mark tracks/waypoints without it being connected to your phone.


The beauty of it is that it is a handheld just like any Garmin etc. but without having to pay for a screen. Just use the screen you already have on your cell phone!!
Plus, GAIA etc. will have much more frequent updates than a stand-alone unit and ANY device you use will have ALL of your info (tracks/waypoints) synced up.

 

Why do you need the bad elf ?

 

Motion-X is also a nice product. That is what I used initially. I would plan out my route on Google-Earth (the download version, not the website version) and then convert my KML to GPX and email the file to my phone... then open in Motion-X.

 

I initially got it because I use a non-cellular iPad for offroading/overlanding and it doesn't have a GPS chip. I still use it with my phone though bc I find it to be more accurate and reliable.

 

For non phone based, I’ve been using the Garmin GPSMAP64st for the past 4 years. I know they just released a new model, so you might be able to pick one of these up cheap. It’s done everything I’ve asked of it. TOPO maps generally suck for MA, so I don’t bother with cards to expand the preloaded info. I use it for hunting, but also marking trails and boundaries at work.

 

^^^THIS^^^
Simple is good. If you’re looking for a backup to your phone or separate from your phone, get the most basic Etrex they make.
I keep my phone battery for emergencies, not to use as a GPS. You could be on the phone for an hour in the sticks trying to guide someone in to you. Not the time to need a recharge.

Marking waypoints, tracks, topo map, etc. is what is really needed for hunting. Most of the other crap that’s loaded into the high end units is just too much clutter. Even the basic Etrex has stuff you will probably never use.

 

I use the Garmin Foretrex 701 mostly for shooting but it has gps exc, just another option. https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/583825#overview
Good luck!

 

Curious to know what you have decided on

 

Taken the back burner for the holidays. Revisit soon.

 

Gaia pro gps
Worth every penny

 

My Dad has two Garmin Rinos, they are really nice but really expensive. I bought a Garmin Fenix 5x watch and I used it a lot this year. I'd start a hike and it would map my GPS tracks/location as I moved around. When I got lost I'd just look at my watch and head back to where my tracks started. Was super nice! Uploads all your hikes to your phone and Garmin app too.