|
Post by randyh on Nov 14, 2006 23:29:51 GMT -6
Daughter-in-law has mentioned that son was mumbling the other day about Santa Claus bringing a GPS unit for Xmas. No more detail of what unit, features, etc. so of course that opens it up to everything from bottom-end units to the Cadillac versions. He does a lot of both fishing and hunting. Anyone here have experience or care to express an opinion on a"basic" unit? (whatever that means)
|
|
|
Post by darrellmyskiw on Nov 15, 2006 10:17:36 GMT -6
The only thing I can say is bells and whistles suck up juice - and if you end up relying on your GPS to get you out of the soup pot - it might not last long if you get a Caddy that sings as it points the way home.
But - there's loads of options out there on them. Best he figgure out what he wants / would like. Although I have one - I still carry a map and compass and go off of them. My GPS is more a toy than tool - but has brought our bacon back to the truck twice when needed.
Some are more reliable / trusted / popular than others. Search the Fishing Lodge or Walleye Warrior. This has been brought up earlier - many good comments there for the new units.
darrell,
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2006 22:48:37 GMT -6
I dont know much about GPS units, but I know the Garmin Etrex Legend is suppost to be a good unit. They run at $159.88 at Wholesale Sports. My neighbour has one of these units and says he loves it.
Im getting my dad one for Christmas.
I will type up the specs for it if you want tomorrow sometime.
|
|
|
Post by Dale Martens on Nov 15, 2006 23:35:44 GMT -6
I've got a Magellan Explorist 100. It is a very basic unit but, as far as electronics are concerned, I'm the kind of guy who eschews bells and whistles. I've been very happy with this unit. I don't use it for serious navigation, however; it's main purpose is marking fishing spots out in the middle of a lake somewhere.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2006 8:22:04 GMT -6
I've got the Garmen etrex legend (about 4 yrs old) and I've been satisfied with it. I use it mainly for hunting and it gives me great confidence to roam further afield. It can position down to a few meters, so it would be good for marking fishing spots, too....TIM
PS. One thing to ask about is battery use. Maybe the newer ones are better but I can only get a couple of hours of continuous use before I get a low battery signal (uses 2 AAs). As a result, it's not something that I just leave on all day, but use selectively.
|
|
|
Post by randyh on Nov 16, 2006 20:58:32 GMT -6
Thanks guys
|
|
|
Post by Jamesrog on Nov 19, 2006 15:43:37 GMT -6
I bought a Garmin Etrek Legend as well and I absolutely love it... A very good introductory unit.
Using it for a couple of seasons now I found a few things that kinda come unexpected when you buy a unit...
First off, the unit will only come with a very basic map installed. This will usually only include the main highways and some bigger lakes and practically nothing else. You will have to purchase the additional maps for Canada from a place like Prairie Geomatics (Looking at a couple hundred bucks) in order to use the full potential of the unit. If you end up purchasing a Garmin unit give me a PM and I can "help" you with the maps.
Secondly, I found that the unit is not very accurate when it comes to exact tocations. The best I can get out of my unit is about a 7 meter radius. 7 meters may not sound like a lot but when you are working a particular spot on a lake it can mean being over structure or not. At least it gives you a really good idea where you fished before. Several times I would fish near shorelines and mark a waypoint and the spot would show up on the land rather than the water because of this inaccuracy. Again, it is not so much being in the "exact" spot but being in the general area of the spot.
Battery life can be an issue... several times I have hit the "backlight" button and worn my battery out within an hour or so. It is hard to see during the day if your backlight is on or not and it is a little too easy to accidentally hit the button.
Just a few gripes... other than that I absolutely love my Garmin unit.
James.
|
|
|
Post by darrellmyskiw on Nov 20, 2006 9:05:30 GMT -6
hour - 1 hrs ....... hmmmmmms ............. must be something for the older units
My Magellan Pioneer takes 4x AA batteries - and goes for 24 hrs continual use (and yup - lasts about as long / maybe a bit longer) ...............
Accuracy of 50ish meters (before they lowered SA - so the unit is better - but still .......). But for hunting - works danged fine.
Yeah - if you're marking structure .... might want a more reliable unit - however, 7 meters ........ ? ? ? only military applications will get you more accurate.
|
|
|
Post by Jamesrog on Nov 21, 2006 11:09:21 GMT -6
Darrell,
My Garmin only ran out of batteries quickly with the backlight on. Otherwise I can get about 24 hours as well...
Here I am complaining about 7 meters... I guess I would be a more concerned if I was getting 50. As long as it gives you a good idea of where you were than it helps. Originally I bought the unit to plot waypoints as I walked the shorelines looking for arrowheads and artifacts. The 7 meters inaccuracy put a lot of my spots either into the forest or out into the water. I figured it was much more of a useful unit for hiking and fishing instead. One of the coolest things I find is that you can trek straight into the woods and know that you are getting to your destination... as long as your batteries don't die!!!
James.
|
|
|
Post by Jamesrog on Nov 21, 2006 11:22:30 GMT -6
|
|