I currently use a garmin (older model) and am looking to upgrade my GPS. But, I don't want to have one so complicated that it takes months of practice to get comfortable with it. My needs are simple. I want to get into and out of the North Woods of Maine with maybe a waypoint or two. It has to be durable and RELIABLE. I use a compass for back up.

Sorry, forgot to write the question. What is the favorite GPS units out there for handgun hunters venturing into thick woods.

I have a Garmin 650T and love it. I wanted something with a big display. There are a couple things I would change about it but it's pretty badass.

If you have a smart phone check out Cabela's Recon Hunt app. It uses aerial photos instead of a map for the GPS. I used mine this past turkey season and really liked it.

You can upload satellite images to your gps too. I have a map of the ranch from myTopo and I uploaded it right into my 650. The nice thing about that is that it doesn't require a data connection on a phone to work.

Thanks for the input. I haven't looked at the 650 yet and the phone sounds promising as well.

There are also gps apps for your iPhone if you have one. GPSLite is free but in my experience they suck the battery life so fast they can't be relied upon for anything and you still need a 3G data connection. If you're in an area where you really need a gps for navigation / security then don't depend on a phone app. You probably won't have the cell coverage you need anyway. I suppose a phone app could be useful if you're lost in the dark in a fairly civilized area.

yosey12,

I would avoid the phone apps. Cell phone coverage in Northern Maine is absent to sketchy. Bring extra batteries for gps unit. The biggest problem with Maine is the water, numerous swamps, lakes, streams, and rivers; makes land nav difficult. I always had an up-to-date map & compass ( pre gps days ) and did just fine.

P.S. : welcome to HHM.

Doc

I just saw an add for the Garmin oregon 450 and it looked like a promising GPS unit. right now I use some phone apps but for what I'm doing with it I get by just fine but wouldn't use it if I was going on a trip somewhere more remote.

I picked up an Oregon 450 fairly recently to replace my old Magellan Map 330. I was able to download some free maps from GPSFileDepot.com but those aren't turn by turn. I did purchase the City Navigator NT software from Garmin for $59 for turn by turn. I'm still getting used to the unit as it has waaaay more stuff on it than I'm used to.

I used to have a magellan and it did the basic mark a way point and show some roads but not much more than that, it eventually just stopped working not really sure why but haven't looked to get another just yet

cell phone coverage in northern maine is absent to sketchy? hell im inland from the mid coast and cant get cell at the house. dont think ive ever held a gps in my hand. watch a fellow walk past me dealing with his gps and never saw me. even though im in orange hat and coat. wonder how much hunting he got to do. i just use a compass its what i know. now my sat. dish goes out in vary bad weather dose a gps do the same?

We us gps's a lot in my line of work and try several from a few different companies. My opinion for the money anything Garmin. I use the e Trex 30. Like anything else you get what you pay for.

Stay with Garmin, as a commercial/ corporate pilot and a licensed boat captain I have used just about every gps out there. Garmin has, by far, the absolute best receiver of all the gps's on the market. The Etrexs are very easy to use and are light and compact. My only use for a gps in the field is to mark my camp or the beginnings of a blood trail or climbing stand location.

I will give a strong (+1) to the Garmin as well.
Their user interface is by far the most intuitive to use and easiest to get around in.

One other thought, I own one of the eTrex units and while the features are nice, the internal antenna really sucks once you get under the tree canopy. I have not tried the new eTrex or Oregon lines but I would assume they use a similar patch type antenna configuration. The units with the external helix antennas are the way to go if you are potentially going to be in the woods as opposed to on the prairie when you need your GPS. Unfortunately they are also the most expensive units, but I think the increased receiver sensitivity is well worth the increase in price.

BTW: Always...always....always have a compass and a map with some major landmarks marked, in your pack or in your pocket. There is noting quite like being deep in unfamiliar woods when your GPS decides that for the next several hours, it will not be able to establish a satellite lock.

Yep. Most definitely. Was bow hunting elk a few years ago in CO when the skies opened up and it started snowing to beat all hell. It was getting late in the day and I was a good 4-5 miles from camp. So I pulled my old Magellan out ( why I would never own one again, but they came out before Garmin) and tried to turn it on. It was dead. So I changed batteries and it was stil dead. So out came the compass and 2 hours later I cut the dirt road I had started the day on. An hour later I was in camp. I never leave home without my compass.

Garmin Colorado