Opinion on handheld GPS
Wisconsin
My old Garmin Vista HCX isn't going to cut it much longer. Screen is too small and available maps are slim pickings. Need to buy one soon because I want it for my bear hunt in a week.
I think I have decided on the Garmin Montana 610. Reasons being:
4" screen (this is key to me), On sale at Cabelas right now for $350 and using Cabelas points is a plus, 8 meg camera, 3 AAA's plus comes with a lithium battery and charger
Don't think I want the 610T because I think being automobile compatible is the only advantage and costs more than the 610 that is on sale.
Anyone know any reason why I should or should not get the Montana 610? And, if not the Montana 610 what do you suggest?
This kind of a personal preference type item. I wold not go for the Montana strictly because it's a touch screen. They are finicky if it's raining or snowing. In addition I believe you have to take your gloves off every time you use it. I do have a garmin but it is not a touch screen and I love it. Hope this helps
This kind of a personal preference type item. I wold not go for the Montana strictly because it's a touch screen. They are finicky if it's raining or snowing. In addition I believe you have to take your gloves off every time you use it. I do have a garmin but it is not a touch screen and I love it. Hope this helps
I am in the same boat so interested in responses here. My garmin Legend HCX same issues. I am interested in hearing about GPS units that have both topo and aerial photos. Small screens won't cut it fo that.
I have been thinking that using the apps on my phone would give me the map option and I can transfer info later to my PC for more detail view. I realize that the GPS on a phone is not always accurate so I don't rely on it for property lines.
Maya, touch screens used to be a no glove thing but this one is supposed to be a glove friendly one. Maybe it is, maybe not. I still use an old fashioned flip phone so going to touch screen would be a new experience for me. I will take a look if there are any 4 inch screens out there that are not touch.
Jeff... I have a eTrex H you can have for $20, its brand new still in the box.
I like the 64s. It basically the same unit as my 320 that I use for tracking dogs. It's got raised buttons that are glove friendly. Good mapping, easy to use, and works under canopy. Down side i believe the screen is smaller than the Montana and or Oregon. You can buy refurbished units for a decent price and better warranty than the factory one. The link is where I buy my GPS's from. Great service.
Decide if you want touch screen or buttons. Cold weather gloves will make touchscreen extremely inconvenient. Warm weather glove may or may NOT work with a touch GPS. I have the etrex 20. Good basic button GPS. I just got a gpsmap 64s (with sensors). With buttons, has digital compass so you see directions when you spin it around. Notably larger and heavy then the etrex. Maybe too big, now that I have been using and etrex for decades. My vista hcx is on the table next to me. Still useful, put new maps on it a couple weeks ago, but no birdseye images.
MF, that is a great offer but looks like the same screen size as the one I have. I need bigger. I looked yours up on Amazon and they are secondary market priced at $100 to $200 so you could get more for yours.
Jeff... I know I could get more for mine but the offer at such a low price was for a friend! lol
Jeff, your going to give up your Sextant for navigation?
Yes L2H, the sextant is hard to use in the woods. Too old to climb trees to use that sextant.
I bought a Garmin Montana 680 and love it so far. Was gonna get the 610 but I got a coupon that gave me employee price on anything at Cabelas. I was gonna get the 610 that is on sale online but having the coupon I decided to go for the camera function in the 680. I should have gotten the 610, the camera in the 680 is junk. Cannot hold the unit still enough to take a clear picture. Apparently a very slow shutter and not worth the extra money.
My huntinggpsmaps.com Minnesota and Wisconsin land ownership map chips do NOT work in it but I should get updates to them anyway.
I almost never use my GPS. The few times and places I do I'm only interested in waypoints, azimuth and distance.
