GPS for hunting recommendations
Contributors to this thread:Equipment
From: Scout
29-Aug-24
I’m in the market for a new GPS. I have Zoleo so I don’t need a satellite communicator. What would you recommend?
Thank you Mike
From: Blood
29-Aug-24
Just use OnX on your phone. Yearly subscription is $80-$100 for the whole USA depending on discounts. Easy and so many tools.
From: midwest
29-Aug-24
What he said ^^^
From: TEmbry
29-Aug-24
Unless you philosophically refuse to carry around a smartphone then it is the only correct answer.
From: bigeasygator
29-Aug-24
Phone
From: Tilzbow
29-Aug-24
I’m using GAIA on my iPhone and since I started using it I haven’t turned on or packed my Garmin GPS in several years. I chose GAIA over OnX because, at the time, OnX wasn’t capable of being displayed on my truck’s screen over CarPlay. When driving to a spot in the dark it’s really nice to be able to mark a way point on a little two track road you need to take, that’s off a main road, which you’d otherwise have trouble finding in the dark.
From: DanaC
29-Aug-24
Well, being one of those old geezers who categorically refuses to carry a smart phone, I'm interested in an actual GPS recommendation myself. Anyone?
From: Mo/Ark
29-Aug-24
Garmin. I currently have an older 64 series handheld. I like the ones with the external antenna over the internal. I feel like it's faster and more accurate. You can usually find them on sale under $300. Call me old school, but I prefer the handheld over the phone. I still carry a compass with me as a backup... so.
From: JohnMC
29-Aug-24
Dana do you ever hunt anywhere you couldn't walk more than a mile and hit a road? I am guessing it is the "smart" in smart phone that gets you?
From: DanaC
29-Aug-24
No,it's the 'learn another **** OS' I don't need ;-)
From: IdyllwildArcher
29-Aug-24
I've been using my phone for over a decade now. Get a solar charger and convert any electronics you have to chargeable and ditch the disposable batteries.
I've done 2-3 week hunts and never had my phone die, keeping all apps off except my GPS app, on airplane mode, and on low-battery mode.
EDIT: With a solar recharger that I recharge it with every 1-2 days.
From: drycreek
29-Aug-24
Dana, I have one I will give you if you want it. Just PM me your address and I’ll send it to you. It’s a good one, I used it to find well stakes in the oil field when I was working. Found them from lat longs when the stakes were no longer there, just an iron rod driven level with the ground.
From: DanaC
29-Aug-24
Drycreek, that's a mighty generous offer, but please give it to a local kid who's just starting out. Thanks!
From: Overland
29-Aug-24
Gaia on your phone. Far, far, far better than any handheld GPS unit of the past. I've used Gaia Premium for many years and love it. Does everything I could possibly want.
From: cnelk
29-Aug-24
Gaia isnt what it used to be. Price is going up and updates are pretty much nonexistent.
OnX is good.
I recently found a handheld gps while out scouting. It’s a Garmin etrex. It’s yours for free if you want it
From: Michael
29-Aug-24
There are some pretty cool features in OnX now days. I always use the line distance or area acreage tools.
Another cool feature is the rangefinder mode on OnX now. I have only played with it a little but seams to be handy.
From: NM highcountry
29-Aug-24
What’s a gps?
From: Jaquomo
29-Aug-24
Brad, coincidentally I can't find my eTrex... check to see if it has fishing spots marked in lakes we both know. If so, memorize them and then swallow the GPS!
From: cnelk
29-Aug-24
The real question is…. Does Paul@thefort use a gps or a smartphone?
From: Arrownoob
29-Aug-24
Either bowsiters are very generous or GPS units suck.
From: cnelk
29-Aug-24
^^^ I have at least 4 gps units kicking around. Don’t need that many. Even with the ones I do need
From: Cheesehead Mike
30-Aug-24
I think I have 4-5 GPS receivers laying around not counting the one in my airplane. I still carry my Garmin 64 ST as a backup but rarely use it and mostly use OnX. I still do prefer the Garmin 64 and hand held compass for precise navigation when trying to find a tree stand or hidden spike camp tent in the dark.
From: Scout
30-Aug-24
Will OnX actually work with no cell service on my iPhone 15 pro.
From: cnelk
30-Aug-24
^^^ yes
From: Zbone
30-Aug-24
On smart phones, does the GPS work if you can't receive a cell signal?
From: Jethro
30-Aug-24
^^^yes
From: Scout
30-Aug-24
Will OnX actually work with no cell service on my iPhone 15 pro.
From: cnelk
30-Aug-24
^^^ yes
From: midwest
30-Aug-24
Scout, With OnX, you download the maps you want prior to heading west or wherever, then you don't need cell service. Your phone's gps does not need cell service to function. It's very simple.
From: Bob H in NH
30-Aug-24
Scout, download maps onto the phone inside onx, then it works great with or without cell service. Use it daily here in WY with no cell service for miles. Can even put phone in airplane mode to try it out
