GPS Question

[Kessler10]

Im sure this question has come up but I am looking to buy a GPS for my elk hunts.

I am mostly looking on eBay for a used model to save money. For example the Garmin Montana or Oregon look fine to me.

I do not need the 2 way radio deal so much. Would only use it while elk hunting to make way points and view topo maps on the GPS. I like the feature where you can take a picture and that marks a waypoint for you. Then you can go click the picture and it will lead you to that spot.

Any recommendations while I am looking? I also nee to make sure I can get the Colorado and Wyoming topo maps installed. From what I can tell you just have to buy a card and install it correct?

Thanks for any feedback

[CurlyTail]

I am interested in the same information. My GPS is getting out dated.

[Indian Summer]

You are correct on the micro sd card.

I love my Garmin Montana. It comes in the 650 and 650T. The T is the one with the camera that marks waypoints for pics. One main criteria for me other than having topo lines on screen is a color model. No matter how good of a deal it was I'd never buy a black and white model. Also like one that has an alarm. I set it and it asks would you like to turn off the device. It kicks on automatically when the alarm goes off.

[husky390]

Keep an eye out for this guy. Lot of GPS for the money. I bought mine for just under $350 back in 2014 off of Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GPSMAP-62S ... armin+62st

[elkhuntfever]

I just bought the Garmin Oregon 600 for $150 at Cabelas. OF course that was after their sale price and my gift cards. What I did do was to download basecamp and topo maps for free from the internet. I couldn't see paying $100 for an SD card with 2 states on it. I think, for me, this will be all I need when elk hunting in Colorado this fall.

[Brendan]

I love my Garmin 650, but the satellite imagery and topo functionality using an app on my phone (I use Gaia for iOS) is so much better. And, you can download the imagery you need before leaving cell range, so you're not relying on having a signal. The app is worth trying out before you buy, and I believe there are several options for Apple and Android.

Last year I used both, this year I'm leaning towards the phone and a backup GPS watch.

EDIT:

Here's Gaia, available for iOS and Android:

https://www.gaiagps.com/

[jmez]

I have the Garmin Montana 550. Nice unit other than the touch screen. A lot of guys like them I don't.

The touch screen does not work if it is wet. When it is raining or damp it is hard to get it dry to work. It does not work with gloves on. If you leave it turned on during the day you have to remember to lock the screen. Otherwise as it is jostled around it will be continually toggling through screens and your batteries, even lithium, will last about 3 hours. Even if you lock the screen the 550 is a battery hog. If you leave it on and use it frequently you will be lucky to get 2 full days out of a set of lithium batteries.

Touch screens are nice on some devices, not this one IMO. I won't buy another one with a touch screen.

My kids lost mine last year and I was actually happy that they did so I could replace it. Unfortunately my wife found it so I have to make do. I was going to replace it with the Garmin GPS Map 64.

[CurlyTail]

I picked up and Oregon 600. Were 150.00 off at Cabelas. I am very satisfied. Saw the Montana - but in person, it is just thicker and bigger than I want to carry around.

[8upbowhunter]

You can download free 1:24K topo maps for Garmin products at www.gpsfiledepot.com. Select the country and state you want on the first menu then scroll down the state page until you find the map you want. Instead of downloading the entire state I hunt to the gps I just download the map sections that covers my hunting area. Hope this helps some of you.