Suggestions for GPS and Spotting Scopes

[Hoyt59]

Planning a DIY Elk hunt in Wyoming next year and need advice on a couple of key pieces of equipment. A handheld GPS as well as a decent spotting scope. I have a couple good phone hunt/map apps but we all know how reception can be in the mountains. GPS units seem to be everywhere for a few hundred bucks or less.....so what brand/model would you all recommend? Same thing with spotting scopes preferably under $4-500 bucks. What Brand/power magnification do you all like and would carry yourself? Thanks in advance for your suggestions and yes I'm starting my planning early (if that's even possible)!!

[sasquatch]

Gia gps app on phone works great, has topos and aerials and works in airplane mode. No signal needed. I have a good gps but only carry it as a backup!


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[cohunter14]

Yep, phones will work with no signal. No use spending a bunch of money on a GPS unless you have no way to charge your phone. Keep it in airplane mode and the thing will last for days. Take that money and spend it on something else

[Deanmac]

Gia gps app on phone works great, has topos and aerials and works in airplane mode. No signal needed. I have a good gps but only carry it as a backup!


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That is what I used last year and it worked great, I would not buy a GPS, I have one but never carry.

[Brendan]

I'll agree with the posts above.

I really love my Garmin Montana 650. With that said - I only brought it and used it as a backup last year. I used Gaia on my iPhone. No signal needed as long as you download maps in advance.

The big advantage to Gaia - the topo and satellite mapping / overlay capability is MUCH better than on the garmin. Makes real time aerial scouting in the field much easier.

Regarding spotting scopes - I have hunted a lot less than some here, but personally don't think you need one. In 3 years of elk hunting I've carried mine a couple days and rapidly decided that it wasn't worth the weight so it ends up in the truck. I suppose if you're going to be setting up in an area and glassing all day for bedded animals, grid searching a hillside, etc - it'd be worth it, but I haven't found that to be the case where I hunted in MT and WY. A compromise I might want to try someday is a pair of 12x binoculars with a tripod adapter, but for now, I'm sticking with just a set of good 10x or 8x binoculars. (Note - I currently don't care if a bull is 275, 300, 325, 350 - If I can tell it's a good bull, that's enough for me...)

[Hoyt59]

Thanks guys and please keep the suggestions coming. Never considered NOT having a gps till now. I looked up the GAIA app for Android... $19.95. Is that the one you're talking about? Thanks!

[pointysticks]

i use a garmin Rino. but i like the radio half for the fun of it.

spotting scope. i use the 65mm Vortex Vipers. you can get a GREAT deal on them (here).
i also have my friends Leica spotting scope in my gun safe. last year in AZ i took both so my brother could carry the vortex. i had the opp to put them side by side..along with a pair of 85mm Vortex Razors.

i cut the label off the bottom of my camp chair. and pinned it to a tree 80 yards away. i set up all three scopes and sat behind the group. i tried to read the label. first i was horrified my chair was damn near self flammable. the label warned me of death by fire. hahah.

the Leicas are the brightest by far..super clear. but to be honest i could read about my impending death by fire with all three. soo..in summary, i still carry the Vipers. i have never thought to myself..i wish i could see those 6 points on that couse deer clearer.

in low light that is where it suffers. it closes in peripherally in the dim light. in bright light, edge to edge clarity is great. and the viper dims down the most if you zoom in. they all dim, but the vipers dimmed the most. still not bad for $500ish for my starter scope.

i got the straight scope because i find it easier to aim at a distant object. and it is easier to unsheath from my pack.

[swmoelk]

I just got back from a Wyoming hunt and I used backcountry navigator for android. I take a couple juice boxes with me and call it good. Just make sure you download your map layers before you leave cell service.

[Deanmac]

Thanks guys and please keep the suggestions coming. Never considered NOT having a gps till now. I looked up the GAIA app for Android... $19.95. Is that the one you're talking about? Thanks!

Yes, I just have the iphone version

As stated above just download maps before you hit the woods.

[Hoyt59]

Thanks for all the help guys!!

[husky390]

I use a Garmin 64ST for my GPS and 10x binoculars on a tripod.


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[olympushunt]

I really like my Vortex Viper spotting scope. Great glass for the money. I spent a ton of time last season behind it and never had any eye fatigue.
As far as GPS goes....For me I disagree with leaving it at home and going with my phone exclusively regardless of what app or what mode the phone is in. I've tried many of the apps out there. I hunt in extremely dense forest sometimes and the phones don't cut it for battery life or acquisition. If you have access to a charger/spare battery and are not doing multi day hunts away from said charger/battery, the phone is great. This is just my preference though. I do like the screen size of the smart phone or tablet though. They rock for that purpose.

[Hoyt59]

Thanks again guys for the help. I'll probably do both phone and GPS just because I'd rather have and not need than vice versa! Also.... with a little research I've found a 60mm Leupold spotting scope that weighs in at a mere 37 ounces (per the Manufacturer verses their 80mm at 61oz.) for under $300. Anyone have experience with the 60mm model and is there anything else on the market brand wise you've used that's as good but for less dollars? Thanks!

[olympushunt]

I agree with taking a good GPS as well. I have read a lot about the pros and cons of both and the phones just don't have the GPS chips in them that a dedicated GPS unit has. I've compared them many times in the field and my GPS unit kills my phone. There is only so much technology a phone can have and it isn't the best GPS unit. That being said....I use my phone a lot for it's superior sat imagery in certain areas.
As far as the scope you are asking about....I have no experience with that model. I will say though that Leupold has EXCELLENT customer service. I had a fairly crummy old Leupold Wind River scope that was broken. I bought them about 20 years ago and finally got around to dealing with them. I called Leupold and asked what my options were. I had no receipt either. I paid like 99 bucks for them at Bimart. They don't make that model anymore but replaced them with a newer and much more expensive model for free. THAT was nice.

[pointysticks]

i got the run around by Leupold last week. we finally got onto the same page..i was getting different info from different people there.

this is with my riflescope.