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Hi all.
I know there is a thread somewhere related to this, but I am unable to locate.
Im looking into getting a GPS for hunting and just after some thoughts.
I can't afford a $500+ one, so no need to go there. Although there are a number of cheaper ones out there.
Anyone using one of these 'Garmin Etrex 20 GPS'?
GARMIN eTrex 20 Handheld GPS **BRILLIANT** | Trade Me
Any thoughts guys?
Tim
Iv had a etrex h for a few years and its always performed faultlessly but really wanted one with topo maps.
I just bought a 60 something off this site(dont tell the wife) comes preloaded with maps INCLUDING DOC BOUNDARY LAYERS, Which was one of the main reasons I purchased it.
From here.
mapping handheld - KiwiGPS
Looked at the one on special at H&F with the camera but already have a camera and apparently the maps arnt that good anyway.
No doubt you could load boundars etc on yourself but I am a computer tard and just want to put battery's in and away.
A bit over your 500 bucks,I can understand that it was a stretch for me paying 200 for the "h" back then and it was really only any good for marking wallows, camp, the boat, the wagon etc.
Father in law has the Garmin 62s. I've used it a few times and its pretty wicked. But alas, can't afford one.
Maybe I should tell the misses it's a really important piece for safety? AGHH, she is too smart for that trick, or is it a trick?
Ive got the etrex 20 and i found it good in the bush and it came with maps aswell.
Ive got etrex 20 and loaded FreshMap (from hunting and fishing ) . Love it , its tiny , cheap and the battery life is better than some of the flasher ones.
I have the 62s loaded with the topo4 gps card. Anyone done a comparison between the garmin sd card and the topo card. How is the detail and which card is in your etrex 20?Quote:
Originally Posted by mohawk
Never done a comparison , mine was unloaded so I went too hunting and fishing and asked what they thought was best at the time . From what Ive seen theyre all pretty good and at the end of the day you just want too get home , no time too sit around studying maps .;)Quote:
Originally Posted by mohawk
I've got the etrex 10 and it's always able to get a lock. Doesn't know which way is north unless youre moving. It's okay though I just use a compass. Would like to up grade to one with maps eventually. Go for it.
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That is interesting Mohawk. I was not aware that H& F sold freshmap. Any idea what is was worth ?
10 can take maps can't it?
Im no use recommending maps but can say from looking at various friends ones there's some maps that are very basic and some are far far far better than your paper topo.
Its all down to resolution when you zoom in. Ie lines every 200m elevation is next to useless in bluff country but 20-50m lines is awesome you can pick out little benches and avoid bluffs in bush.
I just use the Backcountry Navigator app on my phone - uses LINZ Topo50 as background maps.
The GPS in my phone isn't as sensitive as a dedicated one though, sometimes struggles to get a lock under thick trees in a valley. And battery life isn't as good either. But generally does the job.
Where do you hunt? I can't get cell reception 90% of the time when I hunt so need a GPSQuote:
Originally Posted by GravelBen
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Lots of phones have gps Phil.
Don't require cell service.
Generally crap tho i don't use mine.
I have locuspro app on mine which is good for quickly lookin at wherever when talking to someone but don't actually use it bush.
Not sure what the model etrex my mate had but my 62s shat all over it. When back at camp comparing trails recorded mine never missed a beat his lost signal a fair few times
Like VC said, phone with GPS in it - doesn't need cell cover. I use airplane mode when out of cover so it doesn't drain the battery searching for signal all the time.Quote:
Originally Posted by phillipgr
I recently bought an eTrex 20 and have loaded a few topo overlays and its very good. Cost was about $230 from PB Tech. Dougie scored my old eTrex which I'd had for a few years. I don't think the eTrex 10 can load topo overlays .
Didnt think of that thanks Benny! I use my phone and it keeps me out of trouble.. i keep a map in my pack that i print of topo maps for reference to save batery once i've got my current location!.. Sorry, Thread hi-jack!Quote:
Originally Posted by GravelBen
I had a etrex 10 but they dont take maps.
I bought the 20 mainly because it had a much longer battry life than other hand helds in my price range.
You can alter the amount of detail too the point it can be far too cluttered in most cases.
Ive never had issues geting a fix even in ghe kaimais.
The trip computer is fantastic in the little boat ,the maps too when exploring rivers.
It works fine in the landcruiser sitting on tge dash.
My flash galaxy 3 will show my position on google earth in the middle of the bush , but gps eats data $$$ eats battrys FAST and its not water proof and 3 times the price of an etrex20
And take a compass and spare battrys .
I like my stock compass holder thingy ,its mint.Attachment 14975
GPS doesn't use your data, its just receiving a signal thats being broadcast regardless (unless the US govt decides to turn it off). If it needed data it wouldn't work without signal. Google maps chews data though!Quote:
Originally Posted by mohawk
My battery will last about a day with it using GPS the whole time, but usually I just flick it on for a sporadic fix. Plus mine is waterproof, and seeing as I had it for a phone already the $10 for the app was much less than an etrex.
Agreed that you wouldn't buy a smartphone just to use it for GPS though!
The eTrex 20 uses both the US NAVSTAR GPS constellation and the Russian GLONASS one which I thought was a nice feature, pretty much doubles you chances of getting a fix.
I think you must be mistaken. The Russians dont have any sattelites ;)
I have a simple app on my smartphone called NZ Grid Reference. It does what it says on the tin, in that it simply gives your current 6 figure grid ref so you can cross ref to paper map. Very accurate and quick so far, although I havent tried it in the bush yet.
I think we agree , I could have worded it better. Either way any gps will do better than a phone in the long run.Quote:
Originally Posted by GravelBen
Awesome guys, thanks for all the info.
I guess the main thing i was worried about was the whole signal thing in the bush. But from the messages it looks as though the 20 is all good.
YAY, new toy coming up soon :thumbsup:
Ah didn't know the wee handhelds were doing that too, thats good - especially for NZ, we get better GLONASS coverage here than GPS thanks to the orbits necessary to take satellites over Russia. There is also the European 'Galileo' system being developed and the Chinese are putting one up too, COMPASS I think. But I'm not sure how many satellites they have up at this stage.Quote:
Originally Posted by ishoot10s
Thanks, I'm looking at a 20 as well and that's the sorta info I was looking for, Cheer's.Quote:
Originally Posted by mohawk
Can it? I tried loading on the those free maps back when I got it but nothing happened when I did. Maybe I'll have to try again.Quote:
Originally Posted by veitnamcam
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Last time i looked they couldnt. Pretty sure nothing has changed.Quote:
Originally Posted by phillipgr
https://buy.garmin.com/en-NZ/AU/on-t...prod87768.html
Comes with a base map but you cannot add maps.
I've been using Backcountry Navigator on my phone. Download the area you want (or all NZ in my case) while at home on the WiFi and then into the hills I go. Remember to put the phone into Flight Mode to save battery life(the phone searching for signal uses more power than the GPS). The App costs about $15 (only on Android, pretty sure there is something similar for Apple users - but would cost more and do less).
Also, I'm a surveyor and work for the company that created the Navstar (GPS) system in the 1970's and don't worry about the US government turning it off!!!
I have the etrex20 and its mint, good for marking dive spots too
I've got an app called NZ topo maps on my samsung and it downloads maps over wifi at home if you scroll round the area you're going to. The are exact 1:50k topo maps with 20m contours and look great. The pick up seems just as good as my garmin - loses it occasionally under cover. But its not waterproof and rugged and I haven't figured how to display your route as you go. . The touch screen on my GPS sucks. You can do quite a bit storing and editing routes on your computer at home using garmin basecamp. But I think garmin could be struggling to sell single function GPS units in future.Quote:
Originally Posted by Uplandstalker
What Topo Maps are best to buy for Garmin GPS 62s?
How do I make mine display position in lat and long?Quote:
Originally Posted by Remington700.270
New Zealand ones if you want it to be useful here. Sorry I couldn't resist that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Remington700.270
Shot Rushy :)
Cam. Go into main menu and look at the Position format settings. You can change to lat long in there if that is what flicks your switch. Gonna use it out on the water ?
Attachment 15390
What should it be on?
If you are using it in conjuction with paper topo map, then that is the right setting. It will give you a full grid ref that directly relates to the paper version.
You would only normally usee lat long if boating or flying I believe. Much much easier to find where you are using grid system
Dang. Father in-law just said he will give me his 62s!!
He says he is too old to read the screen. I say 'what a fricken legend"
:D
I reckon !! Lucky barstool
