Thread: Garmin handheld GPS units - need help

Have been looking at getting a decent unit for myself and had narrowed it down to the garmin 66st, until I started reading about the rino 750. Which seems to be much the same in terms of mapping, and setting tracks and waypoints on the unit and computer, the Birdseye satellite stuff but also has the uhf radio capability. Which when I hunt with my old man we use radios anyway so would save having another thing to carry. I guess what I'm really asking is have I overlooked anything in terms of the mapping side of things?
Cheers for your time and input 👍

Have you considered loading the Back Country Navigator app onto a cheap Chinese cellphone and using that? I hear a lot of guys doing this lately

@cheeseclip

Take a very hard look at the Garmin 78s

https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/p/63602

The 's' designation is for a stronger receiver, which is essential for the Garmin's in any sort of back country use.

All Garmin handhelds use the same OS (operating system) to a greater or lesser extent, but the lower grade units don't run the OS so well, much slower.

Avoid all the touch screen models.

The 78s has a microSD card slot which is essential if you want to add maps in via BirdsEye.

Avoid the ones with the wee protruding aerials.

Most importantly, being a marine model, the 78s floats. Very handy but be sure to keep it in a pouch or tied in via lanyard if you do a river crossing with it.

you just need to decide which bells and whistles are most important to you as they will all do the job,,,
ie: do you need communication with others , or tracking , or a camera , do you hunt the thick stuff or only the open tops, some have a compass that always works others only when your on the move. and check the battery life and weight.
i have an alpha cos i track my dog if i didnt have a dog i wouldnt. i had a oregon with a camera but that really chewed the batteries (but lucky it took standard AAs which is another thing to consider) i know a guy , him and his mates all bought the rhinos cos the have a big roar hunt together so decided that was the best option.you might find a rhino weighs more than a walkie plus an etrex unit which fits better in a pocket.......
you can go around in circles forever trying to figure out the best unit for you in the end when you hand over the cash you get a unit that will do what its intended for (gps self location) with the bells and whistle you decide are most important to you

Depends on if you want touch screen (Oregon models) or not. I have a 64S and use Memory map on my computer as I have had that for years. The Inreach models use a different mapping on them which is a bit inferior.

The Rhinos work well but are a bit bulky. I don't use birdseye even though I can.

I have a rhino. It carries a topi map well, and once you’re used to it, the radio works well.
I carry mine in a dedicated ex-ammo pouch on my belt, and am happy with the touch screen.

Buy the car charger cord too. They’re slow to charge but imho, hold their charge well. I bought the extra battery pack and have yet to need to used it.

I have the 66i with inreach built in. The Rhino looks a good unit too for less extended trips?

'Avoid all the touch screen models.' What is wrong with the touch screen models?

Thanks for the help guys, in the end decided a 64x suited my needs just fine without breaking the bank as I can put up with carrying a uhf handheld if it means saving a few hundred bucks. If I ever need the capability of the inreach service I can always get the mini to stash in the pack somewhere anyway.
Cheers

Yep I had a 64, very good choice.

Originally Posted by caberslash

Avoid all the touch screen models.

Not strictly disagreeing, but found the Rino 750 touch screen to be excellent in all conditions from hot sun to sleeting snow, provided my fingers weren't ambient temperature
Definitely a big improvement over the Rino 650 that had so-so touch screen quality.
Probably the biggest thing about touch screens is buying some good quality screen protectors, given that the screen is both how you view the gps and how you interact with it. Low quality protectors are hard to see through and interfere with touch, and the price difference is usually only $10 or so. Buy multiple once you find a good one so you can easily replace it.


I can see how buttons are in general more reliable though.