GPS unit

Sup team.
I've had a Gamrin 62s I think it is, like forever, maybe 16 to 18 years, always worked for bush hunting/stalking Sika- happy with it mostly.
What I don't like is the small screen and those rubber buttons that make navigating around the screen very cumbersome. Yeah yeah I know ya can use cellphone with Topomaps, or similar, and yes I do that- but cell screen doesn't work well in the wet/wet screen and I don't want to drop/sit on/destroy my cell whilst bush navigating if there is a better way.
I'm talking bush nav here- not tops hunting.
Yes I can use a paper map and compass for the 3 people that will say that:)

I saw some Garmin Montana700 and etrex in HnF.

What other option is there for a bush GPS unit?

a mate you will meet this roar had a montana unit and sold it because his phone with topo maps was more accurate and you could do more with it, i know i know back to the old cell phone but he had a top end unit and ended up using his cellphone. Ive got an older unit as a backup get to a campsite and turn on and mark it then turn off and only use it if i loose or break my phone which is my primary gps. So not much help mate but he was over his unit not loading and accurate position and taking minutes in kaimanawa forest bush to locate satellite's

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Originally Posted by Carbine

a mate you will meet this roar had a montana unit and sold it because his phone with topo maps was more accurate and you could do more with it, i know i know back to the old cell phone but he had a top end unit and ended up using his cellphone. Ive got an older unit as a backup get to a campsite and turn on and mark it then turn off and only use it if i loose or break my phone which is my primary gps. So not much help mate but he was over his unit not loading and accurate position and taking minutes in kaimanawa forest bush to locate satellite's

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Ahhhh ok- that's good info- will stick with the cell mote than likely

You could put your cell phone in one of those waterproof double ziplock bags and can still use it without taking the phone out. The screen registers your touch through the plastic. Burnsco may have them.

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Originally Posted by Carbine

a mate you will meet this roar had a montana unit and sold it because his phone with topo maps was more accurate and you could do more with it, i know i know back to the old cell phone but he had a top end unit and ended up using his cellphone. Ive got an older unit as a backup get to a campsite and turn on and mark it then turn off and only use it if i loose or break my phone which is my primary gps. So not much help mate but he was over his unit not loading and accurate position and taking minutes in kaimanawa forest bush to locate satellite's

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Which app do you use bro

Most use NZ topo50 its not free but is cheap, although there is a free version too

Im a bit like you @ANTSMAN, I regularly use the 62sc, without issue, a bit fiddly "yes".

But I could drop kick that little f@#&ker for a field goal and it would still be good to go, try that with your cell phone.

Disclaimer: I am hard on gear.

If you do op for a Garmin with the better screen (I use the Alpha 200i which is for use with dogs), you can download NZ Topo maps on it, which provides a way better overlay than the Garmin mapping which is pretty average. Someone posted it here a while back. I rely on my Garmin, don't trust my Samsung calibration - switches north and south a bit too much for my liking.

Oh yep- I have been thinking about dog tracker collar too for the sniffer.

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Originally Posted by Happy Jack

Most use NZ topo50 its not free but is cheap, although there is a free version too

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the free version is pointless you can only add 3 waypoints and tracks maybe less (I cant remember)
best to pay the few dollars and have all the functions

$7 NZTopo50 theres 2 the north and south island so 14 bucks to cover all of nz is pretty good

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Originally Posted by Carbine

$7 NZTopo50 theres 2 the north and south island so 14 bucks to cover all of nz is pretty good

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I have this (NZTopo50) as a back-up, but it has nothing on the NZTopoMaps app for map resolution and functionality - in my humble opinion. Disclaimer that it may have improved since I looked at it, but the NZTopo50 maps pixelate when you get to any useful (for me) level of zoom. I asked the developer if they could have downloadable/cached areas with better quality, and I think this was something they were working on, but unfortunately, not in a timeframe that suited me.

Back to the OP's original query, a good compromise between dedicated GPS and your day to day phone that you don't want to drop in a creek could be these phones: https://store.blackview.hk/ Mega battery size, IP68, and generally pretty functional. I bought one for an overland motorbike trip. Does everything you need it to, and more. Battery lasts forever. Uses 4 different GPS systems, and I think the new one even has a thermal camera built in... seems like a gimmick, but you never know.

I could dig mine (bought in 2019) out for you if you want to give it a go before buying? Hasn't been charged up for a year or two, but should still work. New ones should also have an e-sim option.

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Originally Posted by yeah_na_missed

I have this (NZTopo50) as a back-up, but it has nothing on the NZTopoMaps app for map resolution and functionality - in my humble opinion. Disclaimer that it may have improved since I looked at it, but the NZTopo50 maps pixelate when you get to any useful (for me) level of zoom. I asked the developer if they could have downloadable/cached areas with better quality, and I think this was something they were working on, but unfortunately, not in a timeframe that suited me.

Back to the OP's original query, a good compromise between dedicated GPS and your day to day phone that you don't want to drop in a creek could be these phones: https://store.blackview.hk/ Mega battery size, IP68, and generally pretty functional. I bought one for an overland motorbike trip. Does everything you need it to, and more. Battery lasts forever. Uses 4 different GPS systems, and I think the new one even has a thermal camera built in... seems like a gimmick, but you never know.

I could dig mine (bought in 2019) out for you if you want to give it a go before buying? Hasn't been charged up for a year or two, but should still work. New ones should also have an e-sim option.

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had nztopomaps but had it fuck out on my phone on the hill and drop 2 years of hunting tracks and all waypoints so went nztopo50 - no issues with it

What @yeah_nah_missed said, I have a blackview phone which has lasted 5 years now, Im a builder and used to go through phones every 6 months or so but these things are indestructible. Whack the nzmaps app on it and they great in the bush. the phones themselves are not of Iphone quality in use but you can call / text people so works for me, also pretty cheap comparatively

I have a Garmin 200i, for my dog rather than me really. I do use the NZ Topo map on it. I am not a fan of taking my phone into the bush, my son does all the time and I look at him judgementally. I don't know if he has worked out why yet. The Garmin has been great. The touchscreen is pretty easy to use once you work it out. I don't use 95% of the stuff that comes on it. My son does, he changes all the settings so when I get it back I can't use it. So I suppose my top tip about owning one of them is don't have a son that has access to it. I may even follow my own rule one day, I doubt it though :)

Also have 200i and it's a good unit, again mainly bought to track dog. I don't even bother with the topo maps just load birdseye of the areas I'm going to be in and it's awesome

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Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Also have 200i and it's a good unit, again mainly bought to track dog. I don't even bother with the topo maps just load birdseye of the areas I'm going to be in and it's awesome

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I also got a few extra batteries for mine back when I bought it. Yes they are replaceable, not sealed. (Reply not so much for you Ryan but the OP.)