Looking to get a GPS

[brandonweaver]

Hey all,
Just looking for some advice on buying a GPS (handheld) unit.  If you have any advice or stories on specific models, what to look for and/or fishing applications i’d like to hear it.  Feedback on topo map software would help as well.

Thanks-

[rich miller]

I have owned and operated a number of the Garmin GPS models over the years.

[Zach Matthews]

I went whole hog and purchased the top-of-the-line Rino 520 HCx, which is a waterproof color GPS unit with a built in radio that talks to Talkabout-style units.

[Steve K.]

I have an Etrex Vista with the National Parks East software as well as City Navigator. Like Zach said….Garmins are worthless right out of the box. I saved a bunch of cheese by buying the maps off of Amazon.com. And yes….the National Parks East covers much of the Nantahala and Chattahoochee National Forests.

I driftboated a river a couple of weeks ago that is not in either Nat Forest or Park. The map covered it. I knew where I was the whole time and could gauge our progress to the takeout. The downside is it doesn’t measure river miles and the computer figures the route from put in to takeout via roads or straight line. Neither is useful for river navigation.

I don’t know how I made it this long w/o it.

[anonymous]

I’ve been using a Garmin GPS Map 76CS plus for two or three years now. It’s a marine unit, floats, color screen, and auto routing(with the additional road maps downloaded). I use it in my truck and on the rivers.

I’ll agree that the whole map buying, limited unlocking, and multiple formats for maps really suck.

At the same time, garmin units are the most versatile, user friendly, and feature rich gps units around.

Drifter, the key to running rivers is to make your routes at home. Then your river routes will be point to point, straight lines down the river. So your mileage will be close, as well as ETA readouts.

[dave schlick]

 Some advice that may not be well recieved or accepted..   Living in a mountain environment for almost 40 years,,,   In the times of 4x4s, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, gps, cell phones and etc..   Never go beyond what your brain, legs and a good compass, a knife,   food, water,   clothes you can carry can get you out..   😕  … It can get real scary pretty fast, expecially with your   children along..

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