Looking for a GPS for camping/backpacking

[jerhyn]

I already know I won't get cell coverage in the wilderness. So I can't use my cell phone gps.

I heard some good things about this one Garmin GPSMAP 62St Handheld GPS Navigator

Is there a better one for the buck?

[dmendoza1779]

I have the same model and I'm very impressed with it. Most guys I've spoken to have the GPSMAPS 62xx model, and they use it from backpacking to hunting to normal auto navigation. But, you could never go wrong with a decent compass, a topo map and basic knowledge of navigation. Good luck!

[jfornelli]

I just recently got the GPSMap 62stc on sale for $250 at REI. It replaced my older GPSMap 60csx. I think it's a great GPSr.

[RandyD]

My friends and I use Garmin, and they have never let us down.

[ElvenSoul]

Gadmin and Sunnto makd gps watches

[jerhyn]

GPSMap 62st is on sale at sportsmans warehouse for 200 for fathers day.

[LAmike]

You actually could use your cell phone's GPS without a cell signal as long as you had an app that had pre-loaded maps. You would also want to conserve battery by putting your phone in airplane mode whenever you were not using the app. On an iPhone, if you lock the SIM then the phone doesn't try to find a cell tower, which can drain the battery as much as 30% per hour. Having said that, you may not want to use a cell phone for navigation.

First, know how to navigate with a map and compass. Those never need a battery.

Next, the Garmin 62s is excellent. I used it last year in the Grand Canyon and the reception was accurate even in several slot canyons - not something I expected. I also have the Garmin Oregon and Vista Hcx, also excellent GPS units. You can carry spare batteries for longer trips.

[edgerly779]

I use a rino frs/gps. Since I hunt it is handy for communications and locating hunting partners. Automatically tells me where my partners are when they key the mike. Has mapping capability.

[ptgarcia]

I have a Garmin 60Cx that I've been using for years on my dual sport bike that has been completely reliable, even through inclimate weather and many crashes off road. I would only replace it with another Garmin unit from the same family of GPS.

[border.bandito]

You actually could use your cell phone's GPS without a cell signal as long as you had an app that had pre-loaded maps. You would also want to conserve battery by putting your phone in airplane mode whenever you were not using the app. On an iPhone, if you lock the SIM then the phone doesn't try to find a cell tower, which can drain the battery as much as 30% per hour. Having said that, you may not want to use a cell phone for navigation.

First, know how to navigate with a map and compass. Those never need a battery.

^^^ this.
I have the Backcountry Navigator PRO app on my Galaxy S5 (the PRO version of the app cost $9.99, vs. the free version which doesnt allow you to purchase mapp add ons) and it works great even without cell coverage. They even offer a BLM land overlay for $0.99 which plugs right into the topo map and then you can tell if you are on State, Federal or BLM land. It has saved my butt many times when rangers told me i wasnt allowed to be shooting and I just simply pulled out the phone and showed them I was indeed on BLM land

[Cummins_Powered]

Just another garmin option...but ive had a few of the etrex models and they have never let me down. The new models are very nice and compact. Which means a lot to me as I like to backpack, but if weight and size is less of an issue, the 62 models are rock solid.

[Gun_Smoke]

I like the garmin fortrex series.

I enjoy using maps and don't like to rely on technology when in wilderness. I normally mark where my car/campsite is or get a location for past hunting area. Other than that I rarely use it so it's perfect, small, inexpensive, accurate. I have cross referenced the grids on it with much better military gps' and it was always within 10m.

[user00]

Orux maps for Android can use offline Topo maps.

[YZINGERR]

Coming from technology (I have a samsung galaxy S5 smartphone), I found the Garmin Dakota 20 to fit the bill. I use it hunting and once you understand mapping programs, its easy to download free maps from the DFW, gpsfiledepot.com (for topo maps), and others. The dakota 20 has a touch screen so you dont have to fiddle with those annoying sticks and its color, IP67 water resistant, and can be easily had for around a bill on fleabay (I bough one new for $120, and a used one for a friend for $98).

[ScottyXbones]

Use the Backcountry Navigator app. It uses gps without using cell reception. Makes one less thing for you to lug around the woods