GPS Units---which one?

[Altiman94]

I am planning to do a 2012 rifle hunt in Wyoming for antelope. I think having a GPS with a map programmed in for the BLM, State, Walk-in hunting areas in the state would be helpful for this hunt.

What do you all recommend? Looking to spend around $250, but would go more if I needed to.

 

[AZHunter]

I just had to replace my ANCIENT Garmin GPS II+ and got the eTrex HC Venture on closeout at Bass Pro. Actually, it was the "bundle" package with topo software, cable, and case for $119. The unit is typically $169, but they are being discontinued and you'd have to get the topo software extra. I love the unit so far and have loaded maps for the area of my upcoming hunt this weekend. I can give you the full run-down after my hunt. The screen is small and after more than a decade of using my GPS to simply mark where I am on my paper topo maps, it will be a switch to try this approach. The GPS 20 and 30 have replaced the eTrex line and are right around your price point. As was explained to me, the new line just has a faster processor than the eTrex line. I've always been a fan of Garmins so I don't think you'll go wrong with any of those. Good luck!

 

[cornfedkiller]

Garmin 450...Its the same as the 450t, but does not come with the preloaded maps, which can be downloaded for free anyways..

 

[Tracker15]

I just bought the Garmin Dakota20 with the bundle (includes Topo). I love it. It's small, accurate,touch screen and super easy to use. I also paid the $29.99 for a yr subscription of the aerial details. I've been downloading maps like crazy and uploading them to my garmin and it works great. I put a 32G micro SD card in the unit so I can fit a lot of aerial details in there. Once the aerial footage is downloaded to the unit its yours to keep forever. The unit comes with a program called BaseCamp, which is pretty sweet. I shed hunt a lot and I keep track of all my "tracks" and "Waypoints" on BaseCamp and can see what I have covered and how far I've walked etc. I also use it to scout early spring and mark spots that should have stands etc. The nice about BaseCamp is you can click a button and send all your info out to Google Earth and see aerial detail. That being said the reason to downloaded the aerial birdseye package was so you can have aerial footage on the actual unit. I would highly recommend this unit.