GPS

[Newby214]

Hey Guys, thinking about getting a GPS and I am just wondering if they are worth it? I would primarily use it for hunting but also for ice fishing. I do go out West every year on a antelope hunt(public land) but would mainly use it for hunting here in MN. Im thinking about getting a middle of the road garmin(oregon 450 or Dakota). Is there anything as a hunter I should absolutely have in a gps? Any input or help would be great, thanks!

[mainbutter]

I love my GPS! I've got a garmin etrex of some sort, didn't break the bank (for my gf who got it for me as a present). I mark good trees for my climbing stand, have the garmin upper midwest fishing guide chip to give me contours of lots of lakes, and get a better idea of where I am when I'm in the field.

Before having my GPS, there was one spot I hunted that I thought I knew really well, but being able to pinpoint where a few landmarks are really opened my eyes to the actual layout of the forest.

It also helps me stay on our land and not wander on the neighbor's property.

[Cheetah]

If you have a smartphone you may not need a handheld gps device. Navionics has a nice app for the phones to get your lake maps and depth charts. If you commonly hunt in areas with cell reception you might be able to simply use Google Maps or Bing Maps for location and satellite imagery in the field. Different map services have different satellite imagery, so I use multiple sites to keep track of spots I hunt and get ideas for new locations.

[Newby214]

Great stuff guys thanks! I do have the navionics app and other hunting apps but the whole reception issue can be a problem especially out West where I go. And I just would like more space to save tracks and points. Being a public land hunter myself, i really like butter's idea of marking a certain tree for a climber or a ground blind spot! Think I might splurge and get one. Will give a review on what I think!