good GPS?

[Doop]

I am in the very begining stages of planning an Elk hunting trip to Colorado. I would like to get a quality GPS so when i'm in the middle of BFE..I won't have a problem picking up satellites. Does anyone have any information or advice?
Thanks in advance!

[Eskimo]

I have a Magellan SportTrak Map. It is an awesome unit... I think you can get them now for $169. Get the Topo USA CD to go with it and you can download your hunting area on to it so you can see all of the topo information as well. I have been to BFE with mine and it sure gives me a sense of security. Put in where you plan to park, hike, etc. into the unit before you go and you will never get lost. Tim

[Dan DAN the fisherman]

Hey Eskimo, Hows the ice down Texas way (HA-HA). I've got a Magellan Map 330 and its taken me to B.F.E. and back again. Some of the newer units are awesome, like the Magellan color unit. Good luck and stay safe on that ice down there!
Dan

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[Doop]

I just moved down to TX from Iowa. I miss my corn-fed bucks that's for sure. Just got back from an ice fishin trip to Lake of the Woods, MN. Caught our limit everyday, but we had to work for them (walleyes).

Anyway...thanks for the advice on those units. I do like the idea of being able look at a topo map also. Did either of you guys do any elk hunting this fall?

[Jaquomo]

I have an ETrex Vista and it'a an incredible unit with 24 Meg of memory for Topo downloads. Only problem is that it burns through batteries if you keep it on. If I had to do over, I'd get one with fewer bells and whistles that uses less power.

Whatever you get, get one that is WAAS-enabled for added accuracy in getting back to fishing spots.

[Doop]

Thanks guys...I appreciate the help. My main concern is a gps that will get me back to camp while the sun is going down. I think I have it narrowed down to a Garmin or Magellan. Not quite sure though. I'd like to keep it under $300 if I could.

[mac]

The Garmin etrex is a great hand held GPS. It is easy to use, does everything you need and cost $119. You can also upload or download data to a topo program on your computer.

[Doop]

Does it have a problem locating satelites? I just got back from Lake of the Woods, MN ice fishing and my buddy has one of those...I think it's the same...and he was only able to get us within 30 ft. of our previous location because he could only contact a few satelites. I want my gps for bowhunting in the mountains and honestly, I'd like to do a little better than 30 ft. because in the dark...everything looks the same. What do you guys think?

[mac]

All hand held GPS use the same technology so their accuracy is about the same, I think the ETREX is spec'd at 15 meter accuracy. Whenever we test it on known points, it always seems to bring us back closer than the 15 meters. I know several people using the ETREX and all are happy.