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cj8vet |
handheld GPS |
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Tenderfoot
Posts: 14 (10/31/09 08:52) |
my old etrex is about to get replaced-so what are ya'lls favorites and why? mark
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southern utah |
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Scout
Posts: 160 (10/31/09 18:43) Tenderfoot |
Garmin Rino 120. It would be nice to have one of the upgraded units with more memory and rechargeable batteries but I really like the 120. It has a basic map
system and radio. I have 2 of the units and if someone else is hiking or hunting with me we can communicate and keep track of each other. If we use the same
channel it will show last location of the other radio when it is keyed to talk. The 3 AA batteries will last a couple of days. If there is a group we all use
the same channel. We started to use them in the County Sheriff Search and Rescue Unit as field radios to free up the Sheriff radio channels, keep each other
located and be able to return by the same path if needed. The local Drug task force is using a few as it shows where each other are located and only goes a few
miles and most perps arn't scanning the family radios. I think the radios are restricted to US and Canada. There are other nice features se @
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=146&pID=6405#featureTab
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lawdog41 |
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Tribal Councilman
Posts: 714 (11/02/09 23:18) Dog Soldier |
Got the Rino 120 myself.
The lack of some features on the 120, such as the color screen and internal compass really do make a difference if you don't use a compass regularly. I use the 120 in one hand and the compass in the other. You have to, especially in the tree's. The 130 has the internal compass. Just remember that the compass has to be calibrated. We all went to the Rino units in our camp, for the 'low-jack' feature, if nothing else. After one of our members got a bit mixed up, okay bloody lost and darned nearly dead, we pretty much have come to require them. For gaining assistance in retrieving game, keeping track of other hunters in your party and all around tracking and route keeping it's nothing short of phenomenal. We trade routes, plots and locations every night to help plan the next hunt and avoid really bad areas in the future. If you get the standard battery pack model, or the adapter, use the expensive Energizer high drain batteries, $9.00 per 4, but you'll get a couple days out of them unlike standard Energizer/Duracells that won't last a full day of heavy use. The new upgraded batteries and such on the 530 model are very nice! They have a new 530 model that's replacing the older 530's that were giving so many problems with seizing up. Way out of my price league but very nice. Did I say, we require them? For us, they are that important. |
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Lee1959 |
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Tribal Spirit
Posts: 3634 (11/03/09 11:21) |
Dont own one, my wife has a vehicle type GPS for her car though. I have considered one a time or two but never seem to get around to getting one. Perhaps will
get an idea which to get one day from this.
What type of batteries do they use, CR123s or AAs.
Last Edited By: Lee1959
11/03/09 11:23.
Edited 1 times.
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southern utah |
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Scout
Posts: 160 (11/03/09 12:36) Tenderfoot |
From my first post "The 3 AA batteries will last a couple of days. " I buy the Costco 40 pack and break them down into 3s in small zip locks. They
also fit the flashlight, head light and camera that I carry. I alway try to have at least 2 zips with 3 in each with me all the time. Cheap insurance and i can
switch form one another in pinch.
A compass would be nice as lawdog mentioned. I just walk arould a little to get North or break out the compass. I carry my camera in a case with shouldeer strap and keep one of the little pin on compass hooked to it. |
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lawdog41 |
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Tribal Councilman
Posts: 714 (11/04/09 00:12) Dog Soldier |
The best method of use with both non-compass models and the internal compass models is to use both handheld compass and the unit also.
The units become confused in heavy timber and you can lose north as well as your actual location. One of our guys was "out of touch" but was still receiving updates from the rest of the group. The others were "moving away" from him at a fast pace. He increased his pace to almost running at the end. By the time he finally updated he had covered almost 2.5 miles of heavy mountain timber. Suddenly he found himself way ahead of the group and we actually had to drive to pick him up, it was closer to a logging road than to come back to camp. The normal Rino's use AA's, haven't seen any that use 123's and I'm glad, they're way too expensive for that kind of use. |
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southern utah |
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Scout
Posts: 160 (11/04/09 13:19) Tenderfoot |
I have had the rino show arrow direction 180* from accual target. I knew someting was up as the distance was getting farther away. stopped navagating and
reentered the go-to for the waypoint and got me headed right. The big thing is to get one and use it so if things don't seem right you can resert to check.
More than once I did not believe the GPS only to find it matched my compass. On some outings I have taken my old etrex with a compass attached to a cord along
just as backups.
Another topic would be how do you carry your GPS. I have mine on a short cord with a small key ring size carabiner so I can hook it to a belt loop or a button hole. More than once I have found it hanging by my side or hitting me on the knee. Usually carry in shirt or coat pocket. Search and rescue it goes in a COAXSHERE chest pack with hand held radio and accessores.USe a protective soft case to store it in .Face will scratch, ask me how I know.
Last Edited By: southern utah
11/05/09 12:05.
Edited 1 times.
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lawdog41 |
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Tribal Councilman
Posts: 714 (11/05/09 11:16) Dog Soldier |
Carrying: Belt clip hanging off cross chest strap on backpack. Easy to hear the radio on low and easy to notice if not there.
In use, in hand away from rifle or compass as the battery pack will effect the compass. Check direction, check bearing with compass and head on out. Normally after putting GPS back. Display screen will crack, the armored carrier is a good idea. Guess how I know. |
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