GPS technology in the hunt field

[SLW]

I use a Garmin 60CSx- it has more bells and whistles than I need but it is very cool! I attach it to the front D ring on my saddle in a black case and no one is bothered by it in the hunt field. In fact, most folks have enjoyed seeing the printed out map of the days hunting. From reading Painted Wings post I bought the National Geographic TOPO software and it is fabulous!

I use the Garmin when I want to track time and distance when I’m legging up a horse in a new place I’m riding. It is nice to learn which landmarks are “how many miles” from the trail head or home.

[Mudroom]

[QUOTE=Elghund2;4257617]
Those are the kind of maps I want to do. It seems like the Garmin etrex will do the trick.

Thanks[/QUOTE]

various posts have proven the etrex will do it, but it doesn’t come easy. I am normally pretty tech savvy, bought one and tried to learn to work it couldn’t. Another teckie in my hunt took it over and she said she would work on it. That was a year ago…

Find a good teacher.

[Painted_Wings]

If you get the National Geographic USGS software it is actually pretty easy. I actually wrote a set of instructions on how to do it and have sent it to people now and then.

also if you get the Garmin topgraphic software it doesn’t have as much resolution but it will automatically put the track on google earth.

[xeroxchick]

Etrex

I had all kinds of problems with my new Etrex - turned out that it needed a lot of updates from the website. It must have been sitting on a shelf for a while. I also had a memory chip in it that was too big - couldn’t read it. If one is just a little tech savvy it is really not hard to use at all. I mean, I can’t even download music…

[Beverley]

I also use the Garmin Etrex. Although how to carry is iffy, I need to work on that- around my neck, might bang against something and turn itself off (especially when riding in the mountains in western saddle), and it woods it loses signal if not held carefully in my hand. I saw someone- maybe with the beagles in AZ? that had a little harness to carry it in. But the mapping and data sets are very cool. I can also download the topo map (not more than one state at a time) directly on the unit- this can be very handy when bushwacking in the mountains and not wanting to end up surrounded by sheer dropoffs.

I do want a wrist one, and will check out that Forerunner that was suggested- but when last I inquired about the Forerunners- not too many months ago- the GPS geek said none of them would download to topo maps as I desired.

I do carry spare batteries- sometimes I just mark where the trailer is parked, but if I’m tracking all day and switching screens to check altitude and etc, it does burn the juice.

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

[QUOTE=Beverley;4266387]
I do want a wrist one, and will check out that Forerunner that was suggested- but when last I inquired about the Forerunners- not too many months ago- the GPS geek said none of them would download to topo maps as I desired.[/QUOTE]The Forerunner 201 - unless it’s been way upgraded since I bought mine - doesn’t let you load maps into it.

But someone earlier in this thread said (I think) that there are some online apps that let you transfer your Forerunner data to Google maps. That would be way cool.

Mr. RAR has a “Big Boy” GPS - might be a Garmin eTrex. But it’s not wrist-mounted.

FWIW, you could try what I do with my little camera while pretending to hunt - I wear it on a lanyard around my neck, but tuck it into my shirt pocket. As long as I have my coat on, it pretty much stays put. (We don’t jump, though…)

[gothedistance]

@Risk-Averse Rider;4266444

The Forerunner 201 - unless it’s been way upgraded since I bought mine - doesn’t let you load maps into it.

But someone earlier in this thread said (I think) that there are some online apps that let you transfer your Forerunner data to Google maps. That would be way cool.

That was me. You can upload the Forerunner GPS data to the net VERY easily!!! You just seat the GPS to the charger/upload unit, have the unit plugged into your computer, call up the Garmin program…and in one click your data is online in a great, easy to use/view format that is instantly recognized by GoogleEarth. The Garmin program even has a one-click option to load the data directly to GoogleEarth. All the applications are FREE and downloaded off the net – no need to buy any after-market programs.

It is beyond simple. Even a caveman could do it.

Frankly, my GPS functions as my speedometer, odometer , and timer so I know how fast I’m going at the moment, how far I’ve gone, and how long it is taking me. Having it on my wrist is perfect – I can even check it with a quick downward glance while galloping and take stock of what the data is telling me. It is the stored data - some of which is not in the display but is shown in the stored/downloadable data – that is of the greatest interest to me. Both the Master and huntsman were super interested when I emailed them the topo maps and direct links to the data displayed on GoogleEarth. They didn’t need any purchased programs to view the data.

The Forerunner can “tell” you where you are at the moment, – I’ve used the “history” which shows each waypoint (dotted line showing the track) in sections, but without a map to overlay the points it really has little value to me other than knowing how far each waypoint was recorded. I have an electronic compass watch, and if I go somewhere I’ve never been before, I always carry a map. If I was tracking in a very remote area, however, having a spot GPS to tell me exactly where I was at every moment, overlaid on a map, would be nice.

[xeroxchick]

As far as carrying the Etrex, the holder from Garmin has a strong clip that attaches nicely to your belt or the horse’s breast collar (I’ve used it this way English and Western). I attached it to a strap from dee to dee across my english pommel the other day and it was fine. Around the neck is definitely not good for me - tried it.

[Elghund2]

I ended up garmin etrex h. This morning I was out hacking around and testing the unit when our adopted foxhound ran a red fox. We even had a viewing. I know the unit can do more than I have it doing but this was a good first try.

http://www.waterfordmgmt.com/RHweb/hunt_gps/synchronicity_82509.pdf

If you want to read a description of the “hunt” you can go to http://www.rappahannockhunt.org and go to the blog.

[wateryglen]

Luddite!!!

Luddite!!! What the heck is a Luddite!!! There ya go using them big words around me again! Geez I hate that!

Good GPS joke:::
What do you get when a woman with PMS has a GPS?

…A crazy bitch who WILL find you!!!

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:p