I’m planning to take a trapping trip to New Mexico in January. I’d like to mark my traps with a GPS unit so I don’t have to mark them in other ways.

What GPS unit do you recommend for my trip? I have an old Magellan Sport Track Map unit that must be 20 years old. It is slow and hard to use.

Thank everyone!

Garman works very well for marking,finding traps.
If you remembered to mark them. Lol
And a metal detector also works for finding traps.
But a coyote can locate all of them just takes longer lol.

I have had a few different brands for different purposes. In my opinion Garmin offers the best of what I want and need. Currently I use an Oregon 650 as my main gps and an InReach Explorer+ as a backup and for satellite text and email communication.

For land trapping I mark every set location on the gps. It works great.

When I bought the Oregon, the Montana was not available. If my Oregon broke today I would immediately replace it with a Montana.

I would highly recommend the Montana because of the LARGER screen.

Hey would you be interested in buying my like new Oregon?

Cell phone with OnXmaps. You can save the maps on your phone so you don’t need cell service. Not only can you use satilite imagery maps, but you can also land what lands public, what’s private, and who owns the private. No need for a GPS unit anymore.

I have a 650 Oregon also and absolutely hate it, It eats batteries like they going out of style and the rechargeable ones it came with didn't last past the first 6 months. Unless you lock the screen after each use it will add waypoints ,change brightness,take pictures,etc. Just from bumping around in your pocket or hanging from the clip. Half the time I want to smash it.

I've got an older Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx.
Works great for me - did buy the Topo Maps CD and it has all the states and Canada on it.

Thanks guys! I played around the with my cell phone and the OnX App. I’m going to go that route over a dedicated GPS.

Big cell phone, and onX hunt maps also. Screen is larger, and it is hooked up to your email, so you can utilize it several different ways. The bigger screen on a phone had sure been nice.

You wont be disappointed. I rather like not carrying two different devices, plus my ONX reads out in satellite image and my old GPS doesn't.

How close does ONX get you? I have an old Garmin etrax I was going to get use to using before I get out of state. Figured be better to get use to it in familiar territory before.

I believe it is within three yards, but I'm not positive. You might find it on their website, or you could call the company and ask about it.

Be cautious because if a cell phone gets too cold or too warm they shut off. Using a smart phone as a convenient gps is great. If you need to rely on it for accuracy, reliability, and durability a real gps is the correct choice.

If you are in an area with no cell service remember to shut off the cellular services or your phone will constantly search for a tower and quickly run down the battery.

With a real gps if you wear down the batteries you can replace them on the spot. Using a Garmin gps all day I have never worn out the batteries.

With a real gps such as the Garmin Montana you can also use OnX mapping software by inserting a chip.

All the phone tips already listed will let your phone last a lot longer. But only turn your phone on when needed.
If you use your phone carry a small phone battery pack. I have one and it will charge my phone 3 times. It is only 1/3 the size of a pack of cigarettes. If nessary buy a couple battery packs. They are cheap.

My Oregon 650t with the Onx chip works very well for me.

I've used the phone version for a year now and have never had it drain my battery. I normally get about three days of battery life out of my phone (if I turn it on airplane mode when not actively using the cellular features) my Oregon 550T on the other hand needs new batteries every 8 hours, unless I turn it on and off as I use it...which isn't real conducive when you are hunting and need to know if the animal is on public or private in a hurry. As far as accuracy I asked the local Fish cop that I know and asked if there is an issue will judgment change depending on if you are using the phone version vs. a real GPS when using ONX (which the Wyoming Game and Fish sells as our public lands chip) he said its the same thing.

Avenza is another good mapping app.

I use a Garmin GPSMAP 64ST. It came pre loaded with a nationwide topo map. Its accurate to a couple feet, and takes a memory card. You can also edit your trail, traps, and anything else you want with the software that's included. Its waterproof, rugged, and with lithium ion batteries lasts a really long time. Takes AA batteries, and I carry it on a beener. It uses both GLONASS and GPS. Also is compatible with Birds Eye, which are super up to date Satellite images on the GPS.

Mainly I would avoid anything that's not name brand, even if its half the price because the company may not be around in 5 or 10 years for support. Also avoid anything rechargeable. Being able to swap batteries is priceless. Thats the biggest downside of cell phones. Touch screens are a huge no no when it comes to longevity, reliability, and durability. A lot of them are going that way.

I spent $350 when I bought mine. These are now just over $200. If it broke, I would happily spend the $350 again if needed. I have used and abused this thing to death since early 2015. Its been through every type of extreme environment you can think of. Death Valley, top of the Rockies, Swamps, soggy camping, snow shoeing, bicycle, everything. All the ports close up, the battery bay locks solid, I cant complain. I trust it completely. I just got home from the trap line in the dark and put it away.

If you have any questions just ask. I am a technician by trade.

Willie Firewood made the same points as me. If you REALLY REALLY are going to rely on it, but a dedicated GPS. Dedicated devices always function better than other devices that do multiple things. Kinda like the TV/VCR combos, or an 'all in one' welder.

Also, EWCalls mentioned the battery. Very good idea if you rely on a phone. I have killed many portable batteries, especially the ones with solar panels. This one however, I have not been able to kill. Its tough as nails. Costs more for the toughness, but I was killing them every 6 months or less. This one I have had for at least a year. I use it to charge my GoPro and phone, I also have a headlamp I can plug into it if batteries die.