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Need advice making a purchase decision. #8667527 09/27/26 12:47 PM 09/27/26 12:47 PM
Joined: Dec 2006 Michigan Trappersaurus Pelts OP trapper
Pelts OP trapper Joined: Dec 2006 Michigan Trappersaurus	Going to do a backpack trip through some heavy wooded area that cover thousands of acres. I have two compasses but, I know when I get in there a ways, a person could get where everything looks the same. I thanking about purchasing something like a GPS hand held to mark my way points to turn around and come back.Anybody use these?

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667531 09/27/26 12:58 PM 09/27/26 12:58 PM
Joined: Mar 2023 WI WI Outdoors trapper
WI Outdoors trapper Joined: Mar 2023 WI	I have a Garmin hand held unit. I thinks its good to have a map in a waterproof cover, a compass and know how to use it, and a gps.

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667533 09/27/26 01:03 PM 09/27/26 01:03 PM
Joined: Oct 2019 PA C cmj trapper
cmj trapper C Joined: Oct 2019 PA	Onx app on your phone. They used to have a 30 day free trial. U can download the map before u get there and turn your phone on airplane mode. And the GPS still works.

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: cmj] #8667541 09/27/26 01:20 PM 09/27/26 01:20 PM
Joined: Feb 2020 Indiana P Providence Farm trapper
Providence Farm trapper P Joined: Feb 2020 Indiana	Originally Posted by cmj Onx app on your phone. They used to have a 30 day free trial. U can download the map before u get there and turn your phone on airplane mode. And the GPS still works. I wouldn't trust my phone to always have service. Never used a gps so dont know about how long the battery life is but would trust that to work more than my phone. Always have a compass in New areas. Has saved me some embarrassment at a minimum at least 2 times. Once I was alone tracking a deer my daughter had shoot. Was in a low area with small trees over cast everything looked the same I didnt know what direction the truck was. I wasn't far from the truck just no clue where to go after circling so much looking at the ground.. Compass solved that Another time I was hunting a l new level place and all the trees and ground looked the same. Was doing a lot of walking scouting. Over cast sky again. I 100% new where the truck was but the compass was telling me I was 180% off . So I followed the compass and found the truck.

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Providence Farm] #8667547 09/27/26 01:33 PM 09/27/26 01:33 PM
Joined: Nov 2012 midland, michigan M midlander trapper
midlander trapper M Joined: Nov 2012 midland, michigan	Originally Posted by Providence Farm Originally Posted by cmj Onx app on your phone. They used to have a 30 day free trial. U can download the map before u get there and turn your phone on airplane mode. And the GPS still works. I wouldn't trust my phone to always have service. Never used a gps so dont know about how long the battery life is but would trust that to work more than my phone. Always have a compass in New areas. Has saved me some embarrassment at a minimum at least 2 times. Once I was alone tracking a deer my daughter had shoot. Was in a low area with small trees over cast everything looked the same I didnt know what direction the truck was. I wasn't far from the truck just no clue where to go after circling so much looking at the ground.. Compass solved that Another time I was hunting a l new level place and all the trees and ground looked the same. Was doing a lot of walking scouting. Over cast sky again. I 100% new where the truck was but the compass was telling me I was 180% off . So I followed the compass and found the truck. Phone doesnt need to have to service for OnX to work if he downloaded maps as CMJ suggested. Having said that, its not a bad idea to have a quality compass along with a handheld GPS. I have used Garmin units for many years, no compliants....but have extra batteries with you as they arent worth a lick without juice....

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667551 09/27/26 01:37 PM 09/27/26 01:37 PM
Joined: Dec 2022 North Central WA. J Jingles trapper
Jingles trapper J Joined: Dec 2022 North Central WA.	If unfamiliar with using GPS units can always fall back on good ole topo maps and compass. Recommend topo map regardless what electronics you may or may not decide to use No man is entitled to the Blessings of Freedom unless he be vigilant in it's preservation D. MacArthur

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667553 09/27/26 01:39 PM 09/27/26 01:39 PM
Joined: Mar 2012 meadowview, Virginia E EdP trapper
EdP trapper E Joined: Mar 2012 meadowview, Virginia	Quote Onx app on your phone. They used to have a 30 day free trial. U can download the map before u get there and turn your phone on airplane mode. And the GPS still works. This. The phone does not need to have service for the GPS function to work and the screen size is much larger than on most GPS units. You do have to download the map of the area (offline maps) for this to be of use. I prefer to use the offline map function rather than have the phone downloading the map. It is faster and it saves a lot of battery power when you are on airplane mode. I also always want a compass and map with me. Be carefull of your compass. There is so much magnetic stuff now (like magnetec pocket closers) that you need to keep your compass away from. I had one swap polarity and point south and had to use a magnet to swap it back.

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667750 09/27/26 07:48 PM 09/27/26 07:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2019 North central Iowa B Bob_Iowa trapper
Bob_Iowa trapper B Joined: Jan 2019 North central Iowa	I’ve been fishing with a guy that had a garmin and it was really accurate so I wouldn’t be afraid to have one to help, you just never know what’s going to happen.

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: cmj] #8667777 09/27/26 08:25 PM 09/27/26 08:25 PM
Joined: Mar 2023 WI WI Outdoors trapper
WI Outdoors trapper Joined: Mar 2023 WI	Originally Posted by cmj Onx app on your phone. They used to have a 30 day free trial. U can download the map before u get there and turn your phone on airplane mode. And the GPS still works. Depends where I am. When I hunt in a marsh, I don't like using my phone as it's my only means of communication. If it fell in the water, it's gone.

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667780 09/27/26 08:35 PM 09/27/26 08:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2026 Texas ColdspringKidd trapper
ColdspringKidd trapper Joined: Jun 2026 Texas	….. don’t let it fall in the water

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: cmj] #8667800 09/27/26 09:37 PM 09/27/26 09:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2007 Snow Hill, MD J JoMiBru trapper
JoMiBru trapper J Joined: Jan 2007 Snow Hill, MD	Originally Posted by cmj Onx app on your phone. They used to have a 30 day free trial. U can download the map before u get there and turn your phone on airplane mode. And the GPS still works. Yep this. Just got back from CO on a back country elk hunt. Used onx daily. Download the map for offline use. Do a big area, outside where you will most likely travel. It’s a great tool. Drop waypoints, keep tracks etc.

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667802 09/27/26 09:38 PM 09/27/26 09:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2007 Snow Hill, MD J JoMiBru trapper
JoMiBru trapper J Joined: Jan 2007 Snow Hill, MD	And I had a garmin with me, never used it!

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667859 09/28/26 12:01 AM 09/28/26 12:01 AM
Joined: Sep 2013 Green County Wisconsin G GREENCOUNTYPETE trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE trapper G Joined: Sep 2013 Green County Wisconsin	sounds like grouse hunting , all alder looks about the same , you can see maybe 25 yards in any direction. 2 compasses and the GPS waypoint the truck before going in any time you make a change off your compass direction waypoint it I have a Garmin Dakota , the model is no longer made most basic Garmin units will do all you need. America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667865 09/28/26 12:47 AM 09/28/26 12:47 AM
Joined: Jan 2008 Alaska and Washington State W waggler trapper
waggler trapper W Joined: Jan 2008 Alaska and Washington State	In this day and age; a gps, and a basic compass. Just make sure you know how to use both of them. "My life is better than your vacation"

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667869 09/28/26 01:50 AM 09/28/26 01:50 AM
Joined: Dec 2020 Wisconsin Scott__aR trapper
Scott__aR trapper Joined: Dec 2020 Wisconsin	Never rely on one navigation system! Garmin makes outstanding GPS units, you don't need the best high end unit to be able to navigate. Carry at least one set of extra batteries. A good handheld compass and topographic map as a backup. Become familiar with the area from the topo map before going out. Megapredator ... top of the food chain! Member of WTA Member of U.P. Trappers Member of NTA Member of FTA

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667880 09/28/26 04:35 AM 09/28/26 04:35 AM
Joined: Dec 2006 williamsburg ks D danny clifton "Grumpy Old Man"
danny clifton "Grumpy Old Man" D Joined: Dec 2006 williamsburg ks	really????? Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667883 09/28/26 04:49 AM 09/28/26 04:49 AM
Joined: Dec 2006 Michigan Trappersaurus Pelts OP trapper
Pelts OP trapper Joined: Dec 2006 Michigan Trappersaurus	Thanks everyone. Have lots to consider now.

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667884 09/28/26 05:31 AM 09/28/26 05:31 AM
Joined: Feb 2014 East Texas B BTLowry trapper
BTLowry trapper B Joined: Feb 2014 East Texas	Recent trip to MT, no cell service Had OnX downloaded offline map on phone, had GPS and a compass. Never touched GPS or compass. Could mark anything and track my daily routes just like GPS but with detailed and sat view maps. If you are worried about battery life, grab a 10-20000mAh power bank to charge phone with

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667910 09/28/26 06:55 AM 09/28/26 06:55 AM
Joined: Dec 2008 Arizona O oldtrapper trapper
oldtrapper trapper O Joined: Dec 2008 Arizona	How can you get lost in Michigan

Re: Need advice making a purchase decision. [Re: Pelts] #8667911 09/28/26 06:58 AM 09/28/26 06:58 AM
Joined: Dec 2014 Tug Hill, NY S Squash trapper
Squash trapper S Joined: Dec 2014 Tug Hill, NY	OnX hunt, I carry a small battery bank that will charge my phone about three times. Pretty much all we use to fish for Brook trout in remote trail less ponds and lakes in the Adirondack wilderness.

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