Best Handheld Hunting GPS - Best Garmin Handheld Hunting GPS Units for the Fall 2010 Hunting Season

You may be wondering which Garmin handheld hunting GPS units are the best rated for this fall's hunting season. When choosing a hunting gps many hunters look for a unit that is lightweight, easy to read and use, while being waterproof and receives a signal even in heavy foliage or deep canyons. Garmin has two new lines of handheld GPS units in the Oregon and Dakota series but surprisingly these two series did not make it in to the Fall 2010 . Hunters preferred the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx, the Garmin GPSMap 60 CSx, and the Garmin Rino 530 HCX for the following reasons.

1. Garmin eTrex Vista HCx– Hunters rated the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx as one of the best garmin handheld Hunting GPS units for the fall 2010 hunting season because it is small, lightweight, and easy to use. The color screen makes it easy to view in sunny conditions. The eTrex Vista HCX gets a great signal in heavy tree cover and deep canyons. One hunter really liked the compactness of the Vista and carries it in his shirt pocket for easy access.

2. Garmin GPSMap 60 CSx – This hunting GPS unit is very popular again this season because it has a larger, color screen which makes viewing GPS maps in the field easier on the hunter’s eyes. It also has a SD card slot which allows the hunter to have a special MicroSD card for each of his hunting areas. The GPSMap 60 CSx maybe a bit larger of a handheld GPS but hunters still love it for it’s great reception in the field.

3. Garmin Rino 530 HCx – The Rino remains popular with hunters because it has a build in radio that you can use to communicate with other FMS/ radio users. The Garmin Rino will also allow for fellow Garmin Rino users in your hunting party to pinpoint your current location. This popular hunting GPS also has a larger, color screen and gets a great satellite signal.

So, as you can see, the best Garmin handheld hunting GPS units for the fall 2010 hunting season are the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx, the Garmin GPSMap 60 CSx, and the Garmin Rino 530 HCx.

Customer Review - Garmin eTrex Vista HCx - Best Handheld Hunting GPS

I got this eTrex Vista HCx to use for hunting and I've found it is useful for much more than just hunting. You can lock on waypoints when you find deer poo, watering holes, trails, rubbed bushes, etc...then you can come back and look at the computer and almost visualize the deers movements thus allowing you to put a stand up in a great place. I also use it to drive in unfamiliar areas. It's not as good as a car GPS but for a good overall use for everything it's great. However, you will need to buy the topographical and city navigator maps on the chip. Its easy because you just plug it in and go. The darn thing is almost idiot proof and tough as nails. I live in the mountains and it works great here in NC!
By: Bruce Moore

Customer Review - Garmin GPS 60CSx Handheld GPS - Best Handheld Hunting GPS

No matter what you are into the GPS 60CSx delivers. I use it for hunting, fishing and auto navigation. With its electronic compass it works extremely well in the woods, even in heavy cover. Load the lakemaster data card into it and get extremely well detailed maps of your fishing spots. Put the city navigator maps in it and get turn by turn directions with auto routing and re-routing on missed turns. Geocache friendly. There simply is not a handheld on the market with all these capabilities. Did I mention the unit locks on to satellites in extremely dense cover? I can turn this on in my house in my basement sitting 6 feet away from the window and it locks on. Truly well worth the investment. I have had mine a year now with no troubles. I have tried the others and they do not hold a candle to this unit.

Customer Review - Garmin Rino 530 HCX - Best Handheld Hunting GPS

I purchased the Rino 530HCx about two weeks ago to use while deer hunting in East Tennessee. Everyone in our group has GPS and two-way radio to find our way around and communicate when we are in unfamilar territory. I have been searching for a device that will take care of both needs, without having to handle two seperate pieces of equipment, and the 530HCx has worked flawlessly so far.

The satellite positioning seems to be right on and positioning after start-up was quick. I used the unit to mark several deer trails, rub lines, and possible stand placements and I was able to return to those areas very easily. I used the averaging feature to fine tune the locations and was able to get within 5-7 feet of everything I marked.

Everyone in the group said that radio transmission was crystal clear, they could hear my transmissions better than anyone elses. Don't get me wrong the Garmin in definetly a GPS first and radio second but I was very pleased with its two-way capabilities. It performed as well, if not better, than the midlands and motorolas in the group.

By	J.  D. Lane (White Pine, TN USA)

Best Hunting GPS – Best Garmin Handheld Hunting GPS Units for 2009

Hunters hold a very high standard for the GPS units that they use in the field. They want one that is lightweight, easy to read and use, while being waterproof and receives a signal even in heavy foliage or deep canyons. Garmin has two new lines of handheld GPS units in the Oregon and Dakota series but surprisingly these two series did not make the 2009 “Best Hunting GPS “ list. Hunters preferred the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx, the Garmin GPSMap 60 CSx, and the Garmin Rino 530 HCX for the following reasons.

1. Garmin eTrex Vista HCx– Hunters rated the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx as the Best Hunting GPS for 2009 because it is small, lightweight, and easy to use. The color screen makes it easy to view in sunny conditions. The eTrex Vista HCX gets a great signal in heavy tree cover and deep canyons. One hunter really liked the compactness of the Vista and carries it in his shirt pocket for easy access.

2. Garmin GPSMap 60 CSx – This hunting GPS unit is very popular again this year because it has a larger, color screen which makes viewing GPS maps in the field easier on the hunter’s eyes. It also has a SD card slot which allows the hunter to have a special MicroSD card for each of his hunting areas. The GPSMap 60 CSx maybe a bit larger of a handheld GPS but hunters still love it for it’s great reception in the field.

3. Garmin Rino 530 HCx – The Rino remains popular with hunters because it has a build in radio that you can use to communicate with other FMS/ radio users. The Garmin Rino will also allow for fellow Garmin Rino users in your hunting party to pinpoint your current location. This popular hunting GPS also has a larger, color screen and gets a great satellite signal.

So, as you can see, the best hunting GPS units for 2009 were the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx, the Garmin GPSMap 60 CSx, and the Garmin Rino 530 HCx.

Best Hunting GPS – Which Garmin Hunting GPS Is Right for You?

GPS units are becoming very popular with hunters these days, but it may be confusing choosing the right unit for your hunting needs. Many people may be looking at the newest designs thinking they are the best GPS they can buy but it may not be right for them.

Let’s compare two of the newest Garmin GPS models the Dakota 10 and the Oregon 400T to three of the best Garmin Hunting GPS units; the eTrex Vista HCx, the GPSMap 60 CSx, and the Rino 530 HCx.

New Touch Screen Models

· Garmin Dakota 10 GPS – This is the newest model from Garmin. It is more compact than the Oregon 400T. It is waterproof and impact-resistant which are two features many hunters look for in a GPS unit. It also is equipped with Hotfix technology which calculates the user’s position faster.

· Garmin Oregon 400T – This is also a fairly recent model from Garmin. It is a little bigger than the Dakota 10 but it is also a touch screen model. It allows users to share information with other GPS users, wirelessly, which is a nice feature to track other hunters in your party. It comes pre-loaded with topographical maps and has both a barometric altimeter and electronic compass. Hunters really appreciate these three features.

The new technology of these two GPS units is appealing at first many people are reporting that the screens are difficult to read in the sunlight and they are more difficult to use because of all their features. This is why the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx, the GPSMap 60 CSx, and the Rino 530 HCx are still the best hunting GPS units available.

Best Hunting GPS Units

· Garmin eTrex Vista HCx – This one is great if you are looking for a compact unit. It fits in your shirt pocket, has a clear color screen, and is waterproof. It has a barometric altimeter and an electronic compass which allows hunters to position themselves even when standing or sitting still.

· Garmin GPSMap 60 CSx – This GPS is a little bigger but is the most popular among hunters. They like the larger, color screen makes it easier to view topo maps in the field. It also gets great satellite reception in heavy cover and deep canyons.

· Garmin Rino 530 HCx – The Rino has a radio build in to it so you can contact fellow hunters who also have a Rino or have a FRS/GMRS radio. It also has a color screen making it easy to view maps and has the ability to pinpoint your location while sitting or standing still because of its electronic compass and barometric altimeter.

So, as you can see, many people may think that the new technology of the touch screen models would make the best hunting GPS units but after you consider the poor screen visibility and the difficulty in use you may want to consider either the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx, the GPSMap 60 CSx, and the Rino 530 HCx for your hunting GPS needs.

Hunting GPS - Q&A - Which Accessories Should I Have For My Garmin Oregon 400t Hunting GPS?

Q. Which Accessories Should I Have for My Garmin Oregon 400t Hunting GPS?

A. The accessories that you want to have for the Garmin Oregon 400t hunting GPS are a carrying case, 12-volt adapter, and specific Topo maps on MicroSD cards for areas that you hunt.

The most important accessory to have for any hunting GPS is a good carrying case. Even though the Oregon 400t is extremely durable and waterproof, you will want to protect the large touch screen from getting scratched. Garmin has two carrying case options for the Oregon series GPS units. You can choose the slip cover case, which slides over and around the GPS unit and features a clear vinyl area to protect the screen. Or you can choose the hard carrying case which is great for protecting your GPS while traveling.

The second accessory you will want to get for your Oregon GPS is a 12-volt adapter. This will allow you to keep your GPS fully charged while in route to your hunting area. You may even want to opt for the auto navigation kit that is available for the Garmin Oregon series so you can easily use your hunting GPS while driving.

Pre-loaded Topographical MicroSD cards are the final accessory you will want to buy. Even though the Garmin Oregon 400t comes with topo maps pre-loaded, you will probably want to get one of the more detailed pre-loaded topographical MicroSD cards that are compatible with this Garmin GPS for each of your hunting areas.