I am looking at buying a good GPS mostly for ATV trail riding but also for hunting.

There are several units on the market and no doubt many members of this forum have one.

I am looking at buying something that is good and simple.

Any comments on this would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Hunter 1

Onx is pretty cool for hunting not sure how it would work for ATV riding.

I've only used Garmins so this is what I'm sticking to.
I like to geocache (others place objects in the woods, cemetaries, road sign, etc. so this is a few things I've found out. You get what you pay for (no duh) as good and simple can be two different things. Example: first gps was a Garmin eTrex 20x ($189.00). It got me around till when under heavier canopy it wouldn't detect a satellite. Went then to a Garmin GPSmap 64st. (about $300.00+ish). Worked like I hoped it would, no comparison between it and the eTrex 20x. So the 64st when used trapping I mark my sets with and lable them in Waypoints and it gives me a straight line to follow to the set, or a hunting stand, etc. Straight, not following contours avoiding cliffs, etc. so this would probably leave your ATV riding at a disadvantage (just an aside when I use it for geocaching I use the car gps to take me along shown roads to get close to the cache then use the handheld). So this is what I meant when said you get what you pay for (better options and detection=higher cost). Buddy got one that has a phone, can tag each person say on a deer drive and follow them, etc. and I think has downloadable maps showing trails, contour lines, etc. Cost over $550.00. All of the ones I've mentioned accept a micro SD card for more storage.
Know it's not much of an answer but when buying one say in a box store make sure to ask and have them show you...they probably won't have a clue but.

Agree with woodchuck. I use the Garmin GPS Map 64 as well nearly daily for work. It is dependable, rugged, and easy to use. Easily hooks to computer for easy data download. Has good battery life and good reception. Way better than the eTrex, but does cost between $250-300 bucks.

I use Onx and like it. You can do a free 7 day trial. Its an app on your phone, if you go to an area that you dont have any service you can save a map before you get there and use your phone on airplane mode. They have a hunting version and a jeep trail version. I have only used the hunting one. I have never used any other gps so cant compare it to something different.

Your smart phone and an app

Your smartphone and OnX.
You can get the entire US for $99 a year or just get your State. I do a little traveling so I got the entire US. As someone stated, if you think there might not be service there, download the areas in advance. I’ve hunted several places with zero signal yet was still able to know where I was at all times.

If you need absolute reliability in accuracy, get a standalone GPS.

Smartphones get glitchy in areas of poor service.

I’ve heard the whole “The GPS in your phone still works even when you don’t have service”. Not very well! Mine will try to tell me I’m 40-50 miles away sometimes. And I use it just about daily.

Thanks for the feedback,

I just went shopping yesterday and I am looking at $900.00 CAD plus (over 650 USD) for a Gamin model Montana. You can buy extra cards at $100. (for download) and get the entire ATV trail system for a specific Province.

If I could get cell phone coverage I wouldn`t worry about it. Just went on a ride two weeks ago and put over 315 kilometers plus on my ATV (195 miles) and some of those remote communities did not have the greatest cell coverage

Getting a good GPS would be a good asset. However, it is lot of money so I still looking at all options. .

You dont need cell coverage with onx. Before you lose coverage you save a map of the area you will be in on the onx app. Then put your phone on airplane mode and use the gps. It will work. If you do not save the map and lose coverage it will not work.

I've been using GPS since 1983 (it started in 1979). I did training for more than 10 years and I am still involved with GPS Surveying/mapping for Civil, Utilities, Construction & AG. If you are working from a vehicle with a cigarette lighter port all you need is something like a Garmin Drive 51 for less than $100 USD. It will do everything you need to do GPS wise. If I needed inReach I would want it to be standalone (like my Sat Phone) not part of a GPS Reviver same for camera.

One of the things that came up during my discussion with staff at Cabelas is cold weather conditions say minus 20 and colder. I was told some of them are not working so well if mounted on ATV.

Have you used them in cold weather condition?

Thanks for sharing the info.

Thanks Cmj. I will look into that one.

The Garmins I use will not operate when they are at very cold temperatures. However, when warmed and then connected to a 12 volt power source I have never had a problem.

Worked OK there - then.

I run Garmin for tracking all my hounds. Most houndsmen run Garmins around me and I have seen them used out west and east keeping track of big game hounds as well. You can also keep track of yourself....

The drive track might also be handy for you - we use it constantly so we dont have to look down at little screens.......

I have been happy with my Garmin map 64sx.

Thanks for all the info!

For my s x s I have a Garmin Montana, (i believe 600 series) can get a mount for it that mounts to the dash for your ATV can either run it off the battery or charge it. Provides GPS and also tracks, add wayponts, use as camera, note pad, map, can also get the onx map system chip for it if you need or use onx