Hunting goals: What are the tell-tale signs of a good GPS?

 

Have a passion to explore deep into the woods? Then you surely must have a hunting GPS with you in order to enable yourself to freely move about in hunting areas. With a GPS, you do not need to worry about keeping track of your position. 

Here, my references would mostly be made to a hunting GPS because these devices would enable you to locate yourself in a matter of seconds.

Most people who have spent a significant amount of time outdoors would have experienced moments of fear, thinking how to backtrack to a place that they are familiar with. Some of them were lucky where they met friends who were familiar with the place. Some would have gotten lost and even experience foul weather even when they are still on the move. Getting a good GPS would ensure that you would not experience such ordeal!

You would also be able to identify legal hunting zones and you are given further information about the hunting area of your choice. Hence, you can use this information and analyze in order to increase your hunting success rate.

 

Excellent Display Quality

If you like to hunt under any weather conditions, the GPS display that is easily readable under different conditions would be ideal. Even if it was scorching hot, you are under a share or during nighttime, you would want a display that is readable in all these different situations.

Depending on the acuteness of your eyesight, you may require different types of screen. For example, if your eyesight is weak, you may want a larger and colored touchscreen to distinguish different types of navigational landmarks on the screen. There are some GPS which gives you the option to choose between colored or “black and white” display.

By ensuring that the maps displayed on the GPS are clear, easily distinguishable and well-defined, you can differentiate different terrains by just a glance.

 

User-Friendly Interface

You can explore different GPS interface, and pick the GPS that you intuitively find the easiest to use. It is difficult to set a benchmark here because different people have different preferences.

If you are an avid hunter, you can make sure that the device still can be navigated effectively even if hunting gloves on.

Some GPS also has the function of turning photos for your future references after geotagging them. By having a visual reference, you can effectively trace your steps back to someplace familiar. For example, the Garmin Oregon 650t has a built-in 8-megapixel camera that can capture your location and store it in your GPS, later making it into actionable information.

Depending on your preference, some GPS have easily understandable buttons on the exterior of the GPS to allow for easy navigation. While some require you to go through several on-screen menus to access a particular functionality.

 

Sufficient amount of storage

A hunting GPS that could allow us to insert an SD card is essential for adding storage. A USB port will allow you to hook up to your computer and download maps, and an SD card will extend the memory. Having a bigger storage means there is more memory for topographical maps of an area and you can ensure that all the important data concerning that location is collected and stored.

You would want to ensure that the GPS is loaded with topographical maps that cover extensive areas, especially the areas which you often go for hunting.

Also, the storage is essential to increase the waypoint storage capacity, allowing you to mark any spots you like.

 

Lightweight and compact

You would want to carry a GPS that is lightweight and compact so that you can carry it in your pocket or attached to a D-Ring. Especially for a hunting GPS, you would want to ensure that it is sufficiently small to fit into your pocket so that you can easily access it when required. Since some GPS can record the altitude and temperature of that particular place, you can easily refer to it if you have easy access.

 

Waterproof and Durable

The GPS should best be waterproof and durable so that it can resist the shock of being dropped or knocked. If you are an outdoor enthusiast who loves to go hiking or camp deep in the woods, you will need a durable GPS that is likely

 

Long-battery life

Every hunter who wishes to go deep into the woods should ensure that they have a GPS with long-lasting batteries.

Knowing this, you should find one that has exceptional battery life and easily exchangeable batteries. It is advisable to choose a lithium battery because they tend to last longer.

It is advisable not to venture deep into the woods with a GPS that would not have access to a backup power source. The backup power source can be AA alkaline batteries, sufficient to get you back on a familiar route.

 

GPS Reception

One of the most important aspects of the device’s feature is to pinpoint positions under different kinds of conditions.

If you often explore woods and canyons, it is advisable that you get a GPS with an external antenna so that it helps to maintain the accuracy of the reading. You would find that a GPS with the ability to get a clear signal even in a dense forest would be extremely useful for you, especially in times when you got lost.

If you would like to invest more in a high-end GPS, you can look for one with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) which enhances the device’s GPS positioning. However, GLOSNASS locations systems would also be able to give the information you need.

 

Data Sharing

Also, you can make sure that the device comes with the standard Bluetooth connectivity so that you can transfer data wirelessly. A GPS that can be connected to your computer would be able to ease the process of downloading maps online. Remember to check the compatibility of the USB cord to your computer to allow you to add or even update maps.

 

Conclusion

By making sure that you have a trustworthy GPS with you, you can ensure that you will feel safer when you are outdoors. A GPS being a rather complex device would have an extensive amount of uses, and it is for you to determine which is the best fit for you. Therefore, with a huge variety of options to choose from, you would want to have a good idea of what functions you need for your handheld GPS.

 

Author Bio: I am John Lewis, a blogger, survivalist, and outdoor enthusiast. You can follow me over at Epic Wilderness.