I am thinking about getting a hand held unit and really would like some good input as to whether they are worth it? and do they really help when going off trail? SWRules

Its a great idea, it will get you back ..as long as you know how to use it. :p

I used one for the first time the other month during a canoe trip.
We were busting open an old known Indian route (Nastawgan) that has been unused for 80 odd years. Neadless to say the portages were grown over and is some cases lost. With the GPS, we could enter a waypoint and then walk to that location using direction given from the GPS. Invaluble!! We would still be lost without it!!!
As we were camping, we used the GPS in conjuction with paper maps.
Some units can upload digital maps to display your location with respect to road, rivers and other decernable map features, which would be really usefull on snowmobile trips.

I was thinking it would make a nice Christmas present as well.
Anyone know if the Ontario trail system is downloadable as a GPS map?

That would be sweeetttttt

Yes I think they would be well worth it. I want to get one to use when I'm hunting more then anything else. Though I would also use it alot when doing some exploring onn the 4-wheeler. From what I can tell you want one with a mapping feature on it.

I won't go sledding or ATVing w/o mine anymore. To me, it's just as important as gas and oil. And yes, they can help immensely when going off-trail as long as you have detailed map info uploaded into it. Even with just a simple base-map, at least you can tell exactly where you are and where you've been. It took me a whole season to really master it and I now consider it an absolute must when riding new areas.

Forgot to mention - you should still have a paper trail map also. The GPS is like a compas on steroids, but you still want to know where the trails run and I have yet to find map software that has snowmobile trails for Michigan or Ontario.

I'm hoping to get a Garmin eTrex Legend for X-mas. From what I have heard from people they are really helpful. With the Legend you can download and upload maps. :)

they're ok but you need a masters degree to learn how to use one.......... :(

Originally posted by Beerman@Oct 21 2003, 08:06 PM
The GPS is like a compas on steroids.....
Good one Beerman :) just try and find your way out of the bush with your old trusted compass: there's a tool that carries hardly any useful information and, contrary to it's reputation, it doesn't even point north.

I have the legend I used it all last year,great investment,I wouldnt go out without it now.Excellent with the Mapsource Topo. software.

I have the Magellan Sportrak Topo and this thing is great. I got lost while driving and decided to pull it out. It has maps already downloaded into it from the factory with extra memory to download additional detail maps for selected cites. With the GPS I was able to navigate back onto the road I wanted without a hitch. Its topo maps and larger roads help to keep you in the know in relation to where you are on the map and in real life.

I am happy with mine so far and look forward to using it on the trails.

Tony

I have the Garmin map 76S with the mapsource software, very cool unit and easy to use, can't wait to get my handlebar mount. It's a real time moving topo map, basically a chart plotter.

I love mine. It will get you back to where you started. or it weill give you an idea of where to go.

Just keep driving.........there is always light at the end of every tunnel.:)

If you venture off trail you can always follow your own tracks back from where you started.

I have one and know how to use it but it seems that when I think about using it I rely on my own mental compass and end-up finding my way out of the woods (Brush) with out the GPS.

Originally posted by Warrior@Oct 21 2003, 08:01 PM
Just keep driving.........there is always light at the end of every tunnel.:)

If you venture off trail you can always follow your own tracks back from where you started.

I have one and know how to use it but it seems that when I think about using it I rely on my own mental compass and end-up finding my way out of the woods (Brush) with out the GPS.
Yes, but if you are so lost you might spend 2, 3, 4 times the amount of time trying to find your way out.

WITH GPS click your starting waypoint, where ever you entered the woods, and it will tell you exactly which direction you need to go, and how far away you are from that starting point. OR If you don't want to go straight to the waypoint, I think most GPS show tracks of where you have been. You can turn around and follow those tracks back on the GPS. SAY your tracking a deer that you shot as the sun was setting, it gets dark and late, try and follow your tracks out of the woods then, or just turn on GPS light and presto!

I GUESS I LOVE MY GPS :D well my Dad's GPS :D

I've been using a GPS for over 8 years now, and think they are the greatest invention ever made. I use mine in the boat more than anywhere else, but bought a hand held so I could take it hunting and sledding.

If you get one, the best advice I can give, is to learn how to use it. I've seen alot of fisherman learn that they really don't know how to use theirs once the fog rolls in on Lake Huron, and were 12 miles for shore. They aren't that hard, just takes some time to read the manual, and play with it some.

The only down side to a GPS is they are battery powered and batteries and cold don't mix well. But some guys here have found ways around that problem.

FishHog

I have the Garmin etrex VISTA. It is pretty much the same shape/size/function as the Legend, except it is built to t higher waterproof standard and has more memory. I can load almost the whole North East. Maine to Phila and Coast to western NY. I figured it would be better to have the waterproof unit when snowmobiling.

Skip

I strongly believe in them and have a Garmin 176C mounted on my sled running off the sled's power. It's saved us already trying to find our way home in a snow storm.

Thanks for all the great feedback!! I guess now all i need to do is research which model would best fit my needs and get it before the snow flys. SWRules

Originally posted by powder@Oct 21 2003, 07:02 PM
they're ok but you need a masters degree to learn how to use one.......... :(
Powder, they're not that hard at all. I even learned how to use one!! :p

I purchased the Garmin 176C this summer also, and can't wait to use it on the sled. I've had fun using it on trips in the car so far.

Originally posted by alscool@Oct 21 2003, 06:18 PM
Anyone know if the Ontario trail system is downloadable as a GPS map?
I've never seen one myself, but I would love to find it if it exists.

I have done a little bit of investigation and plan on getting a Muskoka trail map scanned and work with it with OziExplorer or Fugawi. I don't know what challenges I might face, but am willing to spend a few $$$ trying it myself. I looked at digital topo maps which also might be useful, but they run quite a bit more (close to $200 CAD for southern Ontario).

I just got myself a Garmin eTrex Vista and am dying to put it to work for the upcoming snowmobile season.