GPS Unit recommendation

[TCB]

My son just started at Montana St. and I'd like to get him a GPS unit for when he's off fishing/hunting. Which manufacturer/unit do I need to look at for him?

[Bill]

GPS Unit recommendation

First congratulations on your son attending MSU! We retired about 85 miles SW of Bozeman. We spent yesterday there shopping.

Instead of a dedicated gps, I suggest what I, the game wardens and members of my county search and rescue team do. Pay the $29.95 annual subscription fee for 4 years for OnX hunt. GPS and shows private and public land boundaries (plus a hundred other features). Remember in Montana it’s your responsibility to not trespass on private land- not the owners to post and mark it.

If you want to buy something, also get him a spot or InReach satellite messenger. It’s a game changer when “things go sideways’ and you’re miles from nowhere.

I’d also get him an external battery for his phone into plug into when battery gets low. Don’t ask me how I know.

Give me a shout if you’re up here. If your son wants info about hunting in Bozeman area or out here, send me a PM with his phone # and I’ll help him.


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[Sackett]

Like Bill said, your smart phone is just as good , if not better than a dedicated GPS unit. Get an app like OnX, GOHUNT or the like. You can download offline maps to use when not in cell service.

Instead of a gps, I’d buy him a Inreach Mini satellite messenger and a yearly subscription. He can use the messenger for routine texts and heaven forbid, emergency sos functions.

[Ryan C]

I have an InReach Mini and like it. I use it while flying and don't have cell reception. It's not as fast as a text but it always goes thru. He can also send you tracking info, if needed. It costs per message sent but you would know where he was and if the worst happened and he couldn't message for help, you would have his last location.

[Beargrasstx]

Congrats! Bobcats still SUCK! Go GRIZ!!!

Lol, I graduated from University of Montana in 04. I would look at getting a Garmin InReach which can send out SOS in case of emergency if that is the main reason. Otherwise something like OnX, Basemap, HuntStand or GAIA would be a good app to use to help him navigate and find places to hunt and fish and not get lost.

However, most likely he will go with buds he meets up there. He will have friends in no time. I went up there in 99 without knowing anyone but living in a dorm helps tremendously in meeting and making new friends.

[Texans42]

2 birds one stone

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/623975

[Bill]

I’ve never seen that Garmin unit. Im sure it works well. Does it give satellite imagery and show private land boundaries and ownership like OnX?





You already have a gps receiver inside your phone.

Like I said, SAR teams, GWs and most guys who live in Montana I know use OnX.


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[TCB]

Thanks Bill and everyone else. He’s found a couple kids from Alaska that he’s running around with. They’re down by Big Sky fishing this afternoon.

I’ll get him to download the OnX app and use it.

[Texans42]

I’ve never seen that Garmin unit. Im sure it works well. Does it give satellite imagery and show private land boundaries and ownership like OnX?





You already have a gps receiver inside your phone.

Like I said, SAR teams, GWs and most guys who live in Montana I know use OnX.


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I use onX on phone and old delorme Inreach

[Texans42]

I’ve never seen that Garmin unit. Im sure it works well. Does it give satellite imagery and show private land boundaries and ownership like OnX?





You already have a gps receiver inside your phone.

Like I said, SAR teams, GWs and most guys who live in Montana I know use OnX.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I use onX on phone since it went mobile but have 4 or five old onx landowner cards for Garmin. My old Montana 600 has satellite imagery and onX cards, I heard Garmin was going to start doing its own landowner boundaries