GPS unit's ability to locate a satellite?

Radke · 04-09-2003, 12:10 PM

I have been considering getting a GPS unit for hunting, but don't want to reenact an experience my hunting buddy had with his. I do a lot of scouting, sometimes find a place where I want to be before first light, but can't find the dang place until it gets light. I don't do all that well tromping around the woods in the dark. The experience I mentioned earlier that my buddy had is that with his unit, he really had difficulty getting the unit to locate enough satellites for it to work. His unit was a circa 1996 device, and we really needed to be clear of trees for it to figure out where we were. At that time we hunted eastern Oregon, I have been doing my scouting lately on the coast, where the tree thing is much more of an event than the east side.

So my question for those folks out there who use GPS units 'on shore', do you have problems locating satellites when you have significant overhead cover, or has the technology improved in this area? The unit he had was a Magellan, somewhere in the $250-300 price range, but I don't remember what model.

tailchaser · 04-09-2003, 12:31 PM

I actually have had a lot of experience with this one. I had gps classes in college and a couple not so fun memories from mistakes with these things.

For you first question about the technology from 1996, yes a lot has changed. Basically in the power of the built in antenna of the gps to reach through SOME cover. However, you still have to be in a moderately open window for it to usually grab pretty quickly. But what once was an open area 50'x50' is now much smaller.

My second answer can clear up some things about traveling in the dark. We managed to end up 7 miles from camp in the wrong direction one night following our gps in E.Oregon. Not until then did I realize the little tracking symbol coming on and off (not having enough satellites) so it would jump off course from being in the heavy timber. So we would take a reading at an open area and always have a compass with you to take the proper bearing that is given while it has the satellites. So when it looses the signal you still can follow the proper path, and then check it every so often when traveling. To say the least we freaked out the rest of the crew showing up at 2 am with some tired dogs underneath us. So as long as you take a good bearing initially it's a piece of cake traveling in the dark.

hope this helps.

tc

Radke · 04-09-2003, 01:10 PM

Thanks for the reply. I actually do pretty well with a compass, maybe I would do better focusing on that level of technology and just trying to improve my basic skill set. I keep telling myself that every time I look at a laser rangefinder (I'm a bow hunter). If I just focused on range estimation, I don't need no new-fangled toys. regardless of how bad I want to go out and buy one.

Jeremy · 04-09-2003, 01:14 PM

I would call my self a pretty serious GPS user and my degree in Geography probably helps out a little. Check out www.geocaching.com its a great website that will help you improve your GPS skills and give you all the info you need about GPS and geocaching.

A quick answer to your question, I have a $130 garmin 12 GPS that i bought a couple of years ago that has never got me lost. Always get a good sattelite signal before you start into the trees and you shouldnt have too big of a problem.

tailchaser · 04-09-2003, 01:32 PM

I'm actually all for having a gps with me wherever I go. It's a great tool when used properly. Much quicker than a compass in getting you to the place your heading. But knowledge of both the compass and gps can keep you out of trouble wherever you go.

tc