Dependable Hand held GPS?

[Averageman]

Who makes something durable, accurate and reliable?
I'm looking for something that's not going to eat up battery power and yet work on a military grid system?
I want to be able to throw this in my pocket, read my map and use the GPS for precise locations for reports and reference.
Thanks

[malstew123]

Been using a Garmin Foretrex 401 for the last 3 years. Runs on (2) AAA's and lasts about 12 hours constant on. Takes about 30 seconds to a 1 min to acquire satelites if turned off. Does pretty much everything you can think of from waypoints, precise location, route tracking, headings...ect.

[ST911]

I am partial to Garmins for their durability, customer support, UI, OEM software, and aftermarket software compatibility.

[Ryno12]

I am partial to Garmins for their durability, customer support, UI, OEM software, and aftermarket software compatibility.

Same here.

I've always owned a RINO for the radio & GPS features & have been very pleased. Wherever the next latest & greatest model comes out, I pick one up. (I think I'm on my fourth now.)
I don't ever see myself being without one.

[platoonDaddy]

I am a Garmin person, but what about the GPS APP's?

HUNT Maps are an essential tool for your hunting arsenal. Our maps add a layer of private land information, which shows obvious property lines and landowner information, along with other critical map data important to hunters. HUNT Maps offer full GPS functionality giving hunters the ability to always know their location relative to property boundaries while see new access areas, roads, hunting units, and more! onXmaps HUNT Maps are even endorsed by numerous state and federal agencies as the most reliable source for public and private land ownership on the market. HUNT Smarter with a HUNT Map to match your unique style today!
https://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/overview?gclid=CMP01sX8nNICFQZYDQodnr0A7g

Article from PC Mag http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2414409,00.asp

[austinN4]

Garman here also. I have a GPSmap 60CSx, an older model that was top of the line when it came out. Still works great for my needs (hiking). I clip it to my backpack's shoulder strap with the Garman QR clip. I use rechargable Panasonic eneloop pro batteries, which last longer than regular AAs, but I charge them up each night anyway. Garman's maps are crazy expensive. I get most of what I need (topos & trails) free at GPSFileDepot: https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php.

[RobertTheTexan]

Who makes something durable, accurate and reliable?
I'm looking for something that's not going to eat up battery power and yet work on a military grid system?
I want to be able to throw this in my pocket, read my map and use the GPS for precise locations for reports and reference.
Thanks

This is what I use. It sounds like you don't need a map overlay on the device which is good. Especially if you have paper maps. If you want something that will reliably get you from point A-Z and all the alphabet soup in between it works.

Only negative, which can be turned into a positive is that it's not super efficient on batteries. But the grand news is that it takes 2 AAA batteries. I just keep AAA in my chest rig. Problem solved.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002EOSQII/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Garmin Foretrex 401 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002EOSQII/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[mrcarbine]

GARMIN 6.1"" GPS Navigation"

[robbins290]

I have been using a Garmin rino 120 for about 12 years, Works amazing.

[QuackXP]

My eTrex Legend from the 2000 is still going. Although I did had to take it apart and re-seat the screen ribbon cable after 12 years or so. MGRS was supported in that model so I'm fairly sure even the entry level units on the current eTrex line would as well.

[jsbhike]

I am a Garmin person, but what about the GPS APP's?

HUNT Maps are an essential tool for your hunting arsenal. Our maps add a layer of private land information, which shows obvious property lines and landowner information, along with other critical map data important to hunters. HUNT Maps offer full GPS functionality giving hunters the ability to always know their location relative to property boundaries while see new access areas, roads, hunting units, and more! onXmaps HUNT Maps are even endorsed by numerous state and federal agencies as the most reliable source for public and private land ownership on the market. HUNT Smarter with a HUNT Map to match your unique style today!
https://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/overview?gclid=CMP01sX8nNICFQZYDQodnr0A7g

Article from PC Mag http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2414409,00.asp

That sounds like they are basing that on PVA info and that frequently isn't quite what I would refer to as being reliable as far as property lines go.

[1_click_off]

I know my old eTrex has worked well for me. I found lithium batteries give more runtime. If you choose lithium, check to see if you have a setting for lithium batteries so you have a more accurate battery gauge. The power supply curve is much different, lithium’s hold strong for a long time and then fall off rapidly.

[FJCowboy]

+1 for Garmin Foretrex 401 Simple, easy, and works...you can't go wrong. I also love my Garmin Fenix 5X so I basically have something all the time.

[1_click_off]

+1 for Garmin Foretrex 401 Simple, easy, and works...you can't go wrong. I also love my Garmin Fenix 5X so I basically have something all the time.

Is the Fenix worth the coin, or is it just a great idea but too small to actually use?

[FJCowboy]

There is no doubt it is expensive. I had the Fenix v1 so this was quite the upgrade for me. I wouldn't suggest it being your only GPS, but for what it has I think it is a really good setup. I have used it to navigate back to camp when a path we took ended up being blocked by down trees and had to navigate around to get back on track. I use it a ton for workouts with runs and mountain biking. It has all the heartrate features which I like. Also, it is a smartwatch and I didn't previously have one. So for me, it checked a lot of boxes all in one package. I used it for hunting for getting to/from blinds as well. It is a small feature, but the fact that the alarm can be on vibrate versus beeping is a huge win. I would much rather have a watch vibrating on my wrist versus a loud sound alarm that wakes up my wife and/or others while camping or whatever. With the 5X Plus, they really increased battery life which was another huge checkmark for me. Fully admit, I'm a big Garmin fan especially when it comes to anything GPS. All of this to say, yes I think it is worth the coin if you are going to use all the features. I don't see my upgrading anytime soon as the version increase is good, but not amazing. Since I went from a 1 to a 5X Plus, I'm probably good to stay with this one for a bit. Hope that helps and happy to answer any other questions.