May be a good time to start GPS'in

[tabdog]

I got an old basic hand held GPS from my brother.

That just got me into tha GPS mode.

I started checking out units and found out that an
old unit like mine could be had for a song.

Tha prices of tha new units have come down in tha
stores. That has driven tha price on eBay and else
where down.

New may be tha way ta go, but I shopped around
and got two nice units for just over $100 for both of
them.

My Magellan hand held unit is for walking. It has
a topo map of my state in it. I can add more map
if I want. It's real nice. Has an SD card slot for extra
memory. It shows some signs of ware, but is in nice
shape.

My TomTom talks to me and tells me where ta go.
I'll never get lost again,,,, I hope. It is like new. Tha
battery holds a charge longer than the instructions
say it will.

Tha TomTom is amaizing. It has a 300gHz prossesor
and a bunch a memory. It's really a small computer.

Here's my new to me Christmas presents to myself.

Tha ones I got were used. They both were missing
tha users manuals and tha software installation CD.
I got all that of that stuff off Internet and saved some
money.

It is safer to buy new though. Right now tha deals
are sweet on tha new ones to.

Might not be such a bad time ta start GPS'in.

Happy Huntin,

Tabdog

 

[Beale]

Congrats on your presents to you Tabdog. They both look to be in great shape. I think incorporating one of these while MD'n would be a great idea. You could also I guess store or keep up with where you find stuff. Then if you get on a "hot" spot you could find it again. Good luck using them, Beale.

 

[BarberBill]

I've found handheld gps units to be a great help in some of my hunting. I've been able to get the Co-ordinates off the web for some areas in the back country of interest that can be hard to locate otherwise, and the gps took me right to them. Also, I've found it useful to save the locations of remote cabins, homesteads etc. in order to find my way back on return trips. Unfortunately, they also show the 5 mile hike you took was only 2, LOL.
BB

 

[Tseeker]

If you have a GPS unit and all you had were the co-ordinates for any given remote spot, how would you use that info to find out who owns that particular spot? Would the local county records office be able to match that up with a particular parcel # and owner?

 

[tab-nabit]

GPS hand held units work great when off the path a ways for relic/mining camps, nugget hunting. Can either back track the same path or mark where you left the vehicle. Save the good spots. Vehicle nav units for on the roads. Been using them for some time now. A nice tool.

 

[BarberBill]

Finding ownership - probably depends on the county and state offices. Where I'm at, a physical address on the county map in the assessor's office will show ownership - don't know if they've graduated to more high tech yet. A lot of the locations I look up are on Nat. Forest, State etc. so are mostly public ground.
BB

 

[tab-nabit]

Forgot to add that my vehicle nav's shows the parks. Been driving and it will show a park like a block over that I didn't know about. Then later at home, I can jump on one of the computers and get a mapping site (i.e. maps.live) and get a somewhat birds eye view of the place.

 

[jhettel]

If you relic hunt then you cannot go wrong with a good gps. I bought the Garmin GPS80cs and this is rated as one of the best out there, and it is. It brings me right back to where I found something previously. To really get good use out of a Garmin, or any other gps for that matter you will need a map program of your state. I got the map program for the State of Missouri through National Geographic. It is the complete topographic map collection of the State. I can look at sites before I ever go and determine the best spots to hunt based on elevation and nearness to water, etc. I then use my map program and mark a waypoint for that position and then connect my garmin via the usb cable and download that waypoint into my garmin and it takes me within feet of where I need to go. Great for finding springs and other town sites. I also use the garmin when I get home. I again hook it to the computer and the map program and download everything into my map program. This allows me to see where everything was found in relationship to the other relics. It also downloads the tracks so it shows me on the map my exact route, marked in red. A good gps in conjunction with a good map program is vital for finding good relic sites.