I've been around GPS units off and on at work since they've been invented, but I finally bit the bullet and bought a personal unit for hunting out West, a Garmin Oregon 450.

What I'm wondering is if there is a simple way to load maps and photos onto it without having to buy the expensive OnX or Garmin chips? I don't need all the features those chips provide, although they would be nice. I only spent $100 on the unit (used) and am not looking to spend another $100+ on a chip.

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

I have a 450t. Can't help regarding free programs. I went onto Ebxx and bought a chip that covers 4 states (SW-- NM, CO.,and I think AZ and Utah) for $30. This is at 2400:1 resolution. It does not have property shown, but the topo is pretty good. Seems incredible to me so much info can be on such a small chip. Works well for my needs. I don't know anything about loading photos.

Come on limbwalker you mean you don't use a compass? I bet you use a trail camera too? :)

Thanks Muddy. I'll look into that.

Baby, I've been using a compass (when I even need that) since the 70's. Heck, I took surveying in college - the old way, with a transit you looked through and a steel chain. I remember the very first "GPS" our forestry college ever bought. But since I grew up navigating the woods without one, I never felt the need for one until I started hunting elk in the mountains of Colorado. There are times when I'm in unfamiliar terrain out there and it's dark and it would sure be nice to know what direction and how far away the truck is. But probably my biggest concern is marking the location of a downed critter so I can get back to it in the dark or if we get some snow.

But just getting around in the daylight, I don't expect to use it much.

" But probably my biggest concern is marking the location of a downed critter so I can get back to it in the dark or if we get some snow." That's what I like to see - positive thinking and planning ahead. :)

I agree with the reasons you got one. Reassuring when you can't see landmarks.

Can't help with the maps but good luck on the hunt!

Buddy I hear ha. I even use mine here in the mountains of WV.

John, the website of the seller should have a means to download to it I would think. My Garmin for the car can be updated via the net.

Thanks Phil.

I rarely felt the need for one. Can't miss what you've never had right? But last year there was a point where my buddy and I were heading back to camp in the dark and we needed to know which drainage to follow down. Choosing the wrong one would have cost us another mile of hiking. Having his GPS give us that aerial image with the little blue arrow on it saved us a lot of time and energy.

He can't make the trip this year so I got one of my own. Finding your way around the woods in the dark is tough enough when it's a place you're familiar with. I've got a great sense of direction in the daytime, but when the sun goes down it's not as dependable.

I think there is a website called GPS File depot or something like that where you can download topo's and such free. Do a little Google searching and I bet you can find it.

I have a Garmin Etrex 20 that has proven valuable. During turkey season I have often took off in the mountains in a wilderness setting to the pre-dawn gobbling of a gobbler and not paying a lot of attention to the directions I am going, just hurrying towards the sounds of the birds. My Etrex 20 has saved me from ALOT of walking back to my truck by showing me where my truck is (always mark the coordinates of my truck!) and the best route back to it. I have the US Topo maps loaded on mine and they are pretty darn accurate.

I found it. Thanks. I need to download a program to convert the files now. Will work on that this weekend.

Thanks!

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