Coffee can full of spare change...

[Sidekick]

...I've got a Folgers can on my dresser where I throw all my change and it's almost full again. Last time it had almost $300 in it but this time I didn't throw any pennies in there so there might actually be a little more. Anyway I always use this money to buy something that I normally wouldn't. Past purchases have been a new bow, rangefinder and such. Anyway this is what I was thinking of getting this time.

1. GPS. Not a fancy one. I've never used one before and don't really have a use for the fancy mapping one. The $99 Garmin would probably work just fine for me. If it will help find my way back home and mark fishing spots it's all I need. (I don't really need it I just want one).

2.Trailcam. I've got an older model that works very well but it uses film and I'd like to upgrade to a digital one. Any suggestions?

3. I've got a .22 rifle just begging for a red dot scope but I've pretty much picked that one out already. But I'm open to suggestions.

My change pot might not cover everything here but I can add a little to it if I have to. Any suggestions or other ideas on stuff I can blow my slush fund on?

[Bushman]

I'll pick door number one for the GPS every time. Missouri is a big place and to be successful hunting or fishing, boots in the field get it done with location, location, location. No other thing has been more helpful for me in picking a big woods or a lake apart than a good GPS. We discuss calibers, actions, scopes and fishing tackle constantly on here, but when it comes right down to it, if you aren't in the right place at the right time it won't make any difference what you are using. A trail camera around here is just too much to have sitting on a tree free for the taking by any low life that happens along. They tell me that bears wreck them too up north. My .22 has a scope sure, but the older I get the less I want to shoot little stuff.

Back on the GPS, if you have a good hunting partner you might want to take a look at those Garmin Rino radio and GPS combinations. The GPS portion does everything that the simple e-Trex Garmins do, but the radio direction portion is rather outstanding in a big woods for making little pushes for one another. Around here lots of the big deer are nocturnal and when you jump them up for one another, then they are no longer nocturnal anymore. That has always been the problem for my partner and I in a big woods. Where the heck is that guy now? Problem solved with a pair of Rinos.

[DancesWithKnives]

One of my hunting buddies has the Rhinos and they seem to work well in the field. The tracking feature is handy.

The downsides of the Rhinos were somewhat high price, fairly rapid battery consumption, and a bit heavier weight than simpler units. However, my pal thought the Rhinos were still worth getting.

DWK

[Sidekick]

I think a basic GPS would be more useful than what I realize right now. My hunting partner and I already use a pair of FRS radios when out in the field and they have proved to be invaluable. As far as trailcams go I can hang them in some areas with confidence but there are other places where I would dearly love to put one that I simply don't dare. Maybe in the off season during the week but not in the fall. And for my .22, well I find myself shooting the small stuff more and more. I'm never far away from my little 9422. Do you think the basic Garmin would work for what little I would use it?

[Altjaeger]

I keep a large coffee can and throw all loose change into it nightly also. Like you it usually ends up being about $300 a year that I cash out at the start of deer season. Normally it just serves as pocket money helping cover gas, groceries, propane etc during the season.

But after reading your thread I may look at a GPS. It is not so much I need if for hunting as I have always felt adequately served witha map and compass. I am sure like many bits of technology I will wonder how I ever lived without one once I become use to it.

I see my real usage though in my river kayaking as I seldom have a good map (like I am really going to getlost one a river running 50'-125' wide) so it will serve well in measuring distances and speed when on an excusion. That will help me keep track as to whether I am on schedule.

[ncboman]

besides a gps is fun to take along and play with. :)

I can sit in stand an extra hour lookin thru waypoints or panscanning to them.

I got 'spots' marked out on the river as well, even though I know it like the back of my hand. :D

ammo might be a better investment though ... :rolleyes:

[dave-t.]

If you get a gps, don't get the base model. I have that $99 dollar Garmin job, and the more I use it the more I wish it were capable of more functions, and showed more info on screen.

It'll mark trails and waypoints, give speed of travel, compass, etc. but it is an entry level device.

[Bushman]

I will second that statement by Dave-T not to buy the lowest end model. Years after I bought my Vista, I am still well pleased with it. Stuff like you are on the road and the kid needs to go to the bathroom. You click on rest stops and then you get a read out of where they are and how far and your eta at your current speed. Or fishing gets bad and and you look at the barometric pressure and it is falling like a stone. Or you get out real early or stay late and it is too dark to read a map, double click the GPS on button and back light the screen. Or you are in a big strange city and go out for dinner. I way-point my hotel because if you get lost in the wrong area you can be in trouble. I know a standard GPS will do some of that, but a high end one will do way more. I suspect that they put different strength receivers into them as lots of guys say that they can't get a position lock under foliage with a low end unit. Say what, I'll get a fix inside a house, under trees or walled in by buildings in downtown Chitcago.

As to the cost. I have never bought anything off E-Bay and just recently found Craigs List, but that is the way to buy stuff cheap. I paid full retail for my two yellow Rino 110 rdf GPS/radios and my buddy bought two new in the box higher end green Rino 120's for less than I paid for mine. Right now there are lots of guys who would trade up if they could sell off their old GPS units.

[Sidekick]

I've been debating some of those very points myself as I check out whats available. I might check out Craigslist and see if someone is looking to upgrade. I won't buy from Ebay. Not again anyway. I also was wondering if maybe I would be better off socking that money away towards a fishing trip.....I think I know a place I where I would like to go....

[Scout]

Go for number 1 and 3. Even if you have to add just a little...you should be able to pick up a little Etrex along with a middle of the road red dot that will do fine on a .22.

[Wismon]

Don't spend $300 on a digital trail cam. They used to be available for $40 at Wal-mart, though the price may have risen to $50. They don't have a time-date stamp, which, granted, is shame, but, I have a couple of them and they've taken some fantastic pictures. They really open up a new world, showing you what's out there. Besides, they can and probably will be stolen so don't drop big bucks on them.