I did end up purchasing a Bushnell Backpack GPS D-Tour and as usual, Field & Stream was right.  
This GPS unit is extremely easy to operate with only four buttons and is very compact and lightweight.
Five waypoints are easily stored  and just as easily returned to by following the arrow.  Software is available for free  (downloaded) to a PC or Mac, to track your route  using Google map's. 
My unit quickly found  a satellite connection  yesterday.    So after setting it up which took only a few minutes,  I decided to give it a test run.    I was not hiking the  Appalachian Trail, but did have plans to  attend the  Pittsburgh Penguins hockey  game.
I set the trip  function and set off  to the Consol Energy Center.   The GPS displayed my miles per hour  and distance traveled  as we made our way  to the hockey game.   Once  we arrived,  I marked my van  location in the parking lot  and turned the unit off.
After the game,  I simply turned the unit on  and followed the arrow directly to my Van, it really was that easy.  But because I am  really a geek, I also  connected it to my laptop  by USB cable  when I got home.
The software showed my route to Consol,  distance traveled, elevation  and temperature.   This will be great info when bow hunting.  By using the software,  I can use satellite images  and topography  to look for  funnels and push points  that game will be using.
 I am very impressed with this  little unit and will be using it  a great deal  this season! 
       
 

 
No comments:
Post a Comment