Sitting in the tree stand all day long, and waiting for your buck to show is fun, especially if hunting is life for you. Going after your game for 8 hours seems nothing when you finally go back home with the year’s game. What if you get lost and don’t manage to find your way back home?
Hunters know that it’s easy to get distracted while out there, forgetting about staying on track. But with today’s technology, hunters no longer need to keep an eye on the road as they’re chasing their game. The best hunting GPS devices throw worries away, helping the modern hunter to focus on just one thing: getting that shot.
See also: Should deer Hunters Carry a Handheld GPS?
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Are the Garmin GPS units the best on the market?
Just like anything else in life, some products are better than others. It’s the case of GPS units, which always stand out by their accuracy, list of features, and toughness.
Garmin was founded at the end of the 80s, and the founders understood that active customers look for GPS tools for their amazing outdoor experiences. But merely using GPS technology wasn’t going to be enough for the energetic customer who always wanted to explore new terrains. Slowly, and inevitably, Garmin GPS units were created with amazing features, satisfying various needs of clients.
Nowadays, you can find Garmin GPS units that come with a built-in camera, so that you can take a picture of your favorite spot for hunting. Many of these units come with 3-axis sensors to keep an eye on the weather or altitude. All in all, Garmin GPS units become a reliable tool for any outdoor enthusiasts, and modern hunters always have one in their backpack.
What’s the best way to describe Garmin eTrex 32x in a couple of words?
Garmin eTrex 32x is designed for the rugged conditions of hunting. It’s a handheld model coming with preloaded maps and a color-display effortless to read in bright sunlight.
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The GPS unit also includes active TOPO mapping with routable roads and trails, which hikers will surely like. The internal memory provides enough space to save your favorite routes, but you may add more as the unit features a microSD card slot.
Accurate, affordable, and ready to keep up with the shifting weather, Garmin eTrex 32x makes a wise investment for the entry-level hunter, without disappointing the experienced hunter.
How do the features look like?
Garmin eTrex 32x eliminates the stress of not finding your way back home, allowing you to explore as much as you want while hunting. The unit relies on GPS and GLONASS satellite systems for collecting data on your location. Even if the weather gets bad or you go in challenging to reach areas, the unit will still be able to pick up data, providing an accurate location.
The 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter increase the accuracy of the unit. You get information on the altitude, pressure, and even find out how the weather will change. Keeping the bearing will be a lot easier due to the 3-axis compass, providing support for gathering precise data even when the environment is challenging.
Garmin eTrex 32x also comes with preloaded topo active maps with trails and routable roads, which turns it into a great model for hikers and cyclists. You will know where you are, even if you are off the grid, which is likely to happen on a long hunt. The unit will help you understand your surroundings and provide accurate data on natural features, waterways, and international boundaries and buildings. Unlike other typical GPS units for hunting, Garmin eTrex 32x will help you identify thousands of points of interest, restaurants, shops, car parks, and more.
Another feature we like about Garmin eTrex 32x is the ability to sustain paperless Geocaching. You will be able to upload GPS files right to the unit while accessing essential information such as terrain, location, and suggestions from Geocaching. Com.
Active hunters like to explore, so there’s almost no such thing as too many maps. Garmin eTrex 32x has a MicroSD card slot, but you also have the possibility to utilize the 8GB of internal memory. Downloading more maps is going to be a breeze with Garmin eTrex 32x. You can very well do it at the end of the day after your hunt. If you also get a subscription, you will have the possibility to download from BirdsEye Satellite Imagery, including the satellite imagery with your maps later on.
Versatility wasn’t skipped when Garmin eTrex 32x was designed. Even if it’s a handheld model, the unit allows various mounts. One may use it on ATV, bicycle, in boats, or handheld while hunting. Garmin eTrex 32x allows automounting, and you can rely on it when driving around in town. The City Navigator Nt Maps will help you stay on track while in town as well. When you’re ready for the outdoors, you take it in your hand and follow the directions. No matter where you’re going and what you’re planning to do, Garmin eTrex 32x will help you get there.
You don’t need to be a computer scientist to know that being able the read the screen is essential for a GPS unit. When it’s getting dark and hurry back home, you don’t want to struggle reading the GPS. Garmin eTrex 32x comes with a 2.2″ color display that remains easy to read even in bright sunlight. The screen has 240×320 pixels, which explains the excellent readability.
The battery is also a common problem for the GPS units, and it can become a shortcoming even for the most accurate tools out there. A GPS unit with no more power when you need it the most is genuinely useless. Garmin eTrex 32x runs on 2 AA batteries, so it’s always going to be easy for you to find and pack a couple of spares. The unit will run for 25 hours or so, which is pretty high, considering the performances and features.
Rugged and with a nice feel to it, Garmin eTrex 32x provides a safe and comfortable grip. The risk for slippery is minor, too. The unit has an IPX7 waterproof rate, so it’s going to take a couple of splashes while hunting.
What do we like the most? Is there anything we appreciate less?
Garmin eTrex 32x brings plenty of good things to the table, but some are worth highlighting. Here’s the list of pros:
- It works with GPS and GLONASS satellite systems.
- It has a 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter.
- It comes preloaded with active TOPO maps
- You may also use it in town
- It’s great for hikers and cyclists too as it comprises routable trails and roads for them
- You can use it handheld, but it also allows various mounts
- The display is easy to read
- It has 8gb internal memory and microSD card slot
- It has ipx7 waterproof grade
- It’s lightweight and rugged
- It’s excellent value for the money
The downsides aren’t deal breakers for us, but it’s only fair to list them as well:
- Its design has an 80s feel
- It’s not very fast
- Downloading maps takes a bit longer than anticipated
- Ruggedness could be improved
What’s the conclusion?
Garmin eTrex 32x may not be the most impressive GPS tool out there. However, it manages to be reliable, accurate, easy to use, and extremely versatile. These qualities will compensate for the minor shortcomings, whereas its price will be the decisive factor for many.