{"id":3639,"date":"2010-04-30T10:58:34","date_gmt":"2010-04-30T17:58:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.survival-spot.com\/survival-blog\/?p=3639"},"modified":"2013-04-15T10:00:00","modified_gmt":"2013-04-15T17:00:00","slug":"product-review-is-the-bushnell-backtrack-gps-the-right-choice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.survival-spot.com\/survival-blog\/product-review-is-the-bushnell-backtrack-gps-the-right-choice\/","title":{"rendered":"Product Review: Is the Bushnell BackTrack GPS the Right Choice?"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Editor\u2019s note:<\/strong>
\nMany people want the accuracy and security of a GPS in wilderness or urban areas, without the bells, whistles and expense of a more complex receiver. For some, all they want a GPS for is to get back to the rig at the end of the day. <\/em><\/p>\n

\n

If all you want from a GPS is directions back to the rig, you may not need a complex receiver.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

They may be\u00a0knowledgeable about \u00a0wilderness survival and carry a survival kit, but they \u00a0aren\u2019t into geocaching, aren\u2019t particularly concerned about where they are at all times and don\u2019t care how many waypoints the receiver will store.<\/p>\n

I saw the new Bushnell BackTrack Bushnell 360053 BackTrack Personal Locator Tech Gray Kit With Bushnell 132514 Powerview 8\u00d721 Folding Roof Prism Binoculars<\/a>\"\"\u00a0on sale at the local Costco, and wondered how good it could be. Would a simple receiver like this be a good addition to a map and compass in a survival kit?\u00a0After all,\u00a0the BackTrack is\u00a0inexpensive and\u00a0\u00a0looks very simple to operate. And isn\u2019t simplicity important in survival situations?<\/em><\/p>\n

So I asked GPS guru and navigation expert Blake Miller, of <\/em>www.OutdoorQuest.biz<\/em><\/a>, what he though about the product. In addition to his skill with\u00a0complex electronic technology, Blake is also an avid backpacker, hunter and outdoorsman, and he thoroughly field-tests\u00a0any product he recommends. Blake wrung out a BackTrack recently, and here are his thoughts!)<\/em><\/p>\n

By Blake Miller<\/p>\n

Suppose it\u2019s been a long, cold day hunting white tail deer in the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania.\u00a0 The late November snows and wind\u00a0 blowing hard off Lake Erie made the day miserable. Now, it\u2019s time to get back to camp; the sooner the better.\u00a0 The snow is blowing sideways and visibility is down to about 50 feet.\u00a0\u00a0 It is bone cold.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Simple navigation, a straight line back to the truck is all you want.\u00a0 There is no time for a compass and the map is in the bottom of the hunting day\u00a0pack.<\/em>\u00a0 The new, round GPS points to the truck, it\u2019s not even a half mile away.\u00a0 Simple and straight forward, the Bushnell BackTrack gives you a direction steer and distance.\u00a0 The BackTrack responds quickly and gets you moving in the right direction.\u00a0 Too bad that brook isn\u2019t displayed, but you know that it\u2019s only a short detour to the bridge.<\/p>\n

There are any number of hunting, fishing, backpacking, hiking\u00a0etc. scenerios where all you need is the way home. In particular, during stormy weather, wouldn\u2019t it be nice to just hit the \u201chome\u201d or \u201ccamp\u201d button and not worry about getting lost?<\/p>\n

The Bushnell BackTrack is probably the most affordable (less than $60) and simplest GPS on the market.\u00a0 But is it the right GPS for you? Here are some things to think about before buying one.<\/p>\n

Bushnell\u2019s informational \u00a0material and flyer tell you that:<\/p>\n