Tech and hunting gear

[Ike85123]

I wanted to see everyones opinion on using gadgets. From past posts, I see some of you get very technical with everything from scopes to boots. Seems some try all the newest products and have the knowledge of all things hunting/shooting. Where do you fit in ?

 

[Ike85123]

Im bare bones. Havent bought a new scope in 16yrs. Just replaced a 20yr old spotting scope last month. Only use 1pr of hunting boots. I keep it simple. And honestly dont understand alot of the tech stuff.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Im bare bones. Havent bought a new scope in 16yrs. Just replaced a 20yr old spotting scope last month. Only use 1pr of hunting boots. I keep it simple. And honestly dont understand alot of the tech stuff.

$$$$$$$$$$$=tech stuff.

 

[BourbonTrail]

I’m younger than most here, but I shoot an M1903A3 with a 2x7 Simmons. I get enough technology at work, so I go the opposite with my hunting gear. I still use wool and waxed cloth for waterproofing. I would say that I have worn the same durable leather boots since forever, but I go through boots like a funeral home goes through kleenex. Only “fancy” gear I run is Darn Tough socks, and I love ‘em.

 

[Ravensview]

I use a gps occasionally but still rely on a topo map and compass, in the winter wool clothes with high tech long Johns, wiggys sleeping bag but I use a tarp for shelter quite a bit, so I guess I am mix

 

[CoElkHunter]

I use a gps occasionally but still rely on a topo map and compass, in the winter wool clothes with high tech long Johns, wiggys sleeping bag but I use a tarp for shelter quite a bit, so I guess I am mix

I got “turned around” once in the mountains when using my gps in heavy fog/drizzle. It was 180 degrees off in direction. Thank God for my quarter size Chinese compass in my survival bag. My son had my good compass. I’ve since resurrected that issue.

 

[Ike85123]

$$$$$$$$$$$=tech stuff.

I like tech. I just dont like the time to learn it. I deal enough with computers at my business. And building racecars has given way to tech also. So I just keep it simple with shooting and fishing. Seems to be the only things in my life I can enjoy without training. Haha
I ordered a new remote for my tv system, had to plug it in the laptop and set it up in an app. It works great. But sure took the fun out of it for the first day. Lmao

 

[Ravensview]

I trust my compass, we do have some areas that really mess with them though a lotta iron ore in the ground I have seen the needle point every which way, in those areas the gps is nice, but like you I have seen gps not work in some critical moments also

 

[Newboomer]

Simple old school. Woolsox, I do wear camo sometimes, ball cap, Merrill high tops. GI compass, I don't understand a lot of these new gimmicks and anything with batteries is going to fail umpteen miles from civilization. My one concession is an illuminated reticle in my scopes.

 

[Red Leg]

Jeez - I'm 68 - but you guys are apparently living breathing anachronisms.

I learned to depend upon and trust GPS doing interesting things in odd places of the world. If satellites are visible (and they always are these days) and batteries are charged, they don't fail.

Optics have gone through a real revolution in the last 20 years. Several of my rifles wear scopes more valuable than the rifle. To me, that edge in optical employment is of incalculable value. Range finding binoculars have become an indispensable tool for me everywhere except in Africa.

Satellite phone technology is invaluable if you hunt the truly wild places. Love checking in with my spouse at the end of the day. Back when still with my last corporate home, I conducted several bid/no bid decision briefs while a hippo grunted in the background.

There are inexpensive rifles that are arguably of good value. There are many others that are just cheap (scopes as well). Learning to tell the difference is important.

Microfleece may be the greatest invention of the late 20th century - ranks right up there with nuclear energy and the thermos bottle.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Jeez - I'm 68 - but you guys are apparently living breathing anachronisms.

I learned to depend upon and trust GPS doing interesting things in odd places of the world. If satellites are visible (and they always are these days) and batteries are charged, they don't fail.

Optics have gone through a real revolution in the last 20 years. Several of my rifles wear scopes more valuable than the rifle. To me, that edge in optical employment is of incalculable value. Range finding binoculars have become an indispensable tool for me everywhere except in Africa.

Satellite phone technology is invaluable if you hunt the truly wild places. Love checking in with my spouse at the end of the day. Back when still with my last corporate home, I conducted several bid/no bid decision briefs while a hippo grunted in the background.

There are inexpensive rifles that are arguably of good value. There are many others that are just cheap (scopes as well). Learning to tell the difference is important.

Microfleece may be the greatest invention of the late 20th century - ranks right up there with nuclear energy and the thermos bottle.

I thought GPS was infallible too. But, in the heavy fog/freezing drizzle I described, it was giving 180, degree wrong direction? So, I thought it was my GPS. I hiked to the West where I knew our camp was via my compass. I saw a hunter standing on a ridge in the fog and told him the situation and asked for a ride back to our camp. He said no problem, his truck was 100yds away according to his GPS. Wrong! His GPS was also giving false directions. After about half an hour, we found his truck. So, I don't know? I do know, my compass is with me now no matter what.

 

[Ike85123]

Jeez - I'm 68 - but you guys are apparently living breathing anachronisms.

I learned to depend upon and trust GPS doing interesting things in odd places of the world. If satellites are visible (and they always are these days) and batteries are charged, they don't fail.

Optics have gone through a real revolution in the last 20 years. Several of my rifles wear scopes more valuable than the rifle. To me, that edge in optical employment is of incalculable value. Range finding binoculars have become an indispensable tool for me everywhere except in Africa.

Satellite phone technology is invaluable if you hunt the truly wild places. Love checking in with my spouse at the end of the day. Back when still with my last corporate home, I conducted several bid/no bid decision briefs while a hippo grunted in the background.

There are inexpensive rifles that are arguably of good value. There are many others that are just cheap (scopes as well). Learning to tell the difference is important.

Microfleece may be the greatest invention of the late 20th century - ranks right up there with nuclear energy and the thermos bottle.

I think it comes down to the shooter/hunter. As I dont eat/drink/sleep or live hunting and shooting, its easier to not care as much. I dont call myself a gun nut as I dont have over 100 firearms. I dont reload. I dont buy guns every day or week. I have passions outside of shooting/hunting that I value more.
Im not knockimg anyone that has this as a first passion. I say follow your dreams as far as your wallet will let you. Old cars and drag racing is my vice of choice. Im sure i couldve financed small armies over the years with what I've spent on race cars.
I bought a dr in 2014. But before that i just replaced my old 300wm in 2005 and bought a new Swarovski scope for her.
Im sure tech has gotten better. It has left me behind for sure ! But my old scope still glasses to 300 yrds as the day I bought it.
Im sure im stuck in my ways. I hike with sore feet and sleep uncomfortably with my old gear.
I just never imagined tech has gotten so great to outclass what I have substantially.
Like I said, im not knocking anyone that has the new tech.
Im just saying my scope is a nail driver at 300yrds, so I dont have plans on replacing it.
Its not a money issue just a ,if it isnt broke dont fix it issue.
My son is way into tech. He has all the plastic guns and computerized scopes. I say great for him. If that makes him happy, its his money.
He is actually teaching me the new way things are headed.
But it is funny with his 7k dollar scope with range meter and bullet compensation drop on his colt custom, that my old 1200 dollar Remington and 16 yr old scope will crush him at the range. Im actually a fan of iron sights, to be honest. My first rifle was a marlon 22lr new for 50 bucks with a 10 dollar kmart scope. I hope im not incorrect, but i believe im a natural for the generic.
Ive shot in the military shoots here, won 2 years. With my old Remington 700 bdl 300wm ,custom stock and a 700p barrel. I shot against guys with rifles that cost over 20k.
I bought a 700cdl in 2005 with a new scope and its just as accurate.
So im very low tech.
But seriously, I dont understand the new stuff. I see it is very effective, I just dont see the point in the cost.
I havent done much hunting in the last 12yrs due to my wifes health and zero in the last 6yrs.
Being a man that will research new products in racing and horsepower gains, I can see the will to explore new hunting items as an avid hunter.
I do salute you and the others on here that expel so much time and energy to your love/passion.

 

[Tra3]

What tech is there other than a GPS, cell phone and range finder? (Ok, anemometer too).

I am a big fan of rangefinding binoculars. I don’t use a GPS, but I do carry a cell phone and an anemometer. Weather readings are a curiosity for me.

 

[Ike85123]

What tech is there other than a GPS, cell phone and range finder? (Ok, anemometer too).

I am a big fan of rangefinding binoculars. I don’t use a GPS, but I do carry a cell phone and an anemometer. Weather readings are a curiosity for me.

I was talking about all tech. Scopes,binos,boots,clothing,tents and everything connected to hunting. Some people go all in. Just trying to see how far everyone goes.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I don't think of myself as a tech guy, and I tend to think of tech as electronic devices though that's not the case. I enjoy modern gear where camping is concerned. I spend about 35 days in a tent in a normal year, and flying is often how I get where I am going so weight is a factor. That said the only things I really think of as tech is a tablet (books to read in the tent), a camera, and sat phone.

 

[CoElkHunter]

What tech is there other than a GPS, cell phone and range finder? (Ok, anemometer too).

I am a big fan of rangefinding binoculars. I don’t use a GPS, but I do carry a cell phone and an anemometer. Weather readings are a curiosity for me.

Carry a compass too. It'll help you "camp find' your way back when your GPS craps out.

 

[Tra3]

I was talking about all tech. Scopes,binos,boots,clothing,tents and everything connected to hunting. Some people go all in. Just trying to see how far everyone goes.

The fungible items like boots and clothing just get replaced when they wear out. Really quality gear lasts much longer and is usually worth the money. It is easy to keep upgrading as one figures out what gear is better made. Patagonia clothing is a good example of something that is more tech designed but durable and light. So is Kuiu.
With that said, I grew up hunting in blue jeans, white waffle cotton long Johns and cotton sweatshirts. No camo back then! Things have certainly changed.

 

[Ike85123]

Carry a compass too. It'll help you "camp find' your way back when your GPS craps out.

I was more curiois about all the gadgets ive been reading about. My son takes shooting as his passion. He has high doar equipment that i will never understand. But my old 16yr old rifle crushes his at the range.
I was really just trying to see if the money spent for the new tech was worth it. Im sure there are some expert marksman on here that can tell me why. But I would like to hear hunters tell theor real world stories of why the 7k scope got the shot that the 3k scope couldn't get.
Im not knocking the new tech or people that use it.
Im just saying as man that uses a 16yr ol rifle and scope, i do pretty well.

 

[JimP]

I'm old school, I take note of landmarks and drainage's in the area and while I have a GPS I mostly use it if I am in a area that has a lot of private. But I usually try and avoid those those type of areas.
I am also fairly good at telling distances within a few yards so I don't use a range finer either. But I am addicted to my binoculars.

When I first started bow hunting my camo consisted of Levi's and a flannel shirt. Rain gear was a old piece of waterproof tent that we cut up to make a poncho out of. But I also like my insulated boots where I don't have to wear 3 pairs of socks and have to stomp around to get the feeling back into my toes on cold mornings.

I remember when the civilian type of GPS's first came out and a couple of friends purchased them. While hunting down in Arizona in a fairly flat area two of them walked right past the truck and ended up at a paved road two miles away and they were using the GPS to find the truck.

 

[Ike85123]

I'm old school, I take note of landmarks and drainage's in the area and while I have a GPS I mostly use it if I am in a area that has a lot of private. But I usually try and avoid those those type of areas.
I am also fairly good at telling distances within a few yards so I don't use a range finer either. But I am addicted to my binoculars.

When I first started bow hunting my camo consisted of Levi's and a flannel shirt. Rain gear was a old piece of waterproof tent that we cut up to make a poncho out of. But I also like my insulated boots where I don't have to wear 3 pairs of socks and have to stomp around to get the feeling back into my toes on cold mornings.

I remember when the civilian type of GPS's first came out and a couple of friends purchased them. While hunting down in Arizona in a fairly flat area two of them walked right past the truck and ended up at a paved road two miles away and they were using the GPS to find the truck.

I understand the gps issues. I started driving trucks before the GPS. I had to give many new drivers directions a few years ago. Sad noone has a real map in their truck anymore !
Would be funny if it took a crap and drivers had to actually find an address again. It would be Kaos!