Bushnell's Back Track GPS was a big hit during a recent hunt. It's a smal, compass-sized unit that allows the user to mark his/her starting point and then run wild in the woods. When it's time to head home, the incredibly easy-to-use unit simply gives you an arrow pointing you home. No complicated waypoints to negotiate, no big unit to carry. Simple, sweet, the perfect solution for anyone who recklessly follows blood trails or chases turkeys then realizes they don't know where they are or how to get back to the truck.

Some History on Hand Held GPS Units

In 1987, my then partner and I were hired to do focus group studies for a huge company regarding hand-held GPS. We had a prototype unit and it offered many bells and whistles -- which it needed to do considering the necessary (proposed) price tag (upwards of $700) of the very first units to be introduced. We interviewed several hundred hunters and fisherman and complied all kinds of data.

The overwhelming request of the focus group participants, 20 years ago, was, "I just want to mark my truck or the hunting cabin or the RV and then have the unit give me an arrow that points home." They also hoped from a price tag of under $200.

Bushnell's Back Track Unit

Congratulations, Bushnell. Back Track is the dream product of all those folks who were some of the very first consumers to even hear about GPS and possible sportsmen uses of it.

From my personal perspective:

I've not been responsive/interested in hand-held GPS much, although I've written about them, because I didn't want to take time to learn how to use the units. Back Track is simple. I needed about three minutes to "get it" and then two more minutes to remember the steps.

The unit is the perfect size -- big enough that I easily find it in my pack or jacket pocket, but light and small enough that I will take it with me everywhere.

Three waypoints -- perfecto. Don't need more, don't want more. I just want to get safely out of the woods after chasing a turkey all over God's country in the spring or mindlessly following a blood trail. And, maybe from time to time, I'd like to mark another spot for some reason.

This unit gives me confidence that I don't have to be afraid about getting lost (remember I'm a total blonde) -- as long as I have spare batteries in my pocket. And, studies confirm that the number one fear of sportsmen or want-to-be sportsmen is getting lost. It's the main reason folks won't venture into the wilderness or travel deeper into the wilderness where opportunities for hunting success and enjoyment of pristine environments is greatly enhanced.

Bushnell, hits a home run.

Tags: Gps Hand Held Wilderness Navigation System Simple

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