Bushnell ONIX 400 CR
One More Bushnell GPS device to talk about this week, the Bushnell ONIX 400 CR. This handheld GPS receiver packs in aerial photos, satellite photos, and other maps onto the display like its other siblings the Bushnell ONIX 200 and the Bushnell ONIX 200 CR. In addition the ONIX 400 CR provides XM weather to overlay weather maps such as radar onto the display.
The XM weather capabilities allow this GPS to display weather forecasts, current weather conditions, and weather warnings to the device. The weather information can be setup as a layer on top of the GPS maps.
Don’t want to be away from the game while outside? You can also get sports scores via XM displayed on the ONIX 400.
With this device you will get a 3.5 inch color display at 320×240 pixels. It also comes with Bushnell’s SafeTrack mode which will turn off all unnecessary device operations except for the GPS itself in order to conserve battery power. It is also waterproof to IPX7 standards and comes with a 64MB MicroSD slot just like many of the Garmin handhelds.
Expect to pay about $500 for the 400 CR when it is released in February the summer.
Onix 400 is fine, but when we tried to activate XM, they told up Bushnell released the unit too soon and XM could not be activated.
This however was untrue, I called Bushnell and then registered online. they are getting the XM activated. The reason XM would not activate the service was because they do not have their billing updated to be able to bill the customer for the weather service.
Bushnell will get your service activated for you and you will not have to pay for the service until XM gets their system.
I think the Onix 400 is unbelievable as a tool for use in the field - the satellite/radar imagery is great- I wonder if Garmin is planning to do the same? This will be the next “new” thing as it is possible to decide, for example, to keep on hiking because it is clear from XM transmissions that the storms you are hearing are not on track to hit you, etc.
Has anyone actually used this thing? I’m having a very hard time finding user reviews…which in the case of the Magellan Triton, meant that it was not a good product (pulled from the market it was so bad). Would appreciate useful user review.
Yes, I have one. The greatest thing about it is the weather feature- when you’re hiking you can see where the storms are, where they’re going, and whether or not you should head for below treeline. In fact, I’m a ranger who spends a lot of time above treeline, so it’s actually made a huge difference- I can now see the radar/satellite composite image, animated,so that I have decided on numerous occasions despite the fireworks I was OK to remain in place, and that it was OK for hikers to do so as well.
GPS features: I believe it is ahead of itself in terms of capability. I don’t understand how to use it frankly. I rely upon other devices for GPS, like my Garmin 60CSx. I had trouble loading the maps from the site.
It is large, clunky, somewhat heavy, and doesn’t take AA batteries, a problem for a device that eats through its lithium battery.
Despite the down side I think I will hold on to it for a bit longer. I have a Blackberry, and while I can access weather imagery (try weatherTap.com) on it, the screen is much smaller than the Bushnell.
The service is excellent- I’ve received several phone calls from a technician, and he’s been great- I know him by first name. Although I haven’t had the patience yet to try to load detailed maps to the unit.
I do think it opens up a MUCH bigger question for the GPS users community- The ability to combine GPS and radar imagery on one screen will blow people away. Even for driving, I’ve had the unit in my car and I have avoided seriously bad weather as a result. But for hiking? Unbelievable. I presume this is the first salvo of a new possible technology that will take off.
Bushnell uses XM so the advantage is that you can get a signal anywhere in the CONUS. I know there are other devices for pilots that do the same thing- but they are very expensive. The next best thing seems to be these sites- which I’d be happy to talk more about- that are available where there’s cell service- but that can be a problem for backcountry users.
Any ideas about the appropriate forum or sub-forum to discuss this would be appreciated. I think it’s the next new thing but see nobody talking about it.