BushnellBacktrack Point-3 Personal GPS Locator (Gray)

This backtracker is great because it's simple to use and, more importantly, would be easy to set up and use even under the stress of being lost (which can be considerable). For years I have carried two compasses (in case one breaks in the field), but even with that I was badly "turned around" in early October this year while upland hunting in a familiar location. Somehow I misplaced my present position so while I followed my compass, I missed an important landmark and was on my way in the wrong direction to a long overnight stay in the woods, in a down-pouring rain. Fortunately my son heard and answered my distress signal (gunshots) that were nearly muffled in that rain. The upshot is, I selected the Bushnell Backtrack Point-3 for it's small size and 3 point capability as a back-up to the compasses. Being old-er, I still don't trust battery-reliant gizmos with my life; BUT, I'm very, very happy to have it as a back-up to turn to when I may need it again. I've tested it all the ways I could think of, in thick conifers, under cliffs, in the rain. Sometimes I had to move a little (never more than 15 feet or so) to get a satellite lock, but it always locked-on and it seems very accurate. It is VERY important to calibrate it per the instructions by waving it in a figure-8 pattern. Once I didn't do this and the compass seemed to be off by 25 degrees or so. Also, note that the compass points to true, not magnetic, north. This is important to me as the magnetic declination where I hunt is about 16 degrees west.

I bought this as a safety measure for when I take the kids hiking I can be sure to always get up back to the car, expecting to at least know the general direction to be heading as the crow flies. I don't think I'm asking too much from this device. It does not perform. I've read all the instructions, I watched all the videos I could find and here is what I found.The compass has to be recalibrate every time you turn it on. It turns itself off after 4 minutes. This might work for you if you can give it constant attention and be sure to push a button within those 4 minutes, but if like me you have little ones to keep an eye on, pass this one by. To calibrate this you have to swing it around in a figure 8 a few times, no less than 5 in my case, then flip it over and over in every possible direction. At this point you are to walk around in a circle. After you have done this have to hold it perfectly level to the ground and turn in until every stop of the arrow continues to point the same way then you should be able trust that it's pointing north and you can now back track to your waypoint, until it turns off again.I just can't do this every time I turn it on. We would never get anywhere. I don't know if mine is defective or if this is how it's suppose to work but it really does not perform as advertised and there is nothing simple about it.

I got this for my wife (as she has trouble remebering where she parked her vehicle) and it works great! It does a pretty good job of locating your vehicle. I would recomend this to anyone who may have trouble finding their vehicle in a large parking lot. I am 100% satisfied and would recomend this product to anyone. Great product!

The Backtrack works well to find your car in a large parking lot. I tried it at a range of 1/2 mile and found it brought me back to within direct view of my vehicle. It is easy to follow. The biggest issue is that it takes some time to establish the initial position being recorded. It is not a lengthy process, but it is not an instant process either. The unit is a very compact item. I would have preferred a faster (even if somewhat larger) unit. On the other hand, hanging around for a couple of minutes to be able to find your vehicle in a really big lot is probably a decent trade. In the field this thing would be great. Set up your basecamp location and come back directly to where you want to be. Overall, a it is very nice implementation. Maybe the fact that I feel establishing location in the field takes a reasonable amount of time, suggests a lack of balance on my part regarding vehicles -- but somehow vehicle related actions always seem like they need to be more "immediate".

Fast service, good price. Product is just not as accurate as I had hoped it would be.

The Back tracker compass was defective. I wasn’t able to use it. The display screen had a “ black blob “ that covered 1/2 it.For $140.00 I expected a product that works!

Was delivered on time and will work with very clear skies and no obstructions but even a little bit of trees and it does not work

I have NOTHING negative to say about this product. I have read some critical reviews. With that being said... this is NOT a military GPS unit. It is an affordable, quality and easy to use GPS. So... Let me see if I can clear up a few things...1)Read, understand and follow the instructions2)GPS is designed for outdoor use and clear skies.3)It needs to be held horizontal while in use.4)It should be "calibrated" each time you stop/start. (Move in a figure 8 direction, ref: 1 & 3)5)Satellite icon will flash while looking for a signal. It will stop once one is acquired.6)The arrow will always point North while in compass mode... NOT the direction of travel!7)Travel data is given in a straight line from "A" to "B".8)It will NOT tell you, "In 100ft, turn left" or "TA-DA", when you've reched your destination.9)There WILL be clouds, trees, canyons, buildings, etc...(10))Batteries WILL die... ALWAYS carry a reliable, backup compass!HAPPY TREKKING