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I am in the market for a good GPS device compatible with the BFT, a watch, and any other specialty equipment -- other than obviously a multitool -- that I should purchase before Afghanistan.
I looked for a thread like this, but couldn't find it.
In sum, what equipment worked for you?
I sure appreciate everybody's time.
LVR
LVR,
Try this website, which appears no longer to be active (a pity): http://afghanlessons.blogspot.com/which as the title says is a lessons learnt site by four US veterans of Afghanistan. The site started in early 2009, but is easy to read and sensibly broken up. The essentials to take list, even if for US needs, is superb - this is from an "armchair" camper of many years ago and Jon Custis commended it too.
Within is a link to maps: http://www.aims.org.af/sroots.aspx?seckeys=12Th6
What do you mean by "compatible with BFT"? That it integrates with FBCB2-BFT? Has a PLB transmitter built in? Can load NGA maps?
I recommend a Garmin GPS. I personally used the Garmin eTrex Vista on two deployments to Afghanistan. You can download TOPO maps for the Garmin from the NGA's website and they tend to be pretty accurate (for Afghanistan at least).
It is hard to recommend other equipment without knowing what you will be doing in Afghanistan. I found a digital voice recorder to be essential to working in both a tactical intelligence and civil affairs capacity.
Pretty sure the DAGR is the only BFT compatable GPS out there.
Wrist mounted Garmin with the AAA batteries is probably the most handy GPS out there.
Change batteries weekly and before any big mission.
If you are going to be doing any talking on the radio with CAS or indirect, ensure you have a lensatic compass, too.