GPS Questions ??

[Rotorpaul]

I am considering a new GPS unit for use off-road in a Ranger. I've used a Garmin Street Pilot for many years for navigating roads and love it. I was wondering what the experiences of others have been using them off road. Is a handheld or dash mounted unit best? Is a larger screen worth the extra money? What units take the abuse and vibration of off road use the best? What units have the best maps? Is the terrain illustrating feature helpful? Any favorites of those more experienced would be helpful. Thanks for any help.

[ALAG3]

I have a Garmin 72c which is less than 100.00 and I bought a marine mount and mounted it directly to the dash of my Ranger. It has a large black and white screen and is waterproof. I also bought a power cord and wired it to my ignition switch. It works great in the woods.

[2005DMAX]

I have the Garmin Map 60 CS, and I love it. The newer version is the 60 CSX. Same thing only the CSX has a removable SD card. I also purchased the TOPO software and loaded all the maps for the areas I ride.

I can then take my tracks and import them into Google Earth Plus and see where I have been.

[Code Blue]

I've been using the Garmin c580 with out of the box success, This trip was 122 miles of mountain roads and that garmin showed every logging road out there, very surprising and happy it did.

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[1st Ranger]

I use a Garmin ExTrex Legend......got a dash mount for it......I don't have the topo/road maps loaded into it, but I use it to 'log' my trips and it works well, although it has the small screen...............a larger screen is a plus!!

Mine has logged countless miles on my Kawa 4 wheeler, and has held up well, to the vibration and other harsh conditions!!

[Rotorpaul]

Thanks for all of the recomendations. I certainly appreciate having the list narrowed down. From the suggestions received, it'd seem that my old brand, Garmin remains a tough brand to beat. Thanks.

[caglezxj]

Originally Posted by 1st

I use a Garmin ExTrex Legend......got a dash mount for it......I don't have the topo/road maps loaded into it, but I use it to 'log' my trips and it works well, although it has the small screen...............a larger screen is a plus!!

Mine has logged countless miles on my Kawa 4 wheeler, and has held up well, to the vibration and other harsh conditions!!

I have the Garmin ExTrex also. I have the Topo Maps loaded and it shows everything. Like old mines, logging roads, etc. It also finds satellites quickly.

Josh

[GRAZOR]

This is a subject near and dear to my heart!

I have a Garmin Rino 120 and the Garmin TOPO Map Source program for my computer and hand held unit.

Being an old fart, I need glasses to read but can see just fine any other time.

This is a major disadvantage for me with the tiny screen on the hand held units.

As for navigating with the Rino, I love it and the Map Source program allows me to do all sorts of stuff in just about any US area.

The Rino units have a fabulous feature any Off Roader should love. It is an FRS and GMRS Walki Talki radio and when two users set them up, the position of each is displayed on your GPS screen when you communicate between each other. I can easily navigate to my buddy even if he can't tell me exactly where he is because I can see where he is on my screen.

I do wish they made a large screen I could dash mount that showed all the same stuff like a satellite monitor but for now I just need to put these darn glasses on so I can see it.

A buddy team or husband and wife team could set off in different directions and always know exactly where the other is just by talking on the radios.

If I take a trip to say, Alabama, I can dump out my NY memory and replace it with the maps for where I am going to.

Keep in mind when ever you buy GPS units there are some that are designed specifically for road use and they will not display Topo info such as what we need when in the woods and trails. Most of the units that will do the Topo stuff will easily do the road maps if you have both programs or that unit has the road maps stored and also enough free memory to accept some of the topo maps.

A Garmin Nuvi 200 is great for the highways but not for the woods and trails. You need one that is Topo ready to do it all and that usually doubles the initial cost but is well worth it for us off roaders. On my Topo programs, I can probably show you your house on the road you live on.

Gary

[Code Blue]

Gary although mine showed all the trails, I would rather it show them as Topo, I have plenty of room so how do I get topo maps to drop on a card.

[GRAZOR]

First you need to find out from GArmin if your unit can do Topos. Some can and others can't and from my understanding there is a big difference and Topos take way more space.

I have a couple of different Topo programs and the one I like the best won't work with my Garmin.

Garmin Topos are called Map Source and they are fine but the one I really love is Maptech Terrain Navigator.

You can call Garmin on the phone and they are great to talk with and can guide you thru just about any installs or problems.

Gary