Anybody here use GPS? Rarely? Frequently? What flavor? What mapping software? Seems like a lot of the handheld units let you download a pre-planned trip route via computer. Kinda like the Hertz Rental Car "Never-Lost" system. I don't usually get lost, just thought it might be fun to track trip progress, mileage, and such.

Thanks,

CW

 

I use a Garmin GPSMap60c with a ram mount. Color screen, automatic routing updates, pretty reliable. I use the Garmin mapsource software in it, my version is a couple years old now so it doesn't have all the bells and whistles but it works well. The newer ones with the x at the end have a removable memory chip so you can upgrade your memory to have alot more maps in it. However my next GPS will probably be a Garmin Zumo 550 or something similar.

 

I have a Garmin Rino 530 (Gps/Frms radio)that I use for Elk hunting and I used it couple of times on trips to track progress. It worked, but it was just one more thing that you had to secure when the bike was going to be out of sight.

Anyhow we are never lost we are just touring. Some of my best trips have been just pointing in a direction and looking for scenic highways that go in that general direction.

 

Ah use a Garmin 2610 on a RAM mount. Since ah also use it ta route mahself on sales calls, it's tax deductible.<G> You kin buy refurbished units right now fer under $350 delivered from several sources. Ah'll plug in the destination, then hit the road an' detour on any whim, knowin' the GPS will tell me how ta git back on track if ah need to.

 

I have the Garmin Quest2. It is the same as the HD one but substantially cheaper. OK it doesn't have the HD emblem
but it is the same. It came with all of N America loaded in.
It's great for planning a trip or just to know where you are.

I like the part where it will find a route for you (like home)
when you get lost, which I seem to have the ability to do!

Later........

Dennis

 

Yes - a few types.

GPS receiver ONLY that plugs into the USB port of a notebook. Sucks power down and gets red hot. has outdated software. ultimate satellite reception. maps era 1992. $25. don't go there.

Magellan Exporist 400 - handheld, lithium ion rechargeable, B&W, has a 2gig SD card. topo and road maps for the entire US on card. waterproof. $199 at sams club with CD and all access. However, the software was not right at first and it needed a version upgrade. spent 70 minutes on the phone with India to resolve the TOPO feature, over 3 calls. My pain, your gain. I believe it is a WINDOWS XP only CD, it has topo and NAV-routing. Stores TONS of data good satellite aquisition. battery charge good for 5 days if used a few hours a day. USB data cable. be careful -- don't trust the routing 100%, it's right most of the time, however it isn't updated often (not good in high growth areas like Florida and parts of NC). Once in virginia it routed us "over" a 1700's wooden footbridge that it thought was a regular bridge - I could have ridden a horse over it maybe. It was cool to see but at the cost of 2 hours of daylight and retracing our tracks. We laugh about it now but with the carsick kids in the backseat just from getting there -- wife was pretty upset about the situation.

Garmin Legend Etrex - handheld, AA battery (I used nickel-hyd rechargeables, B&W, NO SD card. topo and road maps CD is another $149. waterproof. $99 at walmart with accessories. Stores less data. better satellite aquisition. battery charge good for 1.2 days if used a few hours a day (ie - don't head into the woods without a fresh set of batteries). serial data cable. Got a serial to USB connector and because I had to install a driver in windows for the convertor cable to work this unit WORKS with free topo programs on the web like USAPHOTOMAPS with REALTIME tracking. In this case you don't need the CD, but need a notebook with XP to run it. MUCH better setup than the garmin CD for topo.

USA PHOTO MAPS -- one of the last FREE windows programs that downloads and organizes FREE terraserver sattelite maps and topo maps. no routing function. Runs on a laptop. reguires you to plan ahead and download maps you will need in the wilderness BEFORE using the unit "off the grid". One of the coolest features is the GS markers -- we found a 150 year old family cemetary using it that the old timers couldn't explain how to get to anymore. It was like following a treasure map -- we followed the UPM program for 40 miles and got within 30 feet of the cemetary -- then dug through the weeds and found markers. My g-g..-great grandfather was buried there -- in 1825.

I use NAV 100 times more offroad with dirtbikes, 4*4, and hiking than on the street. It's a great way to WRECK your car or bike using it on the road. we go 20-30 miles off the grid sometimes (not a big deal for you out west, but a big deal out east) and I won't go anymore without one. We do more, go further, and are much safer with it offroad. On the street -- I've stopped using it on a bike (just throw the unit in the sidebag). You still probably need a map since the screen is only 2" big and you will wear out the buttons zooming in/out.

If you can afford the larger screen color ones now with CD for maps and SD card optional, you will probably end up going there down the road.

Ask the flight attendant first -- but try using one on a plane. They used to let you. It's pretty cool seeing 530mph speed at 31,000 feet and a map of everything below. It was entertaining on red-eye flights to CA from Florida.

Get ready to spend 20 hours learning your new unit, regardless of which way you go. Spend time with it before you need to rely on it -- there's a bunch of functions and only a few buttons.


GPS review by RoadKingon

CORRECTED MODEL NUMBERS

 

I'm looking at them also and the unit I like the best is the Garmin Zumo 550.

 

CORRECTED: the magellan Explorist 400 is B&W LCD with 2 levels of orange backlight.

When you get one -- don't buy the accesories in the store -- shop them on ebay/online/pricewatch.com/nextag.com -- it was 75% cheaper for me AND the store had to order it anyhow. I would buy the unit from a store with many many locations for warranty/support, not online. ask alot of questions about the software and hardware version on THAT unit. the ones going on "SALE" are usually old/obsolete versions. sometimes it's free to upgrade versions, sometimes it isn't possible, and sometimes it costs more than upgrading to the next better unit. remember, the next version might have ALL the features working that you thought you paid for and might be compatible with your other equipment now.

Running NAV software on a notebook is at least 10 times better than on any civilian handheld unit. You won't know until you try it, especially offroad topo or from using satelite/actual photo downloads.

 

Garmin Zumo 550 and supplied mapping software. Limited use so far but the bike mount is a plus - a lot of flexibility. The car mount has been problematic. Found the unit on the floor of the truck a couple of times. Not good for a $1000 toy. First use of mp3 player yesterday. I really like that. Mapping has shown a few errors locally. Tried to make me turn on a onto a street that was not connected to the one I was on. That worries me a little for use in areas where getting lost can be life-threatening.

 

I have a Garmin 2720 it is a couple years old. Ram mount to handle bars. Needs power source not hand held. All US, Canada and Mexico are loaded from the factory. New Zumo is the upgrade for this unit. They are coming out with a Zumo 450 that does not have all the bells andwhistles just a GPS and it is cheaper.

Used it last year for 2,500 mile trip thru 9 states and never got lost finding the hotel at the end of the day.

You still can get lost with a GPS it isjust a controled lost!