I want a gps that i can use to navigate off road, something that has a bradcrumb type feature, the ability to save off road routes, as well as on road capabilities. I spoke to garmin and they told me that the only gps they offer that does what i want is the nuvi 500. There has to be others out there. Anyone know of any? I got a macked out nuvi 3790 for christmas, but i returned it becuase it didnt have off road capbilties.
Whats the best OFF ROAD GPS?
STUPIDFACE
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Would the Oregon 450T would be a good choice?
I was checking out the Earthmate PN-60, would that one suit my needs? Can you plug it to the cigarette lighter?
Im seriously thinking about getting one of those two (oregon or earthmate).
I like the mygig, but you never know what kinda shit youre buying off ebay and the ones that are really good are high as giraffe nuts. I also like the lorance, but i dont want that big ass thing on my dash.
Thanks everyone for the help.
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Just an FYI, the Lowrance units are street capable. I run a 6600cHD and it will show everything from points of interest like banks/gas stations/food, street names, fwy ramps, etc. The big instruction manual is intimidating at first, but they're pretty easy to use, and accurate when you're off pavement as well. You can save trails, and download new trails onto an sd card and load them into the unit. Poly Performance carries them, or you can keep an eye out on some of the desert websites as they pop up pretty frequently.
- Eddie
- Eddie
Don't discount the Droid. You CAN work offline with some very inexpensive apps. For example, BackCountry Navigator allows downloading of topos, street and Satellite views for offline useage. In the desert, switching between topo and satellite is a huge benefit. The satellite views are great when you are searching for that very lightly used road. The other advantage is that the maps are free. As for accuracy, my Samsung Captivate has a newer chipset than my old gps (i do have a mygig as well) and it's accuracy can be up to about 12.5 feet. There are also breadcrumbs, nav points, etc. Since it is in my phone, I can take it hiking as well too. and it isn't too big, but big enough for my "old" eyes.
Ron
Ron
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I actually have the 400t which predated the 450t. As far as I know, it's the same thing but without the camera. Unless you have your heart set on the camera, I'd look for a 300.
The topo on the 400t was very basic and not all that accurate. Looking on Garmins website, it appears they may not sell the 300 anymore but if you could find one I'd buy one of those. It's the same thing as the 400, but without some of the preloaded maps. I know they were available for under $300 bucks too. Then I'd add Garmins City Navigator software (about $100) and then add some topo maps (available free at gpsfiledepot.com) and you would be able to do everything you want to do and more.
Edit: I just googled the 300 and the ones I could find are all pushing $400 bucks.
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Go buy a gps. Learn to use it and all it's features. You'll forget about using your phone.
Also, for reference, I've tried about 6 different map apps for my X that will allow mapping and general gps use while not having data coverage. A real gps is better. Way better. Photographers don't use their cell phones because it has a camera. A person needing good accurate mapping software shouldn't use their phone either. It was designed as a phone first. All the other stuff they put on it is just to help them sell.
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got this for topo and have my droid for on-road. the combination seems to work for me. I have to admit though, the Lowrance kit is drool-worthy.
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The 400t doesnt have a camera. I dont want a camera on my gps anyway.
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I thought the 450 did. lol. I don't really see a point to it either. I mean, I have more phone for that...
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Have you tried Google Navigation on an Android phone? In features and performance, it absolutely destroys just about ANY GPS unit money can buy. It has satellite/topographical maps, weather, traffic, map updates and more absolutely free. I would love an in-dash navigation unit that utilizes it.
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Yeah, I've used it. I wouldn't say it destroys anything. It good, for a road GPS, and when it has data coverage. However, on the trails, Google Navigation doesn't apply and data coverage isn't readily available. You are only using google maps. There are way too many drawbacks. Ease of use is a biggie. Mostly, for me, not having the coordinating software on my computer as well is a deal breaker.
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I'm a bit of a GPS nerd (I heavily geocache) and the Garmin Oregon is probably the best and easiest unit for what you want. Buy the Oregon 450 if you're going to buy any of them. Don't bother with the "t" as you can get the topo maps for free all over the internet. I've had the etrex, 60csx, Colorado, and Oregon 300. I recently upgraded to the 450 and it's the best. You can get them for about $230-$250. Make sure you check that your unit software is up to date first thing as there are constant improvements coming out.
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2,395 Posts
Is that something i can do after i get it, or should i make sure it has the latest softwear before i buy it?
Ive been looking at GPSs all evening, now im starting to consider the lowrance hds-5 baja. I dont know if i want to spend that much, and i still dont know if i want that big ass thing on the dash.
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1,081 Posts
I use
"MY TRACKS" on my Droid Pro
and my
GARMIN 60CSx
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GPS-60...60CSx-Handheld-Navigator/dp/B000CSOXTO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294719248&sr=8-1
"MY TRACKS" on my Droid Pro
and my
GARMIN 60CSx
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GPS-60...60CSx-Handheld-Navigator/dp/B000CSOXTO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294719248&sr=8-1
LOL. What is with the hostility, Easy boy...
If you understood what makes a GPS system work and what defines its accuracy, time to acquire a fix etc.( i.e. the chipset and the limitations of the signal) you wouldn't say this.
The software on the phone has progressed much faster than the Handheld units are able to keep up with and it is much easier to upgrade and add features or even change interfaces. That is why many who are heavily focused on mapping use a laptop not a dedicated GPS. The hardware is a commodity, it is the software that really defines it. Sure if you can't find software you like for the android or your laptop, then buy a dedicated unit and hope you are satisfied.
How well does your dedicated GPS show satellite images? Can it overlay them with street or topo images? How much does it cost for those maps to stay current?
Whether it is a phone, a dedicated GPS, or a laptop, it is still just a cpu, some memory, a gps chipset (internal or external), an antenna and some other components, the real differentiator is the software...
Of course I am a software guy, so ...
To each his own, but dont tell me about learning to use my dedicated GPS. Been there many times and done that. I have a shelf full of them to show for that. Bottom line is to get what YOU like and what YOU are comfortable with.
Cheers,
R
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2,150 Posts
I wasn't being hostile. Sorry if it came across that way. Sarcastic yes, but for humors sake. You are correct about getting what works for you. However, I've had way too many people try to tell me how awesome their phones are and then once on the trail they can't seem to do what they want. I say, get the tool for the job.LOL. What is with the hostility, Easy boy...
If you understood what makes a GPS system work and what defines its accuracy, time to acquire a fix etc.( i.e. the chipset and the limitations of the signal) you wouldn't say this.
The software on the phone has progressed much faster than the Handheld units are able to keep up with and it is much easier to upgrade and add features or even change interfaces. That is why many who are heavily focused on mapping use a laptop not a dedicated GPS. The hardware is a commodity, it is the software that really defines it. Sure if you can't find software you like for the android or your laptop, then buy a dedicated unit and hope you are satisfied.
How well does your dedicated GPS show satellite images? Can it overlay them with street or topo images? How much does it cost for those maps to stay current?
Whether it is a phone, a dedicated GPS, or a laptop, it is still just a cpu, some memory, a gps chipset (internal or external), an antenna and some other components, the real differentiator is the software...
Of course I am a software guy, so ...
To each his own, but dont tell me about learning to use my dedicated GPS. Been there many times and done that. I have a shelf full of them to show for that. Bottom line is to get what YOU like and what YOU are comfortable with.
Cheers,
R
You are also correct about many people setting up a dedicated laptop right in the rig for mapping purposes. This is true, but that isn't very practical in DDs with limited space. I can do everything they do and only have to pull out the laptop in the evening at camp.
As for sat. images, yes I can do that. There are many programs that do it. Most recently that I'm aware of is Garmins own Birdseye software. From all accounts, it appears these images are Google Earth images. It's a $30 a year subscription. Once downloaded, the images are yours.
Also, it's not exactly the accuracy that's my issue. It's the ability. I've tried a bunch of different programs on my phone and have yet to find one that is near as good as my gps.
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Cory, apologies for the delay in responding. I drank a LOT of beer after I talked to you on Friday. The unit that I had is discontinued. If I had to buy one it would be the 450 with a RAM mount in the JK. You can even get trail data (Barnwell for sure) for free on the net. I may even get one of these now that I looked it up......
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I absoulutely love my Garmin GPSmap 60 Csx. If I were going to replace it I would get the new https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=63802 and dont for get to buy http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-city-navigator-north-america-card.html that should do everything you need.
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2,150 Posts
Personally, I'd choose the DVD version of the City Navigator. If you get the SD card you can only view it on your GPS, along with having to share the SD card with sat images and such. If you get the DVD, you upload what you need from MapSource to the gps, and best of all when you transfer your tracks back to the computer you'll be looking at the same maps. With the SD card, once the tracks and tranfered back to the computer, you won't be able to see all the City Navigator info. In other words, you'll be looking at a different, much less detailed map.
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