Calgary Jeep Association
4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: dunl on July 30, 2009, 06:06:15 PM
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What's a good GPS unit these days to use off-road? I'm not looking for anything for highway or hiking....strictly offroad.
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I think most run with a Garmin 60CX.... can exchange maps doing that way....
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Cool, good info.....
Any other sggestions?
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The topo of canada mapsource map is pretty cool for offroading and general travel. It's got all roads (gravel/dirt, elevation power lines and such) anything that was around the last time they revised it which I think has been a few years.
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dont mess around with the little gps junk
get the Lowrance GlobalMap Baja.
B&W or color version
also a supersize screen version if u want a really big screen
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Well, that's my next concern....how many of these have features that I wouldn't really need?
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its built for offroad stuff. its what u want isnt it?
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http://www.gpscity.ca/lowrance-globalmap-baja-480c.html
maybe not, Dava......
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its built for offroad stuff. its what u want isnt it?
I want something for offroad, yes. I don't want something with the latest and greatest features that I'll never use.....make sense?
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Garmin 60 then, Darc.
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updated versions
http://www.lowrance.com/en/Products/Automotive/HDS-5-Baja/
had the 60cx. For a week.
cant see jack on those little things
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For about $600 less and 40 less trails that it will hold, I think I can squint with a smaller screen.
Honestly, that Baja looks way overpriced for the features.
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I have a garmin vista cx, it is small and sometimes hard to read but it tracks, has waypoints, can take a fair size memory card, is usb, color screen, 2 AA's last 12 hours or so, has compass and altitude........
The only thing I'd change is to have the high sensitive receiver. Came out just after I bought mine. Once and a while if you're cruisin' down the road and the trees are close it looses signal. I beleive the ones dedicated for vehicles have the high sensitive receiver to deal with urban cover.
I'd make sure what ever you end up getting is usb (which they should all be now) can take a memory card, can load the maps you want and has the high sensitive receiver.
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I just bought a Garmin etrex. I just wanted something to make sure I could get back to the starting point, or, if I got stuck and couldn't get out that I could walk the shortest distance to get help. It seems to have it all. And it tells me my speed and altitude for diving. The map it draws is pretty much useless because it is too small but the stats page tells it all. I do carry a topo map with me, though. It is in black and white, plane jane, but does exactly what I need for off roading. Runs up to 17 hours on two AA batteries and doesn't loose memory when the batteries die. I just carry a couple of spare batteries. Cost $120.
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Dunl IMO stay with the Garmin product. It is far more popular and has better availability for any mapping software. I love my Oregon 300 and really like the Colorado as well(Colorado is the non touch screen version). A little spendy at just under 500 bux but the screen is easy to read and the gps unit is a breeze to learn. It also is a touch screen and if you know anyone with another Oregon or Colorado all your mapping is shareable via wireless transfer. Also stay away from Garmins topo if you want to save some money, it is a good program just spendy!! I use Discover Canada......its only 80 bux and uses Garmins map source plus is a wee bit more detailed than the Garmin topo Canada.
My 2cents
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I am running the Garmin 60CXs. I have only had it a few months but with the topo-Canada maps it works great. The screen is not that big, but I have not had any issues. Its water proof and portable, I have mounts for it in both jeeps. The key is get the expandable memory and largest memory card you can. The unit is only as good as the maps you have loaded in it. Also get the car power plug in and you won’t have to worry about battery power.
My 2 cents.
Blair
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I use the Garmin Rino 500 it is a GPS unit as well as a FRS/GMRS radio it can do all the ususal stuff track route store points and a long list of other stuff I haven't been running maps on it yet but i am looking into it. I would be curious to know where you can buy the discover canada maps at.
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I use the Garmin Rino 500 it is a GPS unit as well as a FRS/GMRS radio it can do all the ususal stuff track route store points and a long list of other stuff I haven't been running maps on it yet but i am looking into it. I would be curious to know where you can buy the discover canada maps at.
I bought mine at an Edmonton store(Map Town) but I believe you can order from them direct...the link:
http://www.sitefindergps.com/
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THanks I'll look into it on Tuesday sorry to highjack the thread