GPS ?

[Gearhead]

Coming from a guy who's not up to speed with GPS ............

Suggestions on .....

Model ?
Features to look for ? ( in language that I can understand) ?
Where to buy ?


My needs..........

Waterproof/water resistant ( I pressure wash my interior ,  play in adverse weather )
Rugged
Simple operation ? , is there something like this ?
Not too expensive.

[cLAY]

What do your friends have? Magellan or Garmin? Get the same as them as then its easier to trade track files.

Make sure whatever you get has upgradable memory(like an SD card that can be removed). Also a USB connection is nice(my older GPS uses a com port) but I think most of the new ones do anyway. Get the biggest screen you can afford.

Street navigating GPS units do not work for off road use, you need one more geared towards hiking.

Once you get the above figured out, go into GPS Central( http://www.gpscentral.ca ) on Blackfoot TR by Shaw GMC. Play with a few different models and then decide what you like. GPS is really a hands on thing and you need to actually play with a few to decide what you want.

A run a Magellan that I really like but the next one will probably be a Garmin as my friends all run garmins and swapping files is a pain. Nor looking forward to it though as my Magellan runs perfect whereas they have numerous problems with their Garmins freezing up. Last weekend 2 of them had both their units freeze up at the exact same time.  :?

[Gearhead]

Thankyou ,    good advice so far.

We sell them at work , a Garmin unit built specifically for Harley Davidson. These are handlebar mounted w/ quick release mount , are waterproof , a little spendy , but would be close to what you have described.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524448769824&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309121116&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309121116&bmUID=1189289905386&bmLocale=en_CA

I browsed the GPS central pages earlier , some of the units that look like what I could use are marine applications , ........... lot's to learn yet , before I choose.

[yyc_tbird_sc]

This is the unit I picked up to use before I was supposed to go on my vacation this summer. I didn't get a chance to use it offroad yet, but it's pretty accurate in town so far. I'd recommend the topographical maps to go with it.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=310

[BlackYJ]

Go down to GPS Central, they are in the mall next door to National, where the Tim's is.  They really know their stuff in there and can easily help you.

For the record, I have a Garmin GPS V, and my dad has a 76 Cx (I think).  My dads has a colour display and is a very nice unit

[Gearhead]

Forgot to mention , would like a display that's large enough that I don't need to put my reading glasses on to read , these glasses and driving simultaneously , are a recipe for disaster. ( old dude)

[Dragonmaster]

Most of the hiking units will be out of the question then.  Go to GPScentral and look at Garmin units.

If you find you can get away with a smaller screen, the garmin lengend HCX and Vista HCX will do every feature you would need, only difference betweent the two is the Vista tracks your altitude in the model, where the legend only records it on your track log which is only viewable on your computer.  The 76csx has all the same functions but with a slightly larger (1/4") screen.  All will probably still be to small though and you'll have to go with an on road navigation unit.  Most will cost $250-400 plus software if you need it.

Again, go to gpscentral or gpscentral.ca and take a look.

[calltrex]

i wouldnt bother with the regular small screen ones. Too small.  Got rid of my good $700 garmin gps because the screen is too small. Even had altimiter..

You think the small screen is fine at first but after a little while you wont like it anymore.


Im getting one of the bigger ones. 4x5 inch screens etc..

[cuzican]

I bought a Magellan Explorist 500 in April and I'm still waiting for a rechargeable battery and mounting bracket that I ordered from GPS Central at the time I bought the GPS. Apparently they have been back ordered for ever.

Maybe they'll show up sometime before I lose it :?

[redbull]

I love my little hand-held eTrex, because I can use it in the boat, car, motorcycle, etc. but it's not what you are looking for. The screen is pretty small.

I think the Garmin Nuvi line is something you should look at:

http://www.gpscentral.ca/products.htm#pda-mobile

[TJ54]

Buy Garmin.
Magellan and lowrance are good, but Garmin is better.
GPS central is awesome place to shop. Go see which one suits you best.

check out website.
http://www.gpscentral.ca/

[cLAY]

Nuvi is fine for street navigating but useless for offroading(I have one in the truck for street navigating).

You need an outdoors one(for hiking etc) to get the features you need to save tracks, waypoints, load topographical maps, etc.

Go into GPS central and play around with a few different models.

[cLAY]

Buy Garmin.
Magellan and lowrance are good, but Garmin is better.
GPS central is awesome place to shop. Go see which one suits you best.

check out website.
http://www.gpscentral.ca/

That's a matter of opinon. My Magellan is way more relaible than the Garmins that my wheeling buddies have. But unfortunatly they outnumber me and its hard to trade track files with.......

[SwampSinger]

Buy Garmin.
Magellan and lowrance are good, but Garmin is better.
GPS central is awesome place to shop. Go see which one suits you best.

check out website.
http://www.gpscentral.ca/

I have a Garmin and I love it... I got it at GPS central...