Baja 480c vs. 540c?

[ArmyTaco]

The title explains it all. I have tried searching but I failed if there is any thing. Whats the difference in the two? Also has anyone figured out the video input say to but back up cam in? Price difference? Let me have it.eepwall: :violent-smiley-031:

EDIT: Also is there nay road map options for this GPS? Would like to use it for dual purpose if possible. Any recomendations?

 

[go4aryd]

The only difference I am aware of is the type of display used in the unit. Both are crisp and pretty clear. My 480C display gets warm if left on full brightness (someone told me the display was a twisted nematic LCD - not active matrix TFT), so I turn it down one level unless I really need the extra brightness. I have heard that the newer 540s are reportedly much better with respect to the heat. I have not seen a 540C in use, so cannot provide any feedback in terms of good comparative resolution.

They both use the same receiver puck and network interface. I doubt you can feed it with a video signal that it can read, but if you figure it out, let us all know and I will follow your lead with a backup cam.

BTW have had mine about 3 years now and still love it. I spend enough time in flatland desert where even a good topo is pretty tough to use (i.e. break out the old mileage and direction location estimation methods!).

 

[ArmyTaco]

LOL... I have no clue what the face difference mean. I was just wondering would I be missing something with the 480 vs the 540. I am on a budget, but appreciate a quality product. Do it once right and don't have to do it again kinda thing. So if I could get the 480 cheaper and it do the same stuff... thats what I was more or less wondering.

 

[Trail Monkey]

not sure on the difference. but i have a conclusive answer from LEI that they donot currently have a harness to use with a backup camera or similar video source. RIDICULOUS....! i have this by email from their support team, which took two weeks to answer me.

 

[Rock_Wagon]

Is the 480 a monochrome and 540 color?

I have had the 540 for about 2 years now and am very pleased with it. I have not noticed the unit heating up.

LEI support really is poor, both over the phone (if you can get through) and via Email.

 

[jerdog53]

I have the 540 and do not notice any heat at any setting and both units are color, i thought there was some software differences and the 480 was renamed because of it, I have had mine for over a year and am satisfied with it.

 

[mjm]

The Baja 480 is monochrome. I have a 540C. It never heats up. Lowrance support is pathetic. It may be time to form a support group to focus on making improvements to the software. I am not sure what can be done after market for video harnesses.

 

[jerdog53]

The Baja 480 is monochrome. I have a 540C. It never heats up. Lowrance support is pathetic. It may be time to form a support group to focus on making improvements to the software. I am not sure what can be done after market for video harnesses.

The 480 is monochrome but the 480c is color

 

[Hltoppr]

I have the 480c....I couldn't tell any difference between that and a new 540c....maybe the software...but that was easily updated.

-H-

 

[go4aryd]

The 480 mono has a 480V x 480H mono screen.
The 480C has a 480V x 480H, 256 color TFT display.
The 540C has a 480V x 480H, 16-bit color SolarMax™ TFT display with Fluorescent cold-cathode screen and keypad backlighting.

The 540 came out within a couple months of my purchase of my current 480C.
The screen is the only difference. The following link will point you to good literature on many, many contemporary GPS and chartplotter units. http://www.gpsdiscount.com/products/index.html?p=1105

 

[ArmyTaco]

Does anyone know if there is any Road Map features for these GPS?

 

[jerdog53]

Does anyone know if there is any Road Map features for these GPS?

Do you mean turn by turn directions because i have not seen any and it dosent have that feature.

 

[mjm]

Does anyone know if there is any Road Map features for these GPS?

Jerdog53 is correct; they do not have turn by turn. You can enter a destination and get distance to fo (nice for marine use).

These units arrive with very basic features...such as roads. Their real value is the capability to accept and display Lowrance topographic map data. The map software is about $100 more. On the GPS, the topo software does everything I need. Compared to other GPS topo software (on the computer), Lowrance's topo software is probably in the third quartile in quality. I no longer use the computer software to do anything beyond prepare a map for the GPS. I manage routes and tracks using ExpertGPS.

 

[ArmyTaco]

I do not need turn by turn directions. Just more or less can I map out complete route from say my street to wherever I am going? Is it going to show roads? I really like the topo features and thats what I want, but I want to be able to see more than just a huge topo map. I have not found anywhere near me I could really go get some hands on.

 

[jerdog53]

Yes it shows roads, trails, Forest service roads, airports, bodys of water, parks, points of interest along with top-o information.