Best GPS

[coho51]

What's the best GPS ?

 

[DaveM]

Need WAY more information. What's the intended use? Marine. overland, general vehicle, hiking? What's most important to you in use, flexibility, cost of map data, screen size?

The Garmin GPSMap 276 got a good review in OJ a couple issues ago. Looks like a nice all around receiver that will double as a chart plotter for water travel and can take a depth sounder as aux equipment. Large screen but still portable. Will probably be my next GPS purchase.

 

[Schattenjager]

Is the 276 battery powered as well as aux? If so, what kind of battery does it use?

 

[DaveM]

proprietary batt I believe, which is one of the biggest marks against it. But I believe it will charge off the vehicle when running from external power (someone correct me if thats not right). So for mostly vehicular travel you're unlikely to drain it completely.

Personally I'd prefer a unit that uses a proprietary batt than standard batts that don't recharge from the vehicle.

 

[travel dodge]

yor right on the need to use a garmin battery, memory cards, maps and just about anything else you want to buy for it but it's a great GPS

 

[cshontz]

I prefer the rechargeable proprietary battery. I really wouldn't have it any other way. My 276C stays hard-wired for the most part. That means that when I do disconnect the GPS for hand-held use, I pretty much always have a full battery.

The proprietary memory is a different story, however. I'm still sore about having to spend $100 for their largest 512MB module. Meanwhile, you can buy 512MB SD cards using the change in your center console.

The only improvements I would like would be more detailed basemaps, which is no fault of the GPS, and I would like it to be able to make me breakfast.

 

[cyclic]

I love my Garmin 76CS, only wish I had waited for the 76CSx with its removable memory card. I use it for everything.

 

[ExpoMike]

I love my Magellan Crossover. Great vehicle navagation and off-road tracks. Got it from Costco online for $230. Search this forum for more info.

BTW, anytime someone asks for the "best" of anything, you will get tons of different answers. Kind of like what off-road vehicle is best? Jeep, Toyota, Land Rover, etc., etc. In my opinion there is not such thing as "the best" only what is "the best" for you and your purpose.

YMMV :rockon:

 

[egn]

You should have a look at the new Garmin Colorado 300. Beside having a large screen for maps it uses standard AA size batteries.

I personally use no special gps device. For my current requirements I am happy with my HTC Advantage.

It is an universal device which I use every day:

• street navigation in Europe with TomTom
• street navigation in Russia with Navitel Navigator
• map navigation world wide with PathAway/TTQV
• satellite maps with GoogleMaps/MS LiveSearch or stored with PathAway
• internet tracking with PathAway
• live tracking with GpsGate

Beside that I use it as phone (GSM/UMTS) , web, email, notepad, database, camera, ...

Of course it is not rugged for heavy outdoor usage. But it works very well in my truck and for use outside with not to bad weather.

 

[Kilroy]

Right now I'm using a Garmin IQ3600 in the truck and a Garmin V for in the jeep, boat, motorcycle. I've been researching what to get when the IQ finally fails. I believe it will be the Garmin Zumo 550. This GPS can be used in the truck, on a bike, boat. It is water resistant and the screen is very bright. I recently spoke to a Garmin rep about my choice and he had the same recommendation. This is a pricey unit. Lists for $899. GPSnow.com is selling them for $699.

 

[hochung]

My 276C stays hard-wired for the most part. That means that when I do disconnect the GPS for hand-held use, I pretty much always have a full battery.

Chris, that was my plan too, until the GPS battery went bad. I think the continuous non-stop charging killed it. I don't think the 276 has a smart charging system.

Another concern you should have: if your garmin battery is bad, then the 276 will continue to suck juice out of your vehicle's battery, thinking it needs to recharge. That might kill your vehicle's battery too.

 

[orangeTJ]

Here's what a 276c looks like mounted in my Jeep:

 

[Ron B]

an old topic for sure...but my 276c has been giving me issues and is a bit long in the tooth...so are my old-fart eyes, I want a bigger screen! I was wondering if anyone has experience with/uses the Lowrance baja units?

Looks like their latest version is the Elite-5m Baja:
http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Outdoor/Elite-5m-Baja/Specifications/

Being waterproof and made to get banged around is a plus in my book but wanted to get some opinions from some of the pros on this forum who have experience with similar units, their software etc...

thanks,

Ron

 

[RobRed]

an old topic for sure...but my 276c has been giving me issues and is a bit long in the tooth...so are my old-fart eyes, I want a bigger screen! I was wondering if anyone has experience with/uses the Lowrance baja units?

Looks like their latest version is the Elite-5m Baja:
http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Outdoor/Elite-5m-Baja/Specifications/

Being waterproof and made to get banged around is a plus in my book but wanted to get some opinions from some of the pros on this forum who have experience with similar units, their software etc...

thanks,

Ron

iPad: 10" screen. Can be ruggedized. Constant updates for maps and os. Waaaay less than a Baja 5.

 

[YukonRob]

I was wondering if anyone has experience with/uses the Lowrance baja units?

I have the older 480C on a RAM mount. It has worked well for me, but the support is minimal to nonexistant. When it finally gives up the ghost I will move to a tablet based solution.