Garmin 378 or Lowrance baja

[110user]

Hey all,
I'm trying to decide on what GPS to use for our trip to South America. I will be bringing a PC, but I would like to have a stand alone unit on the dash that does not require using a laptop.

I really like the Lowrance Baja, the screen size is great, and the price is right. The only hold up is that I'm worried about having limited maps to upload. I have found a variety of sources for maps that are compatible with garmin, but nothing for Lowrance.

Being that I will have a laptop (with either trackmaker or ozi explorer) it is not essential to have detailed maps on the GPS but it sure would be nice to have more roads than just the world map.

I guess my question is... am I missing something in terms of uploading maps to the lowrance unit? is it possible to display garmin (or other) based maps on a lowrance unit?

any input would be appreciated.

Cheers
Steve

 

[BajaTaco]

For a trip to South America, you are likely to find better maps for the Garmin. You will not be able to load maps made for Garmin on to the Lowrace (tracks, waypoints and routes, yes. But maps, no). Do I understand correctly that you do not want to use the laptop for full-time navigation? If you just want to use the car-mounted unit for general reference and track-keeping, the Lowrance MapCreate software actually has info on the map for SA. I can post some screen shots of specific areas if you'd like to see what they look like. It shows towns, major roads, lakes and waterways.

 

[110user]

Thanks for the response Chris.
Yes I would like to have a non-laptop option for the easy and reliable factor. but I realize that I have to use a PC for most route planning, although I don't want to always have a laptop running. I would love to see some screen shots of MapCreate 7 coverage in SA. Could you maybe pick a major town and a more remote area for reference?

I like the Baja 540 for the memory, size and price... but I have found actual road maps made for Brazil, Chile and Argentina for Garmin, not to mention all the maps available for Central America. If the available base map for the Lowrance is decent it may sway me. All remote travel planning will be done on a laptop and uploaded. For that reason I see the Baja as a much better unit for the above mentioned reasons. but with the Garmin's wide spread 3rd party maps it is tough...

Any additional input is always appreciated... especially because I'm ready to drop the coin.

Cheers!!
Steve

 

[ntsqd]

Being the owner of a sample from both brands (GPS V & 3000MT) I vote Garmin.

 

[adventureduo]

I really like the Lowrance Baja, the screen size is great, and the price is right. The only hold up is that I'm worried about having limited maps to upload. I have found a variety of sources for maps that are compatible with garmin, but nothing for Lowrance.

As a owner of a Lowrance Baja 540c.. i would say this is my biggest complaint. Nothing for Baja, or south of the USA exists. Nothing that is out there really either. For this reason i would go with a Garmin. We won't be traveling down that way so it won't matter with us.

 

[110user]

As a owner of a Lowrance Baja 540c.. i would say this is my biggest complaint. Nothing for Baja, or south of the USA exists. Nothing that is out there really either. For this reason i would go with a Garmin. We won't be traveling down that way so it won't matter with us.

Thank you very much for your input. I don't like the restriction of my choice based on proprietary data, but it is looking like Garmin.

 

[mjm]

It is unfortunate the best maps and software are not available for what I consider the best GPS...Baja 540c. Outside the US, the GPS with the best maps would be key for my decision.

 

[BajaTaco]

Here are some screen captures from MapCreate.

• Manaus, Brazil area
• Manaus - zoomed in (no more detail at closer zooms).
• Lima, Peru

As you can see, major roads and water are shown, but not named. There is a pretty good amount of towns/cities with names shown. For more comprehensive maps (especially from 3rd party) you will get more from the Garmin. The price difference is very substantial though, by the time you purchase all of components/accessories.

Good luck!