Garmin Tread Overland Edition - any users yet?

[SDDiver5]

So if you get it do you have to purchase a monthly. Subscription. I hate those

Thanks for the reminder. I need to suspend my subscription until I head out next.

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

For that reason I will not purchase one

 

[DC DII]

Subscription is for the InReach two-way communication feature only. No one is going to allow you to communicate (send and receive text messages) via satellites without paying for it! For just the GPS functions there is no subscription required, and that applies to any GPS unit, even the GPS included in your smart phone.

For that reason I will not purchase one

Agree with "deserteagle56" here -

Just to clarify there is no subscription to use the GPS as a GPS. This is just for the inReach aspect of the device.

I've used SPOT, inReach, satellite phones and personal beacon locators (PBL) and for two way satellite communicating all need a subscription. I think the personal beacon locators (PBL) do not but you only get SOS feature upon purchase which is really all they are designed for.

From Garmin's website:
"You’ll need an active satellite subscription to access the Iridium® satellite network for inReach device functionality, including tracking, messaging, weather forecasts and interactive SOS."



So, I am buying the GPS but not activating the inReach until I need it...if I ever need it.

So, no subscription upon purchase. Just going to use as a very large and modern GPS.

"Jeep or Tacoma" hope that sheds some light on things...

Erik

 

[rsbmg]

Might be resurrecting an older thread but for those that have used both the new Tread Overland XL and a tablet with Gaia, from an exploration perspective, meaning I'm traveling offroad and want to check trails I did not plan for or perhaps find an alternate trail it seems to me when looking at earthmate and Gaia side by side there is no comparison. Gaia clearly had way more trails and routes visible to use for on the fly navigation. Would that be everyone's consensus or perhaps I'm missing something. Seems like for pre-planned routes Garmin is great but for pure discovery Gaia.

 

[DC DII]

Might be resurrecting an older thread but for those that have used both the new Tread Overland XL and a tablet with Gaia, from an exploration perspective, meaning I'm traveling offroad and want to check trails I did not plan for or perhaps find an alternate trail it seems to me when looking at earthmate and Gaia side by side there is no comparison. Gaia clearly had way more trails and routes visible to use for on the fly navigation. Would that be everyone's consensus or perhaps I'm missing something. Seems like for pre-planned routes Garmin is great but for pure discovery Gaia.

I am wondering also.

I would guess people are going to state GAIA for exploring and Garmin for highway travel and simple needs.

I like the Overland XL for my needs and have yet to get much info from the folks who have the XL. We have been moving across country so have yet to purchase my Garmin...or done any camping.

I was very on the fence about the tablet/apps vs Garmin Overland XL.

Hope others with good experience can chime in...


Erik

 

[deserteagle56]

Might be resurrecting an older thread but for those that have used both the new Tread Overland XL and a tablet with Gaia, from an exploration perspective, meaning I'm traveling offroad and want to check trails I did not plan for or perhaps find an alternate trail it seems to me when looking at earthmate and Gaia side by side there is no comparison. Gaia clearly had way more trails and routes visible to use for on the fly navigation. Would that be everyone's consensus or perhaps I'm missing something. Seems like for pre-planned routes Garmin is great but for pure discovery Gaia.

Did you install any good maps on the Tread? The maps it comes with do not show any of the more primitive roads and trails...that's why they're "free". Install some Garmin 100k maps, or the 24k maps for your region if you want to see the roads less traveled. Or download (free) the maps you need from gpsfiledepot.com....or any number of other sites.

 

[Stroked 550]

How does the Overland compare to using the Locus App on Android devices?

 

[DC DII]

Erik,

I currently have the Garmin Overlander, but I got to borrow a Tread XL for 10 days while touring In the backcountry with group of others. And I loved the Tread XL unit. But not enough to swap it for my Garmin Overlander.

My thoughts,
* screen is bright and large and the maps render very well. They are just beautiful.
* Highway navigation worked well enough, but I was mainly off-road, so hard to really test.
* the unit is more responsive and snappy than the Overlander. Just feels better.
* I really wanted an external GPS antenna, which the tread supports. But, both units work well enough without the external antenna.
* And I really really wanted the in built inReach, again with an external antenna. This wI’ll be the reason I would buy the Tread, if I ever did. At the moment I just pair my inReach mini to the Overlander, and it works well enough, but … I really want the inbuilt one. And external antenna.
* I prefer the mount of the Overlander, just easier to snap on and off. The Tread mount is good, but not as easy as the Overlander, and you will be taking it on and off.
* There is a feature (or bug) with the Tread, it will not display a route created offline and uploaded. Even had the Garmin engineers look at the problem, and they confirmed it is a problem. The Overlander works fine.

I just spent a week in the backcountry with friends and swapped my Overlander for a large iPad running Gaia and a Garmin Glo. For planning and route finding, the Gaia is so much better. No competition in my mind. But, and this is a big but, I found Gaia on the iPad really hard to use while driving on bumpy roads. It is just too sensitive. Probably an issue on highways as well. The Garmin displays are so simple and designed to be used while driving, you tend to be able to do what you want without the app doing weird things. I plan to bring and use Gaia (with paid subscription) all the time going forward for planning and reference, but the Garmin for navigation while driving.

Hope some of the above helps. I could talk for hours on this. If I did not have the Overlander already, I would definitely go for the Tread XL for driving and Gaia on a tablet for around camp.

Well almost a year to the date and I finally picked up the Tread XL (Overlander) so far absolutely love it. Was very hesitant on the 8" or 10" but went with the 10". Even in my 20 year old DII with a average size windscreen the 10"/XL is fine. Loads of folks went with the 8" stating the XL was too large...But I didn't feel like it was, or an upgrade, from a medium tablet/older Garmin I was running and the XL for me was perfect as a replacement for everything. Actually thought the XL would be larger...so, very happy.

Nothing technical in usage yet, but just testing around my place (Hill Country, Texas) I really like it.

I'll post back after my month long trip, mostly house hunting in Iowa/NE and Missouri (might swing out to CO), but should be able to lightly test the different features. Going blind to test the camping apps. We shall see...




Erik

 

[Datsun Man]

As one that prefers to have a stand-alone GPS vs a tablet or phone that is running a bunch of apps, I also decided to go the Garmin Route. At first it was the Overlander and now it's the Tread Overland. Between the two I prefer the Tread Overland as it seems to be a bit more powerful and runs smoother(not to say it didn't have issues with some of the updates).

For those concerned about the InReach Subscription, it all depends on what your needs are. For me I have it set for year round as I do go to remote Places more often than not. That also includes me staying on the pavement where the cellphone doesn't reach.

Because I knew it would be beneficial,.I went ahead and got the Group Ride and all the external antennas. So far I can say that having the External GPS Antenna has been the best so far. Without it my Tread Overland would have issues finding satellites for no reason.

One of my favorite features is the Tread Weather. Though it only works when you have cell service, it is great when you need to know what the weather is or isn't doing. For times I don't have cell service and I need to know what the weather is doing, I have Sirius XM Travel Link to help me out. It's a small price to pay for import information.

My biggest gripe about the Tread Units? The fact that it relies on the Cellphone Connection with Tread App to have Traffic. With all the stuff that was put into the unit, it should have had that from the get-go.

Overall I still feel that the Tread Overland GPS is worth the money for the right individuals(meaning those that actually go out and adventure. If you hardly go out, then it is a waist).

 

[deserteagle56]

My biggest gripe about the Tread Units? The fact that it relies on the Cellphone Connection with Tread App to have Traffic. With all the stuff that was put into the unit, it should have had that from the get-go.

Overall I still feel that the Tread Overland GPS is worth the money for the right individuals(meaning those that actually go out and adventure. If you hardly go out, then it is a waist).

I often end up in an area for several days where there is absolutely no cell service so I just turn off my cell phone so its not using up battery constantly searching for service. When I do that, the Tread throws up constant reminders that it is disconnected from the phone. Have you figured out a way to disable those reminders?

 

[Datsun Man]

I often end up in an area for several days where there is absolutely no cell service so I just turn off my cell phone so its not using up battery constantly searching for service. When I do that, the Tread throws up constant reminders that it is disconnected from the phone. Have you figured out a way to disable those reminders?

Honestly I don't worry about it as my phone is usually on and connected. That said if you turn off the Bluetooth in the GPS you won't get the notification as it will not search.

 

[gator70]

I wanted one. However can't I just use the starlink mini?

 

[Datsun Man]

I wanted one. However can't I just use the starlink mini?

Starlink is not a GPS................ It's not even close to being the same........... If you want a GPS then you need to buy a GPS. Those that think their Tablet or Phone will do the same thing, unfortunately they are not as powerful and are not dedicated to the primary functions that a true GPS has. Take some time to look at the Tread Series from Garmin and you will see that it is a very nice GPS unit.

 

[gator70]

Starlink is not a GPS................ It's not even close to being the same........... If you want a GPS then you need to buy a GPS. Those that think their Tablet or Phone will do the same thing, unfortunately they are not as powerful and are not dedicated to the primary functions that a true GPS has. Take some time to look at the Tread Series from Garmin and you will see that it is a very nice GPS unit.

Are you saying https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app is not as good as garmin?

 

[Datsun Man]

Are you saying https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app is not as good as garmin?

Because it is an application you put on your phone or a tablet, correct it is not as good as a Garmin Tread GPS. I feel the same way about Gaia and other applications you put on a phone or tablet. It is not the same and never will be