GPS suggestions

[4Rescue]

So this is kind of a two fold inquiry:

One of my Co-workers at the Hospital bought her husband a new GPS unit (I think it might have been a TOm TOm) and apparently you can't upload off-highway/OR maps. SO, she searching for a replacement fo r said unit, and I told her I had a great ersource. SO what should she buy him? I think she's willing to shell out some dough, and they're pretty avid sailors so an Off-shore capable unit would be nice as well...

So the second question is about the same but for my personal use: I need a GPS unit, and I'd like to hear everyone's suggestions and opinions on a somewhat inexpensive(and this is within reson, I don't need the best, but I'll pay for something that works well) but useable unit that would ber good for a beginner and avid outdoor enthusiast. I'm a very avid rafter and I get "Off the Grid" more than your average 4x4 enthusiast so I'd like a unit that alows me to up-load topo maps of places like the Gilford Pinchot, Frank Church and the Like as well as international locales like Middle of nowhere (wich in reality is everywhere) Australlia...

Cheers and THanks all

Dave

 

[Gear]

Well I just got a Garmin 60CSX and have never had so much fun with a GPS. I am using it almost every day to track my hiking and mtn. biking rides. You do need to buy the extra software. I just installed Garmin 2008 TOPO and had Garmin upgrade my old version of City Navigator. I use to think that a big screen was the only way to go but this handheld unit is so useful in every other aspect that I might just do away with the others. I have a Garmin 2610 Street pilot in the Jeep. It is nice but has no external power so it has to stay with the Jeep. Price wise if you look on ebay you can find the 60CSX all over the board. Well hope this helps.

 

[Robthebrit]

I have a 60csx in the mog, great handheld unit, excellent reception and it even works indoors. You can upload maps and it has a removable micro SD card so you can upgrade its memory upto 2gigs. I use a 1gig card and can easily get all of the US city navigator maps and all the 24K toto maps. This unit does not come with any maps, it only has the base map which is just freeways and major roads.

Its not great for driving, it does auto route, but the screen is so small and data entry is difficult. it doesn't talk so you have to watch it for directions which is a problem because the screen is small! I normally connect it to a laptop and run nRoute which works awesome. When connected to a laptop the unit takes power from the USB cable so is not taking power from the batteries. It has external connectors for antenna, usb and power. I had problems with the power connector. Everytime I start the mog it would crash the SiRF chipset and it would continue to work perfectly but would receive nothing, I would have to flash the chipset to recover it and even a hard reset didn't fix it. I never figured out what it was but I assume its something related to spikes/voltage drop while cranking. Given the unit powers from USB I don't really need the external power. I run an external antenna simply because it was already fitted to the truck, it certainly doesn't need one.

I also have a Garmin 2730 Street Pilot. This is great for driving, it has 1 gig built in and you can upload new maps to it (doesn't take topo maps). It has no batteries so it will go off as soon as its unplugged, it would not make a very good handheld anyway. This unit has XM radio/traffic and will play MP3s and audio books. Any memory not used by the maps can be used by media. This unit talks which is great for the GPS voice but not goos for XM audio. It has a built in FM transmitter built its only so so, I use the line out into an aux connector on the radio. Data entry is really easy via the touchscreen and anybody could figure out how to use it. My only gripe is with the touchscreen, mine has broke twice. Well, it doesn't really break but it looses calibration and when I try to recalibrate it fails. The end result is an offset on the touch point. Its been back once under warranty and now needs to go back again.

I don't like XM traffic, its good in theory but in practice its 30-60 minutes behind whats really happening. It'll suggest better routes based on traffic when the road is empty. You have to pay for XM traffic and I didn't think it was worth it, I had a got 3 months free by asking about it while registering my radio but I never renewed after that trial expired. TomTom uses a FM radio based system which is also 30-60 minutes behind but I think its free. XM in theory can report traffic anywhere in the country but its doesn't because the data is not available, it really only works in about 20 cities around the country and these same cities are covered by the FM system.

Rob

 

[Scott Brady]

I don't like XM traffic, its good in theory but in practice its 30-60 minutes behind whats really happening. It'll suggest better routes based on traffic when the road is empty. You have to pay for XM traffic and I didn't think it was worth it, I had a got 3 months free by asking about it while registering my radio but I never renewed after that trial expired. TomTom uses a FM radio based system which is also 30-60 minutes behind but I think its free. XM in theory can report traffic anywhere in the country but its doesn't because the data is not available, it really only works in about 20 cities around the country and these same cities are covered by the FM system.

Rob

First report from a user on XM traffic... Good to know.

 

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

Good to hear that folks are happy with the GPSmap60CSx. I've been looking at a new unit, and have pretty much decided on that one, but had yet to hear what others thought. I'm going to be stoked to not have to rely on all of those quads that I've aquired over the years as my primary resource!

 

[dirtysouth]

If she wants something that can be used in the vehicle and also be used while hiking, I'd recommend the 60csx as well. I had the 60cs and bought the 60csx when it first came out because of the expandable memory and it has never let me down. You can load the topo software on it as well as city navigator and choose between the 2 mapsets depending on what you're doing. I just use the city navigator and all of the National Forest Roads show up on it. A bigger screen would be nice but so far I haven't had any problems with. It autoroutes and like someone mentioned before, it doesn't talk to you but mine makes a awful beeping noise to alert you to an approaching turn so it works for me. I am looking at buying the wife a 2610 to keep in her vehicle, for the trips and whatnot. It has a bigger screen, is a touch screen and talks to you but it doesn't use batteries so you need a power source for it in order to use it or play with it.

 

[Tucson T4R]

I agree for a hand held that works well hiking or in the truck, the Map60CSx or Map76CSx are great units. Both these units are technically identical, just in slightly different packaging and the 76 floats a little better than the 60 if you are on the water much.

The screen is a little small for in truck use but for me the benefit of having a small format hand held out weighs that challenge. With a 1GB mem card in mine, I have all the US street maps and the entire western states topo maps.

You would be very happy with either choice.

 

[XXXpedition]

the gpsmap 278 is supposedly ideal for road and marine. i've been looking into it but don't have info fromanybody how has used it.
anybody here familiar with it?
i also want it for myself and want to upload tracks i got from a friend...
any info appreciated.
sven

 

[Robert Bills]

. . . the Map60CSx or Map76CSx are great units. Both these units are technically identical, just in slightly different packaging. . . You would be very happy with either choice.

I have had a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx for over a year and have no complaints. I added 2GB memory, which holds all US street maps and as many topo maps as I need. I have it mounted to the dash in my Jeep Grand Cherokee most of the time and have no complaints about readability while driving (although a larger screen and voice prompts are the way to go if you want a street-only GPS). I also have a mount for my CJ. It works great for offroading and geocaching.

The only difference between the 60CSX and 76CSx is the case and position of the buttons. As mentioned above, the 76 CSX is more water resistant (I never believe "waterproof" claims) and will float. Pick the model that feels best in your hand.

Try this forum for more info on selecting and using GPS units:

http://www.gpsinformation.biz/phpBB2/index.php?sid=17f6d0e77b9a44e2d5bfb74f55e9228c

 

[Bergger]

I've had a Lowrance Expedtion C for a few years now and am a big fan of it. It is awesome for a handheld and does fairly well in the truck. It's loaded with features. The only thing is the mapping software is not the most user friendly.

 

[Photog]

the gpsmap 278 is supposedly ideal for road and marine. i've been looking into it but don't have info fromanybody how has used it.
anybody here familiar with it?
i also want it for myself and want to upload tracks i got from a friend...
any info appreciated.
sven

Garmin 276c, 376c, 278, 378, 478. These are all the same, with a few minor differences. They come with different maps installed (land or marine).

For our purposes, they all wok great. They are a tiny bit big for lightweight hiking, and a tiny bit small for driving. Good battery life (rechargable, not AA). Will accept Garmin TOPO and City Street maps. Upload and download tracks, point, routes, and more. And it will talk to you, if you like.

 

[XXXpedition]

hey brian,
where do you have that link from?
it's odd, it is in U$ but has the european map preinstalled... and is way cheaper than here in germany.... (?)
thanks
sven

 

[Photog]

hey brian,
where do you have that link from?
it's odd, it is in U$ but has the european map preinstalled... and is way cheaper than here in germany.... (?)
thanks
sven

I found it here. http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=77430

 

[Ryanmb21]

I just traded in my Garmin 60csx for a Garmin Colorado 300.......the maps look freakin great on the Colorado. The topo's have shading just like on the computer, which is a huge improvement. The city nav software looks much better. It has an ipod like wheel to navigate which I really like.

I haven't really tested it, so I can't say if overall it's better than the tried and true 60csx.

But it's an impressive device, it's fit and finish is super nice. I would definitely give one a look.

 

[Photog]

I just traded in my Garmin 60csx for a Garmin Colorado 300.......the maps look freakin great on the Colorado. The topo's have shading just like on the computer, which is a huge improvement. The city nav software looks much better. It has an ipod like wheel to navigate which I really like.

I haven't really tested it, so I can't say if overall it's better than the tried and true 60csx.

But it's an impressive device, it's fit and finish is super nice. I would definitely give one a look.

I read the info on the Garmin Colorado. It looks great. Definitely a step up from the 60csx and my previous GPS V.

Where do you go, to trade in a GPS for a newer model?