Help, GPS System needed, recommendations and expertise appreciated

[JeepTreeHouse]

Hello all,

I am currently preparing for a cross country trip. In this trip I will be traveling from the Maryland to the Pacific, but plan to spend allot of my time around Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.

I am looking for my best option in a gps unit that can navigate me to some trails and dirt roads along the way and in the specific states listed above.

I am new to GPS units except for using my Garmin Nuvi 1250 for on road travel, and the few features on my Android (Google Maps, and My Tracks). I am, however, good with a map. Out east I am comfortable navigating using Gazetteers and similar topographical maps.

I will be traveling with a laptop but would prefer not to run a gps software all the time, but rather use it for making routes and downloading data while not driving.

This will be my first time driving out west and will be very unfamiliar with the territory, so I would like to have a unit that will make exploring the back roads safe and enjoyable.

So, What are some of your recommendations for equipment? If there is any other information needed to better answer my question please let me know.

Thanks,

Josh

 

[RusherRacing]

I honestly don't think you need anything more than what you already have the Nuvi 1250.

I have the older 205 and it has most of the trails I have wanted to go on. It doesn't have all the hardcore 4x4 stuff but it does have some.

Actually I think it has most if not all the "jeep safari" trails around moab, most of the firetrails in the black hills etc.

 

[uli2000]

Most of the cheaper GPS units are Windows CE based and can usually be hacked to run something like OziExplorer. I have a Mio that I've done this with.

 

[Abel Villesca]

If you can get a copy of Garmin Mapsource you can upload Garmin compatible topo maps from GPS File Depot to your Nuvi. The maps are great, however, they are non-rout-able.

 

[JeepTreeHouse]

Getting a copy of mapsource is the problem, however.... I will try some more this eavning. But it is good to know that the garmin will have lots of fire roads and forest roads built in.

 

[mudbutt]

I'm always amazed at how much info my Nuvi has.

Couple of weekends ago we were out near Randsberg off road and the trail kept getting narrower. The wife was a little concerned but I showed her that there was another road ahead according to the GPS.

Sure enough just as we came to where the trail turned to single track, there was a cross road where we turned and continued on....

Also I was in Death Valley last year. Took the back way in (Goler Wash). The Nuvi had every (off)road we traveled on.

 

[Dave Bennett]

I'm always amazed at how much info my Nuvi has.

Couple of weekends ago we were out near Randsberg off road and the trail kept getting narrower. The wife was a little concerned but I showed her that there was another road ahead according to the GPS.

Sure enough just as we came to where the trail turned to single track, there was a cross road where we turned and continued on....

Also I was in Death Valley last year. Took the back way in (Goler Wash). The Nuvi had every (off)road we traveled on.

The amount of TRAIL info on the Nuvi is impressive.

 

[yubert]

Getting a copy of mapsource is the problem, however.... I will try some more this eavning. But it is good to know that the garmin will have lots of fire roads and forest roads built in.

GpsFileDepot.com has the info on how to install MapSource for free if your Nuvi did not come with it. I have a Nuvi 265WT and installed the topo maps for AZ, CA. CO, NV, NM, UT, WA ansd WY. It took close to 2GB of stoarge so make sure to get a microSD card if you want to load a lot of maps.

I also had a Nuvi 500 (pre-loaded topo) and found the topo maps from GpsFileDepot to have more info. So a Nuvi w/GpsFileDepot topos is a better set up.

 

[JeepTreeHouse]

Thanks!

Thank you all for your information. I have loaded my nuvi with some gpsfiledepot maps via mapsource and all is working out great. This will surely work well on our trip!

Also, I have found that while using a map I loaded of the north east area (and with the Garmin map un-checked) the nuvi still has some routing capabilities. I can be routed to a point on map, or my "home" location. It uses more direct lines that follow the closest road, but if I drive past the suggested rout it will re route me. I thought this was interesting as I have always heard the gpsfiledepot maps were completely non-rout-able.

Thanks