Inexpensive GPS

[Storz]

I am looking to purchase an inexpensive (less than $200) GPS unit to have in the Land Rover. I basically want something that accepts external memory (SD) so that I can load maps onto it, or something that will have small secondary and forest roads/trails already loaded in.

Any suggestions?

How is the Garmin NUVI 250W, Lowrance 350c?

Thanks!

 

[ExploringNH]

I dont have any experience with the two listed, but I would check out the Delorme PN-20. They just released the PN-40 and the price dropped drastically on the old model. You can find them for $150 on Amazon with free shipping. Pretty nice price considering less than a year ago they were over $300. Its still a very powerful unit. The PN-20 does tracking and has very nice maps. It can be slow at times to render the maps, but its not a big deal, IMO.

 

[bat]

Just picked up a Garmin etrex legend HCX with 128mb card and windshield mount brand new $150 ebay

 

[Storz]

I dont have any experience with the two listed, but I would check out the Delorme PN-20. They just released the PN-40 and the price dropped drastically on the old model. You can find them for $150 on Amazon with free shipping. Pretty nice price considering less than a year ago they were over $300. Its still a very powerful unit. The PN-20 does tracking and has very nice maps. It can be slow at times to render the maps, but its not a big deal, IMO.

Wow that does sound really nice, how does it work inside a car without an external antenna? We used to use Delorme street atlas on laptops when I did pipeline survey and they always seemed to have even the smallest, obscure roads on there.

Does the PN-20 have an input for aux power? So that on long road trips etc it can be plugged into a cigarette lighter?

 

[ExploringNH]

Wow that does sound really nice, how does it work inside a car without an external antenna? We used to use Delorme street atlas on laptops when I did pipeline survey and they always seemed to have even the smallest, obscure roads on there.

Does the PN-20 have an input for aux power? So that on long road trips etc it can be plugged into a cigarette lighter?

Works just fine inside a car, even the FJs with the near vertical windshield. I dont think it comes with it, but you can buy a "travel kit" that comes with the car mount, charger, and maybe a couple other small things. I just picked up the new PN-40 for myself and love it for offroad type travel.

 

[Storz]

Awesome, I think my decision is made! Thanks for the input

 

[98roamer]

I just bought my wife the Garmin Nuvi 650 from Amazon for $180 but it's more street friendly.

 

[paulj]

Do online maps like Google Maps have the secondary roads that you want to drive? If they do, then these GPS units may have them as well, since there are only a few map sources. Still, if you can experiment with a unit in the store, look up some representative locations.

Whether you can load your own maps is another matter. GPS manufacturers have tended to use proprietary map formats. It has been easier to add way points and tracks than to add background maps Further more, adding maps to an inexpensive automotive gps unit may be different from adding them to a hand held unit for hikers, or a more expensive one intended for pilots or sailors.

 

[paulj]

To learn more about what you can or cannot do regarding adding your own maps to a GPS unit, you may need to search a specialized forum like GPSPassion

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/default.asp?CAT_ID=2

 

[Storz]

Do online maps like Google Maps have the secondary roads that you want to drive?

Yeah it appears that they do show up on commonly available map sources, we don't have truly "offroad" places here in NC, other than the beach and few legal OHV areas, but those have very good maps etc.

Thanks for the tips, I spent some more time last night reading up and I am going to purchase a PN-20 after the holidays.