Lowrance

[Nullifier]

Anyone running the lowrance set ups. I frined of mine installed a baja 480c unit in his defender and likes it but I havent had a chance to see it yet. I am getting ready to do something because the trip is only a few weeks away and I want mapping. I was going to do a laptop but there is no way it will fit on a mount in the reg cab. I thought about a touchscreen but I am thinking I'm getting pressed for time and may just go with a smaller screen and be ok with it. I want something bigger then the garmin 276 screen.

 

[paulj]

This may not be particularly relevant, but I have a Lowrance Ifinder hand held GPS unit. I use it in the car with a RAM mount, attached to the dash with the same screws that hold the radio.

My unit is 3-4 yrs old, but I was still able to install the latest software update. I especially like the fact that it uses SD memory cards, so I can store a lot of tracks.

paulj

 

[Scott Brady]

The Baja units are SWEET! Cant go wrong there amigo.

 

[BajaTaco]

I agree. Go for the color unit (drool)

 

[goodtimes]

Yea, what they said!

Unless of course you want to go with the swing down screen like Steve S did. I still havent seen it in person, but the pics look pretty cool.

Let me go look for pics.....

edit*

Baja has a couple pics on his site. Not much other info though. IIRC (been awhile since I talked with Steve about it), the screen folds up against the overhead when not in use, and he has either a mouse or trackball so he can navigate (use the computer) from the drivers seat. The only thing that is a pain is the keyboard. I don't know if he ever installed a remote keyboard or not.....either way, the laptop is stored behind the seat.

http://bajataco.com/zr2steve/ZR2Steve.html

Towards the bottom of the page is a little blurb about it and a couple of pictures.

 

[crawldit]

I absolutely love myBaja 480c. The screen is HUGE (with zero glare) and the graphics are fantastic. When I bought mine I also got their Mapcreate software and a 512 memory card. I've got topos for the entire state of Arizona loaded as well as all the geocaches in the state and still have over half of my card empty. There are also a ton of waypoints that can be downloaded with the topo information (I can literally search for anything). The only issue that I have is that the unit does not do turn by turn or voice prompts. If you choose a destination it simply draws a straight line from your current position to your chosen destination. Other than that, everything is great. The antenna picks up the satellites within seconds and I have yet to lose a signal, as opposed to my old Etrex that took minutes to acquire signal and lost the signal very very easily. I am very happy with my choice and in my opinion it is the ultimate offroad GPS.

 

[Nullifier]

Thanks. I think this is the route I'm going. I have found a few online for just abit under $500. I was thinking about the map create software as well.

I have been using a rhino 120 unit for 2 years now mounted to the dash with a ram mount. It works but I can not read the screen while under way. My plan is to just now use this for hiking and paddling.

 

[whitethaiger]

Yea, what they said!

Unless of course you want to go with the swing down screen like Steve S did. I still havent seen it in person, but the pics look pretty cool.

Let me go look for pics.....

edit*

Baja has a couple pics on his site. Not much other info though. IIRC (been awhile since I talked with Steve about it), the screen folds up against the overhead when not in use, and he has either a mouse or trackball so he can navigate (use the computer) from the drivers seat. The only thing that is a pain is the keyboard. I don't know if he ever installed a remote keyboard or not.....either way, the laptop is stored behind the seat.

http://bajataco.com/zr2steve/ZR2Steve.html

Towards the bottom of the page is a little blurb about it and a couple of pictures.

I don't think Steve is on this forum, so I'll add some info:

He still loves his setup. The only issue is his reflective display during sunny days. My unconventional behind-the-seat mounting option (several here have seen it) is completly glare free and the only way to put a 17in monitor on a 4Runner. I don't have good pics of it yet, the attachment gives an idea (from a photo by BajaTaco).

We both use this kind of keyboard and a finger trackball. Works very well, they hook up to USB hubs we mounted for easy access.

 

[Nullifier]

Ok so I talked to my buddy Mike who owns the local 4x4 shop and has the defender witht he unit in it. He is ordering me one should be here next week. $460.00. I did an internet search and that price was right in line. One thing I know about any gps stuff is the margins are like 6% unless your the distributor. I tried to set up a garmin account 2 years ago and after talking to the distributor I laughed. I is not worth stocking unless you are doing large volume or have super huge inventory budgets.

Anyway I am also getting the create software and some memory discs so I can set up the mapping for the Idaho run. Now I got one more thing to wire up!

Hey one thing do these units have an external antenna that needs to be mounted to the roof?

 

[crawldit]

Yes it has an external antenna. I think that's part of the reason why the signal and accuracy is always so good. I think the unit came with 2 different mounting bases for the antenna and the chord attached to it is like 8 feet long so you should have plenty of options for location.:beer:

 

[blupaddler]

I think these are very similar if not the same as the ones the Baja racers use.



Does anyone know or has anyone used one of these in Baja? If so, how much detail did they provide? I searched Lowrance's site, but it seems like they don't really offer much for Baja. They have an international version, but I doubt that would have much detail in Baja.

Additionally, I don't think you can use the LBmaps Baja maps with this unit. The LB ones are only good for Garmin units. But, I REALLY like the large display that lowrance offers.

Thanks...Just curious...

 

[blupaddler]

Nullifer...
Was there a reason, other than the larger screen, that you decided upon the Lowrance vs. the Garmin 276 or similar?

:victory: :sunny:

 

[Nullifier]

Nullifer...
Was there a reason, other than the larger screen, that you decided upon the Lowrance vs. the Garmin 276 or similar?

:victory: :sunny:

Mainly screen size. I hate the small screen issue and to go biger in Garmin was gonna be about 3X the price. Each unit has ups and downs but after researching I think that feature wise it is a split. The screen is my major issue. I hate having to stop to read the screen.

Besides for the $ it is a steel compared to most of the stuff out there IMO.

 

[calamaridog]

I've been eyeing that Lowrance unit also. Very interested in your impressions, etc. Hope it works out well for your trip.

 

[PCRover]

For Topo and non-routing GPS use the Lowrance is the way to go. Great price and a nice big screen. If I didn't have my Carputer with GPS I would have a Lowrance.