Screen-type GPS for off-road use?

[Martinjmpr]

Just wondering who here uses a screen-type (i.e. not a handheld) GPS unit for off-road travel? Most of the ones I've seen are very road/street oriented. I like the small size and the bright display but I'm wondering how well they do once you get off the paved roads.

I presume some of them at least have topo map downloads but I'm not clear on which ones will work with them.

Trying to stay under $200, the Garmin Nuvi 1350T seems to be a decent one but the big ?? for me is how it will work off pavement. Anyone have any experience with them? Good? Bad?

 

[jim65wagon]

My 780 can use an SD card for topo maps, but I've never tried it. Most of the national forest roads are on the Streets map, so it's not every trip that I actually get "off road". When I do the Garmin is always laying out a thin blue line of where you've been so you can easily backtrack if you need to. I don't even bother getting out the old handheld Magellan with the topo maps until I'm actually getting out to hike.

 

[wcdu]

I am on my 4th Garmin, used here, there, and everywhere. I use a Nuvi 500that comes with the topo screens /displays. Goes from truck to UTV to pack and back again. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. The Nuvi750 rides in the road car and the 2 older models (76s & ?) travel along as back-up.

Steve

 

[PAToyota]

I've been looking at the 1350T as well. Searching a bit, I came across this comparison chart.

Curiously, it has a "track display" column defined as "See where you've been. This shows up as a thin blue line as shown below. It can be helpful in finding your way in unfamiliar areas." Sounds exactly like what jim65wagon mentions on his 780.

But whereas the chart shows that all of the current nuvi models have that feature, reading through the descriptions on Garmin's site doesn't always turn that up in the specifications. Some of the models mention "trip log" as opposed to "track display" as shown in the chart. Is "track display" different from "trip log" in some way? Do I want one that specifically mentions "trip log" for my use?

Final question: is it possible to download this "trip log" or "track display" to a computer to plot it out on a map or save it for future use?

 

[DaveM]

I also have the Nuvi 500 with preloaded topo. Works great off road, the topos have a good amount of detail. I'm disappointed in the way Garmin displays misc. or POI info though. You only see all of the POI stuff when in the roaming map mode, not while actually tracking your movement. The Nuvi's are designed form a vehicle routing standpoint as opposed to a trekking and roaming stand point like most handhelds. For a map geek like me who uses the map for general reference and wants to see all the POI's on the screen at the same time or select which to view, it's a little disappointing.

 

[jim65wagon]

It can be helpful in finding your way in unfamiliar areas." Sounds exactly like what jim65wagon mentions on his 780.

Helpful in finding your way out of unfamiliar areas, yes....

Some of the models mention "trip log" as opposed to "track display" as shown in the chart. Is "track display" different from "trip log" in some way? Do I want one that specifically mentions "trip log" for my use?

Track display is the thin blue line that shows up on the screen as you travel.
Trip log is information about your trip....miles travelled, time spent travelling, time not travelling, average speed, top speed, etc

I find the trip log interesting, mostly the top speed and miles travelled bit, but the track display is more useful to me.

Final question: is it possible to download this "trip log" or "track display" to a computer to plot it out on a map or save it for future use?

Track Display: It can be uploaded onto a map on your computer. I use ExpertGPS on the laptop (it talks to the three totally different GPS units I have), then I can delete sections of (like freeway travel areas) or add sections (like when the GPS fails to pick up a signal). I can save this "route" and reload it later if I'm going back and want to follow the same track.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Is there a universal (or near universal) standard for GPS mapping software? My old Magellan Meridian uses something called MapSend, which seems to be OK although it does show some roads that aren't there and fails to show a lot of them that are.

Does the Garmin use proprietary topo software?

I'll bet I'm not the only one out there who is reluctant to upgrade his GPS because of the dizzying array of options out there! My Meridian is old but at least I know how it works!

 

[Dave Bennett]

Get a netbook with a gps puck (can get both for well under $300) and then add Overland Navigator for off road + MS Streets and Trips for on road. Done.

Small, light, and serves a variety of exploration related uses as well as a source of entertainment

I'm done buying the latest overpriced "one trick pony" gadget and software from Garmin and co.

 

[bmonday]

Get a netbook with a gps puck (can get both for well under $300) and then add Overland Navigator for off road + MS Streets and Trips for on road. Done.

Small, light, and serves a variety of exploration related uses as well as a source of entertainment

I'm done buying the latest overpriced "one trick pony" gadget and software from Garmin and co.

+1. So done with proprietary map software and devices that never seem to do everything you need.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Get a netbook with a gps puck (can get both for well under $300) and then add Overland Navigator for off road + MS Streets and Trips for on road. Done.

Small, light, and serves a variety of exploration related uses as well as a source of entertainment

I'm done buying the latest overpriced "one trick pony" gadget and software from Garmin and co.

I'll be getting a netbook but that's not a viable replacement for a GPS. Too big/complicated/expensive. I need something that will sit on the dash, not something that will require a separate stand and intrude into other usable space. If I was single or had a dedicated expo rig, I might go the netbook route but right now a GPS is what I am looking for.

 

[jim65wagon]

Martin, that's the reason I have the ExpertGPS. It won't transfer maps, but it will transfer waypoints and tracks. Since we run as a family, there is no room for a laptop to be constantly out and open. I really think my wife would be a little upset if I set a netbook in her lap for an entire trip!

The Garmin Nuvi 780 sits on the dash and runs Garmins City Navigator, my wifes Garmin Legend HCx runs Garmins Topo, and my Magellan Meridian Gold uses Magellans Mapsend Topo. The Legend and the Magellan pull hiking/canoeing duties.

The Expert GPS map on the laptop can be used to transfer all my data from one GPS to the other. I'm sure there may be something better out there, but for now I can load the same watpoints on all three GPS' with three different mapping systems quickly and easily.

 

[Dave Bennett]

The beauty of the netbook option vice a full size laptop is there is no need for an intrusive mount and such - they are small and light enough to literally velcro to your dash if you had a flat spot.

I will be using a piece of aluminum formed to fit and bolted into the dash like offroader did:

Maximum use of available space, great view, and no interference with the co-pilots space. And it will play Disney movies for the wee one or act as my iTunes library when on road trips

 

[alosix]

I run a Nuvi750 in the Jeep as a primary nav. replaced a GPS V that I'd had for ages.

For the most part it works very well, and I found a site that had decent free topo maps that work on it.

The main downside I've found with it is that it doesn't have a replaceable/removable battery and doesn't have a reset button. I was about 1/2 way through the barney riley trail (2 guys that had never been) and it locked up. Had to wait for it to chew through the battery overnight before it would reboot. Had to revert to the android phone.

At some point I'd like to add a bigger dedicated GPS on the 'navigator' side of the vehicle. Not sure what that will be yet.

Jason

 

[jim65wagon]

I run a Nuvi750 in the Jeep as a primary nav. replaced a GPS V that I'd had for ages.

The main downside I've found with it is that it doesn't have a replaceable/removable battery and doesn't have a reset button.
Jason

To reset: press the lower right hand part of the touch screen and while pressed turn the unit off/on. The system boots up and asks if you want to reset all the user data. answer yes or a master reset

My 780 can also do a reboot of sorts by holding the power switch to the "on" position for 8 seconds...

 

[alosix]

To reset: press the lower right hand part of the touch screen and while pressed turn the unit off/on. The system boots up and asks if you want to reset all the user data. answer yes or a master reset

My 780 can also do a reboot of sorts by holding the power switch to the "on" position for 8 seconds...

hmm, Might have to git it a go, but I'm doubting it in the case when the gps becomes unresponsive. Screen was black and just wouldn't do anything.

Jason