What gps are you using and why?

[yj_hank]

I am starting to look at a gps for my jeep. I am looking for something that I can store trails on and just have a little fun with. I know nothing about the gps's out there and was wondering if anyone had any sugestions. Thanks.

Henry :wave:

[DieselMTU]

I just bought a Garmin Rino 530 Hcx. I am really happy with the receptions and the GMRS / FRS radio feature. It also has a Micro SD card that you can save routes and maps and waypoints.

The only downside is the current loaded map dosn't have much in the way of roads. Only the very main ones. If you want more roads or a water feature you need to buy addition maps ($100 +).

I am very happy with it so far. The real test will be on my Isle Royale trip starting this Thursday.

[Jarhead]

After you get everybodies advice and decide: http://www.thegpsstore.com/?ref=yssp

My GPS of choice is Garmin GPS Map 478:
http://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-GPSMAP-478C-GPS-with-Built-In-Maps-P999C1.aspx
The only Portable GPS/Chartplotter with Offshore Marine and Street Detail Pre-Loaded.
It works on the Boat, on the On/Off the Road and has XM Radio Capability...

[Renegade II]

76CSx, lots of software available, plotting, color display, data card, water proof, floats, on road directions, etc, etc.... Easily moved from vehicle, to bike, to snowmobile, to motorcycle, to hand held, to carry case. It fit my portability needs perfectly and still has tons of features.

[WhiteRhino]

I have the Garmin 276C. Nice color screen, portable & waterproof. A big thing to keep in mind is the number of tracks you can store. 10 is minimum.

Seems like most people like the Garmins which also allows for some sharing.

[DieselMTU]

I have used three or four different handheld brands at different times. Magellan and one other, I can't think of the name. The garmins have always been the most reliable and most accurate.

I was using my olf gramin from the mid 90's and I kicked my college roommates but when we did times geocache finds.

[joe_jeep]

i know almost nothing about gps's i used garmin gpsmap76 and was totally lost in its functions. it will take you some time to learn how to use it properly. the gpsstore jarhead talks about is about as cheap as ive seen. jarhead knows his stuff about gps. i figured it would be easy and it was not!! but hey i was cellphone illiterate till about a year ago.
good luck

[Novocaine]

After you get everybodies advice and decide: http://www.thegpsstore.com/?ref=yssp

My GPS of choice is Garmin GPS Map 478:
http://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-GPSMAP-478C-GPS-with-Built-In-Maps-P999C1.aspx
The only Portable GPS/Chartplotter with Offshore Marine and Street Detail Pre-Loaded.
It works on the Boat, on the On/Off the Road and has XM Radio Capability...

Just received my 478 via UPS today. I ordered mine from the GPS store also. Fast shipping, great prices. Now i have to go read the manual to start learning how to use the thing. I also have an older Garmin Vista that gets very bad reception unless you are right out in the open.

[Rattler]

Garmin etrex I got cheap. It works alright. I am looking to upgrade though now that I have the basics down.

[yj_hank]

Thanks for the information. I took a quick look at the gps store and will do some research on all that they carry. The have some good sales also.

Henry

[Trail_Fanatic]

Etrex Legend Cx

The color screen REALLY helps and the x indicates that it will accept an extra chip for memory.

I bought it because it was the cheapest unit that does what I need for mapping the trails.

Bought it at the GPS Store because it was the cheapest place to do so.

[Quietlake]

My wife and I each have a Garmin GPS V. They're outdated, but do everything we want. The only thing I wish it had was the ability to use a SD card memory instead of fixed amount of internal. Definately wouldn't be w/o a GPS. Plus we Geocache, so gotta have it anyways. Geocaching really teaches you how to use your GPS. Just read the book though. Most ppl don't and need to.

[WhiteRhino]

Yup, I had the Gps V for several years. Worked great! Just sold it when I went to the 276C. I had Lasik surgery a couple years back & now I need reading glasses. With the slightly bigger screen along with the color, I no longer need to squint while driving. :ahhh:

The other thing was that I upgraded from 10 stored tracks to 18.:thumb:

[phittie1100]

I use a tired, inexpensive Magellan Sport Track hand-held. B&W, small screen, limited by non-expandable 8MB internal memory. But when I bought it that was all I could afford, and it works well as long as you don't ask too much from it. Great for hunting, clips to the shoulder harness of my pack and light weight. New dash mount in my Jeep is extending it's useful life.

[yj_nexuz]

Magellan Meridian Color. Nice, relatively cheap, works well. Not the best at tracking, but I um.. "acquired" their mapping software so it will do turn-by-turn now.


http://www.freakcritique.com/images/gps.jpg

[USMC 0369]

Wife and I use a Garmin GPSMAP76.
http://www.ucarihavacilik.com/elektronik/Map76.jpg

It's pretty nice, the big view screen is great when the Jeeps bouncin up and down. I still need to get an remote antenna and mount it on the Jeep. I'm also looking into a dash mount to hold it in place.

This device was provided to me courtesy of work.

[yj_hank]

I finally ordered my gps. I got the garmin gpsmap 60 csx. Looks like it will do everything I need. I am hoping to head up to westbranch and run some trails the end of the month. How does one aquire maps of this area. Can you share saved maps? This is my first experience with a gps so please forgive my lack of knowledge.

Henry

[Trail_Fanatic]

Can you share saved maps?

Henry


PM sent :thumb:

[Roadhouse]

Wife and I use a Garmin GPSMAP76.
http://www.ucarihavacilik.com/elektronik/Map76.jpg

It's pretty nice, the big view screen is great when the Jeeps bouncin up and down. I still need to get an remote antenna and mount it on the Jeep. I'm also looking into a dash mount to hold it in place.

This device was provided to me courtesy of work.

We just picked up the 76CSX this summer same as yours but color, and maybe more memory? I like it so far, its tough, it floats, but I need to upgrade the maps. I just have the basic map that comes with it. I need a topo program and or city navigator.

[Covert_Ops]

I use a garmin vista cx the one that has the micro SD card. I love it! small for use when hiking, and hunting. With the color screen it is easy to see when using from vehicle. Garmin offers a lot of accessories etc. I have previously used an etrex legend with an monochrome screen worked well, but the vista CX has the advanced features I like in the size that works for all of my outdoor sports.

I also use my laptop with my gps when offroad. gives me a huge screen, and ability to save routes etc. very easily. Lets my group write trail logs etc as we go too.

Oh, I am also able to load all of the Michigan topo's to my 2 gig sd card. Never be lost again!

[RockyTop]

http://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-eTrex-Legend-HCx-Color-GPS-P1598C78.aspx

What about this one? This is the one I am considering.

[Bult4mud]

Great lil unit Jay similar to what i have and it should take the SD cards for more memory

[RockyTop]

Great lil unit Jay similar to what i have and it should take the SD cards for more memoryWhich do you have again Jim, I wrote it down when we chatted about it, and I have misplaced the paper.

[lgottler]

I use a Garmin Etrex Legend Color. Its got 16mb memory (I think :)) and I've never had an issue with it not having enough room for all the maps I put into it. Color is a must after using my dads Etrex with B/W (really hard to tell elevation and river diffs.).

I'd get the largest unit you can fit and afford if its staying (mostly) in your vehicle. I chose a smaller unit because I do like to use it for hiking and hunting and need something to do everything.

Get good maps too. I only use the GPS as a tool to assist me with reading maps! Its quick to figure out where I am on the map and then I get to see the whole area on a piece of paper in front of me without scrolling and zooming.

Typically, all I do is turn it on, reset everything, trail ride and explore. Zooming in once and a while, maybe a pan or two is about it. Then when I get home, I download it all and view it on a computer screen and do all the other stuff (waypoint and track management) at home.

Get the external antennae if you can. I have a nice mount for my TJ and I think I've lost signal once or twice when I've been pointing down a really steep hill in heavy woods. Tried just laying it on the dash of the XJ and it loses signal quite often.

Good Luck

Lucas

[Petoskey Mudder]

Magellan Meridian Platinum

Why do I use it? It was a gift..more money for the jeep!!:thumb:

[WhiteRhino]

I don't see how many tracks it will hold. Tracks are a must for trail riding. I suggest a minimum of 10.

[DuffMan]

I have a Garmin 60 csx.

I love it because its (1) color, (2) blazing fast, and (3) seldom loses signal, even in heavy cover.

Before that i had a Garmin GPS V and it's a great Jeeping GPS - you can find them all over eBay for $100 or less.

[joe_jeep]

that one has the sd cards for memory expansion. and the cord to download or upload from your computer. it should do all you need. more is good, but it would be fine for the average user. its color that is a must!
a good external antenna would be great too. now you need an old junker laptop cheap to use on the trail for the big screen. see ya

[Covert_Ops]

http://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-eTrex-Legend-HCx-Color-GPS-P1598C78.aspx

What about this one? This is the one I am considering.


That's the one I have. I love it! it was an upgrade to me from my eTrex Legend with monochrome screen. It aquires quick, and with a 2 gb micro card you can store a lot of data.

[rltsjeep]

I use the DeLorme Earthmate 2008; (cost: $69.00 + shipping from "Comp USA") program with GPS antenna . Also have "Tom Tom" and an old Magellan 100 that I got when I put a 4" lift on my 98 TJ.

The DeLorme Earthmate 2008 is probably the best, and shows almost all trails in Michigan. Just need to carry your laptop. You can also turn off voice. :thumb:

[DDS4X4]

BTT

That time again ... the son wants a GPS for his Jeep.

The Garmin 276 C doesn't seem to be available now.

Looking for recommendations for trail ready Garmin, larger screen, color.

Low end model?

High end model?

Thanks!

[WhiteRhino]

Garmin support is outstanding. I would contact their tech support & ask for a recommendation that compares to the 276c. Personally I'm very happy with mine.

[Rattler]

Garmin support is outstanding. I would contact their tech support & ask for a recommendation that compares to the 276c. Personally I'm very happy with mine.

X2. I ended up with a Magellan Crossover used that was a pOS but I wasn't expecting much out of it. Their support is terrible. I haven't heard from them about a repair request in 2 weeks now.

I also have a Garmin Etrex Legend. That is a pretty decent unit. I got it for $120 at a local Dunhams.

The Delorme PN-20 can be pruchased for -$200 a lot of places now that they released the PN-40 (@$350). e only thing I heard is that it can slow down some occasionally. Otherwise it has a lot of features and seems to be a pretty nice unit.

[Renegade II]

GPSmap76CSX, large enough for driving, small enough for hand held, lots of mounts available, fantastic built in antenna. Got it fresh when they just came out and has worked without a hitch ever since :thumb:

[phazer42]

I use a Garmin Streetpilot 2610... its a touch screen, color, easy to use and has worked well for the past 4+ years I have had it... The 7200 pretty much replaced that after several small itterations. I would have picked it up if I would have seen it sooner... now I wan the new GPSMAP unit that is coming out early next year....

[WhiteRhino]

Can you download topo and load/record tracks with the 2610? (I haven't looked) To me, this is mandatory for off roading.

I have the 7200 in my motorhome & love it. But I only use it for basic navigation. I also think the 7" screen would be a bit much in the jeep.

[yj_hank]

I ended up with the garmin gpsmap60 csx. I have no problem using it for driving or hiking. It mounts almost anywhere and it even has a belt clip.

Henry

[phazer42]

Can you download topo and load/record tracks with the 2610? (I haven't looked) To me, this is mandatory for off roading.

I have the 7200 in my motorhome & love it. But I only use it for basic navigation. I also think the 7" screen would be a bit much in the jeep.

yup you can - and I do all the time. The only problem with the 2610 is that the tracks can't be "modified" through mapsource as it won't recognize them....

[WhiteRhino]

The only problem with the 2610 is that the tracks can't be "modified" through mapsource as it won't recognize them....

I wouldn't like that. I modify mine on a pretty regular basis.

[Jarhead]

I wouldn't like that. I modify mine on a pretty regular basis.
You wouldn't need to if you weren't getting lost :poke:
:laughing2:

[WhiteRhino]

You wouldn't need to if you weren't getting lost :poke:
:laughing2:

um............. yuk yuk yuk.:wah:

[Jarhead]

um............. yuk yuk yuk.:wah:
Shoot Jim, you know I will follow you even when my truck sinks into the ground while I wait for you to get up the ridge that required your winch and mine to get me up.

I live the motto, "If you ain't stuck, you ain't trying" from time to time.

[shawn]

I'm still using my old Garmin V :D

[calvynandhobbs]

I'm using a TomTom in my XJ. It does great around town and actually helped my club find a road for a night run in the Mohawk Mountains. They all knew within a mile or so of where the road was, but we couldn't see it in the dark. They all had Garmins and Magellens and Dodge road didn't show up at all. I decided to turn my TomTom on and sure enough, it showed me exactly where it was. It may be that I just had a newer map than them, but they were all happy that the TomTom found the trail when their GPSs couldn't.

[Tab]

I'm old school. I use a sexton and the stars. Then during the day I just follow Kitson and if hes lost I use my Garmin V.

[Ridgerunner]

I'm old school. I use a sexton and the stars. Then during the day I just follow Kitson and if hes lost I use my Garmin V.


:lmao:

[WhiteRhino]

[quote=Tab;44598] I just follow Kitson and if hes lost [quote]

Yeah, like you could lead us out of a paper bag.:lmao:

[Tab]

I've been highly trained in the art of land nav. from the jungles of Panama to the deserts of the middle east by the very best in the world. But I would need a paper topo map and a compass. The compass is in my center counsel. So you could follow me or you could go it alone. :flipoff: