Definitive 24k Topo/Kendwood Thread

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OregonLC

OregonLC

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Contemplating a head upgrade on my 2000 UZJ100. Figure as long as I'm upgrading I'd also like to pick up the ability to navigate off road. So I'm leaning toward one of the Kenwood/Garmin units.

Question: Is there any known way to make sure the device will drive a 24k Topo? Is it just a matter of if it has a SD slot it will work? What about units like the 6180 that use DVD/USB to update maps? From what I've read it's just a matter of navigating to the map menu and pointing it to the SD card. However, there's been other posts that indicate that the units with the more advanced graphics (such as lane indicators) don't play well with flat Topos.

Right now I'm looking at the 5160, 6180, or 6980.
 
Anyone used a topo map effectively in one of these units? I was shootin' the s*** with a guy at a local audio place last year, and he suggested I wait a couple years for Kenwood/Garmin to improve the technology for topo support in the head units. I think it would be killer if it works.
 
Here is my idea of topo mapping

IMG_0439.webp
IMG_0439.webp
 
I'm thinking replace the GPS antenna on my old school DDX-7015 w/ KNA-DV4100 setup and hope it starts working again. If not, a DNX-6980 and all the new junk to go with it :frown:
 
If the unit has the mini-USB port in the back for the Kenwood "Traffic" antenna, you can use that to access the HU just like any other handheld Garmin GPS using a laptop. DNX6140 works with the topos this way without an SD card slot.
Kenwood-topo.webp
 
OregonLC said:
Good to know. Thanks Rob.

How's the space on the internal file structure? Any comments on the size/qty of maps you can fit?
Click to expand...
The DNX6140 only has 2GB of internal storage. The maps all go in the \Garmin folder. I'll plug in tonight and verify size, but IIRC, I only have about 300MB-ish free after adding all of AZ topos.
 
I was looking at a dnx6180 at BB the other day, and I didn't see anywhere on the front side where an SD card could plug in. I'm hoping it's not on the back of the unit?

And for the USB cable, are you guys putting an extension on it and running it to the center console? I guess it would reach the glove box without an extension, but I'd rather it be in the console.
 
Jacket said:
I was looking at a dnx6180 at BB the other day, and I didn't see anywhere on the front side where an SD card could plug in. I'm hoping it's not on the back of the unit?

And for the USB cable, are you guys putting an extension on it and running it to the center console? I guess it would reach the glove box without an extension, but I'd rather it be in the console.
Click to expand...

The 6180 does not have an SD slot; it's USB only. Which, of course, means you must rely on the internal memory rather than piggyback on the SD. But, as Rob said he had sufficient on-board memory for his maps.
 
Anyone using a DNX5160? Crutchy has it for $250 off...
 
Jacket said:
I was looking at a dnx6180 at BB the other day, and I didn't see anywhere on the front side where an SD card could plug in. I'm hoping it's not on the back of the unit?

And for the USB cable, are you guys putting an extension on it and running it to the center console? I guess it would reach the glove box without an extension, but I'd rather it be in the console.
Click to expand...
Glove box is fine. You're not going to access that frequently. And you're gonna use it to hook up with a laptop running Mapsource anyway.

I'm liking this setup more and more. I downloaded my tracks from this weekend's outing via the laptop and Mapsource. Cool! Easy enough to edit them in Mapsource, then save as gpx and import into google maps and save as kmz for an easily shareable route of the day's activities, with only the trail and not the 30 miles drive to the trailhead.
 
1loudLX said:
If not, a DNX-6980 and all the new junk to go with it :frown:
Click to expand...

OregonLC said:
The 6980 seems like the way to go...
Click to expand...

Are you guys sure about the 6980? I was looking at some Labor Day sales on the Kenwoods, and the 6980 has a lot horrible reviews. Slow screens, NAV lags, map loads that take forever, needs to be rebooted often, etc. The only good reviews seem to be from guys that are upgrading from an old 8-track system.....

One of my primary reasons for looking at Kenwood is the Garmin component, but it sounds like it kinda sucks....
 
Jacket said:
Are you guys sure about the 6980? I was looking at some Labor Day sales on the Kenwoods, and the 6980 has a lot horrible reviews. Slow screens, NAV lags, map loads that take forever, needs to be rebooted often, etc. The only good reviews seem to be from guys that are upgrading from an old 8-track system.....

One of my primary reasons for looking at Kenwood is the Garmin component, but it sounds like it kinda sucks....
Click to expand...

As I understand it, all Kenwood/Garmins boot slower than say a Pioneer. However, only the Kenny has the Garmin. So if you want in-dash Topo then I believe Kenwood is your only option (unless you do a car PC thingy).
 
I've been thinking about going away from Kenwood now in place of something that has better GUI. I hate the menus of the Kenwood after playing with one. My old kenwood is so simple, why did they get fancy?
 
1loudLX said:
I've been thinking about going away from Kenwood now in place of something that has better GUI. I hate the menus of the Kenwood after playing with one. My old kenwood is so simple, why did they get fancy?
Click to expand...

You're using your iPad for Nav now, right? If so then the field would be open for HUs.
 
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