Cottonland Electronic Devices

[BMThiker]

Basemaps on those Garmins are pretty basic road maps. If you want topo mapsets for offroad use, you will have to pony up for software/SD chips. Garmin units are very accurate, to about 10ft. I still have a 60CSx in a drawer somewhere, but phone apps with offline capable maps are pretty powerful these days at a fraction of the cost.

 

[AndyO78FJ40]

Cool. It is only $75 but probably not worth it if you still have to buy expensive maps. What app do you use for phones? Does it still work with no cell coverage?

 

[FJ60Cam]

What app do you use for phones? Does it still work with no cell coverage?

I use MotionX-GPS with my iPhone. If you know you'll be out of cell range, you can download the maps beforehand.

 

[Fireman]

I can't see the screen anymore on those. I have had several Garmin handhelds and they worked great on the trail but the screens are small.

 

[Bomar]

Google maps will let you download maps free for areas for 30 days. I use that all the time in woods. Works great

 

[AndyO78FJ40]

Google maps will let you download maps free for areas for 30 days. I use that all the time in woods. Works great

Do you do all of that through the app? Does it require a cell signal to get a gps signal? Sorry I'm dumb about that tech.

 

[dnp]

My iPad is finally old enough that it just isn't worth it any more. So, for overall functionality (car diagnostics, mapping - both online/offline, general use), stay with Apple or consider one of the many other tablets? Seems like there's a huge price difference with all of the new Androids, but it may be a "get what you pay for" issue. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[BMThiker]

As mentioned most of the iPhone map apps have offline capability. Even if cell data is nil, GPS on your iPhone will work. In fact, to save battery, I've turned off cell data and just run GPS at places like Hot Springs where I get little to no Verizon coverage. Motion X is pretty good, I'm also using Avenza at certain OHV parks - works off of geospatial PDFs you download to your phone. Bottom line is you will need to pre-plan for really remote usage by downloading the maps you need while you still have coverage.

 

[jynx]

And if you're headed into central KY, make sure you have it before the state line, apparently there are parts that Verizon doesn't even recognize as US territory...

Snapped on the Bluegrass Parkway west of Lexington

 

[Elbert]

I keep hoping for a tablet with a micro SD slot and then be able to buy state maps on a micro SD card....have the entire state or multiple states on the same card, no downloads, no screwing around, just change the card when and if needed...for off-road. USB thumb type drive would work too if supported. Everyone seems to want to buy tablets or phones based on aesthetics. A single external micro SD card slot or functional USB 3.0 slot would be great! My semi-current Samsung tablet has charge port and a earphone jack.. As noted some of those garmin navigation devices work but the *&#$% screen is too small for the gray hair types (land nav)