For Those Of You With GPS Units In Your 80's.... Input Please

[Boston Mangler]

Hey Guys

For those of you running GPS units.

Which units are ya running and what are the pros and cons.

Done a search and found some info, but i want to hear pros and cons from actually owners

Thanks

 

[TiredIronGRB]

I use a tablet PC and Delorme Topo USA, I really like being able to make my own maps of the places I ride. It's also very handy to check email or watch a movie while waiting on an trail congession.

 

[DuManchu]

I either use my Dell laptop with Delorme Street Atlas (wish I had Topo now though), or my PowerBook with Route 66 Route USA (kinda sucks). I may eventually upgrade to a Fujitsu tablet since they can be had relatively cheap on eBay.

I use a Rayming USB GPS receiver for both the Mac and the Dell.

I think my next GPS upgrade will be a standalone unit (unless I do the carputer thing with a Mac mini). I like the Lowrance Baja 540C myself.

Pros for laptop GPS: EASY software upgrades, powerful processor, movies, music, wifi, unloading pics of your digital cam, anything else a computer can do.

Cons for laptop: bulky, requires a mount or a navigator (read: passenger) to be useful, can be hard to read in sunlight (at least mine are), can be a pain in the ass moving it in and out of the vehicle.

 

[bowyer2002]

I have a Garmin 2720 and really love it. Big screen, a ton of information, easy to use and transferrable to another vehicle.
Also, it comes with a remote, sounds silly but it's really handy. Instead of having to use the touch screen you can use the remote to change the voice volume, input addressed, or access other screens, etc. all from the comfort of your driving seat or good for the navigator (wife ) to mess with too!
Very handy when traveling with kids since you can look up restaurants, fuel, & potty stops in your current route.
This one has more capability than I have used but I have had it for 6 months and can hardly go out of town with out it!
I think it is even upgradeable for more current map information or other countries since it has a USB port. However, I haven't personally done any updating yet.

 

[Hayes]

I'm using a little Garmin eTrex Vista connected to a POS ancient laptop (Windows 95, 64 mb RAM!!) that runs Topo! software.

I highly recommend the Topo! software. It has high rez digitized USGS maps all the way down to 7.5 minute quads, with digital elevation data. Will plot your progress real-time. It has worked great exploring the So. Utah backroads.

 

[jonheld]

I have an old school Garmin GPSV mounted in my ashtray. Very small screen, but takes up no room and is very durable. I would love a laptop running topo software for my old man eyes, but it's not in the cards yet. Still, the GPSV is good for my needs and I can take it with me on the trail and put it in my pocket so I can find my way back to my truck.

 

[heckler]

I just installed the garmin 2610 it is the earlier model to the 2720. I really like it a lot. This is my first GPS so I do not have anything to compare it to. Here is a picture of where it is mounted.

 

[DuManchu]

I just installed the garmin 2610 it is the earlier model to the 2720. I really like it a lot. This is my first GPS so I do not have anything to compare it to. Here is a picture of where it is mounted.

Does that location make it difficult to see the display?

 

[heckler]

You do sort of have to look up, but I like it that way because if it was right in front of me I would probably stare at it the whole time.

 

[arcadian]

Garmib GPS18 usb w City Select v7 or Garmin Topo, on Fujitsu tablet pc, works good for on road, screen a little dim in direct sun

 

[aey_bee_see]

Garmin 330. Pro: Simple, easy to use, accurate. Con: Bulky design.

Just right for what I need.

 

[mpeagan]

gps

Personally I like the handhelds and a RAM vehicle mount. As far as brands my preference is Magellan. Easy to use, large screen, and pc software is very good for adding specific regions or areas. The road layer has been fairly accurate every where I have used it and the topo layer is very good. I have an older SporTrak mounted in a RAM holder next to the 4x4 shifter.

Mike

 

[ecameron87]

I use an HP rx5915 PDA. It comes with a 3.5" screen, an integrated GPS Windows Mobile 5, and TOM TOM navigation software (useless offroad). I installed a program called GPS Tuner 5.1 which I use offroad. This program tracks all the data that GPS can provide and allows me to use topo maps as well. Plus I use it as an MP3 player and the PDA is used at work. This is my first GPS so I can't compare it to anything else, but it works very well for me.

 

[standfas]

Garmin C550. Great for on the road. Bluetooth works like a charm. Look up POI and connect via bluetooth telephone. I thought that was a cool feature. I have mine mounted next to the shifter with the included suction cup. Convenient, out of the way location.

 

[BC_FJC]

I like Garmin VistaC, I have both the street maps and tops loaded both on the GPS and my laptop. For me I like the flexiblity to use it outside of the truck when doing other activities. But I also like that I can connect it to my laptop and navigate that way as well.

 

[Brentbba]

Garmin Streetpilot 2730. Same as the 2720 only has XM radio also. You can pick these up at CHEAP prices right now as Garmin has discontinued them. Alvaro has the 2720 loaded up with the topo maps for offroading. Very nice!

 

[SOCALFJ]

Lowrance Baja 540c

Pros:
-Huge 5"x5" Screen! (that you can see in direct sunlight! not like others)
-It does really well with trails, there isnt a trail ive been on so far it didn't know.
-5-pin Ethernet expansion port compatible for video and satellite radio
-One waterproof slot for digital media cards (MMC/SD not included) to record -GPS details and display optional custom mapping
-Back-up memory saves customized settings
-Enhanced data processing (its fast)
-Fast screen updates (it never slows down or stutters)
-Ruggedized, shock-resistant case (good for offroad, hard to hurt this unit)
-Sealed and waterproof (cause its the marine housing)
-I can pop in my SD card from my camera and view my pics while on the road.

Cons:
-It doesnt work with my MAC! (Well it does, i just have to run Parallel)
-Its pretty big, you better have a place to mount it. (but you'll love the screen size!)
-The menu is kind of like a PC and not very user friendly. (not too bad of a learning curve if you used other gps units)
-Sometimes it shows you next to a road and not on the actual road.(no big deal to me)
-no dumb voice saying "turn here" (thats for the city folk anyways, i only use my gps on trips)
-sometimes it doesnt turn on and you have to unplug the cigarette lighter and plug it back in. Then it works again. Weird.

I think thats about it. Cant complain its a great unit. Reason why i bought it over the Garmin 276c is for the screen size, got tired of squinting.

 

[thestallionq8]

I use the Garmin Nuvi 660!

Pros : compact, easy to use, looks good, and practical.

Cons : Battery life, would prefer external speakers, and the suction cup doesn't stick well in hot weather especially while going off road (desert driving to reach a camp site)!

 

[PKP80]

I use a tablet PC and Delorme Topo USA, I really like being able to make my own maps of the places I ride. It's also very handy to check email or watch a movie while waiting on an trail congession.

Ditto, but on a Dell Inspiron 1405

 

[jvazquez53]

Garmin C330, Pros; price, simple to use, cons; a bit on the bulky side.