GPS - Lowrance Baja vs Garmin 276c

[dieselbigot]

Guys,

Need a little help here....I've spent the last hour reading every GPS related thread and just need a gut check before I pull the trigger. I've narrowed my choices to the Lowrance Baja 480c & the Garmin 276c. The Garmin's a little more $$ but I'm more concerned with the following:

Off-road use (I'll use it very little on-road)
Durability (washboard roads etc)
Easy to use
Easy to set up mounts in 2-3 different rigs and transfer it
Easy to read screen

So for those of you that have either of these models, anything you love/hate about it?

Thx

 

[CaliCruiser]

Brett,

I have had personal experience with the 276c and it was really nice. It is easily upgradable(software), the screen is easy to read, and it has a standard suction cup mount to the windshield so you can transfer it vehicle to vehicle. The only thing I didn't like on the 276c was the adjustability on the fly and setting via points seemed to be a pain. What is the price differnce? No personal experience with the lowrance unit. Not to introdice another option but, I gave my 276 to my dad and got a Garmin Nuvi 350 which is extremely compact put easy to read and adjustable on the fly. I don't have any long term feedback on the Nuvi but it is realy nice. HTH

Dylan

EDIT: looking at the lowrance it seems to be a little less portable and bulkier, a nice unit though with the larger viewing screen. Are you going to dash mount it?

 

[rockclmbr]

Brett,

Get the RAM Mounts for the GPS. I've tried other brands and they are just not the same. Toss the beanbag out the window and go for the suction cup with adjustable arm. Mine didn't move a mm on the Death Valley trip and it was supporting the Streetpilot 2610 which is a massive GPS.

I can't offer any tips on models as mine is alreay several years old and light years behind in technology already!

 

[dieselbigot]

EDIT: looking at the lowrance it seems to be a little less portable and bulkier, a nice unit though with the larger viewing screen. Are you going to dash mount it?

Dylan,

I don't have much room to dash mount on the BJ so I'd likely do the windshield mount thing....yes, the lowrance is bulkier but I sure like that big screen

 

[CaliCruiser]

what did you decide on?

 

[alvarorb]

Brett,

I had a 276C before it got stolen. It is an awesome GPS. It's pretty tough and water proof. Plus, it's battery operated too. In case you need to take it for a hike.
If you get the City Navigator or whatever the name is, you can use it on the road to do door to door navigation. It's pretty cool to arrive somewhere you don't know by just punching in the address.

If you go this rout, get at least the 512Mb card that Garmin makes for it, plus the 3.5' RAM suction cup mount.

I've got great service and pricing from http://www.gpscity.com. They are near Las Vegas and they can overnight pretty much everything. BTW, I'm not associated with them.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Lowrance has been the choice for offroad racer because of it screen size and track differential settings. I found the Lowrance EZ to use even thou I only used Garmin before we installed the Lowrance. The large screen size is a big plus in my book.

 

[dieselbigot]

I was really leaning toward to Lowrance cuz I liked the 5" screen...plus it looks pretty industrial...and if it's god enough for the military, it's good enough for me

But in the end I think I've decided to go w/ the 276c....the main reason is the Lowrance is just too damn big to mount anywhere in my 100 series except right on top of the dash...and since there is no RAM windshield suction cup mount available for the Lowrance (that I could find), that would mean drilling holes in the dash....and that just ain't going to happen.

The best price I found after hours of searching was www.gpsonsale.com

Garmin 276c - $559.99
2yr ext Warr - $99.99
512 MB data - $169.99
RAM mount - $39.99

TOTAL - $869.96

Alvaro...is it worth the $100 for the 2yr ext warr?

 

[spressomon]

Brett,

I had a 276C before it got stolen. It is an awesome GPS. It's pretty tough and water proof. Plus, it's battery operated too. In case you need to take it for a hike.
If you get the City Navigator or whatever the name is, you can use it on the road to do door to door navigation. It's pretty cool to arrive somewhere you don't know by just punching in the address.

If you go this rout, get at least the 512Mb card that Garmin makes for it, plus the 3.5' RAM suction cup mount.

I've got great service and pricing from http://www.gpscity.com. They are near Las Vegas and they can overnight pretty much everything. BTW, I'm not associated with them.

Regards

Alvaro

Alvaro,
I am also trying to determine which GPS to get for my 100. What made you choose the Garmin 2730 (I think you have the 2730?). And did you/can you compare it to the Nuvi 660?

Thanks, Dan

 

[alvarorb]

Dan,

I went with the 2730 because the 7200 did not have a RAM mount. I wanted the largest screen possible. I also liked the user interface on the 2730 over the 276C.
The Nuvi seems like a great device. I was not available earlier this year when I got my 2730. Technology is like rust, it never sleeps.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[desertdude]

Couple observations on the 276 - very small proprietary 256 meg card ( is this the year 2006?) and the screen is glossy ( they claim anti glare) these are the two gripes I have with it - other than that solid as a rock - mine has fallen off the windshield on many occasions and it does not seem to effect it

Pull the trigger

 

[dieselbigot]

Alvaro,
I am also trying to determine which GPS to get for my 100. What made you choose the Garmin 2730 (I think you have the 2730?). And did you/can you compare it to the Nuvi 660?

Thanks, Dan

Godamit Dan ....I was all set on what I wanted till I started reading about all the toys and the big screen on the Nuvi 660

http://www.gpsonsale.com/garmin/products/Nuvi-660.htm

Now I back to square 1 again...the flip-floping continues. I shoulda been a politician

 

[spressomon]

Godamit Dan ....I was all set on what I wanted till I started reading about all the toys and the big screen on the Nuvi 660

http://www.gpsonsale.com/garmin/products/Nuvi-660.htm

Now I back to square 1 again...the flip-floping continues. I shoulda been a politician

Well...just to eff with ya a little more...check out this comprehensive review of the 660

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2006/10/garmin_nuvi_660_indepth_review.html


It looks like THE ONE!


FYI: If you can wait until 1Q '07 I understand everyone will have new models...and maybe (key word maybe) the 660 will see some price pressure...

 

[alvarorb]

That 660 is NICE. Seems like a winner to me.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[spressomon]

FYI: Garmin is reportedly going to introduce a motorcycle version of the 660...same features but more vibration resistant/proof housing...FWIW.

 

[Timoss]

The Nuvi is brilliant--best car nav system out there right now. However, didn't you want this for offroad? Nuvi's not great for that--no topo, etc... Also ain't cheap, if that's a consideratoin.

Timoss
88 fj62 TLCA

 

[dieselbigot]

The Nuvi is brilliant--best car nav system out there right now. However, didn't you want this for offroad? Nuvi's not great for that--no topo, etc... Also ain't cheap, if that's a consideratoin.

Timoss
88 fj62 TLCA

Timoss,

Good point....the other thing that concerns me about the nuvi is the durability factor. It sure has lots of neat bells & whistles though....

 

[spressomon]

The Nuvi is brilliant--best car nav system out there right now. However, didn't you want this for offroad? Nuvi's not great for that--no topo, etc... Also ain't cheap, if that's a consideratoin.

Timoss
88 fj62 TLCA

OK...a Garmin tech e-mailed back to me today stating Topo maps can indeed be installed and utilized on the 660. However it, like all the Garmin non-handheld units I believe, does not have the back-track/track-back feature. He also stated the unit is shock resistant and would be fine and dependable assuming a solid vehicle mount (like the windshield mount it comes with) was utilized: Just don't drop it onto a hard surface! No ETA on the MX version.

I am, now that I have a direct line and don't have to wait on-hold for up to 60-minutes, going to call him tomorrow for more detailed information/answers regarding Topo and the 660.

 

[dieselbigot]

I am, now that I have a direct line and don't have to wait on-hold for up to 60-minutes, going to call him tomorrow for more detailed information/answers regarding Topo and the 660.

Cool..do post up your findings. Interested to find out what comes...

 

[spressomon]

OK Brett, et al: It looks like the Zumo 550 is the better GPS for my app. It is much more HD with better shock isolation and as a bonus is waterproof. It has the SIRF III chipset, track-back/crumb feature, compatible with Topo maps, pre-routing, etc. The screen has been especially designed for gloved riders...so it might be better for trying to access while bouncing down a trail in my LC(?). The screen isn't as wide as the 660 but at 3.5" should still be nice. It is rumored that Garmin will be introducing the Zumo version of the 660...but when is the big question.

The only thing is does not have that the 660 has is the ability to Bluetooth into your stereo system...not a biggy for me.