GPS shopping - What's the best for all purposes? (Off-roading being one...)

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rusty_tlc said:
The Geotagging features would also be kind of cool, ever look a t a picture and wonder WTH you were when you took it? I think some of the high end digital SLR cameras have a built in GPS for that reason.
Click to expand...

you can, (i do) low tech geotag by syncing your camera clock and gps clock fairly well and then using GpicSync when you get home with your track log (needs to be timestamped so don't "save" it in a garmin unit, needs to be active log in my 60cx) will compare time taken to log point and imbed the lat long into it.... requires some post processing but it batch converts and i go through all my pics at least once when i get home anyway.

edit: one cool workaround of the active log thing in my 60cx, may be in others too, is to check "save logs to SD card" in the tracklog setup. then every day has a full gpx file autodumped to your microSD card and you can process with it later. this way you can clear the log, save it, etc and not lose the ability to pic sync or recover track logs in the past. have to read garmin unit as mass usb storage or pull the card separately to get to the gpx files.

cool thing is if you upload to smugmug (others prolly do too) it will automatically read the geo info and allow you to have thumbs on a map in the webpage...

:beer:

here is a reasonable example of a trip i took and synced pics. you might recognize a vehicle (or ugly mug) in it too ;)
John (j2franklin)'s Photos : Four wheeling : Cibola/Gila camping trip 11/4-9/2010 | SmugMug
click "map this" button up in the top right in a gallery
 
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sl33p3 said:
you can, (i do) low tech geotag by syncing your camera clock and gps clock fairly well and then using GpicSync when you get home with your track log (needs to be timestamped so don't "save" it in a garmin unit, needs to be active log in my 60cx) will compare time taken to log point and imbed the lat long into it.... requires some post processing but it batch converts and i go through all my pics at least once when i get home anyway.

cool thing is if you upload to smugmug (others prolly do too) it will automatically read the geo info and allow you to have thumbs on a map in the webpage...

:beer:

here is a reasonable example of a trip i took and synced pics. you might recognize a vehicle (or ugly mug) in it too ;)
John (j2franklin)'s Photos : Four wheeling : Cibola/Gila camping trip 11/4-9/2010 | SmugMug
click "map this" button up in the top right in a gallery
Click to expand...


Hey John! I didn't know this was your aka! Dan
 
spressomon said:
Hey John! I didn't know this was your aka! Dan
Click to expand...

LOL well then :beer::beer::beer: to you sir!

always just thought "who is this jerk?!!" now you go "ahhh, that 'splains it!"
 
sl33p3 said:
you can, (i do) low tech geotag by syncing your camera clock and gps clock fairly well and then using GpicSync when you get home with your track log (needs to be timestamped so don't "save" it in a garmin unit, needs to be active log in my 60cx) will compare time taken to log point and imbed the lat long into it.... requires some post processing but it batch converts and i go through all my pics at least once when i get home anyway.

edit: one cool workaround of the active log thing in my 60cx, may be in others too, is to check "save logs to SD card" in the tracklog setup. then every day has a full gpx file autodumped to your microSD card and you can process with it later. this way you can clear the log, save it, etc and not lose the ability to pic sync or recover track logs in the past. have to read garmin unit as mass usb storage or pull the card separately to get to the gpx files.

cool thing is if you upload to smugmug (others prolly do too) it will automatically read the geo info and allow you to have thumbs on a map in the webpage...

:beer:

here is a reasonable example of a trip i took and synced pics. you might recognize a vehicle (or ugly mug) in it too ;)
John (j2franklin)'s Photos : Four wheeling : Cibola/Gila camping trip 11/4-9/2010 | SmugMug
click "map this" button up in the top right in a gallery
Click to expand...
That sounds like more work than my lazy ass would ever do. I can barely manage to up load pictures to photobucket after a trip.:hillbilly:

I'd be all over Smug mug if I had a camera that did auto geotagging. That map feature is way cool.

Is that Ali in the first pic?
 
rusty_tlc said:
That sounds like more work than my lazy ass would ever do. I can barely manage to up load pictures to photobucket after a trip.:hillbilly:

I'd be all over Smug mug if I had a camera that did auto geotagging. That map feature is way cool.
Click to expand...

yes it is him.

well the process isn't too bad. once you set your clocks once.

1 put the gpx file in the folder with your pics
2 open gpicsync and point it at folder and file
3 press go
4 jump to step 6

gpicsync also spits out a google earth file with your track and thumbs as a kmz file too...

i do agree i wish it was easier, but i'm not going to upgrade my equipment to that caliber anytime soon :(
 
sl33p3 said:
LOL well then :beer::beer::beer: to you sir!

always just thought "who is this jerk?!!" now you go "ahhh, that 'splains it!"
Click to expand...

Not at all!
 
spressomon said:
The Montana might be a candidate, assuming they come up with something bigger than a 4" screen, as long as Garmin woke up and fixed their BS issue of rotating your field of view 180 degrees when you de-GPS and just want to scroll around the map looking at features, other trails, etc. Stupid fawks.

I have read good things about the Garmin Zumo (and last year they finally added a larger screen version...the Zumo 660) series but once again you're back up north of 6 bills and you have to put up with looking at a motorcycle pointer on the track screen :D But it will load and function from their topo map software.

I'd spend the coin if they had Apple like post sale support. But no effing way only to have to stress out over those clueless bastads (Yes: Based on my own actual experiences with Garmin...).
Click to expand...

I agree on all counts, why the hell it does the 180 thing is beyond me. Even the guys on AdvRider are looking at getting the Montana in lieu of their current Zumo, so apparently, they are not happy with the Zumo's.

Jack
 
I tread some more on the Montana last night.

It comes pre-loaded with 1:100K maps that cover the entire US. Additional 1:24K maps that cover different regions are $129. At a min I'd want the West (WA, OR, CA, NV) and South West (UT, CO, AZ, NM).

$660
$130
$130
$920
:eek::eek:

I really don't see that GPS anywhere in my future except the one where I win the lottery.
 
rusty_tlc said:
I tread some more on the Montana last night.

It comes pre-loaded with 1:100K maps that cover the entire US. Additional 1:24K maps that cover different regions are $129. At a min I'd want the West (WA, OR, CA, NV) and South West (UT, CO, AZ, NM).

$660
$130
$130
$920
:eek::eek:

I really don't see that GPS anywhere in my future except the one where I win the lottery.
Click to expand...

yep netbook/tablet,wtfe+ topo usa 9 + gps puck is def less than that. but i could never strap it to my mtb handlebars either... or could i? :idea::hillbilly:
 
rusty_tlc said:
I tread some more on the Montana last night.

It comes pre-loaded with 1:100K maps that cover the entire US. Additional 1:24K maps that cover different regions are $129. At a min I'd want the West (WA, OR, CA, NV) and South West (UT, CO, AZ, NM).

$660
$130
$130
$920
:eek::eek:

I really don't see that GPS anywhere in my future except the one where I win the lottery.
Click to expand...

Exactly, which why the price/newness has to come (way) down before it becomes attractive to me. I have plenty of other things to spend $1k on before a gps.

Jack
 
Garmin lists 46...yes that's FORTY-SIX(!!!) models in their current line-up just for "Automotive" use. Then add the Motorcycle and Truck lineup and you start to wonder what business school they went to.

Most of their models typically have one feature difference between all the models. You'd think they could apply an economy of scale to narrow the incredibly large and complicated selection of models and get more volume unit sales...

Who would purchase a Montana at the prices they list in this day and age of considerable alternate choices offer far more utility than just a GPS?!

Crazy.
 
spressomon said:
Garmin lists 46...yes that's FORTY-SIX(!!!) models in their current line-up just for "Automotive" use. Then add the Motorcycle and Truck lineup and you start to wonder what business school they went to.

Most of their models typically have one feature difference between all the models. You'd think they could apply an economy of scale to narrow the incredibly large and complicated selection of models and get more volume unit sales...

Who would purchase a Montana at the prices they list in this day and age of considerable alternate choices offer far more utility than just a GPS?!

Crazy.
Click to expand...

No kidding, I'm not sure who decides what or how many models they should have, but I would think that in today's world, simplifying and consolidating would make a lot more sense. Besides, having that kind of spread, lots of similar models with nothing to really distinguish them is what hurt GM with all of their "similar but different" cars/trucks. Too many with too little focus.

Maybe that laptop mount isn't so bad afterall...

Jack
 
I am happy with a 76csx, switches between vehicles with ease and fits a MOLLE dual mag pouch easily for errr, Hiking! Does have a smallish screen so it's difficult to just take a quick glance at it to see where your going. I have an older Garmin 12XL and this is a GREAT upgrade, the 12 still works after replacing the internal memory battery and it's been around for many years... (Upgraded due to wanting mapping capability and to use less batteries.)

I wanted to install a Pioneer GPS/DVD/double DIN touchcreen dash unit, but between two vehicles it can get expensive and even more expensive if someone see's a big screen in the vehicle and wants it for themselves...
 
Has anyone tried the new Garmin Montana? I know it's pretty pricey but money aside, is it a good GPS unit? Looking at buying one and want to make sure I get my moneys worth on something that I will have for atleast the next 5 years. I plan on using it for some backpacking, camping, trails (on foot and in the LC), and also for driving around town. Thanks!
 
GPS for street and offroad

I have had a Garmin Nuvi 500 for two years which does both and loads topo from Mapsource software. It has it's good points and the bad ones too, but I like the larger screen for reading topo. It also shows most of the trails I visit.

Being a retired surveyor, I am relly picky when it gets to topo.

Good luck with your pick!
 
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