GPS storage size Q's

[hobiesbestfriend]

The Mrs. and I are getting ready to do a trip in the 4Runner from Victoria, BC up to the Arctic Circle. Sticking mostly to roads, such as they are up that way, but a little exploring will be done. We are looking at buying a GPS, I've been left in charge. I've got my eye on Garmin's mostly, but since our budget is being kept to a minimum, I need to know more about the memory and how much map data it can hold. I have mapsource and a few different Garmin maps on my PC. I want to use the TopoCanada map. As far as our route goes, I've set up to load our route from around Prince George to Inuvik. It says it's around 30 mb. Most of the more affordable GPS's are only 8mb and non expandable.

1. Is the 8mb just "in addition" to the memory used up by the basemap?
2. Will/can my downloading replace the basemap that the GPS contains?
3. Any recomendations?

I've looked at the eTrex series and others, I have my eye on a "GPS Map76" unit, but again with only 8mb and no expansion, this might be troublesome. I guess with a laptop or computer hookup, I could change what the 8mb held along the way, but would rather just have TopoCanada as my permanent basemap. Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[brownbear]

Fantom right now in the coastal cruisers club section has a nice tablet GPS for sale.

I like the idea of using a laptop with maps. For a receiver I would use a USB or Bluetooth receiver. Something that data logs, so you don't need your laptop open the whole time during the trip.

 

[hobiesbestfriend]

By Tablet, I assume you mean the flat dash mounted ones? I'm steering away from those as I want a waterproof handheld for going camping as well.

I did a bit more reading and I guess the extra memory is used to enhance the basemap? So I can download Topo data for the areas that I need, but only 8mb worth. I think the MAP76 is the way we're gonna go. 8mb is enough to add detail for day/weekend offroading trips and for the more exploratory bits of our journey? They're on sale now new so figured why not. It also has a few nautical add-ons that I can use one my boat exists!

 

[BC_FJC]

ISo I can download Topo data for the areas that I need, but only 8mb worth. I think the MAP76 is the way we're gonna go. 8mb is enough to add detail for day/weekend offroading trips and for the more exploratory bits of our journey?

What I found with my Vista was that the base map was vary limited and with the limited memory I could only load one or two days worth of additional maps (both City navigator and Topo's). For my longer trips I would just hook up my GPS to the laptop every day or two and update the maps to the ones I was going to need. Works well if you have a laptop with you.