GPS with Top Maps

[Filmpros]

I have been searching the board and internet for the following:

Best Double Din GPS Navigation / Entertainment System capable of handling both Regular North American Maps and TOPO Maps. From what I have read, National Geographic produces the best TOP maps. Is that true?

Does anyone have any comments / experience on either of these topics?

Rich

 

[NLXTACY]

Have you considered running the mac mini with touchscreen? Since you are doing film work I can only assume you are MAC based.

 

[lt1fire]

why not run a lap top with a broken screen attached to a touch screen... would be failry cheap

 

[NLXTACY]

I don't think Rich uses the word "cheap" in any of his decision making process

 

[Brentbba]

Don't bother looking at the Panasonic that came out a year or two ago. Nice unit, 30g of storage...for music. Navtec software for GPS, so not Garmin compatible and you CAN'T load in any topo software into that huge storage. I called tech support about this specifically and was told no. My guess is that you have to get the CD's to update the Navtech GPS info and that's about it. Too bad. Nice unit otherwise!

 

[Corbet]

Kenwood NAV is Garmin based and reportedly will run Garmin topo software. This is my plan but don't have the cash to purchase/install at this time.

 

[Filmpros]

I am MAC based for sure...100%...and I will NEVER go back to a PC that is for sure..!!!

What is the deal with the Mac Mini? Is there a Nav Software package for it? I am not sure Ihave any room left in my truck and I would still need to install an Entertainment System / CD Player.

Rich

Have you considered running the mac mini with touchscreen? Since you are doing film work I can only assume you are MAC based.

 

[Filmpros]

LOL ... you have me figured out already I see .... am I that easy to read? LOL

I don't think Rich uses the word "cheap" in any of his decision making process

 

[Filmpros]

I have been looking the Kenwood line and I am leaning towards it because I believe you are correct about it running TOPO Maps.

I would really like a "cookie crumb" feature similar to what my friend's Jeep Rubicon has. It records a trail from your start point to your end point by leaving "GPS Markers" that allow you to backtrack to your original starting location. This is a nice feature that I would actually use so it is important to have this.

Someone recommended the Lowrance DS-5 Baja with a "plotting" feature. Does anyone know if this is the same as the "cookie crumb" feature I am looking for?

However, at the end of the day, I prefer not to have two (2) units if I could at all possibly avoid it. Also, I called Lowrance to ask about the "cookie crumb" feature and I sat on hold for an hour with nobody picking up. Not a good sign in my experience.

As of now, these are the three (2) units I am considering.

Kenwood DNX-9140


Pioneer AVIC-Z3


Lowrance DS-5 Baja Off-Road GPS Chartplotter



Any feedback?

Rich

Kenwood NAV is Garmin based and reportedly will run Garmin topo software. This is my plan but don't have the cash to purchase/install at this time.

 

[Brentbba]

...may have been a Pioneer I looked at Rich. The AVIC-Z3 looks very familiar.

 

[spatialminds]

Overland Navigator is touchscreen friendly topographic mapping software for windows.

With Roadrunner or one of the other front ends you can have Topo navigation via Overland Navigator, street network routing with iGuidance, mp3 jukebox, videos, AM/FM radio, satellite radio, and anything else you want.

Check out mp3car.com for the hardware in pre-configured bundles or as separate pieces.

Craig

 

[Filmpros]

We don't do Windows here...)

Overland Navigator is touchscreen friendly topographic mapping software for windows.

With Roadrunner or one of the other front ends you can have Topo navigation via Overland Navigator, street network routing with iGuidance, mp3 jukebox, videos, AM/FM radio, satellite radio, and anything else you want.

Check out mp3car.com for the hardware in pre-configured bundles or as separate pieces.

Craig

 

[v8tuff]

I used to think I was going to go the same way you are thinking. However, I have had very good luck using my pda with color touchscreen. I use tomtom software for nav, and I plan to use this Nat Geo pocket topo as my topo map software.

I'd still like to do a double din player. For half the price you can do a regular 7 inch DVD player head unit of high quality. Just my 2 cents.