As we all know most 70 series have a space in the center of the dash about 7.5"X4" which houses the radio and a useless little cubby hole. I would like to have a simple gps screen with topo maps to fill this space. It doesnt need to talk to me,plan my route or do anything fancy.....preferably just a topo with a dot to show me where the hell I am. If anyone can help I would appreciate it, but bear in mind I'm a genuine antique person and I know nothing about all this modern gadgetry so try to keep it simple so I can figure out what you're talking about. Thanks.
GPS with topo maps
- Thread starter steve729
- Start date
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Whats the budget?
Dedicated GPS with Topo map like a Garmin Oregon 200 or Montana 650 can be found used for $100-$300 but this is on the smaller side 4x3 screen- but easy on power consumption-internal battery or hard wired.
A GPS enabled andriod tablet can be loaded with offline Topo maps through a free or subscription app like GAIAgps and provide what you with much broader data points, larger screen should you want it. These will want to be hard wired 12v - 5amp source as they chew some power. Price range on a tablet: used, refurb or new: 100-$400.
You'll probably find better info on the Com's & Nav section of the forum. Communication & Navigation
Good luck
Dedicated GPS with Topo map like a Garmin Oregon 200 or Montana 650 can be found used for $100-$300 but this is on the smaller side 4x3 screen- but easy on power consumption-internal battery or hard wired.
A GPS enabled andriod tablet can be loaded with offline Topo maps through a free or subscription app like GAIAgps and provide what you with much broader data points, larger screen should you want it. These will want to be hard wired 12v - 5amp source as they chew some power. Price range on a tablet: used, refurb or new: 100-$400.
You'll probably find better info on the Com's & Nav section of the forum. Communication & Navigation
Good luck
I use a cell phone and an app called Avenza Maps.
I wanted to navigate forest roads in National Forests out West and various ranger stations had signs and info on this app.
Avenza app is free and though one uses their "map store" online to download maps, their is no charge to acquire USGS topo maps.
Good things: once you have the maps, the Avenza app works off real satellite GPS, not cell phone towers. Tracks your position out in wilderness areas.
Bad things: you have to download topo maps one by one and the app does not automatically pull up the next map once you run off the topo square as you drive.
I wanted to navigate forest roads in National Forests out West and various ranger stations had signs and info on this app.
Avenza app is free and though one uses their "map store" online to download maps, their is no charge to acquire USGS topo maps.
Good things: once you have the maps, the Avenza app works off real satellite GPS, not cell phone towers. Tracks your position out in wilderness areas.
Bad things: you have to download topo maps one by one and the app does not automatically pull up the next map once you run off the topo square as you drive.
As above, a tablet or large smartphone will often do a better job of displaying topomaps in a vehicle than a dedicated GPS. Not sure if you may lose some signal down in the dash though, I have mine mounted on top.
Key thing you want is offline maps so you can save the maps at home & see them later without cell coverage or wifi. Also look for a device that has a really bright screen for viewing in sunlight - this is one thing the dedicated GPS units generally do better at.
I use an app called Viewranger, it cost a little to get the NZ maps for it but it displays the 1:50K topos that I have been using since I was a boyscout really well. I have all of NZ stored on it. Very easy to record tracks also which is handy. For street nav I switch to OSMAnd on the same device, got the whole country stored for that too, but Google maps is continually getting better at offline nav as long as you can store the route info when you have a connection.
Cheers
Clint
Key thing you want is offline maps so you can save the maps at home & see them later without cell coverage or wifi. Also look for a device that has a really bright screen for viewing in sunlight - this is one thing the dedicated GPS units generally do better at.
I use an app called Viewranger, it cost a little to get the NZ maps for it but it displays the 1:50K topos that I have been using since I was a boyscout really well. I have all of NZ stored on it. Very easy to record tracks also which is handy. For street nav I switch to OSMAnd on the same device, got the whole country stored for that too, but Google maps is continually getting better at offline nav as long as you can store the route info when you have a connection.
Cheers
Clint
I second Avenza. If you have an old unused Android or iPhone it works good. I use it with a non-cellular enabled iPad mini, along with a Bad Elf external gps dongle. I usually download lots of Topo maps, motor vehicle use maps (MVUM) for areas where I go. Most of the maps are free I’ve found.
Jeez, I didn’t even know gps dongles existed.
Yep. I googled them right after reading.