I'm GPS ignorant

[parabola]

I'm a GPS newbie and I'm borrowing a unit for a trip to Colorado and in playing with it I have some questions:

1. Do you have to pay for map updates? This thing is a bit out of date it seems and I can't see how to update it on the manu. website without paying a significant amount of money...

2. When purchasing a GPS unit, is there a preference between Garmin and Magellan? Any other vendor to consider?

 

[BC_FJC]

Depending on the unit you need to buy the maps for them. As for the age of the maps and map updates most companies are very slow in updating them, so you might have the latest version.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I've got a Garmin and love it. Several friends have Magellans and like them. I think it's just a perference.

One note, my Dad purchased Delorme's newest GPS and hated it. To load any maps required purchase (much like iTunes) and it was not user friendly in the least. He sent it to me to see if I could figure it out and I ended up sending it back to Delorme.

 

[parabola]

Thanks guys. Are there certain manufacturers that are better about up-to-date maps?

I'm honestly a bit bothered by buying a several hundred dollars for equipment and then having to constantly shell out dough to keep it relevant. I've got enough money pits already.

 

[davegonz]

Josh,
You're computer savvy, why not get a USB gps reciever (I have a bluetooth one you can borrow) and download Google Maps to your laptop. I think there are a couple of freeware apps that let you do this. Up-to-date and a larger screen.

Here's one quick write up: http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001623.php

 

[parabola]

Josh,
You're computer savvy, why not get a USB gps reciever (I have a bluetooth one you can borrow) and download Google Maps to your laptop. I think there are a couple of freeware apps that let you do this. Up-to-date and a larger screen.

Here's one quick write up: http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001623.php

THATS what I want!

See, my only exposure to GPS has been this little hand held unit. That seems much more like what I would want to do. Thanks for the link, Dave!

This unit has USB, so maybe I can use it just as a receiver and do the same thing...

 

[davegonz]

That will be two pints of Fireman's #4

 

[parabola]

That will be two pints of Fireman's #4

We'll split a pitcher.

 

[davegonz]

Now you have to fab up a mount for the laptop.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Josh,
You're computer savvy, why not get a USB gps reciever (I have a bluetooth one you can borrow) and download Google Maps to your laptop. I think there are a couple of freeware apps that let you do this. Up-to-date and a larger screen.

Here's one quick write up: http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001623.php

Good call Dave.

I would add that a USB unit which uses an external antenna would be the best choice, satellite reception inside a steel vehicle is sometimes marginal at best.

Unless you need a hand held a laptop is the way to go. The displays on hand held units suck when driving a nice 14" or larger backlit LCD would work much better.

 

[davegonz]

Yep...might want to download this as backup.

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6763

 

[Just2ofus]

I've got a Garmin and love it. Several friends have Magellans and like them. I think it's just a perference.

One note, my Dad purchased Delorme's newest GPS and hated it. To load any maps required purchase (much like iTunes) and it was not user friendly in the least. He sent it to me to see if I could figure it out and I ended up sending it back to Delorme.

I have heard that Garmin is the way to go.

 

[jvazquez53]

I'm a newbie when it comes to GPS. I was in Orlando about a week ago, I had to go and see my wife's uncle, he's 85+years and wanted to see us bad. I had a very hard time finding his home. After 2 hours running in circles, I went Wal-Mart, got me a Garmin C330, pulled the darn thing out of the box and 10 minutes later I was drinking a beer with the old man. After this incident, I use the GPS daily.

 

[LandCruisers4Life]

Personally I have always used Lowrance GPS units. Lowrance is the company which engineered and developed the 12 Parallel Channel receiver, and the others all came behind them. Lowrance units have always done the best under tree cover as well. To each their own however.