Offroad GPS or Fridge

[GXO]

Which would you go for first?

I have the option of a fridge or a GPS for Xmas.

Montana 650t or a 50L fridge.

I hate getting lost, but I keep hearing a fridge changes your life.

I need help!

 

[e9999]

I would say that depends on whether your wheeling is such that are placing yourself at serious risk from getting lost or not. A fridge is a convenience, one can survive on trail mix for a long time without one. Getting lost 50 miles out in the desert is not so great. Now, even with a GPS, though, you still need to have maps, compass and know where you are so if the GPS conks out you don't automatically get lost, IMHO. So one could argue it is also a convenience in a sense. But I think it's more than that, the GPS is a terrific tool that I would not go out without any more, and providing it's actually working a GPS makes it basically impossible to get lost, not so with a map.

But also to get to your basic point, a $150 GPS will do just fine. Not too many $150 new fridges out there, though.

 

[Southeast Overland]

Which fridge are you looking at?

If everything else was even, I would be tempted to go with the fridge. It makes multi-day trips much easier. I love my DeLorme PN60 GPS and I use the tar out of it but I get more convenience out of the fridge.

Disclaimer - I grew up using hard copy maps so I can get by fine with those. If you are not so good with hard maps you should possibly consider the GPS.

 

[NorCal Cruiser]

Go for the fridge for Christmas and then buy a cheap ~$150 GPS later.

 

[GXO]

I want a Montana 650t GPS or the Iron Man 50L fridge with bag...

I don't want a basic GPS (have that). I want a street/trail/topo friendly unit.

The fridge I willing to try Iron Man because everything else I have bought have been top notch (and they have killer prices)

 

[e9999]

maps are essential and I use them, but realistically, I've been to places with mazes of canyons that did not show on "regular" maps, or in huge flat barren desert spots with no roads, in whiteouts etc, so unless you have a bunch of high rez topos and then you can find orientation features, a GPS is generally much better than a map and certainly more convenient, when working. And the track feature is priceless if you just want to go do some random exploring.
Now, if you are just going to the local woods and are always within 2 miles of the nearest asphalt road, a fridge with cold brews and steaks would likely beat the GPS in extra enjoyment factor.

(btw, my $150 garmin handheld gps will take (free) detailed topo maps and (free) detailed street maps. My $200 Nuvi has all the street info you'd want and some trails too. Both can be loaded with commercial map products too I believe.)

 

[RobRed]

Dan what other GPS options do you own already? Do you already have an iPhone or iPad? For $1.99 you can buy MotionX GPS and get a fridge.

 

[spressomon]

Its a toss up but in the end I almost never cuss my fridge...whereas I can't say that about all the GPS systems I've used/use

And counting all hours of vehicle operation the fridge is used considerably more than the GPS. I was told, 6+ years ago when I was wringing my hands about the cost of a 12V fridge/freeze by my LC buddies, it would become my favorite accessory...and they were 100% correct! Hard to imagine going back to the hassles of ice...

And I still rely on Benchmark Topo paper map books to augment my GPSes...and they're only ~$25 per state.

 

[GXO]

How well does MotionX work in deep cover? Unless I have a really good antenna I haven't had the best of luck in my neck of the woods. Plus, I don't always carry the iPad.

 

[GXO]

I think I am leaning toward fridge...

 

[RobRed]

How well does MotionX work in deep cover? Unless I have a really good antenna I haven't had the best of luck in my neck of the woods. Plus, I don't always carry the iPad.

If your iPad is a 3G model (whether you subscribe or not) it has the GPS antenna and chipset - It works very very well. It sensitive and highly accurate. Motion X is but one application available and as offroad nav it has proven to be very good.

A great advantage for using the iOS devices is that the vendors are constantly improving the apps and maps.

Check the link in my signature for more discussion regarding the ipad and nav.

 

[Jacket]

Fridge for sure.

 

[GXO]

Need more build thread on the iPad route. I think we have a winner. Going to take my wife's out to test it out. If it works will get an iPad2 to play with for my rig.

Asking for the fridge

 

[RobRed]

Dan look in the 100 forum.. after I did my install some other members did as well. 2000UZJ used the RAM mounts (popular).

 

[davegonz]

Fridge.

 

[warpdriv]

Get the fridge, you'll have the food when you get lost.

 

[Bogo]

All the fun places you see when you get lost is a majority of the fun. Get the fridge.

 

[Corey]

Fridge it and never look back.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Hands down the fridge.

I always carry maps anyway, the GPS is only there for indication and finding Geocaches.

 

[GXO]

Fridge is on order. Thanks all!