Question on Garmin Nuvi 3590LM GPS

[DirtyPepper]

In my thrift store travels, I came across a never used Garmin Nuvi 3590LM GPS for $9 - it updated without any issues...like I said, it's "new". Came with the connecting base, traffic connector, everything that was NEW in 2017 for it, and, after spending almost three hours updating, it's currently on the most recent software and map sets.

Is it worth even using?

I know a lot of people run Gaia or AllTrails, or Overland Trail Guides (the one I'm leaning to), or even google maps via a tablet. But a tablet doesn't always get a signal...this does. So is it something that is worth having in my Cruiser (I personally think it has merit) but if I can get everything it has by using Gaia, along with more detail...then maybe that's the better option?

I'd like to know your experience with the Garmin Nuvi if you have it, or any other GPS for trails (like TomTom, Magellan, etc.).



Thanks,

 

[jonheld]

There's a ton of information in the navigation forum.

Communication & Navigation

GMRS, Amateur (Ham) Radio, CB radio, GPS, satellite

forum.ih8mud.com

That said, for 9 bucks you can't go wrong. However I dumped all my Garmin GPS stuff in favor of an Android tablet with a large SD memory card. Nice big touch screen, run whatever apps you want, load as many map sets as you can get. Never had an issue with GPS signal loss.

 

[george_tlc]

A modern tablet with multiple GPS constellation capability (just like modern smart phones) will get a lock much better than an older Garmin. A modern tablet will receive GPS, Glonass, Galileo and possibly one or two others. This means access to 20 or more satellites and that improves coverage in many areas (lots of trees, down in canyons, etc).

The tablet with software you mentioned can give you terrain, aerial views, topo choices, tracks/trails etc.

The only vehicle I run a Nuvi in is my old Jeep and that's to provide a better (non-bouncing) speedo

A smart phone provides better coverage and graphics than the old Garmin stuff too.

Having a tablet and smart phone both loaded with the same mapping stuff gives you a backup if one fails for some unlikely reason. Never hurts to have backups, especially a working brain with some navigation/map reading skills and an actual compass

cheers,
george.

 

[DirtyPepper]

There's a ton of information in the navigation forum.

Communication & Navigation

GMRS, Amateur (Ham) Radio, CB radio, GPS, satellite

forum.ih8mud.com

That said, for 9 bucks you can't go wrong. However I dumped all my Garmin GPS stuff in favor of an Android tablet with a large SD memory card. Nice big touch screen, run whatever apps you want, load as many map sets as you can get. Never had an issue with GPS signal loss.

Awesome, thanks...this is all really good stuff to read.