Should I exchange this GPS?? TomTom 530S

[Bryan E.]

Hi,

My wife got me a GPS for Christmas. While I appreciate the thought, I wish she would have let me pick it out. I don't buy this kind of item often so she said I could exchange it for another model if I like.

It's a Tomtom XXL 530S or 530.S.

I did a search but didn't find anything listing this. I know that guys like these Tomtoms for the street but I have read nothing about them for an expidition type GPS. I probably would have picked a Garmin.

I am interested in a $300 GPS so if you have a model that you recommend that I can put maps that will show off road trails this is what I really want.

Thanks for your help.

Bryan

 

[Bryan E.]

Found some help on this web site to compare

Well, just thought I would pass this on since I'm not getting any help here. I realize that this area might not get a lot of traffic.

GpsPasSion - Reference site GPS POIs Radars

This site has a great comparision of a Tomtom 540S vs a Garmin 1490 Nuvi GPS.

Lot of good info on that site. Not sure what I'll do but thinking of either getting money back for now or trading it for the Garmin.

Thanks,

 

[Bryan E.]

Well, I took it back to Radio Shack and got a complete refund. It didn't take long to realize that I wanted a different unit. If I stayed with the TT, I would get the XXL 540 S. I am leaning towards the Garmin Nuvi 1490 now though.

I still wonder if this Garmin will help me when on trails in CO? I read that I can download topo maps on it.

Any recommendations for the best trail GPS?

 

[MEMCruiser]

Garmin GPSMAP 60cx

I bought a garmin gps map 60cx for 210 on costco. I am not planning on using it in city. Wifes car has nav system and hardly ever use it in town. Only on trips out of town does it get used. I was looking for one that could be hand held and had external antenna so when in the woods I would not lose reception. It has a sd card so you can put in topo maps. Hope this helps.

 

[Bryan E.]

Thanks for the reply MEMCruiser.

No idea how long it will take but now I'm trying to just figure out what the best GPS will be that I can use in a car and for finding my way on off road trails. Having a map along doesn't always work as I found out this summer. Lot of maps are just wrong. After getting lost on a trail, not really lost but couldn't figure out where I was by the map so we turned around in order to keep from becoming lost. At least the Garmin Nuvi 265 showed the way that I had come even though it didn't show where the trail was ahead of me, led me back through several Y's in the trails back safe and sound.


So...If you could pick your best GPS for trail use, that will also double for car highway trips, what would you pick?

Why is this research so hard? It's harder than picking a lift or gears or even tires for my Land Cruiser. There are so many to choose from, but so few offer what I think I need which is showing off road trails and that capability. This is going to take a while. Lot of research to do.

 

[H2OBOSS]

I'm having a similar problem I was given the option of a Lowrance or no GPS and I'm having a hard time finding any kind of info for trails and off roading. I thought it would have come loaded with topo's but I'm learning that you have to but most of this stuff. I found a site off the link you left toporider.com Anyone ever use this?

 

[IH8Wood]

TomTom rocks for city navigating. I don't think they have much of presence in the off road market, though.