What GPS do you have?

[AdventureToolCompany]

Greetings-

I've had several Garmin GPS units (handheld and vehicle mount) and like them, but now I'm interested in something that has a larger screen without going to a Laptop based unit.

Curious what you all have and like. I'd also be curious if anyone has a Lowrance HDS5 Baja Chartplotter and how well it works for you?

Thanks!

BritKLR

 

[spressomon]

Had a Garmin SP 2730 which was just OK until it got stolen. But I tired of it anyway for off-road use and went, almost 3-years ago, to the Baja 540C unit. Like all GPS systems it has its plusses and minuses but overall I like it and would buy it again even knowing its deficiencies; which BTW are mostly within the mapping program (MapCreate 7) and/or software side of the unit. The hardware side is great!

And they could make the process of uploading map data (either way) less cumbersome/bulky. But again that's a software issue and easily resolved if they ever decide they want to make it more user friendly

But overall and relative to automotive GPS units I can't imagine a better and easier system to use/nav while driving for Topo/off-road application...

 

[prado t]

I use a Magellan Triton 1500. When I picked it up over a year ago Magellan didnt have any software that worked. That is why they were on sale. Did some searching found JUNGLE GHOST. A guy in New Jersey that soups them up and offers vey good to Exellent Maps. Everything from foot paths to Majer highways.
The screen is probably not big enough for you but it works exellent. Most people I know use Garmin with Canadian Topo. While comparing I found that JUNGLE GHOST was more accurate and had more to offer. IMOP

 

[cavemancaleb]

Garmin Nuvii 260w.
I like it cause it has a touch screen and I can make the car on the screen a big lifted truck.
I love it becuase it records my tracks on or of froad so I can record and save all the trails I run.

 

[Roberto]

Garmin 276C

 

[Tennessee Jed]

I got a simple hockey-puck BU353 off of ebay for $35. It works fantastically - I owned 2 previous units (Garmin and DeLorme PN20) and it picks up satellites and gets a fix usually in about 10 seconds. Has never lost a fix. It works flawlessly with my laptop based Topo mapping software. I'm only interested in vehicle based GPS - no need for hand held personally. But after fighting with slow fixes and dodgy performance from two handhelds, this little thing is a dream.

Edit - sorry - you're interested in hand held. The PN20 I had was slow to get fixes but it worked great. The PN40 has pretty much fixed this problem and is probably an excellent unit. It works perfectly with Topo software - plug and play.

 

[gilghana]

well I am a bit of a gps freak and have used them professionally and hobby type use for a long time.

IMHO for 'our' use the 276c is the ultimate. That is it. I don't have one but have 3 others (including the so called 276c replacement...) and have played with the 276 a lot and believe me they are rated very highly for a reason - only minus point is the junk garmin brand memory cards.

 

[roalco]

I use two, a Garmin e-trex Vista C mounted on the top of the dash (I can remove it for a "walk back" unit) and a Toughbook running OziExplorer with a garmin remote puck antenna. I can have both of them running garmin maps but normally the laptop runs Mussio Backroads Mapbooks maps (with hardcopies of the mapbooks under the seat, with a compass and altimeter....).

 

[esh]

Depends on what size screen and capability you are looking for..

I've found handheld GPSs work for very basic function- tracks, waypoints, distance to, etc.. PC-based setups offer the most map detail with storage for 1:24k resolution.. the western US takes up about 30GB of space. Laptops are rather bulky or "present" stuck somehow in the space between the front seats and dash (though the screen real estate is great).

So my compromise has been a tablet PC (with my 60csx attached via USB). The current one is an Itronix Duo-Touch, which takes away the keyboard (not needed for maps anyway) and allows input from a pen or via the touchscreen. It is 800x600 resolution and ruggedized. They come up on ebay in groups from time to time as refurbs. There are more and more platforms available, UMPCs, MIDs now Netbooks, and mapping doesn't take a lot of CPU to use. I have it on RAM mount setup, basically an arm attached to a 1" bar running the width of my dash so I can move it anywhere along the dash and swing the arm to mount it high or low. Works great and is very out of the way.

 

[number057]

For the functions for what I do (racing, and very long trips) I have the garmin 276c , but for racing is better the 296 (faster data transmition!).
Agree with gilghana the only minus are the crappy memory cards.
My brother uses the Zumo 550 and is cool also , but for the price and what i need th 276c is the winner.

 

[acer]

Use the Garmin map 76 professionally, and on trips.....one old etrx to plot where Ive been, guess where I'm going dosen't matter that much, as long as I get there! to each their own. I have used a Panasonic toughbook w/ mapping software to do realtime geologic surveys all over the western US and AK. The new Garmin Colorado seems pretty cool, I could see how the rotational interface knob may become compromised in bad conditions, however.
my .02
Cheers
J

 

[SOCALFJ]

Baja840c. I dont like to squint

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Baja840c. I dont like to squint

Any pix on how you have it mounted?

Thanks!

 

[bofer84]

lowrance Xog...cant beat it, water proof, expandable memory, hybrid maps, for both air, water, and land. decent battery life, and good signal strength. its just the right size for the fj40 if you dont need a huge 8inch screen.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

lowrance Xog...cant beat it, water proof, expandable memory, hybrid maps, for both air, water, and land. decent battery life, and good signal strength. its just the right size for the fj40 if you dont need a huge 8inch screen.

Thanks for the info!

 

[84cruzer]

Any one using any in dash GPS units?? Found this at Crutchfield for my 60, just not sure if it could stand the abuse.http://www.crutchfield.com/p_020NZ409/Clarion-NZ409.html?tp=20222&tab=features_and_specs

 

[SOCALFJ]

Any pix on how you have it mounted?

Thanks!

It's on a RAM mount. Can be adjusted over for the passenger to navigate for the driver if need be.

And yes, i can still access the in dash CB and stereo. May not look like it in the above photo.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Dave-

Very cool! That's exactly the way I'd like to set mine up! Thanks for the pictures.

Britklr