what is the best GPS for back/dirt roads?

[chris777]

I have been very happy with my TomTlom while driving around the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, but I recently found out that it doesn't do a very good job on distant rural roads or dirt roads.

Do any of the other brands do a good job at this?

I must have the full color 3D graphical user interface. But I would rather keep the price below $400 if I can.

 

[D'Animal]

I must have the full color 3D graphical user interface. But I would rather keep the price below $400 if I can.

OK That does not make any sense.


I use a Garm 3Plus with the "off road" package loaded on it for off road driving. It lists topo plus major fire roads and designated off road trails.

My Garm 5 I keep for street driving.

 

[eleblanc]

I use a Garmin Etrex Legend Cx on my ATV, with a rail mount. Never had any issue. I use the same GPS in my cruiser with the ram suction mount to the windshield.

http://www.gpscity.com/item-ram/ramb149ga16.htm
http://www.gpscity.com/item-ram/rapf166ga16.htm

The Cx doesn't seem to exist anymore, it is the HCx
http://www.gpscity.com/item-garmin-etrex-legend-hcx/etrexleghcx.htm

 

[pismo62]

Garmin e-trex legend hooked up to Oziexplorer on my laptop.

 

[Waggoner5]

Garmin 7200 with Topo maps loaded. Allthough its expensive, I needed a large screen so I don't have to grab my specs to see where I'm headed. I gave 900 for this unit which retails for 1500.

 

[ECMO4]

I have a Legend HCx and 60Cx loaded with Topo that work great and you can move them around with the RAM mounts.

I have used NGTopo on the laptop connected to the Legend, works great as long as you're not bouncing around. Great for exploring entries and then building routes for use later.

 

[PScottBx]

I suppose there is no one GPS that is awesome at street and offroad driving, yes???

There are some good at each it seems..not both. Funny, there are some that are good at roads/marine.

I'm still looking... got a Nuvi 360 for Bday... don't know if I'm keeping it.

Any help appreciated.
Thanks again

Scott

 

[PScottBx]

So I know the Nuvi is not "meant" for offroad much.. but could one purchase the topo maps and use it ???

http://www.gpscity.com/item-garmin-...-coast-microsd-card---region-7/msdtusc7-8.htm


Would this help?

Thanks

Scott

 

[Angel?]

You may wish to consider ordering a copy of the Fall issue of Overland Journal, where they tested and reviewed six off-road units head-to-head, providing comparitive tables, as well as pros and cons analysis. Four of the six units are $400 or less. Those four units are the Bushnell ONIX 200CR, the DeLorme Earthmate GPS PN-20, the Lowrance iFinder Expedition C, and the Magellan Crossover GPS North America 2500T.

http://www.overlandjournal.com/overland_journal.html

Here is a thread on the Magellan Crossover: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8923

 

[Bob_Garrett]

I'd avoid Magellan, unless you want to buy a new one every year. They tend to abandon many of their models with no software or map updates.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I'm planning on getting a Garmin Zuma 550 and downloading topo maps onto a SD card. This GPS is designed for motorcycle navi, so it's vibration and waterproof and will leave cookie trails and waypoints.

 

[Yoda1]

I have a Legend HCx and 60Cx loaded with Topo that work great and you can move them around with the RAM mounts.

I have used NGTopo on the laptop connected to the Legend, works great as long as you're not bouncing around. Great for exploring entries and then building routes for use later.

The wife got me the legend hcx for x-mas ,how good are the base maps that come with this unit. I'm new to gps units so anything you can tell me about it would be appreciated.

 

[BlueXJ]

Wife just bought me a TomTom one 3rd edition. How good are they for trails, fire roads and logging roads?

 

[chris777]

Terrible. that is what I had when I went on trails and logging roads in Colarado and Utah. It doesn't just fail, it sends off on wrong routes.

 

[BlueXJ]

Terrible. that is what I had when I went on trails and logging roads in Colarado and Utah. It doesn't just fail, it sends off on wrong routes.

Any updates available that will correct the problems with the lack of off road trails? Are there any maps available to download from home PC?

 

[warpdriv]

I have been reading here GPS Review : GPS Reviews and some people recommend 1 for on road and 1 for off road.

Also found this
Free Shipping - Magellan Triton Series Handheld GPS

 

[lathamb]

You could always go the palm/pocket pc with on road and some topo mapping software loaded. I have an IPAQ hx4700 with garmin mapsource (Garmin Que on the PDA) for on road and memory-map navigator software for topo/offroad mapping. It's a little pricier than going with a handheld unit, but you have added flexibility with software and storage (cf/sd card) options. Also you have a wider choice of topo map formats so you're not tied to a particular vendor. And if you happen to be dating a GIS professional, you have all the maps you'll ever need.

 

[Uncle Ben]

You could always go the palm/pocket pc with on road and some topo mapping software loaded. I have an IPAQ hx4700 with garmin mapsource (Garmin Que on the PDA) for on road and memory-map navigator software for topo/offroad mapping. It's a little pricier than going with a handheld unit, but you have added flexibility with software and storage (cf/sd card) options. Also you have a wider choice of topo map formats so you're not tied to a particular vendor. And if you happen to be dating a GIS professional, you have all the maps you'll ever need.

I have had a few GPS units over the years and I love my newest one! It's a Lowrance Expedition C. Awesome unit! Previous one was (is) a Garmin V which really is an awesome unit if you like black and white and the smaller screen. My first unit I had was an old Megallan (forget the model) It was good in the day but prehistoric compared to modern units. I also had a Delorme Earthmate set up on an old laptop that really was ahead of it's time! I have a Lowrance Eagle Explorer that was my upgrade to the old Megallan and the kids still use that for GPS scavenger hunts....slow by todays standards but it sold me on Lowrance years ago! In a handheld you really want a unit that is easily updateable and has a higher res screen! Make sure it works on aftermarket software. A big factor on a great GPS is battery life and how simple it is to navigate the screens! If it's a PITA you will not use it much! You can still find Garmin V's on e-bay for pretty cheap. If I needed a new GPS today knowing what I have learned I would buy the one I already did....the Lowrance Explorer C! A hidden cost to consider is software costs! It is easy to spend as much if not more so on software than the GPS unit themselves!

 

[The Proton]

I have a delorme PN-20. It will do on road directions, but nowhere near as well as a tom-tom or similar. Its works best when you create routes on a PC and send them to the unit.

Great off-road detai, however, and you can send satellite photos, topoquads to it etc. For on road it is fine for a long trip with a pre made map, but very hard to enter an address, find it, and route you to it. I think there really is not unit that does both well at this point

 

[warpdriv]

Found this site Best Selling 4X4, 4WD, Offroad, OHV and Jeep Handbooks, Trail Guides, Trail Maps, Videos and GPS It has some good model comparisons.