Want GPS device, please help

spyderknut

spyderknut

Joined
Nov 7, 2004
Messages
959
Is there a gps device that I can use on road and off (hiking, biking, canooing)?

I want it to be light, waterproof, give verbal driving cues, rugged and use primary or replaceable rechargable cells rather than a built in rechargeable. I car lighter power source would be nice too. I want topo information when I am off road.

I understand the importance of having a map and compass and how to use them. I just want some extra convenience and security.

Am I asking too much of one device? I am looking at Garmin models Rino 130 (with FRS/GMRS radio), Colorado 400T, Oregon 300 and GPSMAP 60CSX. I am open to suggestions including the fact that I may need two devices. If you think two devices are the way to go, please make recommendations for both. I appreciate in advance your time spent providing me with your opinion!
 
If there is a hand-held device good for on-road, wilderness, and marine environments then I want one too.
 
Garmin eTrex Vista HCx for me..buy the US road map SD chip and you're good to go. I use lithium AA batteries. Won't talk to you but warning tones on upcoming tract/turns changes.

I plotted a track from our home in W Central FL to Honolulu...that GPS technology is just was cool and useful stuff[ well, we did fly].

Garmin for me from an early handheld that lsted >12 yrs to low end car to this handheld. If yoyu can find better than Garmin and can afford it, MIGHT try.
 
I just purchased a Delorme PN-40. So far I have been pretty pleased with it. I like the map features and the ability to get new maps from the Delorme site. It is pretty rugged from what I can tell and waterproof. It was purchased for use with my kayak, but will see double duty for hikes etc. I saved 200.00 buying online...not that I don't want to support local brick and mortar stores, but with that kind of savings I couldn't pass it up.

Billyp
 
Most of the vehicle-oriented GPSes aren't good for outdoors. Not rugged, not water resistant, inappropriate feature set, etc.

You might check out the models designed for motorcycle use. The same driving features as the automotive units, but waterproof too.

Or here's a unit advertised as a do-everything model. Inexpensive and pre-loaded with both road and topo maps: http://www.gpsnow.com/garmin_nuvi_500.htm
 
I don't know of one that will do what you're asking better than the Garmin Oregon 400t. The touchscreen is very handy; not iPhone cool just yet, but a definite move in that direction. You may have to use a hand to shade the screen a bit in exceedingly bright conditions.

http://www.gpsreview.net/garmin-oregon-400t/
 
Thanks for the input gents.

I also have an iPhone in an Otterbox case. While not submersible, it is resistant to water intrusion. The inability to charge in the field is another issue -- I know there are solar or primary cell chargers.

Are there good apps that would allow use of an iPhone with function approaching Garmins?
 
spyderknut said:
Are there good apps that would allow use of an iPhone with function approaching Garmins?
Click to expand...

There are lots of apps that purport to turn your iPhone into a car GPS. I have not tried any of them, however, since I have both a dedicated car unit and a handheld GPS.

In one regard, capturing tracks, I've found the Everytrail app for the iPhone to be quite good. Performance matches the Garmin in most instances, though in heavy canopy, the Garmin outshines the iPhone.

Below is a track of a mountain bike loop taken with my iPhone using Everytrail.

attachment.php


And here is an overlay I created. It shows both the Everytrail track above as well as the same loop captured by my Garmin 60CSx.

attachment.php


You can see that they're not exactly the same, but they're very close. I could easily get that much variation between two Garmin captures.


.
 
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Get a hardened Windows Mobile PDA. There's lots of them designed for the military or industrial / warehouse scenario.

Get the appropriate software (TomTom Navigator / iNav iGuidance on - road, GPSTuner / BeeLineGPS off - road).

I get 4 days in between charges on the Motorola MC70GPS, and roughly 2.5 days with the MC75 (without heavy GPS/WAN/WLAN use).

Not to diss the iPhone guys... But these are MANphones, not toys.

Carry extra batteries if you please.
 
I have a Garmin eTrex, pretty outdated now (bought in 2003, IIRC), but even when new it wasn't great. The battery life sucked (basically one set for one day of use, and even using low power drain mode) and it was terrible to get a lock on satellites. It took almost 15 minutes with an overcast sky and up to three to five minutes with clear skies. I'm sure the newer models must be better, but after the eTrex I got a bit leery about Garmin.

On the other hand, I have a TomTom One XL for my car and the thing absolutely rocks. It takes seconds (one to two minutes tops with overcast skies) to get a lock and when necessary replots a route in about five seconds. Unfortunately I think they only have car models, but if they did had a rugged hand-held unit, that's the one I would get.
 
I have a Garmin 60Cx and it does good for road navigation.

That is, if you haven't seen a Garmin Nuvi (dedicated car GPS).

The 60Cx beeps in different tones when it is time to turn and it is quite accurate. I find it sufficient for my needs and it gets me around town and navigates through the roads well.

What lacks is the speech capability of a dedicated car-GPS like the Nuvi. I am spoilt by the Nuvi but the 60Cx is good to have in hand. I did a side by side comparison and the 60Cx performed almost as well as the Nuvi, except for the fact that it tells you to turn nearer to the turn (30ft or so). This is bad if you are unfamiliar and have to switch lanes too quickly.

However it is still good but having a dedicated car GPS is the way to go. The 60Cx is decent but you might have to look at the screen everytime it beeps. Hazardous and the screen is smaller.

So I think having 2 different sets is the better option!
 
Oh no, I tried carrying a hand-held unit while driving (on a dash mount) and it just doesn't cut it. After all it was made to work with your eyes on the unit all the time, and not just to get a glance once a while like a dedicated car unit.
 
nutz_about_knives said:
What lacks is the speech capability of a dedicated car-GPS like the Nuvi. I am spoilt by the Nuvi but the 60Cx is good to have in hand. I did a side by side comparison and the 60Cx performed almost as well as the Nuvi, except for the fact that it tells you to turn nearer to the turn (30ft or so). This is bad if you are unfamiliar and have to switch lanes too quickly.
Click to expand...



My 60csx lets me know that a turn is coming up more than once. It does it at roughly 400'-500' and then as you get closer like you mentioned. I haven't checked to see if there is a setting that you can change to your own personal liking. I may look into that.
 
cgmblade said:
If there is a hand-held device good for on-road, wilderness, and marine environments then I want one too.
Click to expand...


The Garmin 60csx comes to mind, atleast that's what I use. I've had numerous GPS units, from hand-helds to auto/marine mount ones like the 276c. The 60csx uses the same navigation maps that all the other garmin units use, but you can also load topo maps on it as well.I've used mine on numerous motorcycle trips, including a 2 week cross country trip, while geocaching, hiking, on the lake, and even tracked our flights before. The only downside to it for some users is the small screen, where as something like the 276c has a bigger screen which is easier to use while in the car. I don't mind that it doesn't give voice commands, I hear enough female voice commands from my wife and 2 daughters. :D
 
spyderknut said:
Thanks for the input gents.

I also have an iPhone in an Otterbox case.
Click to expand...

My problem with all the iPhone based GPS apps is that they still require a web connection to refresh map images. Not a very practical arrangement for anyone who travels outside of coverage areas.
 
For remote locations I can't see how a device with web-based maps can work. If you're out of cell cover you're lost, so it has to be a satellite GPS.
 
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