Another new 4 stroker with a question

[curious george]

I just bought a 07 RTX out of the box in late March of last year, so my throttle finger is mighty itchy and still a few more months to wait. I am coming off a Rev 600 and hoping my ride on the rough trails we have around here might be comparable. : I know the power is very addictive. I had a short ride on one last year and still smiling.

Anyhow My question is I am looking to buy a gps (garmin vista hcx) and was wondering if anyone can give me some advice (neg or pos) I am looking for a versitle gps to do the following: snowmobiling, fishing and driving. What are the rest of you people using?

 

[nate007]

I have a Garmin 496, which is an aviation version, but it's the same size and shape as all the other Garmin models. I like it, but I don't have my XM subscription current so I can't say anything about that. Garmin is easy to use, but I know most of them are probably very similar.
IMO, Garmin is the best brand, however. Don't buy just on price. I think Magellan makes a GPS that is sportsman friendly as well, but I've never messed with one.

 

[actionjack]

I have a 60CS and its great for the sled. The 60CSx would be a good choice.

 

[jkenosh]

i got a garmin csx and really like it with the expandable memory up to 4 gig you can hold street maps of all the us and canada, and it seems pretty durable

 

[nate007]

How do they hold up in the cold climate? Granted, I've never felt like I've needed a GPS on my sled, but I would think the cold weather would either slow the screen or shorten the battery life or??
Now, if you could get trail maps on 'em.....

 

[flyingpig]

I emailed garmin and asked them to recommend the right garmin for me. I wanted something I could use in car, snowmobile, motorcycle and something that we allow me to use topo maps also. They recommended the Quest II and it is a wonderful gps. I just suction it to the hood and plug it into the cig lighter. Awesome!
Email them and they may suggest a newer model depending what you want. The quest was not affected by the cold or winter weather moisture.

 

[Mikecam]

Here's mine. The legend Cx, same as the vista without the Pilot stuff. Mine has worked great for over 2000 miles thru the coldest weather. I have mine mounted and wired to the battery full time and I leave the light on. Love it.

Here's where I bought it. Ram mount bolted to the stock bar riser with the power wire coming thru a hole in the bar pad. I also ordered the suction cup to mount in the car and it took us to Inuvik on the arctic ocean. Son uses the bike mount for mountain biking in the summer. Never missed a beat yet.

http://www.prairie.mb.ca/product/010-00629-00.php

Click on "compare units" on the left to see the differences.

 

[curious george]

Thanks guys for all your help. It has been most appreciated.

 

[curious george]

Nice gauges Mikecam Where did you get the temp gauge. I feel this would be a most useful gauge and wonder why Yamaha didn't one built into the pod
Paul

 

[actionjack]

Plenty of trail maps on GPS
http://www.gpssledmaps.com/maps/

Never had a problem at all with the GPS in the cold on the batteries or powered from the accessory outlet.

 

[bigbigrichie]

I Use The Maggellan Sportrak Series With Monochrome Screen is Best For The Coldest Weather They Also Sell A Mount And 12volt Adapter For It the 12v adapter hooks right up to the mount on handlebars and when you want to dismount the gps when away from your sled just hit the button and it pops right off the gps changes over to battery power never had a problem with this mount through the roughest terrain .... check out the pic of mine

Ilove this unit works great for back tracking shows all the info top speed etc.....
Richie

 

[Yamadogger]

Garmin GPSmap 76

I have a Garmin GPSmap 76 that I've used on my sleds for about 5 years. I use a Ram Mount on my Apex and it's mounted exactly the same as where bigbigrichie has his. The only issue I've ever had was in very cold temps (-15F and below) the display will be very sluggish and sometimes not easily visible. It still works (tracks, etc.) but may be a little hard to read. A quick warm-up in your pocket brings the display back quickly. I use mine mainly for mapping trails and keeping track of where I've been throughout the winter. Also nice for an accurate speed and max top speed. The Mapsource software is nice and easy to use.

 

[curious george]

Thanks to all who took the time to advise me and show me their mounting of their GPS's Well I bought a Garmin gpsmap 60 csx and a handlebar Ram mount. Just waiting to get it mounted and most of all the SNOW.
Thanks to all

 

[Ported Hornet]

I can tell you if you are anything like me you won't look back at your rev, especially if it is not a X package. I came from the Ski-doo camp with a Blair Morgan X 800 with revalved shocks and i had regular adrenline 800 for the wifey. The RTX is a overall better sled any will pull almost any pre 08 800 doo unless it is tuned to perfect or has tons of mods. The Apex will only suffer on huge bumps but with a shock revalve I am pretty sure I could make it better than my X package doo. Keep in mind that I had to revalve my doo shocks stiffer to get them to my liking. My 800 X was tuned and geared pretty well and my apex in stock form with only studs would pull it by about 1 sled or a half of a sled everytime I raced it. The doo also had a lighter rider on it at the time of the race. Hope this helps and confirms to you that you made the right decision. I almost forgot the best thing about the Apex, the peace of mind of riding a very reliable sled than you don't have to worry that it will leave you in the woods.