GPS

[journeyman]

Just wondering what GPS's Ty'ers recommend for trail maps. I have been thinking about buying a new one and wondering about opinions. Should I buy a mount style or a pocket unit? Where to buy and what brand??

thanks for your opnions.......links would be great!!

 

[RIYAMAHA]

I just got a Nuvi 550 with all mounts an cables from gpscity.com. They had the best price!!

 

[Phazernut]

Garmin 60CSX with a RAM mount. Thig is bullet proof and very easy to use.

 

[maim]

just got a garmin 60CSx for christmas from my brother and his fiancee. already have all the ontario trail maps in it. just need to get off my butt and get a ram mount and wiring for it. (that and learn how to use it)

 

[tmk50]

I picked up a Garmin 62s about a month ago - I like it so far. I have been working on doing overlays of trail maps to google earth and then I upload those as mapsets to the GPS - works good so far.

 

[jlemieu1]

Garmin 60CSX with a RAM mount. Thig is bullet proof and very easy to use.

X2 I've been using mine for three seasons.

 

[CaptCaper]

60csx is awesome for riding. But I like the bigger screen of the 276C so I got one of those too but it is more money. I bought both refurbished with Garmin garantee so they were a good deal.
Both of these are water proof were the Nuvi and others arent. Ram mount is in order too. I mounted it on the riser.
Also you can reload the tracks you make for a later trip or exchange track log's with friends. Tracks are highlighted in the 60 series which I like. Save and track back navigating as well.
With newer units you can't do these things for off road navigating. So stay away from strickly auto use units.

 

[Yamadogger]

I would recommend one of the new Garmin models for the reason tmk50 noted - with the new Garmins you can take a trail map that is electronic, overlay it in Google Earth and dump it to the GPS. It's pretty slick. If you want functional and inexpensive the Garmin 60 CSX that several mentioned is a great choice but it's an older model and doesn't give you the ability to overlay with Google Earth. The GPSMAP 62S is the new version of the 60 but you'll pay quite a bit more for it. I just bought my wife a Garmin GPSMAP 78SC which is the marine version of the 62 and has the same functionality. I have some software called "vvmapping" that has all the snowmobile trail maps on it but it's only for Michigan. I see you're from MN so this probably wouldn't help you out. It's pretty nice though - all the trails are on it and they're highlighted in bright yellow with the trail numbers and all. Makes it pretty nice to navigate. I have our GPSs RAM mounted up high on the left side of the bars so in your field of view they're just left of the tach (on an Apex) which makes it easy to see at a glance.

 

[CaptCaper]

Yamadooger
You can load Google Earth into the Garmin? I know you can overlay the tracks into Google Earth from either the 60cs series or the 276C as well.
I use both Topo Maps and Street maps in my Garmins because Topo doesn't show all streets we cross or go down and Street Maps don't show all Topo features like lakes,terrain,etc. back roads.
With my units I can show both at once or toggle between them.

 

[Yamadogger]

You use Google Earth to make the map overlay and then send that to the GPS. It's a new feature on the new Garmin models (Dakota, Oregon, Colorado, 62, & 78). This link:http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/onthetrail/custommaps#fragment-1
will show you how to do it.

 

[CaptCaper]

I save tracks,routes or I can make them in Mapsource or NG Topo then send them to my units. Each track can be colored differently and will give mileage,etc. and show or not show on map with chooser preferences. It shows on the unit as a map when you zoom out. Same Idea I guess. I have 14 saved Tracks or maps of my favorite rides thur Northern NE.

 

[birkebeiner]

Anyone tried the new Garmin Dakota 20 ?? Looks good, have a big touchscreen and both digital compass and altitude meter.

 

[journeyman]

Thanks for all the replies. I will have to check them all out and see what meets my needs.

 

[Fourcam281]

Anybody ever use the isledwi iPhone app? It's 5 bucks and works even if you don't have a data connection. Thinking of getting but the reviews for isledmn aren't that great...

 

[CaptCaper]

Anyone tried the new Garmin Dakota 20 ?? Looks good, have a big touchscreen and both digital compass and altitude meter.

Compared at Garmin it seems very similar in functions to 60csx. I would think it would depend on priceing and if you really need the few extra funtions of the Dakota.
60csx can be found everywhere. Mine has never failed after years of use too.
I won't upgrade for my sled unless there is big improvements. But starting from nothing someone might go with other units.