new to the gps world, tell me your thoughts!

[suprfst]

personally I prefer the nuvi 750,760 for trail riding. the 500 is really the only inexpensive waterproof gps(zumu is big bucks) and I bought a 500 but they have a different program in them because of the topo and dont overlay the trails in the same way as all other nuvi,s. At least with redpine mapping that I was using. I quickly sold the 500 and went back to the bigger more easier to see 760. No its not water proof but its never been a problem, works in the cold and I use the same gps on my boat and it got completly soaked, let it dry and it still works fine. It was so wet water literaly RAN out of it when I tilted it. they are relatively cheap as well.

 

[natedawgedog]

personally I prefer the nuvi 750,760 for trail riding. the 500 is really the only inexpensive waterproof gps(zumu is big bucks) and I bought a 500 but they have a different program in them because of the topo and dont overlay the trails in the same way as all other nuvi,s. At least with redpine mapping that I was using. I quickly sold the 500 and went back to the bigger more easier to see 760. No its not water proof but its never been a problem, works in the cold and I use the same gps on my boat and it got completly soaked, let it dry and it still works fine. It was so wet water literaly RAN out of it when I tilted it. they are relatively cheap as well.

thanks for the input, but I need something that I know if it goes in a creek bed (nytro went in 2 this last winter) it is still going to be able to get me home if need be, I have been looking at all types of gps's over the last 2 months and just cant pull the trigger on anything yet, but I have a whole new list of demands for a gps that need to be met now, instead of a budget of $250 on a gps its going to be more around the $400-450 range now. I am realy liking the responses that Ive been getting so far! Keep them comming!!!

 

[Blue Dave]

Who besides Redpine has good MN maps (and customer service)?

 

[SteelerJim]

VV Mapping is spoken highly of from what I've read but they don't have maps for the areas I ride. I think I will try Sledgps next. They sell their maps by region for $50. The northeast region has 7 states. Hard to go wrong at that price for an entire region. I've not dealt with either company before as I am a noob to gps's myself.

 

[sleddog66]

VV Mapping is spoken highly of from what I've read but they don't have maps for the areas I ride. I think I will try Sledgps next. They sell their maps by region for $50. The northeast region has 7 states. Hard to go wrong at that price for an entire region. I've not dealt with either company before as I am a noob to gps's myself.

Sledgps is the same as ustrailmaps. No experience with them, but I talked to them on the phone the other day, and they answered all my questions politely and professionally. The maps on their site looks good. I would not hesitate to try them.

 

[fiddlersgreen]

Hi guys,

Rather than start a new topic I am posting here for the best chance of a reply from someone watching this recent thread.

I have a Lowrance H2Oc that I use in my boat. Is this a good GPS to load trail maps onto and use on a sled?

It looks like Garmin might be better supported with available sled trail maps?

Apparently with the Garmin Nuvi you can have turn by turn directions with the map software from from Red Pine?

How well does the turn by turn work on the Nuvi?

Garmin vs Lowrance, pros and cons anyone?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I have a H2o and love it. I use map create topo maps that are better then the garmin maps. I have had the H2o for 7 years but its now on the blink. I have been checking around for a new garmin but dont like the mapping as well as the map create on the lorance. In my area the woods roads are not shown on the garmin maps. If I could buy another H20 I would in a heart beat.

RG

 

[Blue Dave]

FYI, I finally received a reply from Red Pine. They wrote:

From a hardware standpoint, your Lowrance is waterproof and lasts longer on batteries so it is better suited for outdoor use. From a software standpoint, however, the Garmin GPSs are vastly superior to the way they display data, as well as the routing feature which is so valuable. You could use your nuvi on the trails, especially if you have a plug on your sled to power the unit's large power-hungry screen. We would also recommend a waterproof case for it.

Our favorite GPS for snowmobiling and outdoor use in general (hiking, etc) is the Garmin Oregon 450, which we sell and have in stock here:

Mmmm what to do?

 

[EX TOPGASSER]

I used a Garmin Etrex Legend HCX for 2 years mounted in a Ram Mount. It worked perfectly. It can store waypoints, trails, maps, etc. You can pick these up for less than $200 (http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-etrex-legend-hcx.html).
Just sold it to buy the new Montan 650 only because it has a larger touch screen which is easier to navigate around.
My 2 cents.

 

[mooseflyer]

I now have my Nuvi 750 (which I've been using in my car for about 3 years) all set up for snowmobiling this season. I have (free) downloaded topo maps, and custom "clear" maps I made (using GPS2IMG) from tracks I had on Mapsource which I can display overlayed on the topo map. I also downloaded (again, free) a "clear" map with all the groomed/designated trails in my riding area. I haven't tried it out yet, but I have high hopes for this season (thanks to Steve's post). I plan to plug it in to the power outlet on my Venture - I just installed a brand new battery in the Nuvi, but when I tested it last week on the ATV in the cold it till didn't last more than 30 minutes or so. Installed under the windshield I'm hoping moisture won't be an issue.

I also have my music collection on an SD card installed in the Nuvi. I'll hook it up to my comm system and should be able to get tunes as well as turn by turn directions (on the occation I'll use that feature, which probably won't be often) through my helmet headset. I won't get turn by turn directions from the clear map overlays I have, but if I follow roads it should work fine. The MP3 player function is nice since it's all touch screen and will be easily accessable without having to reach in a jacket pocket, etc. The turn by turn announcements will be heard over the music.

The Nuvi won't display topo maps as well as some of the "outdoor" units, especially the newer ones. The lines of elevation look OK and will tell the rate of terrain change, but it doesn't have the brown/green shading ability of the outdoor units. It's not really a big deal to me, as I mainly want to see lakes/ponds and other roads/trails - which the Nuvi also displays just fine. The large screen is why I want to use the Nuvi (and, I already own it).

I also have an old Etrex I carry as a backup.

Like I said, I haven't tried this setup yet on the sled, but can't wait to check it out.

 

[Blue Dave]

So what do you guys think. Should I use my Lowrance H2OC or buy some sort of a Garmin?

I have heard that the maps are better for the Garmin and the search function (gas, food, bars, etc.) works better on a Garmin.

Dave

 

[Blue Dave]

I bought a Ram mount and loaded the Red Pine mapping on my Lowrance H2Oc. So far after testing it in northern WI & northern MN I can say that I am very impressed.

It settled a few arguments within our group as to where we were exactly or how we got there. I still carry a map but a map is worthless if you do not know where you are on the map.

It is most excellent for finding your way on lakes and other "off trail" riding areas especially at night. All I can say now is I can never imagine riding without a GPS and why did I wait so long!

 

[Murse]

There are many cost effective ways of adding gps. I used an old nuvi I had laying around got some free trail map links and voila going to try it ou this season. I realise trails change and they may not be exact but at least if I'm in unfamiliar territory I can find the nearest town or gas station and see my speed etc etc. Not going to bother with weather proof or ram mount just a nice self mounting job with mounting equipment it came with. Will try it out and see if it screws up / gets damaged no big deal For 0 $ pfffft what the heck. I'm just curious to see how much I will actually use it. If i get good use then I may invest some money in a more protected and advanced set up.

 

[Pykie]

Anyone else from ontario using the Redpine maps? I put sledgps.com's version on my garmin last year it didnt work out too well. Put me in a guys backyard in kinmount and didnt have the feeder trails or club trails too accurate. Wound up using a map or the app on a blackberry more often.

on the RAMount though, easy to install and works great.

 

[Grimm]

Use this free map for Ontario: http://ontarioconditions.com/forums/ind ... -versions/
I use this one...has never led me astray. Sled trails do change from year to year though, so you can't expect a trail to be mapped perfectly as trails are shut down/rerouted.

I believe this map was the precursor to the RedPine maps...it's just not as polished as the commercial RedPine map. Download it and compare it to your SledGps map to see if it's more accurate. It's possible that it may be your Gps that may not have been accurate that time you ended up in someone's backyard.

 

[Blue Dave]

Here is my Lowrance H2Oc on the Ram mount. Works great!