Want to buy a GPS, input appreciated.

[Prairie Dog]

Hey,
Is there a single great unit out there? I haven't ever used one but have been led out of an area once when I don't think I could have navigated out myself without one, at least without a lot of trial and error.

I assume I can mount it on the handlebar.

What kind should I look at?

 

[RX1 PW]

GPS

I have a Garmin Etrex Vista my sled. They are waterproof and seem to be very durable. I also have the complete Topo maps for all of Canada on my computer, then when we go to a certain area, I simply download the maps for that area to my GPS. It gives a person good security being able to see where you are on a Topo map. We also have a Sat phone in case we need to get help. If you are interested I could take a photo of how and where I mounted the GPS unit.

Perry

 

[JDKRXW]

I would give you the following advice;
- get a 'mapping' unit. These have built in base maps that the gps overlays your position onto. Cheap units (like the Garmin Gekkos) don't do this.
- there are compact units and 'standard' size units. I would get a larger unit for 2 reasons. The displays are bigger and they have better antennas so they hold the satellites better.
- I haven't mounted mine on my sled handlbars, but I have bar mounts for my dirt and street bikes. I don't think they like the cold so I use a neck strap and it's no trouble at all.
I have a Garmin eMap

 

[Prairie Dog]

Thanks for the info.

How's the battery life on these units? Would it be better to hard wire it for that purpose?

 

[JDKRXW]

Newer full size units get around 20 hrs to set of aa's. Mine gets about 8 hrs. If you handle bar mount it, the cold will really cut the battery life.

 

[MadMax]

Re: GPS

I have a Garmin Etrex Vista my sled. They are waterproof and seem to be very durable. I also have the complete Topo maps for all of Canada on my computer, then when we go to a certain area, I simply download the maps for that area to my GPS. It gives a person good security being able to see where you are on a Topo map. We also have a Sat phone in case we need to get help. If you are interested I could take a photo of how and where I mounted the GPS unit.

Perry

I have the garmin map 76.. Just bought the topo trail/maps dics for it.. "WHAT" a disapointment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It should have snowmobiles trails/hiking/boat launches for inland lakes.. "RIGHT" I can't find 90% of the trails. Not even in the U.P. Heck I live next to a main trail and it's not on it. We E-mailed garmin but don't expect an answer until mon. Are we doing something wrong... Man am I pi$$ed off.MM.

 

[Rick M]

I just upgraded my Map 76 to the Map76 CS, it is a colour screen, with electronic compass, and more than 10 times the memory of the 76.
The RAM handlebar mounting system is very secure
http://www.ram-mount.com/
If you hard wire it, you can leave the background light on full time, so you can see it at night while driving, as well I think the light may generate some heat, which can't hurt during extreme low temps (they do freeze up under extreme temps)
There are topo maps, and city maps available.

Rick

 

[ken_climb]

Man i'd hate to roll your sled!...that would be some damage!

 

[hot rod rooster]

buy the garmin rhino 120 or 130 and be done with it all!