GPS Unit for the Trails?

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

What are you guys using for a GPS unit out on the trails? I don't even know where to start. It seems like some folks are able to enter coordinates in to their GPS device that match trails, some have topo information, some can just map new terrain as they go, etc. What should I be looking for?

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:22 am

I would like to know as well, what is a good trail or topo gps

carroll952 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:37 am

If I had some extra money I'd buy this:

GlobalMap® Baja 540C Off-Road GPS Navigation made by Lowrance

http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Automo ... ja540c.asp

I would also settle for an older model like the one Clint uses:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... nce#193149

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:59 am

Ask Ted what he has. His is pretty good and he has been using it to plot out all the trails we have done since he got it to put together our own LOST Rockies CO trail guide.

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

Are you talking about a hand held unit, or a vehicle mounted unit?

Vehicle mounted Pros:

--Bigger screen, sometimes a touch screen.
--Sometimes part of a service like onstar. When they are part of a vehicle cell service, they will route you around accidents and heavy traffic. GPS cannot do this, the cellular service is what allows the units to get this data realtime.
--In car units often have better satellite reception as the antenna is often larger and is mounted in a location where it has an ideal view of the sky.

Vehicle mounted Cons:

--More expensive than handheld.
--Stuck inside the vehicle-- they usually cannot be removed when you go hiking/ geocaching.

Handheld units are cheaper but you also have to factor in batteries. Handheld units that can run off a power adaptor or batteries and that have external memory are preferable.

For most GPS's the map features are sold seperately as software you upload to the unit. You buy the maps you want and upload them when needed. These include topo maps and street maps with routing support. Usually each manufacturer (and some 3rd parties) sells a topo map package and a street map package for the entire US.

The two major brands in the USA are Garmin and Magellan. Garmin is by far the largest maker.

DryBones · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:21 am

what about lake maps? I see guys using these to mark underwater structure for fishing and would like a handheld that can be used for streets/off-road/geocaching and fishing. oh and one that can pay my bills for me too! :lol:

Wasatch15 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:52 am **Posts:** 242

Magellan Crossover does street, off road, and water navigation. It gives verbal turn by turn instructions on the road. Look at their web site. Only con is that it is a little larger than hiking type models, but it comes with the vehicle mount, 120 volt adapter, 12 volt car adapter and it is water proof. It can also store and play music.

detroit_doc · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:54 am

I just bought a Garmin eTrex Vista HCX handheld. I also own a garmin Nuvi (car), a Garmin Edge 305 (bike) and a Lowrance Airmap 600c (airplane), and an older lowrance handheld.

The eTrex Vista HCX is great for the trails. It has a new GPS chipset that gets awesome reception under the trees (even better than the SiRF I have in my Nuvi). In fact it get's a 12 foot accuracy signal while sitting in the middle of my house. It also has an electronic compass which is nice because unless you are moving at 2+ MPH most GPS units do not know which way you are facing. Lastly it has a barometric altimiter which is nice.

The best deal I found when I was shopping for one was on amazon.com.

You will have to buy the topo maps for it (again amazon had the best price I found for the 2008 version).

jerbacher · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:40 am

I have a Garmin Rino 130 that I like. Its a handheld GPS plus FRS/GMRS radio and weather radio. The screen is pretty small though, but its handheld. My screen is b/w also, but the higher model has color. It sucks for on road directions and stuff like that like other GPS units do, but good for the trail. You can get the Garmin topo map and get all the trail info, and I think that you can buy a fishing map or whatever, but I have no idea cause i dont fish.

Mine has elec. compass, altimeter, speed, pretty much anything you'd ever want to know about your location. If you get a higher model Rino you get color screen, live routing, and you can get an HCX one with the high sensitivity GPS.

skrracing · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:10 pm

Yep the 480C is a great unit. Very rugged unit, very good topo maps and has a card to swap with other folks with the same unit. Easy computer interface for the topos. The C is the color unit. All kinds of very cool options. I have really used the 480C and it has done a great job for me. Very large screen and easy to read in the daylight. Very fast sat acquisition. Very same unit used in Jeepspeed and other off-road race events. Later...Clint

Signcutter21 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:16 pm

I like the crossover too, only problem I see with it is that it cant upload trails. You can download your files, but from what I remember seeing, can't get them back on the gps. Only way is to input each waypoiint individually on the unit itself. Hopefully they will fix that problem in their next series of it. Other than that the Baja would be my next choice. Can upload, download files via memory card, that also allows you to share with other people. Downside i've noticed on it though is that it' LARGE. No hiding it under the seat from sticky fingers. again i have a Garmin vista and dont even use it for work or play. too lazy to hook it all up.so i guess the "new" gps can be on hold.

mike

SD-KJ · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:43 pm

I love my Garmin GPSMap 60CSX it does everything i would ever want to to do, well shy of getting XM's weather product but it rocks and you can move it to where ever you want it to. Its easy enough for me to read it when in my jeep but other may find it difficult if you have bad sight, not trying to be mean but its screen is Nothing like the big 480's. But its plenty big for my eyes.

-Nick

GPS Unit for the Trails?

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