GPS Units (Non-SYNC)

[MagicMtnDan]

Lowrance has their Endura line of handheld GPS units that look good...

The Lowrance Endura Series consists of three innovative touchscreen GPS handhelds for the outdoor market: the flagship Sierra – the most powerful and complete out-of-box GPS experience available, the Safari – the most versatile navigator for any outdoor experience, and the Out&Back – setting a new standard in affordability and ease of use.

With best in class on-board mapping, tremendous expansion capabilities and compatibility with web community content, the Endura line is equally suited for hiking, mountain biking, hunting, backpacking and geocaching, as well as cycling, snowmobiling, off-roading, paddlesports and skiing.




Features For all Three Endura GPS Products:

• Color touch screen and physical buttons
• Enhanced GPS+ WAAS positioning
• Best-in-class preloaded AccuTerra™ maps with NAVTEQ® road data for each price range
• microSD expansion slot supporting up to 32GB of additional storage for trails, geocaches, waypoints, pictures, etc.
• Mark waypoints using any of over 190 assorted outdoor icons
• Trip computer lets you record trails, map elevation changes, and share online or with your friends
• Quick access to all primary functions using gloves in harsh weather or rugged conditions using physical buttons
• Photo Viewer and Video Player* are compatible with standard file formats for digital cameras, trail cameras, etc. using microSD cards with SD adapter

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Endura/

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Garmin has their Oregon series handhelds - from their website (with list prices):



Oregon® 550t

Advanced, rugged, touchscreen handheld
camera, preloaded maps (U.S. topographic), barometric altimeter, 3-axis electronic compass, wireless data sharing, touchscreen, high-sensitivity GPS receiver, color display, microSD™ card slot

$ 599.99 USD



Oregon® 550

Advanced, rugged, touchscreen handheld
camera, barometric altimeter, 3-axis electronic compass, wireless data sharing, touchscreen, high-sensitivity GPS receiver, color display, microSD™ card slot

$ 499.99 USD




Oregon® 450t

Advanced, rugged, touchscreen handheld
preloaded maps (U.S. topographic), barometric altimeter, 3-axis electronic compass, wireless data sharing, touchscreen, high-sensitivity GPS receiver, color display, microSD card slot</I>

$ 499.99 USD




Oregon® 450

Advanced, rugged, touchscreen handheld
built-in Worldwide basemap with shaded relief, barometric altimeter, 3-axis electronic compass, wireless data sharing, touchscreen, high-sensitivity GPS receiver, color display, microSD card slot




https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&fKeys=FILTER_SERIES_OREGON&ra=true

 

[KaiserM715]

I have not heard anything good about the Oregon Series. I see a lot more recommendations for Garmin's 62 model (the previous 60 model was also pretty well recommended).

I have been looking at getting one and will likely get a 60 or 62 (depending on the deal I can get).

 

[BigJ]

Kaiser, I swear by my 60CSx. If/when it dies (hard to believe it will) I'll be replacing it with a 62 or whatever model is currently equivalent.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Guys, I wonder about these handheld units and question their usefulness only because our intended use is inside a vehicle and I think their displays are smaller than ideal. What's your feedback on the size of the display issue and using them inside a moving vehicle?

I ask because I have the SYNC display which is an ideal size (but very limited in offroad value - breadcrumbs on makes it a bit more useful especially if you have to backtrack) and I also have a Garmin Nuvi which has a larger display with a widescreen aspect ratio compared to the more "portrait" type of displays commonly seen on the handhelds.

So, what's your take on the handhelds in regard to the display and in-truck usage?

I assume they can pretty much do everything else we'd want including being able to download trips (saving for reference, etc.), navigate to GPS coordinates, etc., etc?

 

[KaiserM715]

These handhelds have three functions that I would look for in a GPS.
1. Topo map capability (either downloaded or pre-installed, as on some of the 60 and 62 models)
2. Mapping capability - ability to record where I have been and download to a computer later
3. Portability - I would like to have something I can use for backpacking and cycling

Another option is to use a USB GPS unit with a laptop mounted on a RAM mount. Then I would get two out of three from the above list, plus get a a much larger screen. The options for software are fewer these days, though.

It seems as if most other units are geared towards on road use and the functionality I would look for is much more off road focused.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Another option is to use a USB GPS unit with a laptop mounted on a RAM mount. Then I would get two out of three from the above list, plus get a a much larger screen. The options for software are fewer these days, though.

It seems as if most other units are geared towards on road use and the functionality I would look for is much more off road focused.

I've looked at using a laptop with the mount. Delorme has a package of USB unit and software. Not sure if anyone else makes that.

I've also been looking at the large Magellan unit - not sure if they still make the offroad one. I know one or more members here have that in their Raptor. I think there's a new Magellan unit that's targeting the boating crowd but I believe it's also designed to be used on/offroad.

 

[BigJ]

Dan why do you need a large screen on a unit you plan to use offroad? To my knowledge, the offroad "maps" with clear trail markings, if you will, are almost nonexistent (except for some national parks). Navigating by GPS in a turn by turn sort of way in the wild probably isn't a reality.

Instead, as Kaiser mentioned, we do have a plethora of topo maps available. These can be used as reference in planning a route and verifying you're on course, but they're not necessarily good for following a dot on the screen leading you down a trail or in telling you to stay left at the next fork.

And in the case of following a trail like we did in the Mohave, that amounts to little more than breadcrumbs laid down by someone else before us. There's no trail map for it, to my knowledge. Just breadcrumbs over the top of a topo map.

Am I misunderstanding your goal? In an offroad scenario, I want something small, portable and rugged in case I need to navigate out on foot. The "small" non touch screen has the huge advantage of being very light on battery usage too; a good thing in an emergency situation.

And consider this as well... Your iPhone has a "large" screen and can get the job done in non emergency situations. Apps like TomTom on the road and TrailHead (uses EveryTrail.com database) or Topo Maps (uses USGS Topos) off it work as well as any handheld you're going to buy.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Dan why do you need a large screen on a unit you plan to use offroad? To my knowledge, the offroad "maps" with clear trail markings, if you will, are almost nonexistent (except for some national parks). Navigating by GPS in a turn by turn sort of way in the wild probably isn't a reality.

Instead, as Kaiser mentioned, we do have a plethora of topo maps available. These can be used as reference in planning a route and verifying you're on course, but they're not necessarily good for following a dot on the screen leading you down a trail or in telling you to stay left at the next fork.

And in the case of following a trail like we did in the Mohave, that amounts to little more than breadcrumbs laid down by someone else before us. There's no trail map for it, to my knowledge. Just breadcrumbs over the top of a topo map.

Am I misunderstanding your goal? In an offroad scenario, I want something small, portable and rugged in case I need to navigate out on foot. The "small" non touch screen has the huge advantage of being very light on battery usage too; a good thing in an emergency situation.

And consider this as well... Your iPhone has a "large" screen and can get the job done in non emergency situations. Apps like TomTom on the road and TrailHead (uses EveryTrail.com database) or Topo Maps (uses USGS Topos) off it work as well as any handheld you're going to buy.

All good points J. I'm not sure anyone "needs" a big screen and the choices are very limited so the industry's products are overwhelmingly handhelds.

I understand the value of a handheld if you're gonna go out on foot from the vehicle or you can use it hiking, etc.

Also, my Garmin Nuvi doesn't allow me to upload GPS points or previous trips so I'm not used to being able to follow others' breadcrumbs, etc.

The primary purpose of my post was to stimulate this kind of discussion so I and others can learn more about using GPS offroad. :thumbsup:

 

[MagicMtnDan]

DeLorme Earthmate PN-60wwith SPOT Satellite Communicator

This is a great combination (don't know how good their GPS is but it has SPOT integrated in it). From their website:


Peace of Mind Wherever You Go
Welcome to the future. For the first time ever, DeLorme and SPOT have teamed up to provide a ruggedized handheld GPS with all the famous DeLorme street and topo maps included, plus the ability to type and send one-way text messages via the SPOT satellite system. Use the GPS to see where you are and also to type and send check-in messages beyond cellular coverage, as well as send for help if ever needed. Lead. Don't Follow.

Communicate with family and friends from locations worldwide. Cell phone coverage can be unreliable, but the SPOT Satellite Communicator distributes your message dependably via satellite.

• Communicate even when cell phone service is unavailable
• Type & Send custom text messages to family and friends' email or cell phones
• Post your messages on Facebook and Twitter
• Allow others to track your progress on Google Maps
• Let family and friends know you're safe when your adventures take you to challenging locations
• In case of emergency, send an SOS message with text explanation included so responders can be best-prepared for your situation and avoid false alarms