GPS Units (Non-SYNC)

[MarkT]

I really liked the Lowrance units... they make a large screen "baja" model that has an awesome screen. But I've heard their support and map availability isn't the best.

Dan, as far as the nuvi, if you have anything even remotely new you can download decent (free!) topo maps and use them. As far as the "breadcrumbs" and using other people's routes, it is possible if you can connect your nuvi to your computer. There is a file that stores the route you went on... you simply copy the contents to your computer and save it in a folder with a name to identify it. Then if you want to go back there even years later, you simply reload the file back into the data folder on the nuvi. It also works with files others have uploaded... like I've uploaded race course map "breadcrumbs" (.gpx format). There are a few sites that give detailed instructions on how to do this and where to get free maps. Here's a link to one:

http://gpstracklog.com/2009/09/free-gps-topo-maps.html

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Thanks Mark! I've downloaded free topos that I've uploaded to my Garmin Nuvi but I never thought until your post about uploading trails/waypoints.



Lowrance had their 140-26 HDS-5 5-Inch Baja offroad GPS Chartplotter but it's a discontinued product. This is the unit that has been seen in many offroad vehicles.

The units they offer to replace that are their marine products with fishfinders. I can't tell if these can also be used on terra firma or not. You can see them here:

http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Marine/HDS-High-Definition-System/


Here's info on their previous Baja offroad GPS which may still be available from various retailers (not sure about software for it so buyer beware if you're thinking of it).

SolarMAX plus Display. It's Sunlight viewable, so it's brighter, and clearer, with wide angle viewing.
Great for over-sized in car navigation like in off-road vehicles.
High-Definition GPS and mapping. Super sensative 16-channel internal GPS antenna with faster time-to-signal lock and precision position.
Advanced networking & expandablitiy
Expanded two-year warranty

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QW0WKE/?tag=fordraptorforum-20

 

[BigJ]

I really liked the Lowrance units... they make a large screen "baja" model that has an awesome screen. But I've heard their support and map availability isn't the best.

Dan, as far as the nuvi, if you have anything even remotely new you can download decent (free!) topo maps and use them. As far as the "breadcrumbs" and using other people's routes, it is possible if you can connect your nuvi to your computer. There is a file that stores the route you went on... you simply copy the contents to your computer and save it in a folder with a name to identify it. Then if you want to go back there even years later, you simply reload the file back into the data folder on the nuvi. It also works with files others have uploaded... like I've uploaded race course map "breadcrumbs" (.gpx format). There are a few sites that give detailed instructions on how to do this and where to get free maps. Here's a link to one:

http://gpstracklog.com/2009/09/free-gps-topo-maps.html

Great advise. If you have an iPhone, its even easier as you can use an app like "Topo Maps" to download the finest detailed topo maps available for free, and then load up all the gpx files you want.

Lots of good ways to skin this cat.

 

[MarkT]

SNIP
Lowrance had their 140-26 HDS-5 5-Inch Baja offroad GPS Chartplotter but it's a discontinued product. This is the unit that has been seen in many offroad vehicles.

Hmmm... Most of the "baja" Lowrance units I've seen are older than the HDS-5... like the 540 series.

The HDS-5 "baja" still seems to be on the Lowrance site

http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Outdoors/HDS-5-Baja/

as well as a new model I haven't heard about... the "Elite 5m Baja"

http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Outdoors/Elite-5m-Baja/

So you don't have to resort to the "fishfinder" models.

(But you can according to the guy at the local gps store... you just need to get the surface maps from Lowrance and he said you can use a "marine" HDS-5 version... bonus for Brian would be that he can hook up the depth finder so he can see how deep the river is he's crossing. :mrgreen