GPS Units

[Madcowranch]

Didn't realize the negativity associated with Garmin products. Good to know.

 

[CineSLR]

Me too...
I wonder if the consumer division is any different from the Marine division? Are people having issues with their marine devices also? They always seem to be superior to the consumer built devices.

 

[BigJ]

I like the 5M, but I am thinking of upgrading to the HDS 5 or 7.

Here is a link to the Lowrance XOG, along with good deals on all the other Lowrance units. If your looking for a unit for offroading, lowrance is your only option. They are pretty good though

PCI Race Radios GPS Systems, Lowrance, Garmin

Trey, thanks for sending those track files.

For everyone's info, the files he's referring to are USR files; Lowrance's propitiatory format. From what I can tell, that's the format most used by race orgs and event coordinators (probably because they're all carrying Lowrance units). Back Country Navigator will not read these files, however you can use a tool like GPSBabel to convert them into GPX files, which in turn BCN will read.

But...

Holy hell some of these files cover some serious distance. For example, here's one Trey sent me.

^^^I wanna do that someday! But the thought of downloading the required maps to cover that area via BCN makes me cringe. And that assumes the Central American maps required are even available in the USGS-centric public domain (I took a quick look in BCN and some are, but not anywhere near the zoom I'd feel comfortable depending on).

So... Trey... in your opinion, is the XOG still the "best" choice today? I gotta admit I'm liking its pricepoint...

 

[KaiserM715]

^^That is some good info, J.

 

[CineSLR]

Awesome J!
Any chance your going to convert the Texas RR map?

 

[BigJ]

Absolutely! Happy to help if I can. Just let me know Trey.

 

[treypal]

I can convert the Texas course once I get it. I use a website like gpsbable I just don't have the link handy.

If you want turn by turn and the ability to load .usr then the xog is a good unit. If you want a bigger screen but no turn by turn then I suggest the hds or elite 5m.

Everyone races with a lowrance due to its ability to lay so many points. Makes for a much more accurate map.

 

[BigJ]

Here's the link I end up using the most, for anyone interested: GPS Visualizer: Web interface to GPSBabel

Thanks for the info Trey!

 

[treypal]

^^ same link I use.

 

[CineSLR]

Sweet! Lots of good info here guys, Thanks!