Question for you GPS owners

[Omaha]

I've researched fixed mount GPS, the kind that are predominately used to navigate city/county/state streets and highways. I particularly like the Garmin Nuvi 255W (I'm not into Bluetooth nor do I want Traffic, so I don't want to pay for those options).

I picked up an informative post on another board (LINK (http://www.yotatech.com/50722748-post4.html)) and got alarmed, due mostly to my own ignorance. I thought these GPS devices "followed" you no matter where you drove your Jeep. I now realize that's not the case.

So my question for you GPS owners, particularly Nuvi owners, is this:

What do I need to purchase in addition to the GPS in order to be able to use the unit when I go to Moab in October? Topographical maps? Is that a product Garmin sells in a nationwide bundle or can you only buy regional maps? Where's the best place to purchase the topo maps or must you source them from the manufactuer?

OK- that's more than one question, but I'd appreciate the help. At the end of the day, I may still buy a GPS if for no other reason than the 900 mile drive from Omaha to Moab, but it would be a crying shame not to be able to use it out on the trail.

Thanks!

Sarge

P.S. Tiger Direct has these (new) for $179 shipped, a good value.

[BigHugh54]

Where as I can't completely answer your question about how to get the topo maps and what not....I can tell you that the Nuvi's(and maybe others) do not work on the trail or even in some rural areas. From my expierence it seems that if it's not on map quest or similar sites the gps won't get it either. I was very disapointed but it does come in handy around town, road trips, and I've even used mine on patrol :yup:

[Omaha]

Hugh, thanks for the reply... and Malo, that was a very informative post, I appreciate your insight. This makes my decision making easier.

I do have a follow up question for you though (Malo). When you were in Moab, did real trails like Poison Spider or Hell's Revenge actually show up with your topo maps? This is the four map item I was going to get:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=35408&pvID=36719

[whpony96]

Wow my MyGig shows a lot of trails we have here in Idaho. The others that do not show the MyGig will allow you to record them and the reuse them later if you would like to go back to that trail on a later date...

I can tell you this every trail we went on in Moab was NOT on the MyGig.

[Omaha]

Can't thank you enough. Mucho appreciated.

[OoPEZoO]

If you really want to have some fun with a GPS.......buy a motorcyle/ATV/offroad specific one (Garmin Zumo, 2610, 2720, 2730, 2820). Places like getfeetwet.com sell factory refurbs with brand new maps and a full Garmin backed warranty. I still use an old 2610 that I swap back and forth between the JK and my motorcycle. There are MANY more menu options and custom routing possibilities compared to a standard GPS. Not to mention they are shock proof AND waterproof. When you go with one of these, you also get the Garmin mapping software (Mapsource) that allows you to make and save routes while sitting on your ass in front of the computer and also dump your tracks of where you have been so you can retrace your steps if you ever want to.

I love it on my motorcycle. I'll head out over a weekend looking for sweet back roads. Then I'll put markers into the GPS when I find things I like/don't like. When I get home I dump my tracks onto the computer and save the good roads for making future routes. You could easily do the same thing with trails through the middle of nowhere

[Omaha]

Well, I scored what I think is a reasonable deal on a Garmin nuvi 205W for $169 @ Wally World. I'm buying the U.S. Southwest map package from Garmin (another $129 - eek!), so I should be good to go for my trip.

Note: I've been playing with the Nuvi and I'm hugely impressed with how intuitive it is to use, light years easier than the 60c I owned five or six years back.

[ericg]

I am really pleased with my Jeep Trail Guide. It came with City Navigator NT 8 and works great in the city. I've downloaded Topo maps to it, when I go on the trail. I like the portability of the unit. I use it in my Jeep, the family car, my motorcycle, and for geocaching. It's essential a Garmin Quest 2 with a fantastic speaker/power mount that looks great in the Wrangler. The Quest 2 can be had on ebay for about $125 now. Check it out.

[beadbus]

Had Jeep offered an upgrade for their nav. system? I have an 08 and it would be nice to see these Topo maps offered? I own an 08 and I use the mapping all the time. I do carry my motorcycle GPS as a backup.

[InTheMist]

Ok, I take another spin on this. I use a GPS enabled Windows Mobile phone with one of many commercially available on-the-street map systems available.

For off-road use, it doesn't get any better than Google Maps for Windows Mobile. It doesn't cost a thing and it works beautifully. You do need a data plan and connection, however with Google Maps.

For US users, Garmin has Topo and has also a version for Windows Mobile.
For we Euro users, I think it doesn't get any better than Google Maps. I've tried them all.

[tuber]

I haven't owned a GPS before, and wrestled with which route to go. I was pretty much settled on the fact that I would probably end up needing 2 units - a one for street navigation, and another for the trails.

As things turned out, an excellent deal on the 255W a month or so ago prompted me to buy it. It works great for street navigation, and I've actually found that it works pretty darn good off road as well - at least for recording where you've been and to follow your route back out. Keep in mind that I haven't used a more trail dedicated type unit - so I can't make a comparison - just making a comment on the functionality.

It then it got a real workout a couple weeks back on a fishing trip in the south east region of BC. It was astonishing to discover the detail of the data it contained, and it worked great on a lot of the forestry roads. One lake I went to involved about 6km off road, and the unit had data for some pretty rough goat trails - but the information was there!

After the trip, I exported the waypoints of where I had been to Google Earth, and also into Mapsource. Now I have the trip saved, and next time I can follow the routes that I have created.

Now I'm thinking that I might get a small netbook or tablet PC to connect the 255W to - and get some 3D topo software for the trails - and forget about a dedicated trail GPS.

Bottom line - the 255W has exceeded my expectations :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Omaha]

Good to hear, nuber. I actually wanted the 255W, but wound up with the 205W instead. Both are great units, particularly for what you can pick them up for these days. GPS with features like these would have cost double what we paid just a year ago.

[OoPEZoO]

I
After the trip, I exported the waypoints of where I had been to Google Earth, and also into Mapsource. Now I have the trip saved, and next time I can follow the routes that I have created.


Did the 255W come with Mapsource? That was always my beef with most of the available car GPS's......they were never compatible with Mapsource. Has Garmin changed that?

[Omaha]

Thought you guys might like to see the installed Garmin nuvi 205W (widescreen) I bought. I'm very happy with it. I hardwired it for quick placement or removal in/from the JK. I bought the Southwest TOPO maps (UT, CO, AZ, NM) too. Easy to use, easy to read, re-draws maps quickly, a ton of detail and features, what's not to like?

Time for a cold one, mods are done for tonight. :cheers:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_G4J696XDw-Y/SjmHLQvy2aI/AAAAAAAAEEU/ev8CRq0Nfwg/s800/IMG_0903.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_G4J696XDw-Y/SjmHOKaaOSI/AAAAAAAAEEo/uRO14u0h6GI/s800/IMG_0906.JPG

[rwamf]

If you really want to have some fun with a GPS.......buy a motorcyle/ATV/offroad specific one (Garmin Zumo, 2610, 2720, 2730, 2820). There are MANY more menu options and custom routing possibilities compared to a standard GPS. Not to mention they are shock proof AND waterproof. When you go with one of these, you also get the Garmin mapping software (Mapsource) that allows you to make and save routes while sitting on your ass in front of the computer and also dump your tracks of where you have been so you can retrace your steps if you ever want to.

I love it on my motorcycle. I'll head out over a weekend looking for sweet back roads. Then I'll put markers into the GPS when I find things I like/don't like. When I get home I dump my tracks onto the computer and save the good roads for making future routes. You could easily do the same thing with trails through the middle of nowhere

Wrong! The ZUMO and Street Pilots series, Quest and most Nuvi's ARE NOT GOOD OFF-ROAD GPS's, They do not do tracks, Imported tracks are a must for any off-road GPS, They will record a track and you can download it to a computer but you can not share the track like a Garmin GPSMAP series GPS, The ability to import tracks is a must in any Off-Road GPS
Tracks are much better than Routes, The tracks files you can download is amazing and some great off-road trails are available in track form that are not on any Topo maps, It is very nice to have shared tracks when you go to an unfamiliar area and have tracks that are easy to follow, My Moab file has 72 diff tracks in it, I can load the entire file into my Lowrance XOG GPS, it is like having a better more accurate map. Garmin Gps Map series only allow 15 / 20 saved tracks. which is ok for most,
Garmin 60/76 series, 176/276/376 series have saved/import track function.
The Zumo will let you import tracks but you must convert them to a route to view them, ( you must also turn off "Back on Track" function or it will recalculate the track.)
The Street pilots and Quest series will not let you import a saved track file unless you bring it in as your ACTIVE TRACK, which sucks .
Until you use one with the tracking functions you just don't know what you are missing. It is the most important feature for the off-road user.

[Soopurman0]

i rock the magellan Tritan 1500.. no complaints...but has 0 capability for on road stuff.. (cell phone fills the gap there)