The title of my post is probably a loaded question, but I've never owned a GPS unit. I've always relied on paper maps for offroad stuff and printed directions or google maps for stuff in the city.

I don't need it so much for the city, but it would be nice for the few occasions/year where I need to find an address.

I'd really like something with good detail of offroad routes and trails and the ability to do track-backs, or record the route or whatever they do... Something I can reference along with paper maps that will give a real-time readout of altitude and good topographical visuals of the area.

I don't have a budget limit for this yet because I don't really know what's out there. So... what's everyone got, and why do you like it?

*This would be a free-standing suction-mount unit I'm looking for, and not a stereo/ head unit replacement.

 

As for good units, I'm currently using Garmin. And it seems to be OK. Magellan has worked well for me too.

This is going to be your delima. Most street units will not help you very much OFF ROAD. And most trail units ( Hand Held ) have to small of a screen to be very useful while driving around. Look for a "Street" unit that uses "Breadcrumbs". This type of tracking will plot a trail on-screen while moving.

 

Hi

I bought my 1st GPS about 1 year ago. I knew nothing and took the advice of a buddy. I got the Garmin Montana 650.
This was despite using aircraft GPS's for the last 20+ years.....

It took a little while to get used to the user interface and to understand what the features actually do and what you would ever need them for.....
Man-Over-Board...... Not in a Jeep.

The BaseCamp software is easy to use, just watch the Garmin videos on their web site.

One VERY nice feature is the Garmin BirdsEye Imagery. There is an annual fee for this, but very worth it.
You download the "Google Map" style image of the area you want and then send it to the GPS.
It is amazing. The only consideration is you want to download it in the max resolution and it is slow to download.

You can buy maps for whatever part of the world you are, i bought a lifetime update for Africa and Middle East. In places which dont change too fast, buying the latest map every year is probably not necessary, Here in Dubai it is. The lifetime update is the same cost as about 3 "one off's".

It stores all your tracks and can transfer them back to your computer. You can plan trips on the computer and send them to the GPS.

I love this GPS and strongly recommend it.

Regards
Paul

 

Since you said that budget is currently not a limitation....

I never go off-road without my Garmin ETrex linked to my laptop computer, which has the National Geographic State Topo series of maps.
The Garmin interfaces with the computer software, and I have 15" of screen of topos at 5 different scales for the entire state (each state series can usually be purchased for $35-45). The software lets you do tracks and it also lets you trace, in advance, your proposed route, giving you the actual distance and elevation gain and loss during the trip. And you can print off the resulting topo map for just the section of the state in which you plan to travel. I also use it to get the GPS waypoint coordinates in advance of the trip and load them into the JK's 430N navigation unit, so I'm covered both ways; JK and computer.

As was pointed out in the previous posts, you generally have to make a choice; a GPS that does city streets or a GPS that does off-road. If you go with off-road, the screen size is always the limitation.

If you go with the laptop, you have enough screen to tell definitively where you are and where your destination is. And since you only need the handheld GPS to supply the computer with the real-time coordinates, you can buy one of the less expensive models.

If you don't want to travel with the computer, then screen size matters; I wouldn't go with less than the Garmin Oregon model, which is a very popular model with hikers.

 

JK-Ford hit it on the head. I thought that the Jeep Mygig NAV would be great.....and it is for CITY driving.

However, I got tired of looking at a blank screen while offroading. I tried various "tablet" apps but found they do not deliver what they promise unless "connected". I purchased a handheld GPS unit and found the screen too small and the unit cumbersome to use. So, I installed a computer mount similar to what the police use in my JKU. I installed Topo on my laptop and now have W I D E S C R E E N GPS. The screen is large enough and I can zoom in and out to see alternate routes if desired. Lat/Lon, direction and elevation is always on the screen as are the names of peaks/trails/items of interest. Plus I can do breadcrumb trails etc. if desired and it can be installed/uninstalled in only a couple of minutes.

KG6SLC aka Eugene

 

Not speaking from experience here, but wouldn't a notebook be the happy medium between a large laptop and a small GPS unit? Easy to mount anywhere, I would put it right on top of the dash over the stock radio remove the plastic cover and bolt it in there. I'm sure you could easily get a 12c adaptor and a GPS card or standalone for it. Headphone jack into the radio and a Internet stick for extras when in the city or out.

 

a garmin nuvi with an sd card with topo maps is great. i've used a 1490T and 3790T. the 3790T with 3D view is best, faster, better screen and you can interface with BaseCamp and transfer your routes to BaseCamp and Google Earth. i use the garmin 24k topo maps and select the area i want to add to the sd card.

 

I agree with the above - Garmin Nuvi (essentially any Garmin with an SD card slot so that you can load maps to it)

There are also a few sites/people out there that have already created trail maps that are compatible with Garmins (at least all the ones I've ever come across were compatible with Garrmin) - not sure what might be available in that regard in your area, but I know I've come across plenty of options for Michigan and the Great Lakes region.

 

The problem with a Notebook / PC is that you would have to use a cellular connection and use the internet for maps. I loose cell service where I go. I'm not aware of a Sat connection for a PC.

 

Not if you download the maps on them...