gps ?

 

I'm thinking I should perhaps break down and buy a gps,
possibly a good backpacker model with topo maps for use
both on the bike and backpacking. Considering either an
Etrex or low end Delorme.

Even though I really like paper maps, I like the ability to store
lots of map data and the ability to tell you WTF you are when
paper map detail is unavailable.

Anybody got any favorites ?

 

On Tue, 3 Aug 2010 07:46:14 -0700 (PDT), Rob Kleinschmidt


I had an Etrex.  I gave it away on the condition that the new owner was not
allowed to give it back.  It sucked that much.  Reception under, around,
anywhere near, in sight of, trees was nonexistent.  Screen detail was so small
that I could not read it while moving.

The Garmin 60C series have worked well for me though I'm using a Tom Tom (not
waterproof) at the moment.

--
Futility Man

 


I have a handheld Magellan something or other (essentially, a camping/hiking
unit that I've had for many years).

It is waterproof.

RAM Mounting Systems makes a holder for it, so I can put it up on the
handlebars, visible while cruising down the road.  My only complaint is no
lighting (not powered by the motorcycle, powered by its own internal
batteries).

My mount looks a little like this.

http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045072079076045071065053085/Default.aspx

There is a ball mounted on the handlebars, then an arm, then the cradle.

The unit is ancient enough that it doesn't do turn-by-turn directions--it
just shows relative locations.

I don't use it ever these days, though.  What I've found is that I rarely go
places where I don't know in advance how to get there.  If I get lost, I
stop in a parking lot somewhere, and my iPhone (which has GPS) will tell me
where I am and I work from there.

DF

 


Rob, I have a Garmin Quest that is ancient, but has survived six years
on a Harley and been used extensively in my car and truck, as well.
The screen is small and hard to see when wearing sunglasses, and the
user interface is not entirely intuitive (although after six years I
am loathe to learn a different one).   It holds the major roads for
all of North America, and you have to download the regional secondary
roads and points of interest.  I typically leave it loaded with all of
Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.  The Quest II holds
the entire country database, but searches for locations (if you do not
narrow the search by state/city) are agonizingly slow.  I acutally
prefer the Quest to the Quest II.

I use it almost all the time.  Last weekend, on my trip to Blackwater
Falls State Park in West (by God) Virginia, it helped me find my main
route (avoiding highways), my points of interest (the state park
itself, Seneca Rocks, and gas stations) and routed me through some
interesting County 2-lane roads when I got tired of the larger state
roads that the late Senator Byrd had managed to get *too* improved
with his billions and billions of dollars of federal highway funds.

I think the one thing I would like in my next GPS is a larger screen,
and I *hate* paying Garmin $80 or so every two years for a map update,
but other than that, I am sold.  And I was a solid paper map guy right
up to the day I tried the GPS.  Now I hardly own any paper maps.

Tim

 

On 2010-08-03 13:20:33 -0400, "tomorrow@erols.com"

Go for the lifetime updates at $99 from Amazon and never worry about
updates for that gps ever.  I got it for both mine and update quarterly
with no other charges.  See my post about the Nuvi 500 that I got last
year.  It's one of the only waterproof Nuvis available.

--
sleazy