I did a search and couldn't find anything on this topic. I need some input on a good GPS system. I'm going to Mexico (Copper Canyon and Chihuahua Area) dropping down on the area from Chicago, IL. Does anyone have any advice on a setup? Thanks
Gps / Navigation / Topo Maps
- Thread starter Windycity_Rover
- Start date
Sweet jesus dude, there is almost too much info on this subject.
Laptop set-up or no laptop set-up
Hard Drive or memory
big screen little screen
Antenna inside, antenna outside
IMHO, the Garmine 276 and the 2620 is best for simple unit design. but if you want more, a lot of folks have laptops with the Delorme set-up. Do a search on Garmin and Delorme and even Lowrance and you will see.
www.brokenlegdave.com
www.gpsnow.com
www.thegpsstore.com
Laptop set-up or no laptop set-up
Hard Drive or memory
big screen little screen
Antenna inside, antenna outside
IMHO, the Garmine 276 and the 2620 is best for simple unit design. but if you want more, a lot of folks have laptops with the Delorme set-up. Do a search on Garmin and Delorme and even Lowrance and you will see.
www.brokenlegdave.com
www.gpsnow.com
www.thegpsstore.com
Ooops!
As I posted this thread I found many discussions. It appears that Saturday Night was a good one as I'm a little slow today from being overserved. I forgot that three letter searches don't work well. Thanks for the wake up call and sorry for the BS Post!
As I posted this thread I found many discussions. It appears that Saturday Night was a good one as I'm a little slow today from being overserved. I forgot that three letter searches don't work well. Thanks for the wake up call and sorry for the BS Post!
I have a Magellan Meridian Platinum and the Magellan Mapsend Topo software. The software pretty much sucks, but is the only map software that you can upload maps to the GPS with. They also have software for Mexico I think (I can't remember for sure).
For serious routing/mapping I use my Thinkpad 600x with Delorme StreetAtlas and their USB GPS receiver. Their latest mapping software lets you add your own routes; however, it doesn't include Mexico. The they also have a new product called the Bluelogger, a gps receiver/logger that you can have on while you travel, then load the route you took to your laptop or handheld.
I've been using the Delorme Product for 4 or 5 years and like it enough Ill probably upgrade to the latest version. About my only beef with them is it's Windows only, they use ActiveX so it's not likely to ever have a Linux version.
Check out Geocaching.com , they have a forum there dedicated to GPS units and software.
For serious routing/mapping I use my Thinkpad 600x with Delorme StreetAtlas and their USB GPS receiver. Their latest mapping software lets you add your own routes; however, it doesn't include Mexico. The they also have a new product called the Bluelogger, a gps receiver/logger that you can have on while you travel, then load the route you took to your laptop or handheld.
I've been using the Delorme Product for 4 or 5 years and like it enough Ill probably upgrade to the latest version. About my only beef with them is it's Windows only, they use ActiveX so it's not likely to ever have a Linux version.
Check out Geocaching.com , they have a forum there dedicated to GPS units and software.
B
billmallin
Guest
Buy this: http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap276c/ if you don't have a laptop.
You can also hook up a Garmin III+ to a laptop... makes for a nice navigation system. If your laptop has a DVD player, you can also watch a movie or two.
JottoDesk, http://www.jottodesk.com, makes a nice laptop stand. A simple cable from the GPS to the computer... some maps on the computer...
You can also load all of your pictures on the laptop and type your trip report when you stop for the evening.
Looks like this:
Bad-ass dog not included.
You can also hook up a Garmin III+ to a laptop... makes for a nice navigation system. If your laptop has a DVD player, you can also watch a movie or two.
JottoDesk, http://www.jottodesk.com, makes a nice laptop stand. A simple cable from the GPS to the computer... some maps on the computer...
You can also load all of your pictures on the laptop and type your trip report when you stop for the evening.
Looks like this:
Bad-ass dog not included.
billmallin said:
I love that picture of your dog. He looks like a great little traveling companion.
Reminds me of my own departed buddy....a Lhasa Apso named Charley. He was a beefy little bastard and all attitude.
I did'nt think he could be replaced but seeing that picture makes me want to try.
That's a welsh corgi?
B
billmallin
Guest
mike falconer said:
He is! A Pembroke Welsh Corgi. He is one awesome son of a bitch. I got him when he was a few weeks old. He's now 9 years old and still a bad-ass.
The best dog, period!
P
PHARAOHDISCO
Guest
billmallin said:Buy this: http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap276c/ if you don't have a laptop.
You can also hook up a Garmin III+ to a laptop... makes for a nice navigation system. If your laptop has a DVD player, you can also watch a movie or two.
JottoDesk, http://www.jottodesk.com, makes a nice laptop stand. A simple cable from the GPS to the computer... some maps on the computer...
You can also load all of your pictures on the laptop and type your trip report when you stop for the evening.
Looks like this:
Bad-ass dog not included.
Hi Bill, I want to buy one of those jottodesk laptop stands for my Discovery. Can you tell me which model you have installed in your Discovery, and whether you know of a possibility to send me one with courier to my address in Cairo, Egypt. Is this laptop stand good to use offroad or does it vibrate and shake alot when driving the vehicle offroad.
S
syoung
Guest
If you want a good size display without dealing with a laptop taking up space- the Garmin 182C is a nice unit. The 2620 display is really small...
I run a Garmin 176c in my 109. The nice thing about this unit is that it is big enough to read even when everything is giggling around. I am still using the base map, but soon I am going to get a memory card for it.
Delorme makes great software. Their Topo is a lot better than the Garmin Mapsource. The only thing mapsource has over Delorme Topo is that it is able to easily edit tracks so I can use the tracks to make a print map. Very crucial. Otherwise Topo beats up and takes Mapsource's lunch money.
Delorme makes great software. Their Topo is a lot better than the Garmin Mapsource. The only thing mapsource has over Delorme Topo is that it is able to easily edit tracks so I can use the tracks to make a print map. Very crucial. Otherwise Topo beats up and takes Mapsource's lunch money.
My input is: no one thing can cover all your needs so I'm using a Garmin eTrex Vista, linked to a notebook using a mount I found on eBay for app $25. Software is Natl' Geo's TOPO, Delorme Topo and for find my way before pulling offroad Microsofts's Streets & Trip.
So far I have not gotten lost and have found some very interesting trails.
So far I have not gotten lost and have found some very interesting trails.
I forgot to mention, if you already have a laptop and don't need a handheld GPS, then you can't beat Delorme's price. $130 MSRP for the GPS plus Street Atlas 2005, or $200 for the GPS and Topo USA. They are definately the most bang for the buck if you have a laptop and don't need a handheld GPS.
RoverDisco98 said:
Frank nail'd it.... one package will not cover everything you'll need
it's best to figure out how you plan to use it first, what your intensions are then go from there... Paul lists some great interweb sources, start there.
as for me, i hike a ton so having a mapping software that will give me easy to read 7.5 minute maps was paramount. i ended up going w/ the National Geographic Topo that i run on an older Sony Viao. for a vehicle GPS iv'e got a Rand Mcnally remote that hooks to the laptop through a ubs plug. w/ this setup i can do real time tracking, bread crumbing etc...
since gps technology hasn't changed much in the last 10 years, for hiking i use an older Garmin 3. things to consider about GPS handheld map software, the maps are really small, and really hard to read and in the end nothing on a current GPS can compare w/ an actual Topo map.
my $.02
hope it helps