GPS advice needed.

[Sikorsky]

Hello everyone.

I'm in the market for a new GPS. My old Magellan Xplorer 500 was good enough 7 years ago but I suspect there has been advances in the GPS world since then.

I'm primarily interested in something that I can take into the boonies. If I need to get around populated areas either I'm happy with the iPhone or don't care enough where I end up. I'll be on a 990 Adventure, so knowing trails primarily suited for a WR250 ridden by Danny MaCaskill isn't that important.

I see where the GPS track forum mention dualsportmaps. Now I'm about 4 shades of stupid about this stuff. Can someone point me to a tutorial about how to use it? And maybe a tutorial for a slow 8 year old?

What about the actual GPS unit? I'd like something waterproof, that isn't one of those huge ones but has a screen that 50 yr old eyes can read. The choice out there is mindboggling .... I am leaning towards this ( http://www.satmap.co.uk/index.php ) because of the detailed TOPO maps on SD cards based on NatGeo maps. Also because I'm a euro-trash aficionado and accomplished Starbucks poseur! But they are fairly pricey, even at Amazon prices.

I'll be posting a similar request for information on Advrider, but look forward to hearing from locals who actually use the equipment and software is important. Any and all opinions are welcome as is any information provided.


Thanks

 

[kenf]

I continue to have great success with Oruxmaps for Android on my smartphone (currently a 2 year old Nexus S, but the newer ones have much larger screens). No, you don't need cell service for it to work great, yes it caches maps (but you need to have browsed the area previous to have cached them), yes you can get a full day of navigation and/or tracklogging out of it. RAM makes a waterproof cover/case that fits large screen smartphones and still give you access to the buttons. My buddy has torn his a couple of times, but then, he crashes a lot lol. When I overlay my tracks over those of guys I'm riding with, the smartphone seems to be just as accurate, with only the rare exception in extremely steep/heavily treed terrain where satellite visibility is poor. I still haven't found a good reason for adding another device to the backpack when I always have the phone with me anyhow, unless you want it as a backup.

Cheers
KF

 

[nerrad]

Garmin Oregon all the way!

 

[nerrad]

Oh and get it from GPS central!

 

[offworlder]

I use a Garmin Montana with the backroads map books, both of which I purchased from GPS Central (http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/garmin/gps-map-bundles.html#montana600bundle), a site sponsor :tup:.
A GPS (Global Positioning System) device will work far beyond the range of any cellular coverage, hence while there's some cool apps out there, I need a device I can rely on when far off the beaten track (not to mention one thats rugged enough to handle being exposed to the elements).
And with the power and ease of use of the included software (in this case Garmin's Basecamp: http://www.garmin.com/en-US/shop/downloads/basecamp), as well as the amazing array of free apps (read: Google Earth), and proliferation of standardized file formats (.kmz, .gpx, etc...), its' easy to build and share tracks, routes, waypoints, etc...

 

[eviljimbo]

I also support the Garmin Montana i have a 650T (from GPS Canada)that I have loaded with the BC/ Alberta off road maps. great size easy to use and read while bouncing down a trail.:f:

 

[bchunter]

I have the Oregon 450 and love it. It is really nice that you can move the screen around with your glove on. The Montana is nice as well, just a little bigger.

Here is the newest one, the Monterra. This looks really neat because it has wifi and Google Play. It looks bigger, but it is very intriguing

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-trail/handhelds/monterra-/prod113522.html

And Garmin all the way.

Here is mine in use:

 

[kenf]

A GPS (Global Positioning System) device will work far beyond the range of any cellular coverage, hence while there's some cool apps out there, I need a device I can rely on when far off the beaten track (not to mention one thats rugged enough to handle being exposed to the elements).

As noted, there's this common misconception that smartphone "gps" is somehow not real gps. That may have been true for some devices some number of years ago, but is definitely no longer the case for the vast majority of current devices. The chipset in a latest generation smartphone is in all likelihood the same chipset you have in your Garmin. Smartphone probably doesn't have quite as good an antenna, which means you can get slightly poorer sensitivity in areas with poor satellite visibility. But you absolutely and most definitely do not require cell coverage to have gps reception. I have verified this on my phone in many, many remote spots over long backcountry rides.

Durability? Sure, smartphone screens can crack, you probably want to put it in a RAM or Pelican case. But I've got 2 years on mine, including tracklogging the A route from the Loose Screw this year with no issues.

Not saying it works for everybody, just trying to minimize the disinformation out there :tup:

 

[DirtClunker]

Unless you are a techie, I often recommend to go with a popular brand. And make sure you select a brand where you can by local, decent resolution topo maps.

Garmin is the most popular GPS, so if you have any questions or problems you will get lots of help. The latest offroad garmin units are either the Oregon or the Montana. They are basically the same, but the Montana has a bigger screen. Personally I have a Montana that has been trashed to bits, because I take it on west coast hare scramble routes. Seems to survive pretty well.

GSP City or GPS Central are good places to buy them.

You'll need to buy maps. None of the maps are up to date as far as backroads are concerned. I have several maps from Ibycus (free), Garmin ($$) and backroads map books ($$). Mostly I use the backroads mapbooks stuff, and then share a lot of tracks with friends. I also download sat images to the garmin unit and sometimes use that to help out for new cut area.

 

[DirtClunker]

I just looked at the maps you can purchase with that satmp GPS. They are based off the the 1:50k national maps and cost 70GBP (120CAD). If you go with any Garmin GPS you can get the exact same maps free from Ibycus. Or spend the $150 and get the Backroad mapbooks which are a great improvement to the 1:50 series.

 

[cactusreid]

i really like my montana 650 with the backroads bc basemap. and when i go down to baja in the winter,i can switch to the e32 baja( backroads map for down there) and know where i'm at in the middle of now where baja. the montana has a good size screen, good visibility all the time, and tons of memory for your tracks as well

 

[KTM-Bryon]

I wouldn't discount the larger units too quick. The Garmin Zumo series is very nice. I won one at GPS Central and now use the Garmin Oregon 450 a lot but when going distances on the 690 the Zumo is way easier to read. Here is a pic of the Oregon in action.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...5710672782.451378.354040132781&type=3&theater

I don't think I can really follow the Oregon map while riding. I always stop check the map.

Other than the price the new ZUMO 390 sure looks nice.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod138275.html

Both the Oregon and the ZUMO take SD cards so you can load Backroads map books GPS maps. As has already been said, that is what you need to explore in Canada.

 

[DirtClunker]

How is the Zumo for offroad topo maps? In 2010 I purchased one and ended up returning it because the topo display sucked. I tried the Backroads maps and Garmin topo maps, same results. So then I waited for the Montana to come out, so I could get the big screen and decent display of topo.

 

[KTM-Bryon]

How is the Zumo for offroad topo maps? In 2010 I purchased one and ended up returning it because the topo display sucked. I tried the Backroads maps and Garmin topo maps, same results. So then I waited for the Montana to come out, so I could get the big screen and decent display of topo.

I never did find out as I have a SD card jammed into the SD slot and it won't come out. The fixed charge repair cost on a Zumo is about $150 so I have just left it.

 

[Sikorsky]

I finally made it back to this thread ........... sorry for the delay in responding to everyone.

Thanks to y'all for the information. Looks like I'll be heading down the Garmin road.

 

[solobiker]

I have just purchased a Garmin 350LM from GPS City in Calgary. This unit is designed for motorcycles and is waterproof and vibration resistant. It is replacing a Zumo 450 that is getting old. The new unit will store 1000 waypoints and you get free map updates for life. The sell for 649.00 at most places but GPS City is selling them for 549,00 with free freight and no provincial tax.

 

[DirtClunker]

I have just purchased a Garmin 350LM from GPS City in Calgary. This unit is designed for motorcycles and is waterproof and vibration resistant.

How is this unit for offroad topo maps? I found the older Zumo units pretty crappy with both the Garmin and Backroads mapbooks. I ended up going with a Montana because I ride nearly all offroad.

 

[eviljimbo]

let Us know i never thought of that one I just know the Montana /Oregon line was more what i wanted as everyone else is running them !

 

[KTM-500]

"He crashes a lot"...... Now now KF, I've seen you face down a few times ;-) Hell who am I trying to kid, I do crash a lot. Love every minute of it thou!!!!!!

I continue to have great success with Oruxmaps for Android on my smartphone (currently a 2 year old Nexus S, but the newer ones have much larger screens). No, you don't need cell service for it to work great, yes it caches maps (but you need to have browsed the area previous to have cached them), yes you can get a full day of navigation and/or tracklogging out of it. RAM makes a waterproof cover/case that fits large screen smartphones and still give you access to the buttons. My buddy has torn his a couple of times, but then, he crashes a lot lol. When I overlay my tracks over those of guys I'm riding with, the smartphone seems to be just as accurate, with only the rare exception in extremely steep/heavily treed terrain where satellite visibility is poor. I still haven't found a good reason for adding another device to the backpack when I always have the phone with me anyhow, unless you want it as a backup.

Cheers
KF

 

[higenki]

I bought the Backroad Mapbooks SD card a couple of days ago, but since it is only 4GB and I have Northwest, Ibycus, OSM, I need more space, and they don't allow you to use their maps on any other SD, so I asked for a refund and they refused on the grounds that it's "software."

I find that amusing. You have to use our hardware, but we won't refund your purchase because it's software. Convenient.