Good off-road GPS

**Brent_f70** · 01-29-2008, 04:19 PM

What are you using as a good off road GPS. I am interested in one that I can upload maps into and mark my favorite trails in. Prefer one that also gives audible directions (i.e. "right turn 500 ft") and is vehicle mountable (no handhelds). I know the $2000 Garmins will do most of this but not interested in paying that much.

Second question IF I was to upgrade to the MYGIG with navigation will it do most of this? How happy are you with it's off road maping ability.

**igofshn** · 01-29-2008, 04:27 PM

I have a garmin 2610. It has a 1 gig chip that I can program both city and topo maps and can go from one to the other and it also give voice commands but hey tend to be very irratating so I turned it off.

**Brent_f70** · 01-29-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igofshn

I have a garmin 2610. It has a 1 gig chip that I can program both city and topo maps and can go from one to the other and it also give voice commands but hey tend to be very irratating so I turned it off.

How much was it? Are the Off-road trails easy to mark?

jeff@zina.com · 01-29-2008, 04:58 PM

Might start by perusing this forum:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f88/

Jeff

**Thunderstrike** · 01-29-2008, 06:05 PM

I think the most flexible combination is a PocketPC PDA and DeLorme TOPO. I have the HP IPAQ H5555. Used ones are going for $180 on eBay. Here I'm following the trail on the Hell's Revenge trail in Moab, Utah.

drojk · 01-29-2008, 07:00 PM

Check out the Magellan Crossover, it got a great review in Overland Journal.

lazerpunk · 01-29-2008, 08:30 PM

Garmin 60CSX is what you are looking for. I doesn't have spoken guidance but it does alert you to upcoming turns. Address lookup, POI's all the cool stuff. You can install topo maps and City Navigator maps and switch between the two.
But if I was looking to replace my 60CSX, I would get the new Garmin Colorado 400T a little expensive. But very powerful, It has 3D topo maps very cool!! There is a short video on You Tube

jgarner · 01-29-2008, 08:50 PM

I just ordered a new Garmin Colorado 300 the other day, hopefully I can test it out this weekend and give you an opinion on it.

**Thunderstrike** · 01-29-2008, 09:27 PM

I downloaded Garmin Colorado's owner's manual and from what I've read so far it's lacking on topology route mapping for laying down Jeep trails.

I think I prefer my current set up with PocketPC. On my laptop, I fire up DeLorme's TOPO USA. I read in the GPS coordinates of Hell's Revenge trail in Moab (for example). I select the map squares (click the trails basically), and export to PocketPC. On PocketPC, I use DeLorme's StreetAtlas to show the topolog map so I can follow the trail. Anfd, my PDA screen size is 4", huge.

As you can see the advantage is that you can put comments, waypoints #s, and flags, etc.

jgarner · 01-29-2008, 11:30 PM

It depends on which Colorado unit that you buy. The 400t comes preloaded with topo maps already. I got the 300 so I could run the street and topo maps with different SD cards.

mrsig · 01-30-2008, 07:06 AM

I love the way my Garman Trail Guide works and looks!

Sorry I did not snap itin all the way.

JK 4 Door Auto, 33" BFG MTKs, River Raider Ram Air Snorkel System with a K&N flat filter, Cool Tech Exhaust, 410 Gears, Front & Rear Lockers with OX covers, 2.5" Suspension Lift with Heavy Duty Gas Shocks, Piaa Yellow Ion Fog Lights, Custom Built Steel Front Ram Bumper with White Fog Lights, 10,000 lbs Front or Rear Removable Winch, Garmin Jeep Trail Guide Navigation System with Topo, Sirius Satellite 6 disk in dash changer Infinity system, Full Rubber Floors and Custom Fit Neoprene Seat Covers. See my Jeep in action @http://www.aaof.us/jeep.htm

**Brent_f70** · 01-30-2008, 08:18 AM

Thanks guys,
I haven't heard anyone comment on the MyGiG off road capability??? I will look closer at both the PDA and the Colorado. Thanks for the screen shots on the PDA that really helps.

lazerpunk · 01-30-2008, 08:27 AM

I used to use a PDA same as yours. To fragile and expensive to be using outdoors. One good drop and you are out of business. The plug that the GPS antenna plugs into is fragile. Poor battery life and you can't just throw another set of AA's in it. My 60CSX has been abused, rained on and still looks and works like new.

Besides I don't belive your PDA does auto routing, address look up. What did your setup cost.

jgarner · 01-30-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent_f70

Thanks guys,
I haven't heard anyone comment on the MyGiG off road capability??? I will look closer at both the PDA and the Colorado. Thanks for the screen shots on the PDA that really helps.

As far as I know the MyGig is not very off road friendly. I think it can do a bread crumb feature, but you do no have the ability to load the data back to you PC or insert waypoints.

jgarner · 01-30-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent_f70

Thanks guys,
I haven't heard anyone comment on the MyGiG off road capability??? I will look closer at both the PDA and the Colorado. Thanks for the screen shots on the PDA that really helps.

As far as I know the MyGig is not very off road friendly. I think it can do a bread crumb feature, but you do not have the ability to load the data back to you PC or insert waypoints.

01-29-2008, 04:27 PM	#2
igofshn Locked @ both ends Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lemoore, CA Posts: 8,032 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have a garmin 2610. It has a 1 gig chip that I can program both city and topo maps and can go from one to the other and it also give voice commands but hey tend to be very irratating so I turned it off. __________________ 2007, 4 door, powered by a minivan engine, locked and riding on 35's. [Jeep Pics

01-29-2008, 08:30 PM	#7
lazerpunk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 147 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Garmin 60CSX is what you are looking for. I doesn't have spoken guidance but it does alert you to upcoming turns. Address lookup, POI's all the cool stuff. You can install topo maps and City Navigator maps and switch between the two. But if I was looking to replace my 60CSX, I would get the new Garmin Colorado 400T a little expensive. But very powerful, It has 3D topo maps very cool!! There is a short video on You Tube __________________ '07 Sahara Unlimited, Red Rock Crystal, Auto, Dual Top, MyGig, 18" Wheels, Trailer Tow, Side Airbags. Parked in My Driveway!!!!

01-30-2008, 08:27 AM	#13
lazerpunk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 147 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I used to use a PDA same as yours. To fragile and expensive to be using outdoors. One good drop and you are out of business. The plug that the GPS antenna plugs into is fragile. Poor battery life and you can't just throw another set of AA's in it. My 60CSX has been abused, rained on and still looks and works like new. Besides I don't belive your PDA does auto routing, address look up. What did your setup cost. __________________ '07 Sahara Unlimited, Red Rock Crystal, Auto, Dual Top, MyGig, 18" Wheels, Trailer Tow, Side Airbags. Parked in My Driveway!!!!

01-29-2008, 07:00 PM	#6
drojk Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Durango, CO Posts: 8 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Check out the Magellan Crossover, it got a great review in Overland Journal.