GPS

[Wounded XJ]

I have come to realize that I'm the last one that does not have GPS in my Jeep so it is time to look into one. I know nothing about GPS stuff so looking for input. I want a unit with a good size screen, has maps or at least I can down load them into it, and will allow me to record waypoints for trails so I can have them for future use. What are you guys using and if you had to do it again would you stay with what you have or go with something else.

[Rev Den]

Garmin 376C

Yes...I would do it again, this is my 3rd Garmin.

Rev

[AZRockRunner]

I have come to realize that I'm the last one that does not have GPS in my Jeep so it is time to look into one. I know nothing about GPS stuff so looking for input. I want a unit with a good size screen, has maps or at least I can down load them into it, and will allow me to record waypoints for trails so I can have them for future use. What are you guys using and if you had to do it again would you stay with what you have or go with something else.

Your not the only one. I do not run a GPS in my jeep either.

:helpme:

[KRAKER]

Search! GPS* I use the Garmin GPSMAP 60 CSX. Nothing better out there for me. Has topo software you can trace you runs onto and city navigation as well.

[chrslefty]

if you have a lap top you can get a antenna"GPS" for it !!
i have a small el-chepo 100$ yellow one i think that its nice but i doesn't have tomo and you cant down load maps into it, i have to use it in conjunction with maps but it works for me !!
you can always get a Lawrence race one and i think that there is one other company that is local that makes large ones

[Rattman]

I have a Magellan Explorist XL. I have used the Garmin and the Magellen, both are good produts. Pros it has an SD card slot and the screen is as large as the in car only models. I have the topo usa maps on it, and it works great. Oh its color also, not that that makes as big of a differance, except when you are driving the colors make it a lot easier to read. Cons, It uses four AA batts, and it only runs for about 8 hours on those and less if you use the brighter screen settings. Its heavyer if you backpack. I have the cig adapter and so the batts are not an issue unless I am backpacking.

[OddBallXJ]

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/assets/images/products/010-00469-00/en/cf-md.jpg (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=351#) https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/images/btn/btn-more-images.gif (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=351#) https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/images/btn/btn-view-larger.gif (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=351#)
GPSMAP® 76CSx

Yes, would do it again.

[ColoradoJeepXJ]

I have been using a Garmin Emap with Topo software for 7 years. I would recomend it but Garmin discontinued it.

[AZXJ]

Who needs GPS.. I never get lost.. :D

[matus2]

I have been using a Garmin Emap with Topo software for 7 years. I would recomend it but Garmin discontinued it.

Same here... and I'll be building in a laptop with usb gps soon aswell.

[Wounded XJ]

I do have a laptop, but the mounts I have seen are almost the same as a GPS system ($350-$400). Anyone seen cheaper mount?

[matus2]

I do have a laptop, but the mounts I have seen are almost the same as a GPS system ($350-$400). Anyone seen cheaper mount?

http://cgi.ebay.com/7YEARS-ON-EBAY-Car-Laptop-Mount-Desk-Holder-Stand-Table_W0QQitemZ150149287363QQihZ005QQcategoryZ7333 2QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[OddBallXJ]

Check Stu Olson's website. I think he's got something posted up there. www.stu-offroad.com

[bhorocks]

i have had a etrex yellow, etrex legend (can upload topo to it( and one of the new 60csx.

thed 60csx is sweet but i realized it was more than i needed and i use gps alot! not only for jeepin but hiking, geocaching and bicyling. i would get something cheaper as the topo just looks cool more than anything i think. you can upload your waypoints to topo later.

just my .02

and if you go cheap if you ever upgrade later than that 99 spent on a cheapie is still great to toss in another car or give to someone who does not have one yet!

[AzFlexJ]

hey wounded...i run a garmin legend...it has served me well but the only draw back is it doesnt have a color screen...look them up...they are great for camping, hunting, or most of all wheelin.

[Wounded XJ]

Keep the good info coming guys. I have read up on some of the responses, but have a few to go. I just hate buying things and the next day finding out there was something better for less..

[chrslefty]

http://cgi.ebay.com/7YEARS-ON-EBAY-Car-Laptop-Mount-Desk-Holder-Stand-Table_W0QQitemZ150149287363QQihZ005QQcategoryZ7333 2QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

that's nice but you can make one from a old satellite dish stand on the cheep also !
there a wright up on here also !

[Foxmotorsport]

I run a Lowrance IWay 250C and absolutely love it. Color display, decent screen, supports overlaying trails, priced well, and... internal battery thats good for about 5hrs if I ever take it out of the Jeep.

[Shogun]

I have both the Garmin Etrex Vista and the 60CSx. The 60 is very good, small enough for dismounted ops, expandable memory (loaded all of south AZ and didnt fill the OEM chip), and here are the standout issues; external antenna capable and half the startup time.

An external antenna is important for those covered or canyon type areas, I use the amplified (28db) ones from Gilson. Startup on the Etrex is glacial, nothing like burning up your batteries before it gets cooking.

Recommended; Gilson antenna, RAM mount (much more rugged than OEM), shop GPS City for good service/price.

The 60 gets my vote.

[Wounded XJ]

Ok I have a question for those of you with GPS that use the topo map software from MapSource. Let’s say you go out and hit a trail that is not located on the topo map and you use the track feature on your GPS. Can you download onto the map for future use or do you just have to keep it saved in one of the track memory locations? I notice most units can save 20 of them, but I can see that filling up fast between here and Moab.

[ColoradoJeepXJ]

Yes, With my Garmin you can download and save them on your computer.

[Shogun]

The user manuals may be available on the Garmin website to answer such questions.

[Wounded XJ]

Does this apply with the download mini card as well? The units I’m leaning towards are all mini card applications.

[Wounded XJ]

I almost have the wife talked into it. I think I will have GPS with Topo maps by next week!

[matus2]

I almost have the wife talked into it. I think I will have GPS with Topo maps by next week!

sweet... did you make a decision on which one yet?

[bhorocks]

tish is my next gps solution. In car pc with a 7" touchscreen monitor. not only will it control my gps but also all my music and photos could be looked at on the trail.
I would also be able to hit wifi anywhere it was available to get info whenever i needed it or bluetooth connection to my phone.

I plan on running xp on a usb stick so i dont have to worry about a hard drive out on the trail. no moving parts.

check out mp3car.com if you are interested


http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u52/bhorocks/ENC-008-2T.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u52/bhorocks/MON-016-2T.jpg

[AZRockRunner]

tish is my next gps solution. In car pc with a 7" touchscreen monitor. not only will it control my gps but also all my music and photos could be looked at on the trail.
I would also be able to hit wifi anywhere it was available to get info whenever i needed it or bluetooth connection to my phone.

I plan on running xp on a usb stick so i dont have to worry about a hard drive out on the trail. no moving parts.

check out mp3car.com if you are interested


http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u52/bhorocks/ENC-008-2T.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u52/bhorocks/MON-016-2T.jpg

I would seriously think about the 8 gig solid state drive that you can get as an option there. After that I would go with a few SD card readers to run the maps for the GPS on. If you do a BASE install of XP and forgo the security updates you can get away with a 8 gig drive for the GPS program and the streetdeck applicaton and store the maps on either thumb drives and/or SD memory cards. Also, unless your running high speeds in your jeep on trails, a laptop drive mounted in the shock resistant mounting assembly should be just fine.

Nice setup though, I am looking at basically the same thing for my business rig. I run a computer consulting company and it would be nice to have that instead of firing up the ol laptop for stuff.

[bhorocks]

i was also considering running a embedded xp to slim things down and increase boot times. I'll look at that hdd.

Sorry to hijack your thread!

[Wounded XJ]

sweet... did you make a decision on which one yet?

I’m down to three. The Garmin 60CSX, Garmin 376C, and the Garmin 65Csx. I will probably go with the Garmin 60CSX because I can afford to get it new because of some sale and rebate prices ($300 with few shipping). The other two I can get if I get them refurbished, which makes me a little nervous. I have also thought about turning a laptop I have to GPS or doing a touch screen monitor, but I think it would be nice to have something I can take out of the car if I do some hiking. My wife says I can order it next Friday. :clap: party1: :clap:

[OddBallXJ]

Being able to move it from the jeep to the truck and into the house for downloading is a sweet feature. That way I can use the GPS in any vehicle I'm driving. Also can use if for hiking, running, etc. Connecting it to the pc in the house means I can save all the trails I've run.

[Wounded XJ]

Being able to move it from the jeep to the truck and into the house for downloading is a sweet feature. That way I can use the GPS in any vehicle I'm driving. Also can use if for hiking, running, etc. Connecting it to the pc in the house means I can save all the trails I've run.

I forgot about being able to move it to the truck. We do a fair amount of camping in our 25’ trailer and it would be nice for that reason as well. I can’t wait as I love toys!

[OddBallXJ]

I've heard that the only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. And, the one with the most toys, wins. :)

[Wounded XJ]

Oh how I want to follow in your footsteps dad!

[bhorocks]

I've heard that the only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. And, the one with the most toys, wins. :)


if that is the casae for being a private owner and not a shop i am getting up there. 3 jeeps, 1 motorcycle , 2 dogs, crappy tools etc..

[kj139]

We have a couple of them. For my wife's car, we have a Garmin Street Pilot 330. It is nice for the car and roads, but it doesn't have features like marking waypoints, backtracking, etc. It has a fairly big, touch screen and is REALLY easy to use.

For mine, I have had a few; a Magellen and a couple of Garmins. There was nothing wrong with the Magellen, but I prefer the Garmin. I currently use a Garmin Rino 120. This thing is awesome. It combines a 2-way radio, which you can use to radio your buddies, regardless if they have a Rino or just some Radio Shack 2-way radio. It is completely waterproof and portable. You can mark waypoints, download maps, find freeway exits, etc, just like most GPS units, but with the Rino, you can update your location and others' locations (if they have a Rino) to each other by simply talking to each other. Every time you talk, it updates your position and their position so you can see where everyone is on the map. You can also send other coordinates for destinations to each other with the push of a button.

This has been a really nice feature for trail rides and for hunting. You can see where everyone else is and go to their location at the push of a button. I outfitted our entire sniper team with them so our tac. commander could see where all of his guys are by everyone just clicking their PTT buttons (it also has security codes to help limit others on your channel). You can also shut this feature off if necessary.

IMHO, I like the Rino. Eveyone who asks me about them, I direct that way. You can get them on E-bay for about $200.

Good luck!

[bhorocks]

the rhino would be my next purchase for a handheld GPS.
the two way radio is sweet but the ability to locate people that are within 2 miles is awesome.

yup forgot about those! they are sweet.

[Wounded XJ]

Those are cool GPS systems. I skipped over them when I was looking through the Garmin web site.

[kj139]

Yeah, I really can't say enough good things about them. It is especially nice if you have someone in your group who can't or won't learn how to use certain GPS features. In my case, my father in law will never (ever, ever, ever) read an instruction manual. When we hunt together, even he can figure out how to get to my location and if I find a location such as a lake we want to go to, or have an elk down, I can send coordinates to his GPS so he can get there. With our old GPS'a nd radios, I would have to radio him coordinates, then spen the next hour explaining how to enter them into his GPS. Those days are thankfully over. Now I just press a button. He then presses two buttons and starts walking!

When my son is old enough to venture a little farther away from me (hunting), I will buy him one That way, if I lose him, I can find him.

[jmfelty]

You need the GARMIN that has the extra unit for tracking your hunting dog. I think this would be pretty useful for camping with the boys. You could just strap the antenna on top of their heads and your hardly going to need to watch them..

[Wounded XJ]

You need the GARMIN that has the extra unit for tracking your hunting dog. I think this would be pretty useful for camping with the boys. You could just strap the antenna on top of their heads and your hardly going to need to watch them..

I love it, but my wife did not like the idea so much.

[OddBallXJ]

Did you get one yet?

[AZXJ]

You need the GARMIN that has the extra unit for tracking your hunting dog. I think this would be pretty useful for camping with the boys. You could just strap the antenna on top of their heads and your hardly going to need to watch them..



That's just funny right there!!! :D

[Wounded XJ]

Did you get one yet?

I will order one tomorrow as I receive my paycheck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AZRockRunner]

You mean as the wife recieves your paycheck?????

:laugh2:

[Wounded XJ]

She has direct deposit set up, so I never see my $

[jmfelty]

She has direct deposit set up, so I never see my $

That's what my wife would do if she knew how much I spent on the last round of "necessary" upgrades.

[Wounded XJ]

I hit the order button this morning and should have my new Garmin 60CSx and mount by next week. I will order a topo map next check as they are kind up there in price. I will post a pic in my Jeep when I install it!party1:

[2LuknF8]

WooHoo! Which mount did you get? I can e-mail you thte trails I saved from our runs while out there if you want....let me know.

[Wounded XJ]

I have to run out the door right now for work, but I will PM you my email when I return (If I did not give it to you already).

[Wounded XJ]

It came in the mail today. Now I just have to learn how to use the thing!

[AZRockRunner]

Theres this little thing on there called a power button. That usually helps with the learning curve!!!!

CONGRATS MAN, After my long arms, GPS is next.

Lata

[OddBallXJ]

congrats. lets see pics!!!! hows motors?

[Wounded XJ]

Theres this little thing on there called a power button. That usually helps with the learning curve!!!!

CONGRATS MAN, After my long arms, GPS is next.

Lata

I kept saying on, but nothing would happen. Had read this book called instructions that told me about this power button you speak of. Now what? :dunno:

[Wounded XJ]

congrats. lets see pics!!!! hows motors?

I may have time for a few pics tomorrow, but I have to head out. They are having some event in Sedona and they want the traffic unit there to show off our equipment.

[chrslefty]

showing off your unit !:rof: you might be in the wrong carer !

[sjkimmel99]

There's an article on the Popular Science site
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/how20/ddb6bb1fd9ca4110vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html
showing how to remove the GPS receiver board from an OnStar unit and wire it to feed a serial connection. Get an old laptop, gps mapping software and you're off. Something else to look for at the pick-n-pull.

[jpslickorocks]

bhorocks is sending you your software monday. he's been busy this week with work! Told me to post up for him.

[Wounded XJ]

Thanks for the update. I know what is like to be working all the time!

[XJJD]

Whatever GPS you use this program is the bomb for converting maps. If you don't already know you can upload your tracks to google earth, with this program you can convert the waypoints you pick on google earth to waypoints for your GPS. Basically plot your trail on GE then convert it and use Garmin mapsource to upload it to your GPS. Its awesome. JD

http://www.gpsbabel.org/

[Wounded XJ]

Thanks for the info! I sat down today and downloaded all my info from Moab onto my computer. Still learning to use this GPS stuff, but from what I have seen already it is worth the $$. I will look into the program you suggested.

[OddBallXJ]

Jon, let me know how it works. I downloaded it, but haven't played with it.