Good GPS for AATVs?

[salamander]

Any recommendations for an AATV GPS?

[charlevoixboy]

I have a Garmin Legend GPS with the TOPO Maps... I've only used it in a car and a snowmobile. I found that it is very accurate and shows me all the roads, streams/rivers and elevation. It is easy to use and can be mounted on handle-bars with the attactment for around $20. The GPS retails for around $200 including maps, car charger and protective case. You can google it and find them mounted on dirtbikes, ATV's ect.

[charlevoixboy]

Ok I got the box:
It says that if all this stuff was bought separately it would cost more than $400!
Includes:
eTrek Legend
Mapsource Topo CD
Training Video
PC Cable
12-volt adapter cable

[GREASEMONKEY]

I got the magellan map track, the streets & destinations software, and the topo software.. I got it all on ebay, and have about $125 invested total. I did a good bit of shopping around, and waiting for the right price on new units!

The major downfall of the map track unit isthe lack of memory. In part the size, and waterproof design stops the idea of addon memory. I use it in my jeep on trips for the most part, but will stick it in the argo when I go exploring in a swampy area. ( you can get lost real quick) The sad little memory will only hold the state of SC street map's, or SC & NC topo.

[charlevoixboy]

Yeah I found that out with my GPS but the memory was suitable for my needs.

[Robio_8x8]

I like the DeLorme GPS

I find it is not so much the GPS as it is the software.
Most GPS’s just give you streets and then you can by marine chart type software.
I had an older Garmin/Palm that was not only an over priced junk but they charged you for every update patch even ones to fix a problems with their earlier software

[charlevoixboy]

My GPS with the Topo maps shows me rivers, elevation, streets, roads, lakes, ponds on the screen at any time. I can open the points of interest folder (which comes with Topo maps) and find the nearest boat-launch or "point of interest."

[GREASEMONKEY]

I can look for the nearest resturant!

[salamander]

questions

Ebay looks like a good place to buy.

Reading over the replies; I was also thinking: I don't really have a need for one that will work over a very large scale; as you mention Greasemonkey; its easy to get lost in the swamps and thats the kind of detail that would be helpful to amphibs. Water proofing also makes a lot of sense.

I would like to be able to access maps or download them; but what kind of detail do the GPS maps actually show? What scale? My experience with topo maps is one needs 1:5000 or more detailed scale to make it worthwhile.

Then there's the tree cover aspect: do these newer units really work under tree cover?

[Roger S]

I looked at gps's last Fall, studied the 'net and gave up for a while. One of those peel the onion deals, more and more to learn. They're like printers.. you spend more for ink cartridges than the printer. Some products will only utilize their own proprietary software, which may not do what we want, ie the detail level. On the other hand, some user made software is floating around that lets you make your own maps from satelite images off the 'net. Compatibility varies.

[charlevoixboy]

I just booted up the Legend and selected max detail. It showed the rivers/lakes around my home and the screen can zoom into 20ft. It's only accurate to about 25 feet on a cloundy day and can get up to 10ft on a clear day. I can create waypoints and routes on my PC and then download them to the GPS.

[quiethorse]

I have the Garmin Legend C with mapsource topo maps downloaded on it. You really need these maps. Without them you're not really getting much use out of your GPS. Also I used to have the black and gray display but I upgraded to the color model. When looking at topo maps on a GPS, the black and white display is very difficult to make sense of. This one is water resistant was well.

[Roger S]

Thanks for that info, quiethorse. Last Xmas season the Legend C was $160 at Bass Pro. I got a raincheck, started researching on the 'net but never got anything.

[lewis]

Just my opinion, i have a (eTrex HC series) son bought it for me for Christmas. The main feature that i was looking for was the breadcrumb feature. I have tried it a couple of time in my woods while on foot and it works great to get you back to where you started. Not tried it on any large areas like CAW but look forward to trying it out. Dont understand all the features that it has but i will figure them out. Explained to the sales person what i was looking for and my end uses and this is what they recommended. Bought it mainly for the West Virgina run that we plan to make this summer, they say it is critical to have one there. Anyone have one of this type? If you do, does it perform well when in the deep, dark places?

lewis

[ygmir]

My issue with these is trees.........
The ones I bought, and have returned, don't do well in even moderate tree cover.....you have to get to a clear area, especially if you want the altimeter to work.....

It's been a couple of years, though, maybe they work better now?