DirtRider . Net MX, SX, Arena Cross, Off-Road Community
Dirt Rider . Net Text Version Home
Dirt Bike Dirt Bike Dirt Bike Dirt Bike

This is the text version of DirtRider.Net
Click Here for the Full Version


Pages: 1

GPS units

(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: Tony Eeds---------------------

We're thinking Christmas now ....

I want some opinions on units and features that are important.

IMHO, it would be nice if ...
it was waterproof, so I could take it canoeing, not that I get lost, but it would still be fun.
it could be connected to my laptop. Not sure why, but a buddy with a really big boat uses his to navigate when he is in the Gulf.
it could include map backgrounds for the area that I am in.

OK, I have been peeking at the REI catalog (yea, I know, they are way green) and they have a bunch of models (about 15 or so) and for all practical purposes you cannot compare them on features.

What features are "must have important"
What features are "really nice, but"

You get the picture. Blow off price at this point. I want to know what is the best, IYHO.

Thanks in advance for thoughtful consideration and input ....
Tony


Posted by: MrLuckey---------------------

Tony,

I know you said ignore price but really awesome units can get into the $30,000 range (for serious mapping etc) so I assume you were talking about run of the mill consumer GPS. I also only included waterproof units since you mentioned that. All of these can download and/or upload map data to a laptop. One big note is that many different maps are availabe for most units (waterways, trails, city streets etc) and you can very easily spend more on maps than the actual GPS unit. Oh yeah - all of these are handhelds! Oh and one other thing - some units have an actual magnetic compass, very important if you are planning to use it to tell which direction you are looking at when not moving. Most consumer GPS have a hard time telling you unless you are moving. Having said that here are two very nice ones to check out:

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/deta...uct_id=GI1107-0

http://www.thegpsstore.com/cgi-bin/...5420+1036309675

I would highly recommend spending some time HERE - there are literally hundreds if not thousands of GPS systems, this site has WAY more than you need. If you want to get into specialized or higher end stuff check out Trimble and if $$ is no object you definitely want Differential GPS (Way more accurate) no SA error.


Posted by: scooter1130---------------------

Tony,

If you are also planning on using your GPS on the motorcycle, I would recomend Gamin's "GPS V" (around $500) or "GPS III+"(around $300). I own both, and I found them to be the best for the bike, and very durable, and water resistant. The GPS V is more detailed, and has much more memory than the III+ for downloading area maps, and waypoints. (19mb compared to 1.4mb) These have both served me well doing some mapping for Paragon, and have taken lots of abuse. Check out cycoactive for information on these as well as others brands and models, and accessories. They also have a comparison where you can select 2 or more models, and they will give you the options and differences for all of them.

If you do plan on using this on the motorcycle, I reccomend getting the external antenna also, the supplied antenna will easily break in the first crash. Ohh yeah, I forgot....DRN riders don't crash we just dismount with style

Dan


Posted by: Person8---------------------

And if you ride with a buddy, check out: GARMIN RINO
Along with: TOPO MAPS
And: HEADSET

This is the setup I think I'm going to get myself for Christmas.


Larry


Posted by: Tony Eeds---------------------

Quote:
Originally posted by TTRGuy
I know you said ignore price but really awesome units can get into the $30,000 range (for serious mapping etc) so I assume you were talking about run of the mill consumer GPS.

Oops ... Thanks. I did look into renting one of these survey setups one time in order to locate points for input of a cemetery into AutoCAD. Story as to why is too long. Remind me to tell you at DW03. Great for really late at night.

Quote:
Originally posted by scooter1130
If you do plan on using this on the motorcycle, I reccomend getting the external antenna also, the supplied antenna will easily break in the first crash. Ohh yeah, I forgot....DRN riders don't crash we just dismount with style
Dan

Dan - Ask RoosteR13 about the style and grace of my pirouette at DW.

Quote:
Originally posted by Person8
This is the setup I think I'm going to get myself for Christmas.
Larry

Yea baby ... That's what I'm talking about!

Thanks for all the input and links. There is plenty to keep me busy!

Tony


Posted by: biglou---------------------

Hey, and the Garmin stuff is made right across the state line here in Olathe, KS. So you know it's good! Funny, though, they've never called me in for an interview even though I send them my resume every six months or so...


Posted by: kev_rm---------------------

garmin rino - the 120, with GMRS - way more powerful than the talk abouts, and the gps itself is nice.


Posted by: Person8---------------------

Can't wait to get mine! According to Garmin the topo maps have trails on the maps too. That'll make it nice when biking in unfamiliar territory.

Larry


Posted by: Rodzilla---------------------

I was going to throw in my vote for the Garmin units and the guys at Cycoactive but Scooter beat me to it!

I'm using the Gamin III+ (Ebay $180) and really like it. I also use the "RAM" mounting system from cycoactive. It makes switching the unit between my bike and my truck a 20 second deal (at most).

Since I have a KTM RFS I have the power wired to the bike, vibration can cause issues if running batteries if your mounting to the handlebars.

I personally like the Garmins due to both external power and antenna. You could put the unit in a backpack/Camelbak and run the antenna up to your shoulder strap or onto your helmet and not worry about signal loss.

I run an amplified external antenna on the bike ($24 Ebay) under the headlight and it works very well, it's about the size of a .50 piece (if you're old enough to know what that is ) and as thick as a match book. :thumb:

Rod



Text Version Home





vBulletin Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.
vB Easy Archive Final ©2000 - 2009 - Created by Stefan "Xenon" Kaeser