GPS users recommendations ?

[rowerwet]

I'm about to buy a GPS, looking first for waterproof (rowing and paddling, along with some mountain biking), being able to load extra (free) maps, and every now and then use in the car (hooked to the netbook for turn by turn?).
I'm leaning toward Garmin thanks to working with them a lot at work in the airplanes. There are some great deals for black friday/cyber monday (NOT going to any stores thursday!)
Wondering what anybody here uses, and what they recommend.

[bobhenry]

Rand Mcnally.......

[rowerwet]

a road atlas doesn't do much for me in a boat, trying to pack it on my mountain bike....

[jss06]

Love my garmin. But the small ones used for hiking can get expensive as you add maps to them.

[Shadow Catcher]

Have had three Garmin, the first one an older one used for canoeing Waterproof etc. which still works and the most recent which has turn by turn lane assist etc. Trying to get one to do it all strikes me as not the best choice(s). One TomTom failed and had to be returned last summer.

[Dale M.]

I have a Magellan hand held and its next to useless in vehicle (not that it is really a bad machine) because screen is small and lack of voice output..... For canoe or kayak use or hiking I would recommend a hand held.... For vehicle I think something with bigger screen easy to read at glance would be better(preferred)... Something with small screen and no voice output will be a distraction as you begin to concentrate on getting information from small screen (poor display qualities) you loose concentration on main necessity >>>> DRIVING....

Don't think this a case where one product/option fits all necessary parameters...

Dale

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I've had my Garmin for 6 years, and it still does what its supposed to. My parents just went and picked up a new Garmin this summer. I suggested to them that they get one with lifetime map updates. They're very happy with it.

[tony.latham]

I'm a big fan of Garmin. I've got a 62 hand held for hiking etc and a 54 for the road. I have my doubts about using the 62 for the highway and the automotive 54 isn't going to do the off road stuff. Two different environments and two different tools.

[tony.latham]

Rand Mcnally.......

Bob:

Good response, I'll label it a (friendly) "comeback."

But here's why I like my automotive GPS:
-it shows my elevation –I'm a curious fella and my terrain varies a bit.
-it shows my true speed (without having to glance at my speedometer) and it shows what the speed limit is where I'm at. I don't need to wonder if I missed a speed limit sign. If I'm doing 62 in a 55, the 55 is red.
-if I need food or gas, it'll list them starting with the nearest.

If I hit the GoTo function I get this:
-ETA or time remaining to destination
-miles to next turn
-total miles left to destination

Last time I looked at an atlas, it didn't tell me that stuff! ; )

Now, in the pocket of my door I ALWAYS have a state map, and I'll always review a new route using a map to make sure the GPS isn't trying to get me to do something foolish.

When I'm boondocking (and I really dislike campgrounds), I've always got my Delorme Gazetteer for the state I'm in available in the pocket behind my seat. It's got topo maps showing county/forest roads and other details the state map doesn't show.

So I don't discount maps, they're a wealth of information, but the automotive GPS is a great tool.

TL

p.s. and when I'm on-foot in the hills/woods –central Idaho has a few– it's good to know where I've parked my truck –that's where my hand-held trail GPS comes in. It ain't like trying to find your rig at Walmart! ; )

[rowerwet]

I'v seen people mention free maps that can be added to the GPS, anybody here tried that?

[SeaFlea]

I cast my vote for Garmin. I have a 14' SOT and I use a Ram-mount/screw-ball combination to mount my GPS. Sorry, I thought I had a pic or two but I guess I'm not quite that lucky. I've had it up in Salem (Mass.) and down in Chokoloskee (FL). Worked like a champ!! Yup... I fish outta my kayak... all salt water...
It's a discontinued eTrex Vista C. I can download NOAA charts and street maps. REALLY nice to be able to load charts of an area you're be spending time in!!
Newer units are even more robust being able to hold more data...

nice description here: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_11151_10001_495788_-1?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=495788&cid=sc_googlepla&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CImFz67VhbsCFW9nOgodDQIA4A#.UpZDaeLNm2g

Custom maps:
http://www.garmin.com/us/products/onthetrail/custommaps

[tony.latham]

I'v seen people mention free maps that can be added to the GPS, anybody here tried that?

Yep. I've got topo maps for Idaho and Montana on my 62 (or is it a 60?) trail GPS. I got them here: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

I used it on my Main Salmon trip in August and had downloaded all the campsites into it. I've done that creek many a time but it was the first run down with the GPS. I didn't use it a lot, but it was handy when I did. Good for finding those itsy-bitsy campsites that I hadn't stayed in before. I did a Boundary Waters ten day paddle trip a million years ago, and it woulda been huge to have it on that trip (but I don't know what good it woulda done, since Sputnik wasn't transmitting GPS signals back then).

TL

[rowerwet]

looks like I'll be pulling the trigger on a Etrex 20, Wicked good deal on Amazon

[SeaFlea]

that is a GREAT price! Good luck with it!

[Vedette]

We love our Garmin!
It has got us thru two long trips across the USA (13,000 miles and 10,000 miles) plus many shorter 1,000 to 2,000 mile trips.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi