best ALL around gps??

[colorider]

Until you guys send me money, I can only afford maps. The good news is, I only need two. North of Whitehorse, and south of Whitehorse. If I need to decide where to go, I just flip a coin. R

Yes, but the Alaska highway and the Klondike highway SPLIT not too far each side of Whitehorse.......... Do you need a GPS for making the decision, or just flip a coin again???

 

[rem]

Okay, you got me there. I was working the sympathy angle. But they both go north ... mostly. Can we agree on 2.5 options ???? One goes NNW to Dawson and the other goes NWW to Haines Junction then Beaver Creek. Send a little less money. Just a little ... less. R

 

[colorider]

Okay, you got me there. I was working the sympathy angle. But they both go north ... mostly. Can we agree on 2.5 options ???? One goes NNW to Dawson and the other goes NWW to Haines Junction then Beaver Creek. Send a little less money. Just a little ... less. R

Don't forget about going south. Looks lke almost 3 options that way.

FAR LESS money, I'd say!!!

 

[rem]

Well, south is south from up here. There's the Alaska Highway or Stewart-Cassiar, but all end up more or less kinda in the same spot. I'm still pavement bound. The road construction up here is a killer every year. I just found out that the stretch between Burwash Landing and Beaver Creek is horrific. Potholes big enough to hide a small Harley and frost heaves the size of a small tsunami. I guess I'll find out on Saturday.


Hey, cut me some slack here. It's brutal up here. Brutal !!!! Can I get an "Amen" ?????? R

 

[colorider]

Okay - I've ridden (and driven) some of your "highways" and can relate - so I'll cut you some slack...... (but not much)

 

[rem]

Thank goodness. Thanks. Send money. Hey, they are paving the Atlin Road. But with the Tenere, you don't need that. We'll need to do Atlin when you come up next year. Nice day trip and GAWJUS ... just GAWJUS. They call it the Switzerland of North America or something like that. Tiny little community just over the Yukon/B. C. border in B. C. Right on Atlin Lake. Better getter done. Wont' need a GPS for that trip. R

 

[markjenn]

The new Montana does look like an great unit, but price is steep: $550-$700 depending on options. That's a LOT for a handheld. It's also quite a bit bigger and heavier than the 60/62 series or the Oregon. If you want the extra features (satellite imagery, camera, voice navigation, etc.), then I could see it, but otherwise, its a lot more money without much extra capability. IMHO, Garmin needs to concentrate on a few models at more aggressive price points rather than shotgunning (and confusing) the market at higher price points. This unit looks like it perhaps is trying to recycle technology from their stillborn phone effort.

- Mark

 

[terryth]

I'll have to plug the deleorme pn series. By far the best for off road/ adventure exploring. All the detailed topographic maps included. They have a new one with integrated Spot Connect, very cool and available with everything (compass, barometer, all maps included) for about 450. They will also do basic auto routing. "Only drawback is a fairly small screen that isn't touch.

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=30786

I use a PN-30 myself w/o compass and barometer and can be had for under 200.
http://www.amazon.com/DeLorme-Earthmate-PN-30-Green-Handheld/dp/B002CM3HFE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308104571&sr=8-1

The best feature is that for 30$ a year you can get unlimited downloads of satellite imagery, USGS quad 1:24000 maps, ect to put on the GPS to view while you are tracking.
http://gpstracklog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/usgs-topo-aerial-imagery.jpg

 

[Bill310]

Quick answer, I expect the Garmin 478 will be mounted over 50% of the motorcycles in next week's Iron Butt Rally. They are superb rallying GPS's and when one comes up on EBAY or Craig's list they are snapped up instantly. We have a few 478's as the Garmin replacement 496 is approximately $1,400.00 used.

It is too bad that the newer GPS's are dumbed down and not as good for detailed route making and competitive Rallies.


I have had a few GPS units over the years, all Garmin products, and I have dealt with the various foibles, screen de-laminations and units too old for upgrades.

I started with the original Street Pilot 3 (Colour), then moved up to the 2610 nd 2820.

At one point we had 3 2610's and I just gave away the last one. I also had a 2820 which allowed very limited weather , XM radio and my only voyage into Bluetooth technolgy on a motorcycle.

We begin to switch to the upgrade above to the 276 with the 376 C and have since sold the.

Currently we have Garmin 478's on our bikes, which gives us excellent daylight screens, XM radio and top notch weather real-time display. The lifetime Garmin map updates are apparently having some issues on the latest map upgrade ( too large a file)

We are traveling to Europe for some two up riding and have set one of the 478's up with the European map sets.

 

[colorider]

The lifetime Garmin map updates are apparently having some issues on the latest map upgrade ( too large a file)

This is the case for the Zumo 550. It is necessary to load the file on the memory card as the unit will not hold the entire file. In use, it's seamless/transparent though.

 

[Bill310]

Update on maps on the 478. I am just back from the start of the Iron Butt Rally and after talking to some of my technically involved pals, it appears that those reporting problems in uploading the newest map set are guilty of operator error

 

[newventurer]

I love the Garmin 665, turn the other way when signing the credit card receipt and enjoy it thereafter. The Nav weather and Nav traffic through Sirrus/XM is great, live radar to see those thunderstorms coming. Satellite radio is great too for those trips through OK, if you know what I mean.

 

[HoebSTer]

i would love to put some money down on a new 665, but afraid i am getting near the ignition point for the ole bank account!!! I did read some reviews on it today and it didn't sound too promising!!! I will continue to use my 500 and the 60csx.

 

[TierHawg]

I'll have to plug the deleorme pn series. By far the best for off road/ adventure exploring. All the detailed topographic maps included. They have a new one with integrated Spot Connect, very cool and available with everything (compass, barometer, all maps included) for about 450. They will also do basic auto routing. "Only drawback is a fairly small screen that isn't touch.

I have a Delorme PN-60W SE. It is paired to a proprietary SPOT unit. The Topo 9 software is great, but has a H-U-G-E learning curve. I felt like I earned a master's degree in Cartology when I finally figure out the software.

The PN-60 unit is a great unit. It is small and meant to be more of a handheld style unit. I use it hiking, mountain biking and on my dual-sport bike. I'll mount it to the Super Tenere for the time being. The unit itself has the same features as larger units, with a few exceptions. Instead of voice navigation, the unit "beeps". And the screen is small for vehicle use, as mentioned. All in all, it is a great "all around" GPS unit.

 

[Checkswrecks]

The answer is NOT the Garmin Oregon series. The screen is too small and hard to see in sunlight, especially with a dark helmet visor.

 

[warnabrother]

WOW.. no one has mentioned my Nuvi 500
100% waterproof (tested).. can load tracks easily, good size and cheap..

but no bluetooth.. but it doesn't bother me one bit to be honest.. I just follow the arrows..

awesome little units IMO.. much cheaper than the Zumo's and nearly as motorcycle friendly..

 

[dcc46]

+1 on the garmin 665, I use an app on my phone for hiking

 

[macca]

I'd stay clear of the Zumo550/660s unless you get them cheap as these are fairly old design units now and garmin seem very keen on getting thier design dollar back by not replacing these with updated models. I've a 660 and it feels and looks pretty dated compared to other current garmins (nuvi range) though these are castrated deliberately by garmin to disuade bikers from buying them and to keep buying the zumos . Another reason to avoid the zumos (550/660) is they are starting to struggle with new map updates and mine now has problems loading the full mapset (for europe) and I think the 550 can't. Yes you can workaround the issue but when you've got a lifetime map subscription it irks if you cant load new what was their originally.
PS I still also have a 276c which was the daddy (dont think I can update its maps-off to check)

 

[colorider]

Not sure what I will do when my present Zumo 550 dies. I'm at the stage now that I was back in '07 when my then favorite 2610 died. It was my favorite and finally after 4 years, I'm getting attached to the Zumo 550. Last year I invested in the lifetime maps for the 550 and hopefully I can get a few more years out of it and make the purchase worthwhile.

 

[Peter]

I purchaed a Nuvi 550 from REI. It's perfect. I have U.S and Canada and TOPO for both.
100% waterproof.