I am considering a GPS system for off road riding. I ride in mountainous areas near where I live and there are lots of uncharted logging and hunting roads that do not show up on my USGS maps. I have looked at a few at Bass Pro Shop and probably do not want anything too fancy. I'm leaning toward a Garmin Foretrax 101 or 201, an Etrex Legend or maybe a Rhino 110 with the FRS radio built in.
What do you guys use and recommend?


00 XR200 Mine
02 TTR 125L Son's
02 XR 100 Daughters

I use the Garmin 110, there is no maps on it. If I were to buy another I would go with the 130 so I could put the Map Source software on it, you would be amazed at how many back roads are on Garmin Map Source. I do like the radio function, the guys I usually ride with all have radios and throat mics so we can communicate while trail riding.

If you can, spend the extra money and get something with some memory to download maps.

I have the Garmin 130, nice unit, many features, and it
has 24mb memory for maps. I use the US Topo software
and can DL a fairly large area to the 130.


Those ribs in your avatar are making me hungry...

I went to the Garmin web site and checked out the 130, looks great but I don't know if I can stand the $375 suggested retail.

I use the Garmin eTrex Legend. I am not a GPS expert, and this is my first one, but I have been very pleased with it. It is fairly small, cheap, and easy to use. I mostly went by the recommendation of the REI salesman - he asked about my needs and then explained the options.

I also bought the National Geographic TOPO software, which is what makes the GPS worthwhile. I can easily draw a planned route and enter waypoints in the software and then download the waypoints to the GPS. I then record my actual route with the GPS while I ride and then upload that back into the software to replace my hand drawn routes. It makes planning and recording riding trips pretty fun.

Lexie said:

You can find it cheaper, I got it for $275. Thats was around April, might
find it for $250 or less now. Still not the cheapest solution of course.

[quote name='FamilyRider'] I mostly went by the recommendation of the REI salesman - he asked about my needs and then explained the options.[QUOTE]
You, and everybody else, might want to reconsider giving REI any more of your money....they contribute to Sierra Club and other "Greenie" orgs...

I have an eTrex Legend, but need better software.


Which National Geographic TOPO software package did you buy?

Any comments on
MapSource® United States TOPO CD-ROM
http://www.garmin.co...Source/topo.jsp

vs

National Geographic TOPO Back Roads Explorer
http://www.ngmapstor...=173&itemID=347

http://www.ngmapstor...reguidemain.jsp

Ive been happy with the Garmin US Topo Kev.

I wish they would break up the set, its 3 discs for $80.
I only really need the western disc... For now anyway.

Cant comment on the National Geo stuff, have not tried it.

I checked out the Nation Geo site and the one that caught my eye
was the Indv. State Topo versions. It was the most expensive but looked
like it had some nice features. Too bad Id have to buy Cali & Nevada
@ $100 each...

I think I'm going tonight to buy the Garmin etrex legend. I called Best Buy and they have one in stock. Now I am just kinda sitting and deciding if I should really get it. I'm a gadget geek and it's hard to say 'no' to it....AGH

r_dawg1021 said:

Its an addiction, get your fix or find a 12 step program...

I bought the TOPO Utah set. So far I haven't needed anything outside of Utah, so it has worked great. It has the best trail detail of anything I have seen - at least for Utah.

I caved and went and bought the eTrax Legend C: last night. I was up until Midnight messing with it..it's addicting that's for sure. I just wish it came with more details city & topo maps.

I have the Garmin eTrex Legend and the Mapsource Metro Guide 5 software. My biggest complaints with this setup are that the unit is not color which makes it hard to see what is going on, only 8 MB for downloading maps, does not do auto-routing (you can create routes on the computer and upload to the GPS but if you make a wrong turn it doesn't automatically create a new route).

So I have been thinking about replacing my old Legend with the new Legend C, which seems to have what I want: color screen, 24 MB memory and auto routing! I want a unit that can be used for car navigation as well so the Legend C seems to suite me quite well.

They are listed at $375 but you can get them for $279 online if you look around. Unfortunately I will not be able to use my old Metro Guide 5 software to do auto routing, so I need to get the Mapsource City Select software as well (another $125).

I have the Legend also. It's great. Very happy with it. Nice with the maps software that i downloaded