Zumo 550 here also.... great giant screen... not as versitile for offroad as the 60csx, but awesome on the road and works for what I need it for off road. I just load waypoints and make my turns with those.:ride:
GPS Options
Started by gman916, Dec 21 2011 10:24 AM
48 replies to this topic
Posted 30 December 2011 - 11:07 PM
After having been a loyal Garmin customer for more than ten years, I have discovered a different brand which is a little more easy on her map policy and the TwoNav devices are at least as good, perhaps even better than Garmin:
www.compegps.com
www.compegps.com
Posted 30 December 2011 - 11:25 PM
I have a Garmin map 60csx with topo maps for the Mid atlantic states and a Ram mount. I absolutely love it. The topo maps show almost all of the roads (as long as the road was there back in the 60's when they last updated them) and most importantly, the roads less traveled. It will also give you driving directions just in case you get lost. I've noticed the odometer reading on this unit is fairly accurate even when going up and down the hills; many of the older units were not too accurate when taking in a lot of hills.
I use mine to find as many back roads as possible when out riding and wanting to find a different way home. I never like taking the same road twice unless I have to. So the Topo maps are great!
The controls on the garmin are not too different from other handheld gps's and are fairly user friendly. I wouldn't really have much need of one though if it didn't have the Topo maps with it. Those are the real kicker for me.
I use mine to find as many back roads as possible when out riding and wanting to find a different way home. I never like taking the same road twice unless I have to. So the Topo maps are great!
The controls on the garmin are not too different from other handheld gps's and are fairly user friendly. I wouldn't really have much need of one though if it didn't have the Topo maps with it. Those are the real kicker for me.
Posted 03 January 2012 - 09:45 AM
My new toy arrived!!!!...Garmin 76CSx
I really haven't had much time to get into the wood and give the unit a fair trial but, so far, I am really pleased with my purchase.......so thank for all the great wisdom and advice offered that helped me switch my choice from the 60CSx to the 76CSx!!!
To date, I've familiarized myself with the manual and all the screen menus, set-up, and options. I was also shocked to find that the installed memory card from Garmin was a 1 Gb card vs. the advertised 128 Mb card. The unit definitely looks new so, I don't think I was sold a remanufactured unit or product return...but I could be wrong. At any rate, it seems to work perfect so, I'm not going to question the extra gift from Garmin. It definitely is very quick to pick-up satellites and once they've been found, I was able to still receive a good signal under the roof of my house (simply amazing!).
Referencing one of my previous posts, I received the 24K Topo map set...on the micro-SD media vs. DVD (an error when I ordered). After more research and contemplating keeping the micro-SD media version, I have decided to return it. The main reason is the fact that you can only use the micro-SD version in your GPS and you can't view or play with the maps on a computer. Also, if I understand the info I've read, I don't think I could store tracks created and download them to a computer, with the micro-SD version. Am I wrong??? Finally, the coverage area for the micro-SD version is less than that of the DVD. Last but not least, initially I thought that Garmin no longer offered the DVD version (although it can be found on vendor websites) but, I was wrong...found it on their site the other night.
So right now, I'm planning on returning the 24K micro-SD version and ordering the 24K DVD version. That being said and before I place my order, I've read some of the posts and other info on the advantages and disadvantages of the 24K vs. 100K or 2008 versions. Seems like the major advantage of the 100K, etc is that you can obtain topo data for the entire 50-states vs. a small region and that it also has better point of information data. On the flip side, the major advantage of the 24K is increased topographical definition. Since my main concern or use for the topo map set is mainly off-road or off-trail, I still think I'm making the right decision by going with the 24K version. I don't think I will use the point of information database and/or have the need for access to the entire map set for all 50-states but, should I reconsider?
Sorry to continue hashing this question around...I want to ensure I make the right decision the first time and can't understand why Garmin keeps changing options with the different formats.
I really haven't had much time to get into the wood and give the unit a fair trial but, so far, I am really pleased with my purchase.......so thank for all the great wisdom and advice offered that helped me switch my choice from the 60CSx to the 76CSx!!!
To date, I've familiarized myself with the manual and all the screen menus, set-up, and options. I was also shocked to find that the installed memory card from Garmin was a 1 Gb card vs. the advertised 128 Mb card. The unit definitely looks new so, I don't think I was sold a remanufactured unit or product return...but I could be wrong. At any rate, it seems to work perfect so, I'm not going to question the extra gift from Garmin. It definitely is very quick to pick-up satellites and once they've been found, I was able to still receive a good signal under the roof of my house (simply amazing!).
Referencing one of my previous posts, I received the 24K Topo map set...on the micro-SD media vs. DVD (an error when I ordered). After more research and contemplating keeping the micro-SD media version, I have decided to return it. The main reason is the fact that you can only use the micro-SD version in your GPS and you can't view or play with the maps on a computer. Also, if I understand the info I've read, I don't think I could store tracks created and download them to a computer, with the micro-SD version. Am I wrong??? Finally, the coverage area for the micro-SD version is less than that of the DVD. Last but not least, initially I thought that Garmin no longer offered the DVD version (although it can be found on vendor websites) but, I was wrong...found it on their site the other night.
So right now, I'm planning on returning the 24K micro-SD version and ordering the 24K DVD version. That being said and before I place my order, I've read some of the posts and other info on the advantages and disadvantages of the 24K vs. 100K or 2008 versions. Seems like the major advantage of the 100K, etc is that you can obtain topo data for the entire 50-states vs. a small region and that it also has better point of information data. On the flip side, the major advantage of the 24K is increased topographical definition. Since my main concern or use for the topo map set is mainly off-road or off-trail, I still think I'm making the right decision by going with the 24K version. I don't think I will use the point of information database and/or have the need for access to the entire map set for all 50-states but, should I reconsider?
Sorry to continue hashing this question around...I want to ensure I make the right decision the first time and can't understand why Garmin keeps changing options with the different formats.
Posted 03 January 2012 - 04:14 PM
timbowr64 said:
I have a Garmin map 60csx with topo maps for the Mid atlantic states and a Ram mount. I absolutely love it. The topo maps show almost all of the roads (as long as the road was there back in the 60's when they last updated them) and most importantly, the roads less traveled. It will also give you driving directions just in case you get lost. I've noticed the odometer reading on this unit is fairly accurate even when going up and down the hills; many of the older units were not too accurate when taking in a lot of hills.
I use mine to find as many back roads as possible when out riding and wanting to find a different way home. I never like taking the same road twice unless I have to. So the Topo maps are great!
The controls on the garmin are not too different from other handheld gps's and are fairly user friendly. I wouldn't really have much need of one though if it didn't have the Topo maps with it. Those are the real kicker for me.
I use mine to find as many back roads as possible when out riding and wanting to find a different way home. I never like taking the same road twice unless I have to. So the Topo maps are great!
The controls on the garmin are not too different from other handheld gps's and are fairly user friendly. I wouldn't really have much need of one though if it didn't have the Topo maps with it. Those are the real kicker for me.
Posted 04 January 2012 - 06:04 PM
wvdualsport....if you like riding with someone, let me know....I've always ridden dirt and usually with a group, but it's hard to find anyone who rides dualsport...I go regardless...but wouldn't mind having some others to ride with once in awhile...I really like to ride mine to a nice fishing spot or two...I'm not far from the clarksburg area...
Posted 19 January 2012 - 12:31 AM
Ive been using a 60csx for years with nothing but good things to say. I went from the ram mount to the Garmin bar mount and much prefer it. It has put up with alot of abuse. with the Garmin mount I use cable ties to further strengthen the cradle and a thick rubber band as a further safety measure around the GPS itself.
The only issue is after years of vibration the internal battery terminals will wear through the circuit board. All you have to do is open the unit and bend the terminals so they contact a fresh peice of the conducting patch on the board. That should keep it going for a few more years then repeat. The cgpsmapper.com website has thousands of free maps for download around the world.
The only issue is after years of vibration the internal battery terminals will wear through the circuit board. All you have to do is open the unit and bend the terminals so they contact a fresh peice of the conducting patch on the board. That should keep it going for a few more years then repeat. The cgpsmapper.com website has thousands of free maps for download around the world.
Posted 08 February 2012 - 09:40 PM
I use the Colorado 400t hardwired w/ mini usb with good results, have it on the bar ram mount, comes stock with topo built in with vivid color screen. Has a wheel on top which makes it easy to zoom in and out with gloves on. I also have a 76s and a 60csx and do prefer the Colorado. I like to download my tracks to the computer and print out a map of where I went. Garmin's newest map program is Base Camp and is fantastic, am still learning it, but way better than the older Mapsource.
Posted 09 February 2012 - 12:24 PM
Here's something different - Garmin Nuvi 500 in the KTM mount -
The Nuvi 500 is a touch screen model that works with the 24k topo map. I have power ran to it.
Suprised there is no mention of the Etrex 20 or 30. I just ordered a 20 to try out.
The new eTrex series is the first-ever consumer-grade receivers that can track both GPS and GLONASS satellites simultaneously. GLONASS is a system developed by the Russian Federation that will be fully operational in 2012. When using GLONASS satellites, the time it takes for the receiver to “lock on” to a position is (on average) approximately 20 percent faster than using GPS. And when using both GPS and GLONASS, the receiver has the ability to lock on to 24 more satellites than using GPS alone.
The Nuvi 500 is a touch screen model that works with the 24k topo map. I have power ran to it.
Suprised there is no mention of the Etrex 20 or 30. I just ordered a 20 to try out.
The new eTrex series is the first-ever consumer-grade receivers that can track both GPS and GLONASS satellites simultaneously. GLONASS is a system developed by the Russian Federation that will be fully operational in 2012. When using GLONASS satellites, the time it takes for the receiver to “lock on” to a position is (on average) approximately 20 percent faster than using GPS. And when using both GPS and GLONASS, the receiver has the ability to lock on to 24 more satellites than using GPS alone.
