Best hand-held GPS?

polaris dude · Dec 22, 2012

Hey guys I am looking to buy a new GPS for sledding/vacations n such. I would like to get one for about 150$ or so. I saw this garmin and I am thinking this is good any ideas? Thanks!
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Garmin+-+eTrex+10+GPS/3721808.p?id=1218428680634&skuId=3721808

Pro-8250 · Dec 22, 2012

I am in the exact same situation as you are right now. I am looking at the Garmin 62s.
http://www.gosale.com/5015156/garmin-gpsmap-62s-gps-with?gclid=CNfq_IHsr7QCFQWe4AodgjQAzg

turbolover · Dec 22, 2012

Guys try out a gps with a built in or downloadable background map.
I really like the ease of use of garmin.
But... a gps without a map on it will only tell you where the truck is or where you have been. Without a background map you could be a hundred yards from rescue or disaster and not be able to tell what is around you or what direction to go to get there or avoid it.

JFro50 · Dec 23, 2012

I agree. I got a garmin 450T a couple years ago. It has s full topo map which is great for the mountains and I put a lake depth chip in which works awesome for fishing. I know you said $150, which this one is not. Just my opinion

Cheers

Pro-8250 · Dec 23, 2012

I was told not to get a touch screen model for snowmobiling.
True? Not true?:light:

clatla · Dec 23, 2012

I have an older Garmin 60cs. It has the garmin street maps running in the background. I have also loaded the trail maps to it. It is mounted on the side of the riser and wired to the battery. It works very well for me. I have heard good reports about the touch screen but have no first hand knowledge.

Pro-8250 · Dec 23, 2012

clatla said:
I have an older Garmin 62cs. It has the garmin street maps running in the background. I have also loaded the trail maps to it. It is mounted on the side of the riser and wired to the battery. It works very well for me. I have heard good reports about the touch screen but have no first hand knowledge.

Do you have to buy a chip for it? I need it for off trail riding out west.

clatla · Dec 23, 2012

My model has internal storage only. No memory card slot. I ride the Snowies in WY a lot. There are many of roads and such that show up with the road maps. I don't think there is enough storage space for the topo maps. I turn on Tracks and use that if we get into a area and need some direction to get out. I used the trail maps years back when I rode trails in MN WI and MI.

donbrown · Dec 23, 2012

Before getting the hardware I would suggest looking at how the software will help you.

What kind of mapping you want AFTER the ride. Then decide.

If you have a smartphone you can buy a good GPS software program for under $25 and then decide on a dedicated hardware unit BUT most end up using the smart phone app.

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=215489

Pro-8250 · Dec 23, 2012

clatla said:
My model has internal storage only. No memory card slot. I ride the Snowies in WY a lot. There are many of roads and such that show up with the road maps. I don't think there is enough storage space for the topo maps. I turn on Tracks and use that if we get into a area and need some direction to get out. I used the trail maps years back when I rode trails in MN WI and MI.

Trail maps, meaning paper maps?
The guy I talked to at the store said the 62s they sell will take a chip/card for topo map but they want $100 for it. I believe that chip covers all 50 states. And they sell the GPS for $450. So it comes to $550 plus tax. I see ebay has them for $340 but I am not sure that one will accept a chip. I am new to this so it's a little confusing. I am thinking they will go down in price after Christmas.

Pro-8250 · Dec 23, 2012

donbrown said:
Before getting the hardware I would suggest looking at how the software will help you.

What kind of mapping you want AFTER the ride. Then decide.

If you have a smartphone you can buy a good GPS software program for under $25 and then decide on a dedicated hardware unit BUT most end up using the smart phone app.

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=215489

This works without cell service?

clatla · Dec 23, 2012

Pro-8250 said:
Trail maps, meaning paper maps?
The guy I talked to at the store said the 62s they sell will take a chip/card for topo map but they want $100 for it. I believe that chip covers all 50 states. And they sell the GPS for $450. So it comes to $550 plus tax. I see ebay has them for $340 but I am not sure that one will accept a chip. I am new to this so it's a little confusing. I am thinking they will go down in price after Christmas.

Again mine is an older unit that I bought off ebay for around $100. It has worked very well for me. The maps are a digital copy of the trails. I got them many years ago when they were free. Now companies like Red Pine Mapping sell these. I believe that the DNR also has free maps that can be downloaded and uploaded to a GPS. I think most GPS now come with the roads as the base map. Yes the topo's are nice but I think they put way too many contour lines on the screen. So I never spent the $ on them. I have a smartphone and use the Polaris Trail App. I do not know if that will work without cell service though. Maybe some of the newer apps would. I can't say.

donbrown · Dec 23, 2012

Pro-8250 said:
This works without cell service?

yep for most / all as long as the gps is loaded prior to loosing service.

The satellites are still above and tracking the phone !

Pro-8250 · Dec 23, 2012

Boy, so much to learn, and so little time.:face-icon-small-dis

Pro-8250 · Dec 23, 2012

polaris dude said:
Hey guys I am looking to buy a new GPS for sledding/vacations n such. I would like to get one for about 150$ or so. I saw this garmin and I am thinking this is good any ideas? Thanks!
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Garmin+-+eTrex+10+GPS/3721808.p?id=1218428680634&skuId=3721808

Hey Polaris Dude! I apologize if I hijacked your thread. I didn't mean to. Just need info just like you. :face-icon-small-dis
I see you are looking for people to head west with. Send me a PM if you wish. I would like to hear where your headed. :face-icon-small-hap

polaris dude · Dec 29, 2012

haha no worries, it was actually quite informative to me too! But I didn't end up going anywhere unfortunately. I just stayed and worked

barkbuster · Dec 31, 2012

Pro-8250 said:
I was told not to get a touch screen model for snowmobiling.
True? Not true?:light:

I have been using a Garmin Montana 600 touch screen unit and it has worked excellent even in below zero temps. My only complaint is that it is hard to manipulate the screen with gloves on.

barkbuster · Dec 31, 2012

JFro50 said:
I agree. I got a garmin 450T a couple years ago. It has s full topo map which is great for the mountains and I put a lake depth chip in which works awesome for fishing. I know you said $150, which this one is not. Just my opinion

Cheers

A cheaper alternative to the 450T
http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-oregon-450 for $199 same as the 450T but without the topo mapping built in.
Free topo maps are available for garmin units at http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/ and can be loaded onto many Garmin units using Garmin's Basecamp program which is also free from Garmin's website. Basecamp also allows you to view your tracks on these topo maps, and even export tracks to google earth.

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