Time to purchase GPS

[can am]

i have browzed the gps chat posts on the gps chat and everyone suggests the Garmin models for ease of use, battery life and map(s) down loading have no clue what that is. I do not need a terribly expensive unit or expecially a complcated unit as it is just going to be used on the ATV.

has to be extreamily easy to use or it will sit in the box in the drawer any pros cons feedback

[Tinman]

sounds like you need a Garmin Etrex 20

[RZRHEART]

I like my Garmin Oregon it has a excellent view on the trail. In automotive mode almost looks like 3D the way it looks ahead. Also touchscreen i like it. Easy to use.

[can am]

thanxs for the info so far guys i was, snooping around this morning and cosco has a garmin dakota 10 for 179.99 touch screen know anything about these units. Also while looking into the hand held gps units are some of these things made for geoquashing only or does it make no difference if used on a quad?

[HONDABBQ]

If your going to go with something you cant upload maps to, I dont know if you have one or not but the iphone with the upgraded ios6 does the same thing. If you are going to be uploading maps and the like then this will not be for you.

[can am]

the wife has the 4s iphone and we were playing around with the gps thing on it this summer and worked fine untill we ran out of cell service then its just a paper weight

[rws]

Originally Posted by can am

the wife has the 4s iphone and we were playing around with the gps thing on it this summer and worked fine untill we ran out of cell service then its just a paper weight

most smartphone GPS apps let you cache maps so it will work without cell service...what app are you using?

[can am]

Originally Posted by rws

most smartphone GPS apps let you cache maps so it will work without cell service...what app are you using?

which app????????
which are you using?

[rws]

Originally Posted by can am

which app????????
which are you using?

I have used/bought the following apps on my phone: Google Maps, OruxMaps, Gaia GPS, Trimble Outdoors Navigator Pro and Locus Pro and they all can cache maps for offline use (no cell service needed for navigation). I have looked at a few others and every one of them can cache. In fact I don't think I have seen any that can't cache maps for offline use.

I currently have Topo and road maps cached for Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota along with snowmobile trail maps for these areas on Locus Pro. I can ride anywhere with data service turned off and still have maps available for navigation.

So what GPS app were you using that doesn't work without cell service?

[agnewairways]

I bought a Garmin, GPSmap76CSx and "A GPS User Manual, Working With Garmin Receivers" book, ISBN1-4033-9824-0 which helped greatly in figuring out how to use the damn thing! The 76CSx is not Garmin's cheapest unit but it contains every function I could ever use on the trail or water which is handy for anyone who also boats. The documentation that comes with the box is typical of most Garmins and isn't worth a damn. But the 2 AAs last a long time and the backlit coloured screen is easy to read. It finds satellites quickly and hangs on through thick bush and isn't affected by normal topography. I haven't found a suitable mount for it yet so I carry it in a soft pouch in the "luggage" box. I downloaded an app called "BaseCamp" which lets me share the routes and tracks etc. from the GPS to my laptop, using the USB cable, where I can label waypoints etc. and detail trail info on an overlay map. I have it and spare batteries whenever I'm in the bush.