akrievins
New member
I was thinking of buying a basic GPS in order to see actual distance travelled, as well as an accurate measurement of speed.
What would I be looking at, and I'd probably look for one on ebay used.
I'm brand new to GPS, and know nothing about it. ANy help would be appreciated. I don't really want to mount it to my sled, but could I carry it in my pocket?
Thanks.
What would I be looking at, and I'd probably look for one on ebay used.
I'm brand new to GPS, and know nothing about it. ANy help would be appreciated. I don't really want to mount it to my sled, but could I carry it in my pocket?
Thanks.
Magellan and Garmin are the big guns.
I’ve owned both and haven’t any problems with either.
I would recommend the Garmin eTrex line.
There are several models with varying options and memory capabilities.
I liked the eTrex because of its size and has WAAS capability which improves the accuracy which was important to me because we use it for setting the marks for sailboat racing in the summer. It also has an electronic compass so the unit doesn’t need to be moving to get a directional reading.
Garmin makes a nice handlebar mount for this unit which is small, cheap and a no brainer to install. The base model goes for around $100 so i would think you could get one pretty cheap on ebay.
Here's more on the eTrex line.
http://www.garmin.com/products/etrex/
I’ve owned both and haven’t any problems with either.
I would recommend the Garmin eTrex line.
There are several models with varying options and memory capabilities.
I liked the eTrex because of its size and has WAAS capability which improves the accuracy which was important to me because we use it for setting the marks for sailboat racing in the summer. It also has an electronic compass so the unit doesn’t need to be moving to get a directional reading.
Garmin makes a nice handlebar mount for this unit which is small, cheap and a no brainer to install. The base model goes for around $100 so i would think you could get one pretty cheap on ebay.
Here's more on the eTrex line.
http://www.garmin.com/products/etrex/
Phazer
New member
The only problem I've had with them was the low memory of some of the cheaper models. Saving a log of your trail ride sounds good but most save them as a "bread crumb" looking type of route. If you set it up to save at "x" amount of intervals (time), the saved trail won't be 100% of what you rode (good enough though). If you set it up to save at all changes of direction, the memory can fill up very quickly and when it does, curves can be dropped and they look like a straight line.
If you could borrow one from someone for about a week to play with, it might make your choice a little easier.
If you could borrow one from someone for about a week to play with, it might make your choice a little easier.
taylzee
New member
I have had an garmin etrex for 4 years now and love it. It goes everywhere with me. I have a mount on my quad but not on my sled. I usually just carry it my pocket when riding the sled. I do more jumping and bumping on the sled and have had buddies that have lost their GPSs on bumps and jumps. I ride all day and save the track log back through on every ride then i download it tomy computer for safe keeping. It is easy to use. Acc are reasonable and there is a ton of free software for managing waypoints and tracks on the net for these things.
Yamanewf
New member
I have a Lowrance i Finder Pro for sale. It includes the RAM mount for your sled. I have never used it. Still in original box. Do a search and pm me for a price if your interested in the unit. I'll handle the shipping and I take paypal, visa & master card.
I've use both the yellow Etrex and a Etrex Legend , like the Legend because you get some roads to help with finding yourself on the trail map . Keep in mind snowmobile trails are not on the GPS , might be avalible tho , not sure where to get that info . Keep it the pocket to help battery life .
akrievins
New member
Thanks guys, you have been a great starting point for my decision.
The Garmin eTrex line looks really good, and there are some up on ebay.
I'm doing more research into as well.
Still open to more comments/suggestions.
The Garmin eTrex line looks really good, and there are some up on ebay.
I'm doing more research into as well.
Still open to more comments/suggestions.
Yamahammer485
Member
Etrex man, the yellow one.
We used these at school in geography class and learned everything there is to know about them, so I went out and bought one. Awsome machine, so easy to use and the top speed thing is my most used feature.
I waited for mine to come on sale at crappy tire but theyre preety cheap anyways.
I bought it out of necesity, but really, unless your a trapper or long distance crusier or something, you will most liekly not need it. It works great as a "dont get lost" tool.
We used these at school in geography class and learned everything there is to know about them, so I went out and bought one. Awsome machine, so easy to use and the top speed thing is my most used feature.
I waited for mine to come on sale at crappy tire but theyre preety cheap anyways.
I bought it out of necesity, but really, unless your a trapper or long distance crusier or something, you will most liekly not need it. It works great as a "dont get lost" tool.
wisviper
New member
I had an Etrex Vista. Sold it and bought a Garmen 60cs (60 c is less $$).
I like it much better.
More memory.
Larger color screen.
Turn-by-turn directions (with city select cd).
Ability to search for everything from restaurants to gas stations.
I have a mount on the sled and never had any problems in some extremely trashed trails.
Once you use it, you will not go back to the Etrex line.
I like it much better.
More memory.
Larger color screen.
Turn-by-turn directions (with city select cd).
Ability to search for everything from restaurants to gas stations.
I have a mount on the sled and never had any problems in some extremely trashed trails.
Once you use it, you will not go back to the Etrex line.
akrievins
New member
Hey, thanks for the info. Just looked it up.. wow, that's an expensive device! It's like a 1/4 the price of my sled!!! I'm not that hardcore, so I think I'll stick to the lower end units to get me by. Thanks though.
flying dutchman
Member
I'm also new to the GPS world. The wife bought me a Magellan 400 so I can find my way home. (Don't know why she did that....lol).
Anyways, I carry it in my pocket and have no problems at all. Besides the internal memory, this one can also expand with a SD memory card. Fit's inside and adds tons of memory space. Also watch for battery type. Mine has some weird looking battery and last for 2-3 days of riding. My friend has one that uses a couple AA and runs out in 4-5 hours.
The only thing is that the compass does not point in the right direction if you are not moving. (not a big issue yet).
This has definitely been a good gadget to have when in the wilderness.
Anyways, I carry it in my pocket and have no problems at all. Besides the internal memory, this one can also expand with a SD memory card. Fit's inside and adds tons of memory space. Also watch for battery type. Mine has some weird looking battery and last for 2-3 days of riding. My friend has one that uses a couple AA and runs out in 4-5 hours.
The only thing is that the compass does not point in the right direction if you are not moving. (not a big issue yet).
This has definitely been a good gadget to have when in the wilderness.
Venom
Member
Before you jump into Garmin, take a look at Lowrance. Many reasons to consider this manufacturer. I have the Lowrance iFinder H20 and love it! I researched GPS units for months last summer and bought this one. It has dual processors for faster map loads and the memory is not limited to internal memory, you store everything to an SD card, so the amount of tracks you store is based on the limit of the card you buy (if you need more space, just buy a bigger card, can't do this with the Garmin eTrex series). Also, you can attach an external antenna.
Here's the link to see their products:
http://www.lowrance.com/outdoor/default.asp
Just wanted to give you a different option to Garmin, ...but at the same time the Garmin 60c is very nice.
Good luck.
Here's the link to see their products:
http://www.lowrance.com/outdoor/default.asp
Just wanted to give you a different option to Garmin, ...but at the same time the Garmin 60c is very nice.
Good luck.
akrievins
New member
Hey all,
I finally purchased a GPS unit.
I was looking at many different ones, but came across a used Magellan SporTrak Color GPS. I picked it up for $200 Canadian. It just needs to be shiped to me, and I'll start using it.
Thanks for all of the help.
I finally purchased a GPS unit.
I was looking at many different ones, but came across a used Magellan SporTrak Color GPS. I picked it up for $200 Canadian. It just needs to be shiped to me, and I'll start using it.
Thanks for all of the help.
Good luck with it. I love having mine in a mount instead of in my pocket. I hooked it up to run off the sled so I don't have to worry much about batteries. I put them in so I can leave it on when I turn off the sled when we stop for a break.
sandmanmike1
New member
I have the magellan sport trak map with topo software. I like it alot but has limited memory. My next one will probably be a magellan also but I want one that excepts SD cards so I can have one snowmobiling, 1 for boating and fishing, 1 for hunting and 1 for ATV riding. I have handlebar mounts on my four wheeler and snowmobile. I have a dash mount for my boat and my car. I am adding a battery to my snowmobile to power it this summer.
S.S.Viper
New member
I've been looking into the Garmin Rhino...Not only for the GPS purposes...but for the held held GMRS/FRS walkie talky usage for Hunting, Skiing,ATVing, camping etc...but the main purpose is if you purchase a "throat Mic" it doubles as a Chatterbox and GPS...At the moment I don't need to mount it on my machine yet...as long as I get a snail trail and instant location when I pull it out my pocket I'm set...Presently I use my dads Garmin Emap...but its getting out dated and slow when its cold...
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