Garmin GPS TOPOGRAPHIC and beyond...

[Wicked Monkey]

All this excitement has got me going crazy!!! I hate hoarding around maps and I like to also know where I am at all times! So I did some googling and came up with this handheld GPS! I want one!!!

Is there better then this?

Click link below
http://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-GPSMAP-62SC-GPS-with-Camera-and-Sensors-P2769.aspx

 

[DOSS]

I will say that only carrying a GPS and not having a map and compass with you is just asking for trouble when the batteries die and you can no longer see your maps.

 

[Caleb]

I will say that only carrying a GPS and not having a map and compass with you is just asking for trouble when the batteries die and you can no longer see your maps.

Anywhere I go with my GPS, I always make sure I have at least one extra set of batteries. A lot of guys use your excuse, but IMO that's like saying you shouldn't carry a flashlight because it will be worthless without batteries and a good old fashion flame will be more reliable. In all the years I've been using GPS's, I've never had one die on me without having extra batteries on me. I'd take a good GPS over a map and compass any day. A map will do you little good if you fall in to water, or you can have it packed in a water tight container of some sort...it all comes down to how well you prepare when you go out.

To answer the original question, that's a nice unit. Is there better, that really depends on what your uses are. That's a great portable GPS, something that's easy to move from vehicle to vehicle or to take with you if you need to set out on foot. If you need is to keep in in your vehicle, then look at the bigger units, they are way more usable in that case. You can't go too wrong with Garmin (for almost any of their units) or Lowrance (for their larger units). Garmin will have the best compatibility with maps and tracks you find around the net since that's what most guys tend to have.

 

[Kevin B.]

I like my GPS, but my maps have a bigger screen and faster zoom.

To the OP, the next GPS I buy won't be a Garmin. Their software makes me stabby.

 

[Wicked Monkey]

I will say that only carrying a GPS and not having a map and compass with you is just asking for trouble when the batteries die and you can no longer see your maps.

I once spent 3 months straight in the Boulder Mountain and Henry Mountains area. We used only laminated topographic maps and a compass. I understand the importance of having the maps and compass! The problem is they can be bulky and costly if one does much travel in other locations. Also a lot of times you could be in thick bush or trees and not find points of the landscape to triangulate your position. so that's where I'm at. Finding a better and more modern way to navigate. As far as batteries dying... I have a 3000 watt inverter with a battery charger in my rig

To answer the original question, that's a nice unit. Is there better, that really depends on what your uses are. That's a great portable GPS, something that's easy to move from vehicle to vehicle or to take with you if you need to set out on foot. If you need is to keep in in your vehicle, then look at the bigger units, they are way more usable in that case. You can't go too wrong with Garmin (for almost any of their units) or Lowrance (for their larger units). Garmin will have the best compatibility with maps and tracks you find around the net since that's what most guys tend to have.

I really like the Garmin Oregon units topo software. But it does not have durability and a few other features...
I like the idea of a hand held with a big screen, satalight image, topographic, tracks and saves your trip, durable, waterproof, adds waypoints, shows existing roads and trails, etc. A bigger screen unit would be nice for just the auto but in my case, I do a lot of travel by auto and foot. Do you have a link of the gps you use? I would love to check it out

I like my GPS, but my maps have a bigger screen and faster zoom.

To the OP, the next GPS I buy won't be a Garmin. Their software makes me stabby.

What other brand and unit did you have in mind?

 

[Kevin B.]

I haven't looked. I just know Mapsource can go suck a carrot.

 

[DOSS]

Anywhere I go with my GPS, I always make sure I have at least one extra set of batteries. A lot of guys use your excuse, but IMO that's like saying you shouldn't carry a flashlight because it will be worthless without batteries and a good old fashion flame will be more reliable. In all the years I've been using GPS's, I've never had one die on me without having extra batteries on me. I'd take a good GPS over a map and compass any day. A map will do you little good if you fall in to water, or you can have it packed in a water tight container of some sort...it all comes down to how well you prepare when you go out.

Most paper does not instantly disintegrate nor does the ink the second you fall in water.. a few minutes in the sun can fix that right up, drop your GPS in that same water and I don't think the sun is going to help and second sets of batteries die too. There are also places that you will get no GPS signal at all and a good map will come in very handy. I say carry both. If you get a good mapping software with your GPS print some maps out at home to carry with you. Cheap insurance in case a piece of electronics decides to fail... I know I know never has an important piece of electronic equipment failed in the history of man and the odds are low that it will ever happen but if it does I don't want to be the guy stuck in BFE not knowing where I am

As for the flashlight I can carry and extra bulb and batteries (actually I carry two flashlights) can you carry an extra CPU for your GPS too?

 

[Hickey]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003ZX86ZU/ref=mp_s_a_2?qid=1329915998&sr=8-2

This is what I use everyday in the truck. I also have a Garmin Rino very similar to the one you posted. I haven't touched the Rino since I bought the Nuvi. I bought an extra suction cup mount so I can quickly move it from vehicle to vehicle.

The only downside to the Nuvi is that it does not give as much info as the Rino. The Rino (and other handheld like the one you posted) will show names and locations of mines, springs, and various other interesting things near you. This is the case when using Topo 2008 software with both units.

Upsides for the Nuvi are numerous. It is far more user friendly, shows more roads than the Rino when using just the stock software, is faster to navigate with, and is a hell of a lot cheaper to purchase.

Whichever one you get, you will need to purchase additional software to show trails. The Nuvi does show some, but the Rino doesn't show anything offroad until you load maps on it.

Edit: the Rino is waterproof.

 

[DOSS]

Whichever one you get, you will need to purchase additional software to show trails. The Nuvi does show some, but the Rino doesn't show anything offroad until you load maps on it.

Edit: the Rino is waterproof.

I also have a Rino and really like it actually due to the fact that it is also a GMRS radio and weather radio. Yeah the stock maps suck but you can get most of the maps you want for free on the interwebs too. and it is water resistant as long as you have all of the caps closed, you can find them on KSL all the time for a good price

 

[Spork]

Most paper does not instantly disintegrate nor does the ink the second you fall in water.. a few minutes in the sun can fix that right up, drop your GPS in that same water and I don't think the sun is going to help and second sets of batteries die too. There are also places that you will get no GPS signal at all and a good map will come in very handy. I say carry both. If you get a good mapping software with your GPS print some maps out at home to carry with you. Cheap insurance in case a piece of electronics decides to fail... I know I know never has an important piece of electronic equipment failed in the history of man and the odds are low that it will ever happen but if it does I don't want to be the guy stuck in BFE not knowing where I am

As for the flashlight I can carry and extra bulb and batteries (actually I carry two flashlights) can you carry an extra CPU for your GPS too?

My GPS will run for 20 hours between battery changes if I run it non-stop. Signal loss is BS, I've got signal in the basement at work, it's not like trees are going to kill my signal in Utah and if I happen to be in the bottom of a slot canyon what are my choices? Go one way or back the way I came? I can still scroll the map just like if I was looking at paper. I don't carry an extra CPU for my toaster either so I'm not too worried.

For mapping if you have a Garmin unit I downloaded the Utah map from http://www.miscjunk.org/ and it's been great, I believe the guy that does it has an account on RME also but I've forgotten his name.

 

[Caleb]

My GPS will run for 20 hours between battery changes if I run it non-stop. Signal loss is BS, I've got signal in the basement at work, it's not like trees are going to kill my signal in Utah and if I happen to be in the bottom of a slot canyon what are my choices? Go one way or back the way I came? I can still scroll the map just like if I was looking at paper. I don't carry an extra CPU for my toaster either so I'm not too worried.

For mapping if you have a Garmin unit I downloaded the Utah map from http://www.miscjunk.org/ and it's been great, I believe the guy that does it has an account on RME also but I've forgotten his name.

Exactly, these false insecurities about GPSes are mostly your own lack of experience with them. A good GPS will get signal pretty much anywhere you have ever been and will ever go in your lifetime. The days of tress blocking signal are long gone. Slot canyons are probably the only exception, but as mentioned, a map and/or gps aren't going to help a lot in your limited choice of direction (press forward or turn back). I'll bet any sum of money that my GPS (again, any quality GPS) will last longer in water (and still be functional) than your paper map will. Most are water resistant and a lot are water proof.

 

[DOSS]

My GPS will run for 20 hours between battery changes if I run it non-stop. Signal loss is BS, I've got signal in the basement at work, it's not like trees are going to kill my signal in Utah and if I happen to be in the bottom of a slot canyon what are my choices? Go one way or back the way I came? I can still scroll the map just like if I was looking at paper. I don't carry an extra CPU for my toaster either so I'm not too worried.

For mapping if you have a Garmin unit I downloaded the Utah map from http://www.miscjunk.org/ and it's been great, I believe the guy that does it has an account on RME also but I've forgotten his name.

I don't care if you have signal in your basement at work that doesn't mean crap, and even in some other canyons near the valley locally you can loose signal.. also have you never been in the hills for more than a day or 2? seriously if all you have is 20 hours of operation time you could run out of juice. its all about possibilities.. and do you count on your toaster to potentially save your life? and why does your toaster have a CPU? Do you really think your toaster has a CPU? I wouldn't trust the advice of someone who thinks their toaster has a CPU...

I don't have anything against GPS devices.. or a lack of experience with them (been using them since 97). but shit breaks and it is a good idea to have a backup.. you bring spare parts for your jeep etc what is so bad about having a backup in case you positioning system breaks? your call but to say that there is no potential for it to break or have issues is like thinking a jeep will never break down.

 

[Wicked Monkey]

Right now im using my iphones google maps and earth. I love it! The satalight photos are the most important thing for me i would say. Because i can view trails that still exist but not routed or sho up on other devices. The down side is that it loses connection in a lot of places across the country. So its not really reliable for the middle of no where places. Theres a small select few gps units that have the satalight imaging photos. Thats how i found The Constrictor Trail, using the satalight imagery. Topos dont always show trails as well... Hmm

 

[gahi]

try out a topo app for your phone, I think motion X is a good one for IOS. They offer offline maps that you can download ahead of time, if you know where your going to be.


I have the garmin 62s and I like it. The camera was an important addition for me. I also use the free garmin maps. My main goal for it is to track where I've been when exploring, and mark any cool stuff I find.

 

[Wicked Monkey]

Spent all day compairing... My conclusion is...

The Garmin Rino655T
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=82799

It's best Features:
Weather stations
5mp camera on other side good for viewing the pic before you snap shot.
4.5gb Memory
100k preloaded topo maps
SD Card for even more memory or maps
Birdseye view with satellite image photos
Auto navigation
Text messaging
And more...

I think this is by far the best all in one hand held GPS Topo unit in today's market.

Bad:
Low Battery life
Price is way up there!

 

[Hickey]

You can find them for around $500. My Rino is the 530hcx. The battery in mine seems to last forever.

 

[TRD270]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003ZX86ZU/ref=mp_s_a_2?qid=1329915998&sr=8-2

This is what I use everyday in the truck. I also have a Garmin Rino very similar to the one you posted. I haven't touched the Rino since I bought the Nuvi. I bought an extra suction cup mount so I can quickly move it from vehicle to vehicle.

The only downside to the Nuvi is that it does not give as much info as the Rino. The Rino (and other handheld like the one you posted) will show names and locations of mines, springs, and various other interesting things near you. This is the case when using Topo 2008 software with both units.

Upsides for the Nuvi are numerous. It is far more user friendly, shows more roads than the Rino when using just the stock software, is faster to navigate with, and is a hell of a lot cheaper to purchase.

Whichever one you get, you will need to purchase additional software to show trails. The Nuvi does show some, but the Rino doesn't show anything offroad until you load maps on it.

Edit: the Rino is waterproof.

Can you load topo and trail maps on your nuvi? I already have a nuvi but i've also been looking at similar handheld for the exploring trips. But if you can load maps on the nuvi I would be inclined to try that before dropping 500 bucks

 

[Hickey]

Can you load topo and trail maps on your nuvi? I already have a nuvi but i've also been looking at similar handheld for the exploring trips. But if you can load maps on the nuvi I would be inclined to try that before dropping 500 bucks

Yup. When I got mine, I removed the SD card from my Rino and stabbed it into the Nuvi. The card has Topo 2008 loaded on it. You then go into the menu on the Nuvi, select "My Maps". You will see two boxes with map names next to each. Unselect one, and select the other (which should be your SD card map) and then go back to viewing the map. It sometimes takes a minute for the switch to occur, zooming out seems to trigger it.

Like I said, the Nuvi won't show all of the mine and spring locations and it also shows the elevation lines in a bold thickness, but all the Topo roads show up.

I guess if your Nuvi doesn't have a SD card slot it might not be possible. I Google it before I bought my Nuvi. "how to load topo on nuvi"

 

[TRD270]

Sweet deal I'll have to give this a try, mine does have a SD card slot. Now I'll just have to download some topo maps and give it a try

 

[sixstringsteve]

man, this stupid thread is making me want to go get a new GPS now...