So I'm looking for an off-road GPS...
 

First, I know exactly squat about modern GPS units. That said, what I don't need: I don't need a turn by turn voice command to help me find the grocery store, thank you very much.

What I'd like is to be able to map offroad trails. Ideally, I'd like to turn it on as I pull off the trailer, let it record my movements all day, then (and this may be the kicker) download the resulting squiggles to my laptop.

An external antenna would probably be a good idea, but I don't know if it'd be entirely necessary.

Does anybody make such a thing?

Can anybody recommend one?

Thanks!
Robert

I have a Garmin nuvi 205 w/bluetooth(so you can use it as a speaker phone) which you are probably not looking for. But it will record your every move, I have created roads at Sand Lick and named them the way I choose. It's even got a truck with monster tires as your vehicle and a British chick to tell your directions. You can turn the sound off if you like. As far as downloading to your computer, that is something I haven't done yet. You can also put it in your pocket and track your favorite hunting spot in walk mode. And download pictures. I chose this one in hopes to download topigraphical maps but haven't done that yet either.

I suggest checking a few out and see what fits your needs. You may want to
look at the handhelds sold in hunting stores.

Good luck with your search,

Garmin GPSmap 60csx. It tracks your trails and you can download the trace onto your computer and see it on a map. It is water-resistant and has several customizable screens.

Sounds awesome, but probably way more features than I'd ever need or even use...

Should be perfect, I'll look up prices later. I've got wrenching to do first: If I don't get the Heep running, I won't be able to plot anything but my garage.

Thanks guys!

Robert

Forgot to mention that amazon.com has the best price that I have seen. They sell mounts that glue to the dash, also.

I've got one that I've used for work. It is accurate to about 10 feet.

Can you export said squiggles?
I can make large (and print)maps from the google earth pics stiched together, just need the squiggles. I was wanting to map some of the better trails at the local parks but never finished that project & noone could ever get me squiggles, lol.

I have a full (multi-gig) PSD of Haspin completely stitched with the main trails & property boundaries already marked. Have not had time/determination to do the other parks as I never received any help with the GPS portion. Once it was finished I was going to get a copy to the parks to help others find their ways around.

I use the Garmin 60 csx

you can buy mircosd's with complete topos and allt hat junk for it but its not needed for mapping purposes.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GPS-60C.../dp/B000CSOXTO

That's exactly my goal.

I got most of 491 mapped out last year, combining what you could see in google earth with what I saw driving the park. It was slow, tedious, and inaccurate, but it worked for a place that size.

Now I want to tackle BigRock. It's going to require bigger and better tools than I'm used to, but it can certainly be done.

And even if means wheeling all summer, I'm willing to make the sacrifice to get it done! :D

:beers:
Robert

if you want to work on this project together let me know, I like this sort of thing & have the tools, just no GPS.

You should be able to find a nice Garmin eTrex Legend (the blue ones) on eBay used for less than or around $50. Its a hand held, but you can get a mount for dash or bike. It will do breadcrumb trail, etc. I mainly use it for hiking, orienteering and geocaching, but it should work great for that kind of mapping also.

That'd be great. I could use a cohort with a little tech-savvy.

I can invest in the GPS, and I get off on the tedious, time-consuming aspect of putting it all together, but the right tools would be a big help.

(I shouldn't admit it, but I did the 491 maps off google earth and windows paint...)

Robert

Photoshop works much better.

i have found the garmin 500+ series is the one to get if you got the cash.. they have a two way walkie talkie feature, finds other garmin units and put them on your map... weather alert and all full color... well worth the money!

I have a Garmin Legend HCX with color Screen topo all that good stuff. Its a waterproof handheld. Its great for the quad and hunting but not so hot for the Hummer.

I would recommend the Garmin Nuvi 500. I had my hands on one this weekend offroad and it was awesome. Its perfect for a Truck. It has detailed topo and does street nav as well.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=13424&ra=true

but but but - do they export squiggles???

:D :D :D

Robert

Well, I was all set on a Garmin 60CSX, til a guy on NAXJA posted a link to the Bushnell ONIX400 on woot for $78. I couldn't pass that up. Bigger screen, better resolution, etc... And did I mention $78?

The website software isn't especially user-friendly, and for the life of me, I can't figure out how to download maps directly to my laptop. But I did manage to download them from the site to the unit, and then reload them back to the laptop from there.

That said, here's their view of BigRock Offroad, that I want to map out:
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...grock433yd.jpg

At maximum resolution:
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...igrock54yd.jpg

And since the XJ still isn't mapping anything but the garage, this is the "trail" it recorded on my way out to lunch:
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...ardentrail.jpg

You get four free downloads with registration. After that, they're like a buck a piece. The low-res map of BigRock is one, the hi-res is another, but only covers about 10% as much area. I'm guessing I'll need nine hi-res downloads to cover it all. Then another layer for the topography.

I'm lovin' it. Now I just need to pry myself away from it long enough to get the Jeep done, so I can take it out and really use it.

Thanks for the advice, guys!

Robert

Good find

Thanks, I'm tickled...

For clarification: $1 per download. 90 days, unlimited downloads, $20. One year, unlimited, $30.

Robert

I saw that one, and passed because of the bad reviews on it. Have you used it in the field yet? Just wondering, I've seen them on WOOT a couple times.

Thanks

Sorta sorry to hear that. Anything in particular?

Robert

Edit: I found these: http://www.gpsreview.net/bushnell-onix-400-cr/

Mostly re: the XM (which I don't care about) and the map downloads (which I mentioned, but figured out myself...)

Anything else? Just curious what I'm in for!

We have it all mapped out from last year. I know a couple different guys have it on the GPS. I'll see what I can get together.

From what I've read of them, just basically difficult to use (downloadable maps in particular). They also use a proprietary map format that no other gps company uses, which can further complicate matters. I think in terms of just wanting to shoot out coordinates, it will probably be fine.

I saw them on Woot also ... and then got an advert from Meijer's that had them on sale there for same price as Woot. I've decided that I'm going to save up for a Delorme PN-40 for my next one.

I'm not sure on how accurate you want to be with your mapping, but if you've got a buddy with another gps, I'd take him along also for confirmation of readings or you could compare w/ other previous gps maps.