Gps ?

[ridenby]

Looking for low priced GPS capable of mapping trails,do not know much about these,kinda think it should be capable of hooking to computer to down load also.

 

[jnaut]

Any other features important to you, such as color screen, size of screen etc? Because for basic trail mapping and what not, you can get some pretty good, durable units. I'm a huge fan of the GPSMAP 76 which is by all accounts "old" technology, but does everything you ask for in your original message.

What it doesn't sport:
Color screen. There is a gpsmap 76c with a color screen, but the screen is smaller than the standard LCD b&w.
Also, it only has about 8 megs of ram so you can only upload maps for limited regions. Ie, you don't get a detail map for "the entire U.S.", you can download maybe one large metropolitain area. If you're mapping rural areas, you can actually get in quite a bit.
Routing: Most new gps units do trip routing and turn-by-turn directions. This unit won't do that.

What's great about it: waterproof. Floats in water. Tough. Reliable.

 

[ridenby]

Color doesn't count-color blind-thinking of creating maps to be used by others and self so don't get "lost" riding in DBNF. Topographical screen would be helpful.Will check out model suggested.Guess it is hand held? Might lean to mounted ddepending on funds.

 

[jnaut]

Color doesn't count-color blind-thinking of creating maps to be used by others and self so don't get "lost" riding in DBNF. Topographical screen would be helpful.Will check out model suggested.Guess it is hand held? Might lean to mounted ddepending on funds.

Yep, it's a handheld. Garmin hasn't been producing a lot of new handhelds over the years because I think they've found a goldmine in the new 'speaking' turn-by-turn road nav units. Needless to say I hven't seen anything in the handheld that's a new model that I would really want.

As for mounting, RAM mount sells a kick-ass mount system custom made for the GPSMAP 76. I own one (sans GPS of course, 'cause my unit got stoled)

edit: I'm wrong, they've got a ton of new color screen handhelds (Oregon series) but holy cow they want real money for those things. The old Etrex series are good, but I felt their screens were too small and the menus were difficult to navigate compared to my trusty GPSMAP 76.

 

[speedracerbubba]

what type of cell phone do you have?

When I had a blackberry I had a couple different programs depending on what I was doing and for android I have a couple that I am still testing out to see which I like better. Both can save the file in a format google earth reads and id you have a car charger then you don't have to worry about battery life. Oh, and they are free (the ones I use(d)

 

[ridenby]

what type of cell phone do you have?

When I had a blackberry I had a couple different programs depending on what I was doing and for android I have a couple that I am still testing out to see which I like better. Both can save the file in a format google earth reads and id you have a car charger then you don't have to worry about battery life. Oh, and they are free (the ones I use(d)

Thanks for reply,not interested in squinting at a midget screen.

 

[jnaut]

And to use it in conjunction with Google apps, it requires a digital cell phone signal. For anything remote, I'd stick to a self-contained unit.

 

[Robsama]

Wallyworld has some good Black Friday deals.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10670232&sourceid=42923964632709221436 - $59

 

[speedracerbubba]

No worries. The screen on the bb was pretty small, but my new phone has a large screen and works very well for me (26yr old with great eyesight).

Just a quick look on best buy shows a bunch of units ranging from $96-600 best buy outdoor gps
I am sure amazon or black friday will be a lot cheaper, but it gives you an idea.