17 replies to this topic

[Harold8785]

I have read so many GPS threads... My head hurts..lol...

I think based off of what people are saying the Nuvi 500 with the ram mount is the way to go..

I was looking at this one on ebay..

http://www.ebay.com/...=item56496cee76

I want a super clean installation. I wanna mount it on top of the cluster..

Main reasons I want the GPS are: Sometimes We get lost in certain areas.. Different places we have never been before. I want to be able to just follow the line home.. Actually does the Nuvi have that option? Where it marks your trail.. So you can just follow it home if you get lost? Also I would have to download trail maps to it right? Is it hard?

Also installation. What is the best way. Hard wire it right to the battery. Is there anything I should know about that.. Any pics or advice from you guys would be much appreciated. Thanks..

[winter knight]

Which would you rather have?


nüvi® 500
Waypoints/favorites/locations: 500
Routes: 10
track log none

GPSMAP® 60CSx
Waypoints/favorites/locations: 1000
Routes: 50
track log 20 saved tracks

[Harold8785]

Hmmm.. The 60csx sounds better.. But I want something with a big screen..

So just to be clear.. What I want most is to be able to see where we have been and be able to follow a line back to our hotel.. So that would be a route?

[winter knight]

Hmmm.. The 60csx sounds better.. But I want something with a big screen..

So just to be clear.. What I want most is to be able to see where we have been and be able to follow a line back to our hotel.. So that would be a route?

Yes screen size is a weak point on the 6csx, there are touch screen handhelds like the oregon that look a little bigger.
Following your line back to your hotel would be a track, not a route, but, the 500 or 550 will certainly do that provided the track it not too long. I doubt one day's ride would fill it up.
Here is the big difference that people don't realize, or it is just not important to them... It is vital to me for the type of riding I do. With a handheld unit, you can follow a track you made years ago . You can also adjust the resolution (that amounts to the distance between the dots) to make your log quite long. On the last ride I went on, I set it to make a track point every 200 yards. I got a 3 1/2 day ride that was over 800 miles on one long continuous track. You see once you exceed the length of the track you can make with ANY gps it can only do one of 2 things, it either stops recording, or it drops one point off the beginning for every one it adds on the other end. Its like you are spooling out string as you ride, when you get to the end you can leave it there on the ground or continue to pull it along the ground, but either way it's not going to get any longer. With the handhelds when it is getting full you can stop, save it and start over again.. up to 20 times.

[Harold8785]

Ok.. Thanks for that explanation. That makes sense now. Wow you really take long trips..lol.. I would love that but hopefully with this GPS decision I will have the confidence to travel further..

So you think Oregon? Which model?

[michael_987]

i was looking at either the oregon 450 or 550,m

[winter knight]

Ok.. Thanks for that explanation. That makes sense now. Wow you really take long trips..lol.. I would love that but hopefully with this GPS decision I will have the confidence to travel further..

So you think Oregon? Which model?

This is a decision only you can make based on your type of riding.
Here is a little breakdown of the oregon and montanas:
For either one, if the # ends in 50, its got a camera in it. If there is a T on the end it's got a topo map already in it.
Oregon:
Waypoints/favorites/locations: 2000
Routes: 200
track log 200 saved tracks
has a data card for memory
needs 2 batteries

montana:
Waypoints/favorites/locations: 4000
Routes: 200
track log 200 saved tracks
needs 3 batteries
the montana adds 3 gig memory built it, also has a data card

notice how many waypoints and tracks they save, these are huge numbers, much better than anything else out there.

So, the 50 = camera, you can decide that, it will be useless on a sled if you mount it so you can't remove it and put it back very easily.

The "t"..... You will need a detail map, so if you get one with a T that problem is solved. That is why the T versions cost a little more. You are buying a map set. Personally I prefer the highway maps like city nav nt. You get all of north america instead of just USA. I go to Quebec a lot. Either map will have to be overlaid with snowmobile trail maps.

About mounting them.. handelbar or dash.. the dash mount looks much more like a factory installation, and IMO looks cooler. Even with that I still prefer the handelbar mount. A RAM motorcycle mount to be exact. It places the unit closer to you eyes and fingers, you have to touch a touch screen after all. It also makes it quicker and easier to get on and off, remember the camera?
For removal I don't even mess with the mount, I just loosen the large glove friendly wing nut on the RAM "dog bone" if you will, and take the unit with the GPS end of the mount still attached. It takes 2 seconds even in the dark and covered in snow and ice. You are going to want to take the GPS with you almost every time you leave the sled so consider that.

[Harold8785]

Wow. That is alot of info.. Thanks so much. You make a good point with the mounting location..

I will let you know which one I go with.. Thanks again!

[jflickrev]

go with the zumo 220 and vv mapping. ram mount above gauge cluster

[lindasledgirl]

Yes screen size is a weak point on the 6csx, there are touch screen handhelds like the oregon that look a little bigger.
Following your line back to your hotel would be a track, not a route, but, the 500 or 550 will certainly do that provided the track it not too long. I doubt one day's ride would fill it up.
Here is the big difference that people don't realize, or it is just not important to them... It is vital to me for the type of riding I do. With a handheld unit, you can follow a track you made years ago . You can also adjust the resolution (that amounts to the distance between the dots) to make your log quite long. On the last ride I went on, I set it to make a track point every 200 yards. I got a 3 1/2 day ride that was over 800 miles on one long continuous track. You see once you exceed the length of the track you can make with ANY gps it can only do one of 2 things, it either stops recording, or it drops one point off the beginning for every one it adds on the other end. Its like you are spooling out string as you ride, when you get to the end you can leave it there on the ground or continue to pull it along the ground, but either way it's not going to get any longer. With the handhelds when it is getting full you can stop, save it and start over again.. up to 20 times.

I have that one, I can no longer see it! Need a bigger screen.

[winter knight]

I have that one, I can no longer see it! Need a bigger screen.

I hear you loud and clear there! When the screens get to be the size of a note book I'll be able to leave my glasses home. BTW even though the new screens are only a bit bigger, they are supposedly clearer.

[1200tnt4stroke]

Which would you rather have?


nüvi® 500
Waypoints/favorites/locations: 500
Routes: 10
track log none

GPSMAP® 60CSx
Waypoints/favorites/locations: 1000
Routes: 50
track log 20 saved tracks

Hey Winter Knight

I also Have the new Magelland 610 its a Beautiful unit something Probably you would like for the type of riding it sounds like you do it be great for the mountain guys or alot off trail riders.

I use it on my atv for scouting and marking all my Hunting spots and trails it has a lot of data Touch screen sensitive but not too and its water proof and shock proof has to adjustable speed bottoms on the side for most used features it can take Pictures or voice recordings or both and attach them to your map .

Its a really nice unit would highly reccomend it if you happen to know someone interested in that unit .

The only thing I really Dont like as far as for Snowmobiling goes I really Just prefer the Bigger screens.

But for Hunting and scouting and marking I love it someone that is not that concern with screen size would love the unit it runs for 16 hours on only 2 AA,s I snowmobile with it I just turn it on and leave in on tracking all day long in my pocket no issues.

just thought I would share that with you in case someone you know happens to be considering that unit or anyone else here on Doo Talk!!

I really wish someone would make one like this in the larger units unfortunatly you cant find one.

[winter knight]

[quote name='1200tnt4stroke' timestamp='1334011774' post='3831524']
Hey Winter Knight

I also Have the new Magelland 610 its a Beautiful unit something Probably you would like for the type of riding it sounds like you do it be great for the mountain guys or alot off trail riders.

I use it on my atv for scouting and marking all my Hunting spots and trails it has a lot of data Touch screen sensitive but not too and its water proof and shock proof has to adjustable speed bottoms on the side for most used features it can take Pictures or voice recordings or both and attach them to your map .

Its a really nice unit would highly reccomend it if you happen to know someone interested in that unit .

The only thing I really Dont like as far as for Snowmobiling goes I really Just prefer the Bigger screens.

But for Hunting and scouting and marking I love it someone that is not that concern with screen size would love the unit it runs for 16 hours on only 2 AA,s I snowmobile with it I just turn it on and leave in on tracking all day long in my pocket no issues.

just thought I would share that with you in case someone you know happens to be considering that unit or anyone else here on Doo Talk!!

I really wish someone would make one like this in the larger units unfortunatly you cant find one.
[/quoteI
Never heard of a unit with audio, what a great idea. I've only messed around with Garmins so far. That sounds like great battery life for a touch screen. Thanks for the info.

[1200tnt4stroke]

I forgot to mention it also has video clips you can attach to your way points! Pretty cool unit.

[jflickrev]

The garmin zumo 220 also has offroad mode that will just show trails loaded on unit and major roads. nice big touch screen. upgraded to it this year from a quest. shock proof and waterproof. check it out before you buy a handheld.