06-03-2008, 04:00 PM
[quote Michael]If you take the Garmin off the road, you'll find that it shows your location in relationship to the roads nearby. You'll be a little arrow in between the various roads. I've not used a hiking gps, but I would think that the car-based one would be pretty minimal for off road use.
I'll second that. For hiking/walking about I use a Garmin eTrex Legend cx - you can get practically the same unit (just have to supply your own microSD card) for a bit over $100: http://www.globalgpsnavigation.com/index...oduct_info&products_id=4421&zenid=ca640c2d3b65ea85e5a3a6c36c8000f0
One of the primary advantages it has over a car-based unit is much longer battery life - in the tens of hours vs. 2-3 hrs. You can also load in topographic maps, as well as the usual road maps that car-based units use. The disadvantage is that if you want to use this in a car, it'll just beep at you to notify of an upcoming turn, instead of using a voice.
For car use, I have different Garmin - optimized for just that - use in a car (bigger screen, voice directions, simpler controls).
[quote Michael]Oh, if you get a Garmin, you might consider a friction dashboard mount. That will keep the telltale ring off your windshield that some thieves use to target you car. Also - if you're in California (and I think Massachusetts), you're not allowed to use windshield mounts at all - you probably wouldn't be pulled over for just that, but could have an extra fine added to whatever you do get pulled over for.
I'll second that. For hiking/walking about I use a Garmin eTrex Legend cx - you can get practically the same unit (just have to supply your own microSD card) for a bit over $100: http://www.globalgpsnavigation.com/index...oduct_info&products_id=4421&zenid=ca640c2d3b65ea85e5a3a6c36c8000f0
One of the primary advantages it has over a car-based unit is much longer battery life - in the tens of hours vs. 2-3 hrs. You can also load in topographic maps, as well as the usual road maps that car-based units use. The disadvantage is that if you want to use this in a car, it'll just beep at you to notify of an upcoming turn, instead of using a voice.
For car use, I have different Garmin - optimized for just that - use in a car (bigger screen, voice directions, simpler controls).
[quote Michael]Oh, if you get a Garmin, you might consider a friction dashboard mount. That will keep the telltale ring off your windshield that some thieves use to target you car. Also - if you're in California (and I think Massachusetts), you're not allowed to use windshield mounts at all - you probably wouldn't be pulled over for just that, but could have an extra fine added to whatever you do get pulled over for.