time to buy GPS -HELP !

[badmts]

I want a GPS, nay! I NEED a GPS ! But I want trails and forest service roads not pavement - What are you guys running? FYI $250.00 is my price point and I will take a refurb if it is a deal. I thought about using my laptop but I will never mount it properly. I need the BIG screen for over 40 vision

[devinhal]

I'm using one of the Rino models from Garmin. You have to upload the software for the trails and forest survice roads, but I think it's one of the better GPS units out there. Has everything a little boy needs(GPS, lots of memory, 2 way radio, and easy operation). Even I can run the dang thing.

[hoosier1104]

I say go with garmin. I have 2 of them, 1 for work and 1 for personal use. Which reminds me I have to update my maps.

[mp3deviant721]

Garmin Nuvi 1300. I got that on sale for $100. It also comes with a free maps update that allows you to get free updated maps within 90 days of the first sync with satellites. Its a nice unit, has a big screen and fuel economy indicator, calculator, fuel mileage calculator, etc.

[straycat]

I don't need no sticking GPS. I am retired Special Ops. I never get lost. Why pay for that crap?? If I need to go to an area (Moab for instance) I know it all by heart. If I need to go somewhere I have never been you can just get a Google Map of the area for free. I can use a compass when I need to and I can follow the sun and moon and stars to go anywhere, anytime. I just can't see paying money for something I never will need or use. You guys like it 'cause it looks cool in the car of truck.....lol


SOMETHING TO GET STOLEN, EH??

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I never thought I'd be using a GPS - I kept my trucks stocked with paper maps and a compass.....

But in my line of work, I have to travel over about a 40 mile radius from home - which includes a large city that is notorious for one-way streets and "can't get there from here" detours. I tried printing directions and maps from Google and Mapquest, but after getting lost 4 times trying to find two jobs (usually because the directions left out something important or that the road you were told to turn on was closed) I was fed up and bought a GPS. I don't always trust it, sometimes it wants to take you the long way around the barn, but if you need to get somewhere that you've never been, it can be a lifesaver - especially trying to drive a stick-shift truck in city traffic.

A lot of times I leave it on the dash and don't program a destination if I know where I'm going, it's nice having a handy map folded to the exact square you're in sitting on the dash if you have to detour.

I went with a Magellan unit, free map updates for life and a reasonable cost, does everything I need it to and does include at least some forest roads. The downside is that within the first year the internal battery took a dump (which made the thing unusable), warrantied it out and the replacement lasted around three months before the screen went wacky. Another replacement and this one decided it didn't want to pick up the satellites after a week or so. Another replacement and it was DOA. Bets were made at that point that my next replacement would be a box of parts.... but I actually got a unit that worked for a change.

My paper maps and compass stay in the truck though - it's something that doesn't break. Murphy's Law states that technology will fail when you desperately need it.

[adsm08]

GPS sucks.

I can get anywhere I want to go, and if I can't get back again, then I guess where ever I started out wasn't that important, which is probably why I was leaving in the first place.

[adsm08]

Originally Posted by lil_Blue_Ford

Murphy's Law states that technology will fail when you desperately need it.

I think you are thinking of Murry's Law that says processor chip speed will double every 18 months.

Murphy's Law says "shit's broke".