GPS Advice

[djongeward]

I'm lookin for a resonably priced mounted GPS system for my Waggy.

I use a handheld but it's old and b&w and does not have computer interface.

I want to use it off road and on.

Anyone have experience in this department?

[Lindel]

If you're talking about a unit to navigate roads and highways, the TomTom is nice, so is the Garmin, both have models for $200 or less if you catch them on sale. I have a TomTom One and it's great. It can use Lat/Long, address, crossroads, etc. Also lets you edit maps and share corrections with other users.

If you're talking to navigate off-road, the Magellan units are (or at least used to be) pretty good.

I haven't taken the TomTom off-road yet, so I don't know about that capability. I'm not sure at all if there's a unit that will do both. You do have the option of DeLorme's Topo system with a USB or Bluetooth GPS unit. That and a laptop could serve the purpose.

[Hammer]

I use the Delorme setup with my laptop. Not as simple as the dash mounted ones.
I was looking into getting the TomTom One. I see refurb ones on ebay for about $129 - $132 shipped.

Now if I could upload my Delorme stuff onto the TomTom, I would be golden!

[djongeward]

Thanks,

I was looking at several lately. I wish I could somehow interface google earth with gps.

I live on the edge of a vast desert here in SE Cal, 100's of miles in any direction. I've gotten turned around and plane lost a few times untill I got my handheld.

I've heard about using laptops. You use a sat uplink right or just store maps?

hmmm:rolleyes: I could download a google earth session and take it with me.

[DevEmp]

You won't be able to use Google Earth unless you've got an internet connection.

I have the Lowrance Baja 540C in my little Jeep. I's pretty good once you get the map pack for it, and you can find free software called GPSBabel that will convert your Lowrance (or just abut any other make) to something Google Earth can read.

[Hammer]

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10122&forge_prod=TwivQnZJxgDYwnq0Fz1picG5:S&forge_prod_pses=forge_prod%3DTwivQnZJxgDYwnq0Fz1pi cG5%253AS%7E

Delorme has some good products.
I use the Street Atlas 2009 setup with the wired GPS LT-40.
I previously had the 2006 version with the Bluetooth GPS, but that didn't connect at the correct speed with my laptop. Problem was with my laptop's bluetooth though.

Btw, you can download the SAME images you find on google and have these show up in the Delorme setup. I did this for my property, works good.

[Hammer]

Oh, and yeah, I have been dreaming of using a smart phone with GPS and google earth while on the go.
Too expensive in the long run, but MAN would that be nice!!!

[-Bluegill-]

Garmin 60Cx :thumbsup:

[djongeward]

Wow, I did not know these existed. :eek:

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10122&forge_prod=TwivQnZJxgDYwnq0Fz1picG5:S&forge_prod_pses=forge_prod%3DTwivQnZJxgDYwnq0Fz1pi cG5%253AS%7E

Looks like they're using sat images similar to google earth.

GPS plug in device to a laptop. Forget a stand alone unit. Hmmm, my kid just returned from school and he's not using his laptop (he's always using my PC to play games) and I bought it for him anyway. :D

You guys rock!

[Hammer]

Not LIKE Google, they ARE the SAME.
I downloaded a couple sections for my ranch, and looked at the SAME place in google earth. Exact same images.

Now, to buy them can get a bit pricey, but if you have a need for them, they are GREAT!!!

Btw, I drive around a lot with the Street Atlas setup. It works good, Adjusts on the fly, and it's a FULL size screen.

One word of advice, if you don't have a 12v supply for the laptop, get a decent little power inverter to run the AC adapter for the laptop. These are also good to power other small 120v stuff.

Btw, anyone want a 2006 Street Atlas setup with the Bluetooth setup?

[Rhino Racer]

X-2 on the Lowrance Baja 540C, although it's pricey and I'm not sure it can be used for street navigation.

[srobertsfsj]

I recently got a Garmin Nuvi 760 and I love it. Was on sale for Fathers Day so the price has gone back up.

[Donno]

I've been using my Blackberry Curve with pretty good success. There is a software package from Trimble Outdoors that uses the built in GPS hardware. It lets you track where you're going which I can then upload to their website under my account. From there I can download (on my computer) a Google Earth file and see exactly where I've been, mileage, altitude etc. I've been pretty impressed so far. It basically turns your blackberry phone into a handheld GPS. Maps are downloaded real time so you need a data package for that.

You can also get the free Google Maps for Blackberry that also makes use of the internal GPS to navigate. You also need the data package to download maps in real time.

[Pitbull-Lady]

Garmin 60Cx :thumbsup:

X 2 :thumbsup:

There is some software that we have NatGeographic I believe that after the ride we input the route taken and can do a topo flyover of the ride. Very cool.

This is great if you want to go geocaching too.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT thing is a good mount (I said mount)
get a RAM MOUNT @ www.gpscity.com
you won't be sorry. These things can pick up my 45lb glass table top with their suction and NOT let go!!!:eek:

[djongeward]

This unit has pre - downloded topo maps and seems loaded for the price:p

http://www.gpscity.com/automotive-gps/f=topo+maps

Thank you pitbull

[Sbonley]

The Tom Tom and Blackberry work fine in the city or on main highways, but if you get to rural areas off the beaten path they don't work very well. We found that out the first time we tried to use both on a balloon chase. They didn't show the rural roads and certainlsy not the dirt roads.

[djongeward]

Yea, the gps units that are bundled with topo maps seem the way to go.
I live in a desert with a lot of dirt farm roads and then blm lands with obscure county roads, pole line roads, and just old trails, or none.

The ability to have sat maps work with the gps would be the best. My last post with the url has that kind of ability. However, I think I'll go with the gps usb port add on to a lap top.

What I really want is to see gps location in real time superimposed on a sat pic. Looks like those kind are able to switch back and forth between topo and sat map. I like that.

Got an inverter, too!

Need to find a way to mount it, any ideas or pics?

[Hammer]

Yea, the gps units that are bundled with topo maps seem the way to go.
I live in a desert with a lot of dirt farm roads and then blm lands with obscure county roads, pole line roads, and just old trails, or none.

The ability to have sat maps work with the gps would be the best. My last post with the url has that kind of ability. However, I think I'll go with the gps usb port add on to a lap top.

What I really want is to see gps location in real time superimposed on a sat pic. Looks like those kind are able to switch back and forth between topo and sat map. I like that.

Got an inverter, too!

Need to find a way to mount it, any ideas or pics?

That is exactly what the Delorme product does.
I just pulled the program up, let it find my GPS location, and then told it to view Color Areal Imagery.
So right now I have a full color image with my GPS location, live.

Btw, I also just took this setup half way across the country and back again. Worked great!

And for the price of some of those little TomToms' etc, you can buy a laptop and the GPS setup, and have a much better solution (providing that the size part of a laptop isn't an issue).

[djongeward]

Yes, Hammer, The delorian set up is exactly what I'm lookin for.

I already have the laptop and inverter, and B-day soon.:D

Looking for ideas for mounting it into my 89 GW other than just letting it jostle around on the passenger seat.

I drive a lot of desert, lots of jostling, washboard, dunes, and some slow rock sections intermixed with miles of long graded dirt roads at speed. Amazing how my stock waggy handled all of that, now almost finished with new 360 install, amc 70's 4bbl intake, new cooling and r/r air conditioning, vacuum systems, electrical and a moderate 3-4 inch spring lift, oh yea and I have a hole in my muff, so I need to replace that.

I usually have a passenger so I guess she could hold it.;)

Since the waggy is going through a major overhaul I want to install a sound system and I have sirius kit, etc. Need to look at incorporating a few ac devices.

What do you do with yours, the laptop I mean?

[Pitbull-Lady]

Well, you'll think I must own stock or something... but GPS City has one from the Ram Mount!!!

We were contemplating attaching it to the center hump in the TJ and I think it would work even better in the SJ (is there room, HECK YEAH!)

Our friend with a YJ did it beneath his center on the hump and mounted it straight to the floor. It was really neat. He also used a cheap tablet PC to display the GPS info. This way it was all touch screen. Pretty neat set up.

[djongeward]

Thanks PLady:thumbsup:

I thought the ram mounts were for small items like handheld gps units.

Boy was I wrong.

Check this out: http://www.gpscity.com/ramvbd122-sw1

That should be a screw in mount. There are other ones you mount to seat bolts. I like the screw in type but I was going to put a shotgun mount in there too for duck season jump shooting (don't ask).

This is perfect!

Clidk the customizing button for more options to this mount, pretty sweet!