Interesting product from Garmin though a bit pricey. Based on Android so I guess it will be smoother and faster to scroll through and type compared to older gen. navigation systems. I think it would offer good value for money if it were around $350-400 or if it included more features similar to the map layers that Gaia has to offer. What do ya'll think?





Overview -

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This product makes no sense to me, even at half the price. Just get a good tablet and use any GPS program you want.

Agree - I've been using an older android tablet that was a hand-me-down, a bluetooth GPS puck (Dual XGPS 150A) and Gaia program. Pretty inexpensive set up, but very intuitive, and it has worked well on many trips. You just have to know the general area where you want to go to download the maps when you have internet connection.

I think the value proposition they are trying to deliver is having everything rolled into one system so no need to go from app to app or make sure you download maps, or directions from various apps over wifi in case you need them for later. Similarly other off-road oriented apps like Gaia don't do turn by turn which something like a Hema does in Australia. Depending upon how they've implemented it, I can definitely see it being useful in that role for some people though based on what they've published it does seem to be quite a bit overpriced for what it delivers.

I've only been using Gaia recently and have so far done it mostly for hiking and love it. What I've always wished it had was turn by turn directions that include getting a trail or hiking spot and then going offroad to a spot you may have picked before hand etc. I think this is what Garmin is going after though as you wrote, with a tablet and 2-3 apps you can do most of the stuff as long as you plan and download everything for offline use or have access to data if you have an LTE tablet.

But there are loads of apps that do turn by turn, you dont need gaia to do turn by turn because you can use whatever you want

Which is your favorite turn by turn app for offroad/trail navigation or getting to your favorite or otherwise pre-determined camping spot?

It's cool that they are developing software and hardware targeting this specific hobby/interest just like they have already done for motorcycles, airplanes, boats, bicycles, runners, climbers, soldiers, etc. but I think it is way overpriced. If they had it at $399 retail with a street price of $350 they would probably sell a lot of them. Hold off for a year and when they sell like $hit you will probably be able to pick one up for that price.

Yeah it's way too overpriced imo. I'd pay $400 for something like this if it can help me declutter and not have to use both the phone and the tablet, though I guess for those with Apply Car play and Android Auto it may not be worth it.

Used android tablet and an external gps for Gaia is what I use and it cost me way less than Garmin’s device.


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the easiest is to tap on the waypoint in gaia and select "driving directions" and it opens your default navigation app. if your default app is google maps you can download an area in advance if you won't have service. if you want a turn-by-turn app where you can download more data, then in my experience MapFactor GPS is probably the best although i haven't tried many (which uses OSM data so i wouldn't be surprised if it has some offroad areas too)

also, i'll point out that the garmin overlander only does turn-by-turn navigation onroad, offroad it uses topographic maps

Thanks. I didn't know you could do that on Gaia so will give it a try! I've been mostly using our old iPad when we go out camping but am considering buying a used Android with external storage so that I can save larger maps directly on the device.

This seems to be trying to replicate the Hema GPS unit that seems to be so popular with aussie overlanders and off-roaders. I don't really get why they don't just use tablets over there. Possibly the GPS chip and antenna in a dedicated device is a little better/more accurate. But I am not sure that is worth the cost.

My personal opinion, this product was built for the Mall Crawling Content Creating "Overlander". Honestly the whole marketing scheme and release of this makes me feel like I've stumbled into Best Buy and asked a "professional" questions about tech stuff...

It is an overpriced 7", low resolution, and most likely low-spec'd Android tablet with mapping software and a drop-resistant case (which is ironic if it is supposed to be mounted in a vehicle). They tout it as "compatible with inReach" for messaging, however, ANY iOS/Android device with bluetooth is "compatible with inReach". The fact that several big name content creators all "switched" to it on the same release day (and Garmin's attempt to "buy" into the market by purchasing a pre-built marketing vehicle) just leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth, even if it was cheaper and with greater capabilities.

Low spec 7" Android tablets are a dime a dozen in the sub-$100 market space, and for just a bit over $100 I even got one with 3GB RAM, 2560x1600 LCD, and LTE. Combine that with the supremo GAIA subscription ($40/yr), and you get 15 years of usage/fees before equaling the price of the Garmin unit. Want better GPS acquisition, you can add a (fairly) inexpensive external GPS antenna and STILL be able to buy several entire setups compared to the price of the Garmin.

$700. Holy sheeeetz.

It looks like a ruggedized version of their RV 780 (which is $400). However, it's only IP5X - Dust Protected. No Water Protection.

I think you can get all the mapping capabilities from the RV780. The Overlander adds in some dust/shock protection, inReach compatibility (can send texts, SOS, get weather over satellite for $$), and an angle meter. Maybe the campground POI set is unique too.

Man, everyone is really trying to cash in on the overlanding craze.

I don't overland, but use Google Maps to pre-cache maps when I go backpacking or driving/exploring in remote areas. Turn-by-turn directions is nice.
I use BackCountry Navigator as well. I pre-cache 4 map sets (USGS Topo, CalTopo US 24k Topo, USTpop Imagry, and USA Topo Maps - ArcGIS) with BC Nav. Doesn't have turn-by-turn, but better mapping products than Google (and Garmin as well).

Garmin units are the 'easy' button, as there is no pre-caching required (unless you want satellite imagery). But I'd just buy the RV 780 for $400 and deal with no inReach integration (if I used inReach). Your phone is also inReach compatible, so you don't need the Overlander.

$700 is stupid money. This is coming from a Garmin fan who owns a FR935, Oregon 700, Edge 200, etc.

Meh, I paid that much for my Garmin watch and it's worth it considering the other 4 less expensive ones I bought that were subpar.

Which tablet are y'all buying that's $400 that provides topo information, off grid boundries information, satellite messaging and pitch and roll information?