Any handheld GPS users?

[G3 Trout Runner]

I've been looking into the Garmin Gpsmap 60C. www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap60c. Its seems to have great outdoor function (loads maps) and can serve as a car navigator (loads maps, auto-routing) as well. I'm not interested in a car navigator alone, but instead want something I can pull off the dash and hike/fish/climb/camp/boat with.

A search yielded:
www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6106&highlight=gps
Good thread but I was hoping to see some extra pro's and con's.
One person mentions the 60C. I hope to get input on how you like it.

Now the questions:

1. For those who are out in the woods. How many of you use a gps? Is it more of a novelty or do you find it helpful? Does it just sit at home now that you've gotten tired of it? Afterall, I haven't needed one up to now, and will always carry paper map and compass any way.

2. As a car navigator, does anyone have experience with this, handheld or otherwise? Do you use it? Again, does it get old when the novelty wears off?

3. I know the map software is exspensive but has it been good. I've heard the street stuff is pretty good, but what about the topo maps?

Thanks,

G3

 

[pat161]

Well I don't have a model that would fit your route map needs, but I do have a Garmin etrex I got as a bday gift a few years back. It is designed as a handheld unit for use in the woods finding waypoints and such, not really much use in the car for finding a route. I spend a good deal of time hiking and like trailblazing the most, meaning finding my way somewhere w/o any trails. For me the GPS is a neat toy w/ some actual usefullness in the woods. First, it is cool to know your elevation, distance traveled and exact route you've taken. Second I have walked pretty far out in the woods setting the runner as a waypoint and every time the GPS will bring me right back to the truck, and other waypoints I set here and there while hiking, it will also show how far it is between waypoints, which is cool. I don't think I would want to get lost and rely on it as it may break, so to me it is something extra. My bro in law had the car unit from Garmin, it was like a grand but worked great for plotting road courses and leading you there. His was just like the in dash units and I would recomend one if you will use it.

 

[G3 Trout Runner]

Pat161,

Hiking in Mass tree cover, have you had any problems with reception? I've heard some accounts that trees, lightposts, and others make them lose their signal. What has your experience been? Is it lost and just picks up again soon? I've used them before, but always above treeline as a protection in a whiteout. No blocked signals.

G3

 

[wkparker]

I've used a Garmin eMap for a few years and been happy with it, but it lacks turn-by-turn routing and has a monochrome screen. I'm planning to move it to the handlebars of my motorcycle.

To replace it, I just ordered a Garming iQue 3600. It's a combo Palm Pilot/GPS unit with pretty good reviews. I chose it because it has voice prompts for trip routing and can be used as a regular PDA unit and easily moved between vehicles (like a rental car when I travel). I don't think it's rugged enough for heavy-duty hiking, but should be OK for in-vehicle and occasional city street use. It arrives later in the week so I'll let you know how well it works.

 

[Expat]

To replace it, I just ordered a Garming iQue 3600. It's a combo Palm Pilot/GPS unit with pretty good reviews. I chose it because it has voice prompts for trip routing and can be used as a regular PDA unit and easily moved between vehicles (like a rental car when I travel). I don't think it's rugged enough for heavy-duty hiking, but should be OK for in-vehicle and occasional city street use. It arrives later in the week so I'll let you know how well it works.

I have the Garmin iQue and it's great. I use it in the truck all the time as I am new to CA and need to find my way around a lot.

Off road I have found it to be very good too. You can save and input waypoints easily.

Reception I have never found to be a problem.

I have used it hiking and again I find it very functional.

I love that it is multipurpose as I have often needed a phone number or address and all the info is there where-ever I am.

Some people may not realise but you can also search for convenience stores, gas stations, shopping centres, places of public interest etc which again I find very useful. For example if you want to find a surf shop you just type that into the correct category of shopping and it'll find you a bunch of surf shops close (and not so close) to your current location.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Thorton]

I've got a Holux GR-230 Bluetooth GPS that I use with my PDA running tomtom navigator. Its extremely handy for getting around town, plus its good and portable, but as far as leaving the beaten path it is basically useless. Tomtom has no topo function or anything like that.

 

[wkparker]

04Runner, glad to hear you like the iQue 3600. how do you have it mounted? I bought a mount designed for an XM receiver but haven't installed it yet. Here is the unit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7951755068&category=33695

Do you use the power unit with the built-in speaker?

 

[Expat]

Originally I used the kit that comes with a pad that sits on the dash but that kept moving around and had wires draped over the radio and ac controls.

I now have it mounted using a clip on frame I adapted from a cell phone holder that simply clips onto the air vent on the right side of the steering wheel. The wire is then taken directly behind the console facia and run down behind the ac controls, plastic fold out tray, under the cup holder, along the shifter tunnel to a power take of from under the cig. lighter. This powers the speaker that came with the kit. I hard wired into the cig. lighter and removed the male section of the speaker that would normally go into the cig. lighter. I then placed velcro strips on the speaker and the under side of the centre console, trun the volume to 3/4 and then replaced the console. Therefore all the wiring is hidden except for about 2" that comes from up by the air vent.

I tested the ability of the modified cell holder with the Garmin in place, by driving into and out off some pretty big ditches and it didn't move.

The cell phone holder I used was one of those R-Type you get at any auto parts shop. I just used the two clips and its backing......this is getting too complicated.....I'll post some picts...it was very easy to do.

I also tried mounting it on the divider between the cup holders but it got poor reception and bounced around too much. Also considered mounting it on the console facia opposite the a/c controls on the passenger side but the angle of that was wrong for facing towards the driver.

Anyhow, I'll post some pics asap to show you the setup. It was cheap and easy and works perfectly.

Cheers
Mark

 

[pat161]

Well I have had some issues with a lack of reception in the woods. Usually in a wooded valley between two hills, then it will suggest it needs a clear view of the sky. But it does regain reception when I move a bit. It also had a few hiccups up around moosehead, but in similar situations, way out in the woods between two hills. Like I said, I would never rely on the GPS to find my way out, I keep track of different trees and rocks so I can use them to find my way back out.

 

[4RNR4BB]

I have the ique 3600 too. It's freakin great. I haven't had a problem with the base moving, but I haven't done any thing really serious with the4runner and the Garmin either. I really like how you can search for restraunts and shops close to wherever you are. The route finder is easy to use and I haven't had any problems with the satelite reception, except for when I am in the house messing with it.

Matt