GPS recommendations please

[GregGimbert]

OK,

I have never had a GPS unit and need some help. I want to buy a GPS unit for the truck but would also like to be able to use it on a motorcycle and on a Rhino. So if it could be water resistant and somewhat rugged that is a bonus. Most of all it has to function off road, set map points, collect data on the trails I have taken so I can find my way back, ect. One that has a rechargeable / replaceable battery would be a bonus for use on a dirt bike.

If there are other options and features that you guys can think of please mention them as well.

Thanks,

Greg

 

[Justinlhc]

I have a Garmin etrex and it does everything I wanted it to do and it was cheap(less than $100). It takes 2 AA batteries that last about 15-17 hours(constant use) so you can use rechargable AA or just replace every so often. For the money it's awesome and it's waterproof and rugged as can be. I've beat this thing and it's rattled around in my jetski for a summer. The screen got scratched up pretty bad in the jetski, but it still works perfect.

 

[Atlanta_man]

Garmin is the way to go. Avoid others.

 

[JB.]

Most of all it has to function off road, collect data on the trails I have taken so I can find my way back, ect.
Greg

I have some narrow input. For Garmin, the "data collected on trails" are called tracks. They're sometimes generically referred to as bread crumbs, but by whatever name, they are incredibly useful and, yes, you definitely want that capability. The only reason I bring this up is because, astoundingly (the last time I looked into this), it's a harder feature to find than you might imagine (seems like selling a car without reverse, to me). If you're going to search the Garmin site for units with this capability you might try tracklog or tracback as search terms.

 

[MikesToy]

Garmin rulez.

 

[GregGimbert]

So far it seems the ones that track back are the hand held models. I was hoping for one of the more traditional large screen in car type so the wife could use it weekdays. Thanks for the feedback, keep it coming.

 

[Ryan_S]

I have an older eTrex and love it. The topo maps work great on it.

The only square driving touch screen type Garmins that are waterproof are the nuvi 500 and 550, I was considering one of those but I hate the touch screen on them. The iPhone has me spoiled.