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Best GPS to use? Best GPS to use?
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Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 18 Apr 2006
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Best GPS to use?
Dear Hubbers,

Can anyone recommend the best GPS to use for places like China, Russian, Kazakhstan? We are basically going to be using maps but would like an easy to use GPS in case we need it.... if anyone could reccomend one that would be fantastic.

Thanks!

Ants

www.tuktotheroad.co.uk
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  #2  
Old 23 Apr 2006
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Garmin rules the world
Hi Ants,

If I had to choose right now I would ABSOLUTELY go for a Garmin 176 (color or normal).
I started with the Garmin III. When it broke down after a few years I asked for advice here and the guy's that "know about this stuff" told me a Garmin 5 was much better and faster then my old III.
So instead of folowing my instinct (which usually gets my into trouble) I listened and bought a Garmin 5.

I was very disapointed to see it was just as slow as my old III..... or I should say: It was not faster.

The 176 however (I used it for a test) is much much faster.... Why? It has a seperate RISK-processor for the screen.

It has also a lot more functions which may come in handy. Ever had to wait for high tide but had no idea when that was (for a ferry for example).

Also the screen is bigger which is nice when you have to do a quick glance.

Hope this helps.

Maarten
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  #3  
Old 23 Apr 2006
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The 176 has been discontinued according to the web site. It is also fairly chunky. I wouldn't want one on a smaller bike.

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap176/

I would go for a GPSMAP 60CSx or the floating GPSMAP 76CSx with built in antenna. You can store maps on removable data cards.

There’s a good comparison page here:

http://www.garmin.com/marine/compare.jsp

The Garmin V was a lot better than the III in terms of interface and memory but everything has its day.

Stephan
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  #4  
Old 24 Apr 2006
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I'm interested to hear everones views on this, I'm taking a trip this year and am considering the pros and cons of getting a GPS device.

as a side note theres a 176 up on ebay in that states WITH a touratech mounting kit...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Garmin-GPSmap-17...QQcmdZViewItem
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  #5  
Old 24 Apr 2006
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Internal maps
Consider the maps provided with the GPS - most if not all of these don't do a great job in Russia (at least that is my understanding). If your going to rely on paper maps all you need is a basic gps like an etrex. Paying twice as much for a 60 may not be worth it.

Further I don't see the need for a 60CSx, I think for motorcycling use a 60Cx would be all that is required ... add a compass to the handel bars - you can get them for bicycles with a bell for less than $20.

My advice - go look at them and decide what you really want, and do remember that these things can brake down so total reliance on them is not a good idea.

The 60C - c = colour (or kullor if yer 'merican) x = removable memory card that can carry maps, S = stationary compass feature (consumes more battery power) and an altimeter. I can do with out the compass and altimeter. the 60x comes with a 64M card.
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  #6  
Old 24 Apr 2006
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i have a GPS V which i think works great....HOWEVER...........

if i started over i would get a GPS that stores data on a CARD!!

more room for maps as the V only has 19MB which is ok but not for really long trips!
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  #7  
Old 24 Apr 2006
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Frank
Thanks for the explanation about the letter designation of the units. That is useful to know.

“412 driver” is right about the card. I recently drove from the UK to Portugal and could only get Paris and the coast of Spain on the Garmin V. Hence no maps (other than the base map) on the way back north. Map upload is also slow on the Garmin V. (About 40 minutes for the full 19 Mb in my experience.)

I am personally interested in the built-in compass on newer models because for me the worst feature of the older GPS models is that you lose the compass function when stationary. It’s more of an issue off-road than on-road, though.

Wiring the unit into the bike overcomes any power difficulties and is worth the cost and effort.
Stephan
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  #8  
Old 27 Apr 2006
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Thanks All

very helpful tips, will go and have a peruse of Garmin's site now and see what is best.

Thanks

Ants

www.tuktotheroad.com
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  #9  
Old 27 Apr 2006
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Gps
Hi , I am now using the Garmin76 CS, great unit , easy to see during the day even when sunny, great at night, waterproof ( never tested but rain proof sor far) I used it in Asia and other country on Dirt bike .you can download map and to me it is very important.
not cheap but you get what you pay for.
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  #10  
Old 27 Apr 2006
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Hi Hendikaf

Thanks for reply. So you have been using it for mapping in Asia? How? Garmin told me that you can only use the mapping on it in Europe and that they don't have any maps available in Russia and Asia??
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  #11  
Old 27 Apr 2006
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There is always the "Worldmap" from Garmin.
Not great detail but you get a map and your long/lat.
Used in conjunction with paper maps, it should be good.
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  #12  
Old 28 Apr 2006
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Wink GPS Asia
Hi , I just came back few month ago from Laos and I can tell the map from World map was great and it is the same for Cambodia , the only two minor problem are sometime the name of small village or even town is spell in different way and the other problem is that you may not alway be able to use the automatic routing , but I never got lost with it and I loved it, make sure to mount it with a good mount and to connect it to you batterie .
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