Santa's comming

N

NKPBob

Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2013
Location
USA
Bikes
CRF 450R
Hello wizzards of GPS stuff.

This Thursday the "Jolly Fellow" will be riding his sleigh into town at the end of the Macy's day parade. As soon as he is finished with that I'm going to immediately ask him (or one of his local helpers) for two things. Ummmmm... the second thing I'm going to ask for is a GPS device for my adventure in Thailand and Laos.

I'm asking you wizzards for help in deciding which one to pick from. (By the way... "wizard" with two "Zs" just means you are twice as wizzardly.) Anyway... there seem to be three devices that I can't choose between so that's why I'm asking you wizzards:

Garmin Oregon 450
Garmin eTrex 20 (or maybe the 30)
Garmin GPSMAP 62 (base model)

All of these are around the same price. I am going to be getting the LaosGPSmap from Mr. Mapper so I'm staying with Garmin and think these will all work with his stuff.

So... what do you think? The good? The bad?... or any ugly? Any suggestions?
 
Bob, re Garmin.
Have a look on RideAsia at the various comments re Garmin 'customer service'.
 
2wheels said:
Bob, re Garmin.
Have a look on RideAsia at the various comments re Garmin 'customer service'.
Click to expand...

That said what other brand would you even consider..

Crap company, crap software, but great hardware and the default maps globally.
 
LivinLOS said:
That said what other brand would you even consider..

Crap company, crap software, but great hardware and the default maps globally.
Click to expand...

Agree with that - the service is slow as I am waiting now already 5 days for a reply from Garmin Taiwan for Colin's GPS. But indeed, buy another brand and no OSM maps nor a lot of the other maps.
 
I specifically want to stay with Garmin because I can use the LaosGPSmap with it. LaosGPSmap works only on Garmin.
 
Maybe buy one (or two) of the 2k baht cheapies from Big C,pre loaded with TSM,and put a plastic bag over it and chuck it away when or if it fcuks up?
 
I go with Loop. Cheap Nuvi, screen protector sealed with a bead of silicone, wrapped in insulating tape. If lost/stolen/broken pick up another at the nearest super mall and still be quids in. Just a pity mine has just blown the power connector.
 
I tried the cheap way. First of all it is not so cheap as you think.
Device = 4k (that is cheap)
Then you need to install a 12volt-outlet (for charging) or buy a special cable to connect straight to the battery.
Then you need to buy a device-holder to put it on the bike (RAM-mounts are the only good one's).
All that add's another 4k. So no it did cost already 8k, of course still much cheaper as Garmin Montana 600 motorcycle set of 20k.
But the sloppy USB on my Garmin Nuvi did not survive the vibration of a motorbike. I can still use the set in the car, but on the motorbike it is not working properly anymore (switch on/off the all time).

So I am in process of buying a real GPS-navigation system. A water resistance device with clip-on mount that is hard-wired to the battery.
 
I still have my old nuvi but like you say on the bike the USB connection soon becomes worn, best paying a bit extra and getting a good Ram mount harness it will work out cheaper in the long run.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner
 
Changnoi1 said:
I can still use the set in the car, but on the motorbike it is not working properly anymore (switch on/off the all time).
Click to expand...

My Nuvi started turning on and off on the bike. It was the battery moving,a piece of folded paper behind it to stop it moving did the trick.
 
Thing is the nuvis are crippled.. You cant extract tracks (can you even extract waypoints ??) etc etc..
 
Thanks for your info. If I were at home, or in a car, or in some place that has always a place to buy a GPS device close by, then I might go with a Nuvis. In fact, after looking at some of the info on it, I may buy one for my truck. But, I think I've ruled out any of the Nuvis "family" for Thailand/Laos adventures. Even though they are cheap, I don't think they fit the bill. I do want to extract tracks, etc. And with where I'm going, I don't want reliability to be a concern of any kind. I do want to be able to find my way out!

So, does anyone have anything to pass on about the three I listed... the Oregon, eTrax, or the GPSMap 62?
 
The GPSmap 62 is the one to go for from that list. I've had mine for a couple of years and no problems.
It's loaded with TSM, A Thai Offroad Map and a laos Map.
The screens are a bit small, it's best to plan your route on a Laptop using basecamp with the unit attached with usb.

I believe the Captain uses a very similar unit here daily
 
LivinLOS said:
Thing is the nuvis are crippled.. You cant extract tracks (can you even extract waypoints ??) etc etc..
Click to expand...

I`ve got tracks and waypoints on Basecamp and Google Earth,GPX files from my Nuvi. Don`t seem to be able to insert the GPX files back into it though.
 
Bob, perhaps it could depend on what you want from it too. As LOS says, cheap one dont allow you to take your tracks off. The 60's float in water ( my 60 cs does) and they are rugged and functional.

Apart from the need for the paper to hold the batteries ( a common problem it seems ) I would just go for the 60 series.

A cheaper option but staying with the 60's is to buy reconditioned on ebay which i believe santa uses too!

Ally
 
lakota said:
The GPSmap 62 is the one to go for from that list. I've had mine for a couple of years and no problems.
It's loaded with TSM, A Thai Offroad Map and a laos Map.
The screens are a bit small, it's best to plan your route on a Laptop using basecamp with the unit attached with usb.

I believe the Captain uses a very similar unit here daily
Click to expand...

Yes indeed I do, a GPSmap 60Cx
 
Garmin Montana 600 series is excellent, big screen and user friendly menu's. Online from the usa around usd $ 470. Get the Amps mount for the handle bars its the best one.


Try gpscity.com

NKPBob said:
Thanks for your info. If I were at home, or in a car, or in some place that has always a place to buy a GPS device close by, then I might go with a Nuvis. In fact, after looking at some of the info on it, I may buy one for my truck. But, I think I've ruled out any of the Nuvis "family" for Thailand/Laos adventures. Even though they are cheap, I don't think they fit the bill. I do want to extract tracks, etc. And with where I'm going, I don't want reliability to be a concern of any kind. I do want to be able to find my way out!

So, does anyone have anything to pass on about the three I listed... the Oregon, eTrax, or the GPSMap 62?
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the info guys. I am trying to keep the cost down to those I've listed... in the range of about $200. It seems like used GPSMap 60 units to for this much. So even though everything I've read says it's a great device, I don't think I want to go with a used one. Every place I checked for a new GPSMap 60 shows the GPSMap 62 as the newer replacement. What does everybody think.

Phil... I would love to have the Montana 600. I suspect it really is the best choice if money didn't get in the way. But Santa said that if I want that one I have to start selling my body. And if I sell my body it will take me 43 years to save up enough.
 
any of the units you listed will probably do. I just don't know anyone personally who uses the other two listed with motorbikes. I'm sure people do but i don't know them.
I heard the 62 was a replacement for the 60 too. i suspect the 62 is just as tough as the 60. My 62 has done a fair bit of mileage on and Offroad and has been horizontal with me many times :). The Captain's 60 probably gets more use over a six month period than any other on earth. I will probably go for the Montana as replacement for mine. I think it's make your mind up time
 
Yeah I think the expression goes something like; "... or get off the pot" :lol: So I think I'm going to go with the 60 => 62 recommendations. Except for the extra cheap... or the sell my body recommendations, that seems best.

Thanks to all for their comments. More questions on other topics to come.
 
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