Well I've been thinking about getting a GPS for a while and think it'll be soon. I will be using it all year round (sledding in the winter, 4-wheeling rest of the year and hunting in the fall). I need somethig with a mapping feature, where I can download maps onto it and it shows my location on it. A speedometer. Be able to plot some way points, like the deerstand and camp. And lastly a tracking device that shows where I have been.
I can get a few select kinds from Canadian Tire, a Garmin Rino, Garmin E-Trex, Garmin WAAS 72 GPS, Magellan Sportrak Map GPS, and a Meridian SE kit. Are any of these worth buying and have all the feature I need and want? Also is there anythings that I should look for (ie..frequencies, what is WAAS enabled?). Also do you have any suggestions for one to buy.
Thanks

My only experience is with the eTrex Vista and an older non-mapping Magellan. So far, the Vista has done everything I want when used while snowmobiling. My only complaint is that the screen might be a little small making it a bit difficult to read at speed. Other than that, it does everything you've requested. I think it runs around $400 (Canadian) now.

Etrex line is nice if your using it to hunt with, as they are small and easy to pack along. Rino's are nice if your group uses FRS radios, as you only need to carry one unit. The 120 has all the maping capabilities.

Take a look at www.radioworld.com for pricing, its seems pretty good.

FishHog

I would go with a Garmin unit.
IMO they are more user friendly and are more widely used. If you even read through this board alone there are more Garmin users than any other.
My GPS III+ has to be atleast 4 years old and just a few weeks ago I called their customer service to find a part number for a back cap on the antenna that broke. The lady on the phone took my information and told me that "that piece isnt supposed to break, Ill send one second day air so you have it for the weekend". Well two days later UPS shows up with a whole new antenna.
No charge for antenna ($60)
No charge for shipping ($25?)
No way this thing is under warranty because of its age and it broke because I landed on it coming off a jump that didnt land quite like I planned :withstupid: .

Well thats enough for me, Ill buy another Garmin just because of that.
I have a GPS III+ but will be upgrading to a GPS V because it has more memory. See other post here

http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forum/index...showtopic=37632 (http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=37632)

Thanks guys. I'm going to call a "gun dealer" out by my sled dealer to see what they carry for GPS's, there and Canadian Tire are the only places around here that I know of that sell them. If they dont carry anything more then I'll have to buy one online.

I used a Garman legend and took it back not enough memory now I use a Garman vista it seems great so far. I have it loaded with mapsource 4.0 canada and I think the detail is very good. Price maybe better online anyway gpscentral.com or gpscity.com

I agree
If you know which one you want online is the way to purchase.
hen I bought mine online I found the pricing was pretty close but they will put together pakages that make up for it.
I got a car charger, carry case, included for what I would have paid for the unit alone in the store.

OK I think I have found 2 that I want Magellan Sportrak (http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/magellan/sportrakmap.htm) or the Garmin Legend (http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/garmin/etrexlegend.htm). Any opinions on these 2? I can get the Magellan with the Canadian Mapsend. The only thing I see that the Magellan doesn't have is a speedometer, but the Garmin has more memory. How good of a base map for canada comes with the Garmin?

I've heard that the Canadian maps for Magellan are pretty weak, so you might want to investigate that first. At least with Garmin, if you're computer-savvy, there is the ability to create and download your own maps.

Originally posted by phat_cat800@Feb 27 2004, 10:46 AM
Well I've been thinking about getting a GPS for a while and think it'll be soon. I will be using it all year round (sledding in the winter, 4-wheeling rest of the year and hunting in the fall). I need somethig with a mapping feature, where I can download maps onto it and it shows my location on it. A speedometer. Be able to plot some way points, like the deerstand and camp. And lastly a tracking device that shows where I have been.
I can get a few select kinds from Canadian Tire, a Garmin Rino, Garmin E-Trex, Garmin WAAS 72 GPS, Magellan Sportrak Map GPS, and a Meridian SE kit. Are any of these worth buying and have all the feature I need and want? Also is there anythings that I should look for (ie..frequencies, what is WAAS enabled?). Also do you have any suggestions for one to buy.
Thanks
Howdy,

WAAS is 'Wide Area Augmentation System' (I believe). Essentially it's a system of ground-based stations that enhance the acuracy of the GPS. However, I'm not sure if it will work well in Canada because I believe WAAS stations only reside in the States.

I really like the looks of the colour Garmin GPSMAP 60CS. A wee bit pricy though - around $600 canadian. It has an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter. My second choice would be the Garmin eTrex Vista. It too has an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, but is black and white. $200 cheaper though. Electronic compass is really handy because it will give you a valid reading when standing still. Non-electronic compass units will only give you an acurate reading of your last heading (while in motion).

You may want to check out gpscity.ca (http://www.gpscity.ca). They seem to have decent prices and they have a huge selection. Haven't bought anything off of them as of yet.

- Jeff

I have a Garmin legend, so far im pretty happy with it, I have map source 3.05( a older version), its petty good detail, has all the side roads around here with pretty good detail. I can fit all of Ontario and a bit more in its memory.
I have used it riding with no problems, ya the sceen could be bigger but its a good little hand held unit, I would reccomend

Todd

PS- I got mine at Canadian tire, they have a price match , try that out.

Well I've decided on the Garmin eTrex legend with the MapSource Canada Software. For a little under $450 dollars it can be at my doorstep from www.gpscity.ca. I checked at Canadian Tire and they dont have the Legend and their prices are insane compared to the ones on the net. I think I'll order it later this week, Thanks :thumbsup: .

Ordered the Garmin eTrex Legend with the MapSource Canada CD tonight. $428CAD with shipping and tax and it will be here within 7 days :christmas: .

Congrats
We want to see pictures of it mounted to the sled.
SWRules

Well you wont see any pictures of that this year, I have the sled just abuot ready for storage. I may rig something up for the 4 wheeler though if it doesn't work well in a bookbag.

Originally posted by phat_cat800@Mar 4 2004, 08:42 AM
Well you wont see any pictures of that this year, I have the sled just abuot ready for storage. I may rig something up for the 4 wheeler though if it doesn't work well in a bookbag.
Watch ebay. You can get good deals on all kinds on proper mounts (and power cables) for bikes, bicycles, boats etc. for them.
If you pay retail for the accesories, they just kill you!

Thanks for the tip konkinj. If I find that I do need a mount I'll be sure to check on E-bay first.

Yeah, the accessories/mounts are expensive. I bought a RAM mount for my sled for $50 from GPS Central and I'd have to say, it's been worth every cent. It's high quality and has worked flawlessly for the 2000+ km I've ridden this season. The nice thing with the RAM system is that it'll adapter to an ATV or dirt bike easily. No need for two mounts.

I picked it up today, now to just fiqure out how to us all of its features :crazy: .