I don't know about GPS's....

But, Swede's like Cod

 

go with the yellow etrax. they are 200 in stores and you can pick one up on ebay for about 80 new. thats what i use and it is great for what we do.aint been lost yet!!!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

Ive been running a Magelllan 315 for over a year now and it seems to hold up to just about anything..lots of good ones to choose from. Garmin make some nice ones too but they seem to be more aligned with staying on roads and not so much for backcountry usage but then again i havent had one in my hand enough to say for sure..Steve

 

I have been using a Garmin eMap for three years and would not think of going out without it. Check out the GPS systems at www.garmin.com look at all the specs and find out what you want and need...BEST WAY and whatever you get it pays to have one. It will take a little study to use it..

 

I use the Etrex Legend, same as the yellow one just a little more expensive. Works great.

 

I have used both Magellan and Garmin. They do work in the cold. I carry one with me at all times along with a handheld VHF, a compass, and a small revolver. You can get by with the low cost models (like the eTrex) which are around $120. I have the Garmin Venture which has more built in memory and is WAAS enabled which gives it more precision. It cost me around $170 and is everything I need and is the best bargain for the features it has in my book. Depending on where you ride an altimeter may be useful and can be gotten as a feature for more dollars.

We ride a lot of untracked wilderness which is not accessed from parking lots - our machines are THE sole means of transportation, so GPS can come in very handy. As with any electronic device they should not be relied upon as the only means of way finding so keep that in mind but, by all means go for it!

 

I have used etrex vista for 1 year now. Best unit and always upgradable for free from the Garmin site. I use it to make my own maps. I have used magellan and lowrance but this is the best!!!!!!!!

 

I went with a Garmin GPSMAP 176...nice large screen. I want a GPS that I can view while riding, not one that you have to stop and pull out of your pocket.

 

I bought the Etrex Legend....used it over the summer and worked great.....havent used it on the sled yet but i am sure it will work great!!!

 

I have used the etrex VISTA fro several years. It has the most memory for downloadable maps in the etrex series. I download the TOPO maps for the area I am going to be using it in. I can get all of the snowmobiling area in the Northeast from Maine down trough Pennsylvania loaded into it. Because it has downloadable memory I can also get operating system upgrades free from Garmin.

A big bonus in this model, is that it is waterproof. It meets a tighter spec. than all of the other etrex models.

 

Garmin makes new model that is combined with a walkie-talkie. When your with a buddie and you stop to talk, you will get a bearing and distance to each other. There's a regular model and a super dooper one with more memory. It sounds as if they have most if not all the features of the ones mentioned above. Check out their website.

 

A revolver??

 

What kind of revolver? For taking small game or the "stay away from me" kind?

 

Forgot to add that I use a Lowrance Global Map 100 Plus.

Pros:
- fast acquisition times
- lots of features
- accuracy

Cons:
- a little big\heavy
- only 1 M for map uploads. I'd like to be able to load all of NH, ME, VT and MA into it at one time.

For the money, I think the eTrex Legend or Vista would be the best choice. I'd go with the Vista for extra memory and altimeter. There are good deals on ebay.

 

I use the 315 as well. It works great for me and what I use it for.

 

The revolver, etc fit in the vest radio "bra" I wear. Handy to carry for possible munchables should a guy find himself 60 or 80 miles from help for a couple of days which isn't too difficult to imagine in this part of the world. Of course, we almost always have a sled in tow as well with a pair of snowshoes tied on board it or the snowmachine.

 

I have a e-trex the blue one I have yet to get the maps for it yet. How do you power the gps. Mine eats batterys I wanted to put a 12 volt supply on but havent found one for my 98 mach Z does anyone know the part number for doo for this its non battery sled. They have a kit for sled with batterys

Thanks
Duane

 

Try out Casios watch-gps. Easy to bring.

 

RWS,

I was lookin at a Garmin 3 or 5 for my sled. I too want it on the dash with my gauges. Did you hardwire your base to your sled's electrical system? I heard that LCD screens freeze up below zero.

any ideas? how much did you spend on this unit? which model is it?

 

If a GPS mounted on the dash is functional you're either driving too slow or the trail is way too well groomed precluding the need for the device anyway. A GPS does not work well when it gets cold and it will eat batteries faster if it is. Since you can really read them while traveling anyway there is no reason not to wear them inside a coat. Unless you're mapping with it it doesn't need to stay on all the time. Besides, if you're using the mapping function to get you back home you're really hanging your rear end out on a limb. It's much better to use a GPS as a tool to help determine your present location. Certain waypoints may be marked as well as notes on the note screen if there are questionable points in the navigation. A GPS does not take long to find its location when it is used periodlically during the day. I would not rely simply on the electronic device anyway. Bring a small compass as backup.

 

WoodyCam

I just recently moved the Garmin 176 from the dash up to the handlebars...I welded a small flatbar to the handlebar crosspiece for a point to attach the SlipStreamer universal mount to. As you can see it is powered off the sled...don't have to worry about AA's. I also used a Marinco 12v (from Cabela's)weatherproof and locking plug/receptacle (prevents plug from backing out from vibration or bumps and losing power). As far as the screen going blank in the cold...if you turn the contrast way up and have the backlight on it will stay visable to about - 10F...On occasions I have lost the screen I simply stop, put a warm hand across the LCD for 30 seconds and it comes right back to take a reading. The Garmin 176 cost me $439. With detailed uploaded maps from MapSource Roads & Rec and a LARGE screen it makes a great unit for cross country riding.

 

So, if you had batteries in it, they'd work for when you remove the unit and take it inside overnight or when eating. Nice, very nice!!

I just want one because I'm always stuck in back and really don't have to worry about where we are, so I get turned around. I did mount a compass on my sled last year which greatly helped us out in Colorado when we were there for our first trip.

I really like what you have done. Good work. I think that if I had that along with the digital speedo on my Viper, it'd really look slick.

thanks