justdiggen
New member
I know this has been covered before, but what is the best GPS for sledding? Large screen, ease of use, and durability are my main requirements. Thank you
Best GPS for sled
- Thread starter justdiggen
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polarisrider1
New member
Lowrance XOG, waterproof is important.
I have a Garmin nuvi 350 for driving. I do know that version goes through the batteries pretty quickly. (like 3 hours) and has to be recharged.
looks like the Nuvi 500 is a neat little GPS. Just read about it. Maybe a good miggle of the road GPS. It look like you can do the inland lake maps on it also.
revman, Blooming Prairie huh? Awesome Blossoms! My wifes family if from there.
looks like the Nuvi 500 is a neat little GPS. Just read about it. Maybe a good miggle of the road GPS. It look like you can do the inland lake maps on it also.
revman, Blooming Prairie huh? Awesome Blossoms! My wifes family if from there.
polarisrider1
New member
revman, I went online and found a store that sold all the accesories for Lowrance. I ordered a dash mount that I bolted to my sled dash (small screws)and I got a 12 volt wiring harness (plug end that fits into gps and no cig. lighter end on the other end) The mount was $12 and the wiring end was $8 and some shipping. Since I have added a cig./acc. socket from NAPA and use the cig.adapter for power. Its easier and quicker to remove that way. It is also nice if your cell phone goes dead, you got a place to plug in. Polaris wiring harnesses are sweet to hook into. You get everything with a stock harness to add accesories to. Lots of places to tap into for 12 volts. My renegade I just tapped off the battery with a .5amp fuse inline. My RMK doesn't have a battery per se so GPS runs on its own Battery when sled is turned off. Very simple to do.
Revman, you can still run your 12v off the REV, at least while the engine is running anyway. When you turn the sled off and want to keep the GPS on you are usually alerted to the loss of power and are requested to run on batteries or turn off.
I ran a Zumo 550 that way for a year but decided to go with a Etrex Vista HcX on the sled and run it on lithiums. Works great. The screen is small but I don't view unless stopped anyway. Easy to remove and put in my pocket at stops for dinner etc...
You could also go this route if a battery is preferred on the REV.
http://snobunje.com/store.php?crn=72&rn=332&action=show_detail
Just a thought.....
I ran a Zumo 550 that way for a year but decided to go with a Etrex Vista HcX on the sled and run it on lithiums. Works great. The screen is small but I don't view unless stopped anyway. Easy to remove and put in my pocket at stops for dinner etc...
You could also go this route if a battery is preferred on the REV.
http://snobunje.com/store.php?crn=72&rn=332&action=show_detail
Just a thought.....
The NUVI 500 comes with a 12V plug. I have a T660ST, so I plug it in when riding. I never thought the battery would hold up all day in the cold.. plus it is plenty charge to view when inside, at night, etc.
I don't know exactly what you mean about lake use.. I believe I could drive across a lake (that I know) in pitch black in white out with it..
In fact.. this partly the reason I got it. I have 3 times needed to cross lakes in white out conditions(where you can't see the markers, until your 10 feet from them) Needless to say, with this, you can either follow your "Track" (I put the tracking on) So it's like leaving a popcorn trail.. you can follow back.
I don't know exactly what you mean about lake use.. I believe I could drive across a lake (that I know) in pitch black in white out with it..
In fact.. this partly the reason I got it. I have 3 times needed to cross lakes in white out conditions(where you can't see the markers, until your 10 feet from them) Needless to say, with this, you can either follow your "Track" (I put the tracking on) So it's like leaving a popcorn trail.. you can follow back.
snowfish
Member
Ubee, the Nuvi 500 would work fine for you lake maps here in the states. Mark your spot, name it, go back again later.
However, the only Canadian Lake Maps,(I know you fish and sled there) that I found are by Navionics. Not compatible with Garmin as far as I know.
The Lowrance XOG is Navionics compatible. But I Would Not recommend it for primarily lake use. The little XOG has bread crumbing problems. Can't handle the data like the Garmins or higher end Lowrances.
Don't get me wrong. The XOG is a great unit as long as you're traveling faster than 3-5mph. Not good for working a break, hump, or point. The tracks will straight line.
Plus, with Garmins, you can get the snowmobile trail overlays. That way you can see the trails & lake contours. The XOG will not let you do that. When I sled, I have the trail map chip in. When I go fishing, I put the Lakemaster chip it.
I can elaborate more if you like.
However, the only Canadian Lake Maps,(I know you fish and sled there) that I found are by Navionics. Not compatible with Garmin as far as I know.
The Lowrance XOG is Navionics compatible. But I Would Not recommend it for primarily lake use. The little XOG has bread crumbing problems. Can't handle the data like the Garmins or higher end Lowrances.
Don't get me wrong. The XOG is a great unit as long as you're traveling faster than 3-5mph. Not good for working a break, hump, or point. The tracks will straight line.
Plus, with Garmins, you can get the snowmobile trail overlays. That way you can see the trails & lake contours. The XOG will not let you do that. When I sled, I have the trail map chip in. When I go fishing, I put the Lakemaster chip it.
I can elaborate more if you like.
polarisrider1
New member
snowfish, what are you saying? I have the Lowrance XOG and it is doing none of the things you list. I have snowmobile trail map overlays for Michigan and Wyoming that don't even require an SD card. Topo maps for Wyoming. It works fantastic on my boat, truck and sled. You leave me comfused. It shows detail that is unimaginable. Creeks that are 1 foot wide,etc. XOG model has been discountinued. They are out there. Google them. I bought mine 1 1/2 yrs.ago and it has not missed a beat. Paid only $118 not $500 plus like others. It is in color, touch screen and waterproof. The screen is the size of your average Tom tom. I use it every day. No Problem with the bread crumbs either. No problems period.
polarisrider1
New member
I got my GPS maps for free at www.gpssledmaps.com The topo maps from Lowrance. Topos are purchased by the size of an area. snowfish, I am not sure what a break, hump or point is at 3-5 miles per hour. It must be fishing with a trolling motor as far as I can figure. I guess I am thinking that the lake is frozen and we are blasting accross it on a sled in this forum. I have never used my unit for trolling. I have been refering to the topic "Best GPS for a sled". For the money and its offerings I stick with Lowrance for sledding.
chords
Active member
Any GPS will mark lake spots or land and be accurate summer or winter. Assuming you can find the lake w/o one. I have marked dropoffs in the boat and been within a few feet on ice using the compass feature. And in whiteout or pitchblack, if ya know the lake or not, a GPS wont help if 1/2 mi out you hit 12" slush. Big difference knowing the lake and lake conditions.
B
babbaboo
Guest
How good is the signal on a Nuvi 500 through the MI trails with all the trees? The 60csx has a nice receiver which should not lose signal as easy. I am curious how well these units actually work if your offtrail and need to find your way back to a main trail. I like the idea of the Nuvi 500 for use in the car or on the sled but it does not seem it would work all that well on the trails.
cuzzinolaf
Well-known member
I use a basic eTrex and it works great. As long as I have my breadcrumb trail I'm good. All the other stuff is nice but I don't feel I need it.
$75 GPS, $30 Ram Mount... and some lithium batteries.
I'm good to go.
$75 GPS, $30 Ram Mount... and some lithium batteries.
I'm good to go.
polarisrider1
New member
cuzz, I got with Andy and told him I will mark trails in Dec. at Tog. on GPS with guide. I will set routes so we can hit the good stuff again in Jan. without getting lost. Some of my most favorite spots at Tog. I don't even know how to get to without a guide. Dry Lake, Drag race hill, etc. My Lowrance XOG will let me set tracks and save routes. Sweet! Now I just need my kids to show me how to do it!
snowfish
Member
The Lowrance XOG is a great value. Hands down the best bang for the buck for Sledding, Boating(not fishing), & Auto, IMO.
My comment was mainly directed a Mr. Ubee's inquiry about lake use. The XOG does not have track smoothing, like the larger Lowrance units, that allows it to bread crumb at low speeds when using the trolling motor.
I stand corrected, Polarisrider1, about the trail overlays. Your Lowrance download changed the base map so the overlay works. I had thought of doing that too, but having the Topo and Lakemaster lake contours (below water topo) displayed simultaneously would be way too much information to view. Switching between the gpssledmaps full version and Lakemaster chips, depending upon what I'm doing, keeps things uncluttered.
Garmins sunlight viewable screen is a plus too. The XOG washes out when in direct sunlight. Not a problem on the sled. Either hold your hand over the screen or turn a little so the sun isn't shining directly on it. This can be a problem when working a feature on the lake during open water.
For Sledding, General boating, and Auto use, the XOG has the rest beat, dollar for dollar. Except for a couple minor "hair spitting" issues outlined above and in previous post.
The XOG is water resistant. Many Garmins can be totally dunked and still be fine. Don't dunk an XOG. Especially with the power cord plugged in.
We all have to come to a balance of "what we can live with" and how much to spend for things "we can't live without". Cheers
My comment was mainly directed a Mr. Ubee's inquiry about lake use. The XOG does not have track smoothing, like the larger Lowrance units, that allows it to bread crumb at low speeds when using the trolling motor.
I stand corrected, Polarisrider1, about the trail overlays. Your Lowrance download changed the base map so the overlay works. I had thought of doing that too, but having the Topo and Lakemaster lake contours (below water topo) displayed simultaneously would be way too much information to view. Switching between the gpssledmaps full version and Lakemaster chips, depending upon what I'm doing, keeps things uncluttered.
Garmins sunlight viewable screen is a plus too. The XOG washes out when in direct sunlight. Not a problem on the sled. Either hold your hand over the screen or turn a little so the sun isn't shining directly on it. This can be a problem when working a feature on the lake during open water.
For Sledding, General boating, and Auto use, the XOG has the rest beat, dollar for dollar. Except for a couple minor "hair spitting" issues outlined above and in previous post.
The XOG is water resistant. Many Garmins can be totally dunked and still be fine. Don't dunk an XOG. Especially with the power cord plugged in.
We all have to come to a balance of "what we can live with" and how much to spend for things "we can't live without". Cheers