Gps

Wong

Member
I am interested in getting a GPS for my snowmobile. I would really like a GPS unit that I could download the Polaris Ride Command App on. I know nothing about GPS's, so any information would be helpful.
 

harski

Member
I use a Garmin Drive 60LM, VV mapping, power cord, and RAM Mount Universal X-Grip IV Cradle.<br>
Works great! <br>
<a href="https://www.vvmapping.com/" target="_blank">https://www.vvmapping.com/</a>
<br><br>This  ^^^^^^ x100.   You could download PRC on your phone and track at lunch breaks etc.....  Or get a dual USB plug and keep your phone connected in the glove box.  <br>
<br>
 

Wong

Member
<br><br>This* ^^^^^^ x100.* *You could download PRC on your phone and track at lunch breaks etc.....* Or get a dual USB plug and keep your phone connected in the glove box.**<br>
<br>

I thought about using my phone but I would really like to have a dedicated GPS with the Polaris Ride Command loaded on it.
 

heckler56

Active member
Maybe take a look at what Polaris sells for their sleds or UTVs as a gps. Generally I see Garmin Montana handheld (mounted with RAM mounts). Not sure what larger screen Garmin’s they use.
 

snowfish

Member
Ride command is a phone app or for certian Polaris gauges.
It can not be down loaded to a GPS.
Garmin ZumoXT has the largest daylight viewable screen. Next would be the Garmin Montana.
Both are tolerant to cold and are water proof to 3ft for 30 minutes.
Still a good idea to have them plugged in to keep the back light on & never run out of battery.
They will get sluggish when riding colder than -5f for long periods. Again, always plugged in.
There is a point where the battery will not charge because of the cold. Like -10f to -15f or so.
VV Maps, loaded into your ZumoXT or Montana is light years better than Ride Command to date.
Simple, user friendly, easy to view with as much, or little, detail as you want.
DayLight viewable is a big one. Automotive GPS's, and the 7's gauges, wash out horribly in sunlight. Not the Garmin ZumoXT or Montana.
Use the Ride Command phone app, log your group in, to keep track of riders if you like.
Your best money is spent on a Garmin ZumoXT or Montana for accurate, with VV Mapping, for easy to view & accurate mapping.
 

lofsfire

Active member
You specifically asked about Polaris Ride Command App. You would need a smart phone. It would not necessarily need service as snowfish said it is a phone app.&nbsp; You could set up an old phone to run PRC and setup your phone as a hotspot and then connect to that via WIFI. this would use the battery faster. A prepaid phone could work too since you might only need it for a few months at a time.&nbsp;<br><br>With all that said Garmin "Tread" series does the group ride and will track others with the same system just like PRC. But its not cheep...&nbsp;<br><br><br><font face="Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif">The other</font>&nbsp;choices above are great too. or most old cheap GPS will work too but with limitation noted above. You end up loading the VV mapping software over the installed mapping data anyways.&nbsp; Get the largest you can fit in a good viewing spot on your sled. 5" to 6" seem to be good.&nbsp;<br><br><br>Personally what I use is a&nbsp;Garmin Nuvi 2555&nbsp; (5" screen) with a mount from amazon. I run the&nbsp;Polaris Ride Command App on my phone in my pocket and track the ride. If your with a group you can set up a group ride and see were everyone is on the map as well.&nbsp;<br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;">Mount (there are lots of different styles it will depend on your sled and where you want to mount it.</span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/RAM-Zinc-Coated-U-Bolt-Mounting/dp/B0012TWRAO/ref=pd_bxgy_img_1/144-9412385-9884547?pd_rd_w=uHi0d&amp;pf_rd_p=c64372fa-c41c-422e-990d-9e034f73989b&amp;pf_rd_r=P2NBANARAJ2BR7K1PMS9&amp;pd_rd_r=bdd3faf9-f68b-4432-be3f-78c67a33d403&amp;pd_rd_wg=zmdMY&amp;pd_rd_i=B0012TWRAO&amp;psc=1" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/RAM-Zinc-Coated-U-Bolt-Mounting/dp/B0012TWRAO/ref%3Dpd_bxgy_img_1/144-9412385-9884547?pd_rd_w%3DuHi0d%26pf_rd_p%3Dc64372fa-c41c-422e-990d-9e034f73989b%26pf_rd_r%3DP2NBANARAJ2BR7K1PMS9%26pd_rd_r%3Dbdd3faf9-f68b-4432-be3f-78c67a33d403%26pd_rd_wg%3DzmdMY%26pd_rd_i%3DB0012TWRAO%26psc%3D1&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1631556601011000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGLAzdH27mwYvH_MKGaJauNu4MozQ">https://www.amazon.com/RAM-<wbr>Zinc-Coated-U-Bolt-Mounting/<wbr>dp/B0012TWRAO/ref=pd_bxgy_img_<wbr>1/144-9412385-9884547?pd_rd_w=<wbr>uHi0d&amp;pf_rd_p=c64372fa-c41c-<wbr>422e-990d-9e034f73989b&amp;pf_rd_<wbr>r=P2NBANARAJ2BR7K1PMS9&amp;pd_rd_<wbr>r=bdd3faf9-f68b-4432-be3f-<wbr>78c67a33d403&amp;pd_rd_wg=zmdMY&amp;<wbr>pd_rd_i=B0012TWRAO&amp;psc=1</a></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;">Case (They have some of these with handlebar mounts include. Do NOT buy them they are meant for a bicycle. They will not take a beating on a rough trail.)&nbsp;</span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AZ7YCGG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AZ7YCGG/ref%3Dppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie%3DUTF8%26psc%3D1&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1631556601011000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGXHTRX5fxxcpIN7NOc_xp-M5_Yog">https://www.amazon.com/gp/<wbr>product/B00AZ7YCGG/ref=ppx_yo_<wbr>dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=<wbr>UTF8&amp;psc=1</a></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;">Lastly,&nbsp;</span>you will need a hardwire kit, the batteries will not last on the GPS units in the cold. Search Amazon for a hard wire kit for whatever GPS you decide to go with. Put you phone in a thin&nbsp;beer koozie in you pocket and the battery will last like it does under normal use.<br><img src="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=63317&amp;stc=1" attachmentid="63317" alt="" id="vbattach_63317" class="previewthumb"><img src="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=63316&amp;stc=1" attachmentid="63316" alt="" id="vbattach_63316" class="previewthumb">
 

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lofsfire

Active member
I give up! If I post anything other than text it I seams to throw all the code in the line like above... 
 

turbo420

New member
VVmapping maybe great for the UP and maybe the Northwoods but not for Crawford County Wi it shows the trails but not even close to right location it seems that VVmapping does not have it Gps in my County. Trakmaps seems to have it gps here and Trakmaps will send you a Screenshot of any location you choose so you can have look before you buy the map.
 

heckler56

Active member
VVmapping maybe great for the UP and maybe the Northwoods but not for Crawford County Wi it shows the trails but not even close to right location it seems that VVmapping does not have it Gps in my County. Trakmaps seems to have it gps here and Trakmaps will send you a Screenshot of any location you choose so you can have look before you buy the map.
<br><br>I send any trail variations to VVmapping and they end up in the next update. For the $10 annual renewal it continues to be a good source for multiple activities. If you actually own the software, send in your results and you might get a renewal free. <br>
<br>
 

snowfish

Member
I like how the Trakmaps video shows a Garmin Montana. This should tell us something. Montana or ZumoXT is best for outside navigation.
VVmapping, and Trakmaps, gets trail information from us. The snowmobilers. Trails are changing constantly. Both seem to have a pretty good handle on it.
One thing I like about the VV maps is the trails are Yellow with Red piping.
Trakmaps, RedPine that nobody even uses anymore, and Ride Command have Blue trails. Not good for lake crossings or "viewing at a glance" navigation.
In the past 20,000+ miles I've landed on the Garmin Montana or ZumoXT, loaded with VV Maps, for the best, easiest, and most user friendly trail guidance.
 

lofsfire

Active member
Pics are no fun either, haven't put one up in four years..



Bear



Here is what I was trying to post:

I am interested in getting a GPS for my snowmobile. I would really like a GPS unit that I could download the Polaris Ride Command App on. I know nothing about GPS's, so any information would be helpful.

You specifically asked about Polaris Ride Command App. You would need an old smart phone. It would not necessarily need service. You could set your regular phone up as a hotspot and that connect to that via WIFI. this would use the battery faster. A prepaid phone could work too.

With all that said Garmin "Tread" series does the group ride and will track others with the same system. But its not cheep...


I use a Garmin Drive 60LM, VV mapping, power cord, and RAM Mount Universal X-Grip IV Cradle.
Works great!
https://www.vvmapping.com/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.vvmapping.com/&source=gmail&ust=1631668836497000&usg=AFQjCNE3--RzCv8ZWjKRLsE-wbxuWY1pBw">https://www.vvmapping.com/[/<wbr>QUOTE]

This is a great choice too. or most old cheap GPS will work too. You end up loading the VV mapping software over the installed mapping data anyways. Get the largest you can fit in a good viewing spot on your sled. 5" to 6" seem to be good.


Personally what I use is a Garmin Nuvi 2555 (5" screen) with a mount from amazon. I run the Polaris Ride Command App on my phone in my pocket and track the ride. If you are with a group you can set up a group ride and see where everyone is on the map as well.

Mount (there are lots of different styles it will depend on your sled and where you want to mount it.
(links still wont work, sorry.)

Case (They have some of these with handlebar mounts include. Do NOT buy them they are meant for a bicycle. They will not take a beating on a rough trail.)
(links still wont work, sorry.)

Lastly, you will need a hardwire kit, the batteries will not last on the GPS units in the cold. Search Amazon for a hard wire kit for whatever GPS you decide to go with. Another tip is to put your phone in a thin beer koozie in you pocket and the battery will last like it does under normal use.
 

eao

Active member
It would not necessarily need service.
<br>Yes you need service or it won't give you your location or update a location. Been there, all it will say is No Data, so you need a cell phone data pkg. 
 

lofsfire

Active member
<br>Yes you need service or it won't give you your location or update a location. Been there, all it will say is No Data, so you need a cell phone data pkg. 
<br><br>EAO you missed part of my comment, which changes what I was saying.  What I'm saying is you phone does not have to have a cellular data package to work with PRC. Yes, you are 100% correct PRC will not work if data is not available to the phone. How that data gets to the phone is your choice.  Do you mind free and a few hoops to jump through or pay a some and make it easier? I was just point out an option for ways to get data to the phone. <br><br>I the case above, maybe I was not clear, but what I was trying to get across was. The person would have two phones and old one with no service from a cell phone provider and their everyday phone with service. The everyday phone would then be set up as a WIFI hotspot. The old phone would be dedicated for PRC you could mount it on the sled etc. The way it would get its data is connecting to the everyday phones WIFI connection. <br><br>This can be tested if you have two phones, set one up as a hotspot. Put other in airplane mode and turn on the WIFI and connect to the hotspot (Some phone may require you turn your GPS back on as well.) I did this for years with my kids tablets for movies in the car etc. I also have a great aunt that is 92 years old, she really does not leave her house unless one of the family members picks her up. (She just stop driving last year.) I setup and old phone for her and she uses it like a tablet. The family can send her pictures, video call, games, browse the net etc. I even sent up a Google number for her on the phone. As long as she has WIFI in the house she can get text messages and calls via that number as well. <br>
<br>
 

latner

Active member
No, you don't need cell service to use your phone with PRC. You have to download the maps to your phone for offline use, then GPS takes over...at least it works for me.
 

snomoman

Active member
I don’t know if I’m just too old to adapt to more modern technology or what, just too complicated and expensive for my liking I guess, besides I don’t even use a map anymore, I’ve had all the trails memorized years ago, there are just so many trails out there where I ride. I’ll buy a map every season just to donate to the cause, usually glancing over it to see if there’s any changes and bring it along just for the heck of it, usually have to share with the people that are lost as to where they’re at ..ha ha, maybe I might need it for kindling to start a fire, I don’t know
 
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lofsfire

Active member
No, you don't need cell service to use your phone with PRC. You have to download the maps to your phone for offline use, then GPS takes over...at least it works for me.

Thanks I didn't even know that feature was there. Guess I've never needed to use it so I never looked for it. It would of course limit what you can do with the app. But that would be expected.

Snowman I personally like more for tracking. As far as using the actual GPS it depends. Some areas I know very well others only ride every now and then or haven't ridden at all then I use it more. In Cadillac Michigan it doesn't matter where I'm at I know most turns and shortcuts roads that will have snow roads that won't depending on conditions, etc. There are a few spots on Forest roads that it's nice being able to jump off and go check out and know right where you're going to pop out at or at least how to get back to where you want when the Forest road takes an unexpected turn.
 
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