Hand Held GPS

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coreyjhaas

New member
I am looking to buy a handheld gps to track where I have been so I know how to get home in case we get lost. I would also like to be able to program in trail maps if that is possible.

Any Advice would be welcomed!!
 
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Builder Bob

New member
For a modest cost buy a Garmin 62, if you can find one, or Garmin 64, go to GPS City for cost
For bigger and better they have that also
Trail maps are best at VV Mapping.
Comes on a SD card, plug it in, no programming, make some simple toggles on the GPS and hit the throttle.
Your limits are the batteries, AA's - keep it cold, your limited, keep it warm and (4) AA's will last a long weekend. Lithium are much better.
It will show you where you are On/Off trail, and you relationship to trails.

Do you have old Garmin Nuvi? If you are thrifty (like I am) use that. Bigger screen than a HH, Nuvi has draw backs, but can be cheap, real cheap.
VV Mapping, consider no other
 
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2TrakR

Member
Great handheld is the Garmin GPSMap 78 ($170). 60 series, eTrex, all great, but bang/buck/size/features, hard to beat the 78 for what we do. If you want a bigger screen, as other suggested, Montana is a great choice. In the grand scheme of things, the Montana is not much bigger than the 78 (or 60/64) but much bigger screen and price.
 
heckler56

heckler56

Active member
I have been running both a Etrax and 64cst. Got a great deal in Cabelas Bargain Outlet for 1/2 price new.
Like Bob says, VVMapping.
 
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Builder Bob

New member
final 2.jpg

Here is my Nuvi, very inexpensive, not hand held, you must have 12VDC when the engine is running, and the Nuvi is not waterproof.


Because I had purchased the VV mapping, previously purchased, and the sled has 12VDC, I did this for under $60, with RAM parts the most costly. I will not leave it on the sled and won't use it when raining.
 
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dawolf

New member
If you're going to use it for more than sledding think about a handheld like Garmin Oregon (lots of functions outside of sledding and tough). For sledding builder Bobs setup looks really nice.
I use my Oregon year round for trail riding motorcycles, fishing, etc. and like it alot. Not cheap though.
Ive used Red Pine and VV Mapping, I prefer VV Mapping.
 
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Builder Bob

New member
Traditionally, you buy a GPS with Street/Road maps.

When you add an SD card, (VV Mapping ie) you can toggle to used maps overlaid on each other or just one.
I do not know if Oregon has the Street/Road Maps, but the Nuvi does. As the primary purchaser uses the Nuvi in an automobile.
It is possible on the NUVI to load both sled maps & Street Maps.
VV mapping, on the sledding version, has limited Streets. In example, you can determine the road when crossing tar on the sled.
 
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Hoosier

Well-known member
Builder Bob said:
View attachment 52709

Here is my Nuvi, very inexpensive, not hand held, you must have 12VDC when the engine is running, and the Nuvi is not waterproof.


Because I had purchased the VV mapping, previously purchased, and the sled has 12VDC, I did this for under $60, with RAM parts the most costly. I will not leave it on the sled and won't use it when raining.
Click to expand...

You take the whole hood off when you're not using it?
 
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Builder Bob

New member
No, that would be dumb.
The sled is a 2015 Polaris Axys. They have made it very easy to remove the hood.

Remember most devices, such as a GPS, phone, I Pad require 5VDC. You traditionally get this from a USB cable.
If you do not have 12VDC, it is not a dead end.

Here is the back side of my GPS, on the left is a 12VDC to 5VDC/USB converter, with a special cable to power the Garmin Nuvi.
This shows what is required to stash the GPS into your pocket.
I also have a handlebar mount.

With the exception of the Nuvi, most parts are from RAM, Garmin does a poor job for mounting, as compared to RAM.
For my installation the RAM parts are the most expensive.
Nuvi Bracket, 3" arm, 1" ball.

close up final 2.jpg
 
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Modman440

New member
I use the google app tracker. I can mark certain points and it fallow every move I make. Does have trails marked on it but I at least know where I am and how to get home.

MOD
 
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Builder Bob

New member
Theft is another subject;
I talked to a guy who had engine parts stolen, while in a bar.
After they put 2 + 2, they returned to the bar to talk to a suspicious character.
He was on a cell phone watching the "move's from inside of the bar, he was to sound the alarm to the guy out in the parking lot.

I am sure the hood & 2 side panels are $800, maybe more.
Without the hood plugged in to the sled, the engine will start, but not rev high enough to engage the clutch.
 
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dawolf

New member
Builder Bob said:
Traditionally, you buy a GPS with Street/Road maps.

When you add an SD card, (VV Mapping ie) you can toggle to used maps overlaid on each other or just one.
I do not know if Oregon has the Street/Road Maps, but the Nuvi does. As the primary purchaser uses the Nuvi in an automobile.
It is possible on the NUVI to load both sled maps & Street Maps.
VV mapping, on the sledding version, has limited Streets. In example, you can determine the road when crossing tar on the sled.
Click to expand...

The Oregon does have the street maps too. The Nuvi is probably more user friendly, but Ive beat the heck out of this Oregon for 5 years and its been indestructible. Rained on, dropped in live wells, dropped on rocks etc and still works fine. My only complaint is that it does go through batteries pretty quickly.
 
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Builder Bob

New member
I am guessing, but I believe that if the Oregon has a mini USB port, then maybe it can powered by a sled.
Some GPS only have AA.
The test would be to pull the AA's, and power using a USB cable. This go from a computer USB to the mini USB on the GPS.
If the GPS cycles, it is able to be powered from the sled. (it will go into the "Update Mode, and not the Map Mode"
To power from a sled it is not easy, but if you have "the knack" it can be done!!
 
heckler56

heckler56

Active member
Builder Bob said:
I am guessing, but I believe that if the Oregon has a mini USB port, then maybe it can powered by a sled.
Some GPS only have AA.
The test would be to pull the AA's, and power using a USB cable. This go from a computer USB to the mini USB on the GPS.
If the GPS cycles, it is able to be powered from the sled. (it will go into the "Update Mode, and not the Map Mode"
To power from a sled it is not easy, but if you have "the knack" it can be done!!
Click to expand...
I have the stock Garman wire to my battery on the 60csx,. Is this not correct? I have run it that way for 3-4 yrs.
 
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