snowmobile GPS
- Thread starter f6retro
- Start date
anonomoose
New member
If you do a search on this forum, late last fall early winter, there was some topics covering this question.
I believe some fellas have some nice overlays with existing snowmobile trails which you can load on to your GPS, which would be highly desireable if you plan on using the GPS for sledding and ATV use in the Upper Pen., maybe other areas and states too.
Seems to me that the uploads were free, but I might be mistaken on that one.
I own the Garmin, and am pretty happy with it....use it for snowmo, atv, bike, and car....it works fine. My model is also voice activated (855) so i can voice input rather than have to use the touch screen. Voice is useless for all but the car/truck...but I use it most there so I paid a bit more for it for that reason.
Once you get one and use it, you will wonder how you got along without it.
BTW, welkum to JD....
I believe some fellas have some nice overlays with existing snowmobile trails which you can load on to your GPS, which would be highly desireable if you plan on using the GPS for sledding and ATV use in the Upper Pen., maybe other areas and states too.
Seems to me that the uploads were free, but I might be mistaken on that one.
I own the Garmin, and am pretty happy with it....use it for snowmo, atv, bike, and car....it works fine. My model is also voice activated (855) so i can voice input rather than have to use the touch screen. Voice is useless for all but the car/truck...but I use it most there so I paid a bit more for it for that reason.
Once you get one and use it, you will wonder how you got along without it.
BTW, welkum to JD....
I have been running a Garmin Nuvi 500 for about 4 years now and love it. I use it in my truck on the way up take it out the truck put it on my sled or side by and away I go. its waterproof and can take a beating. I have some back round with the garmin 60 that my dad uses bear hunting but love the ease of use the nuvi with large color screen. it is easy to see on the fly! there is a learning curve as with anything IF you should go down this road feel free to ask any questions. Also I run vvmapping.com trail maps. His maps a routable as well. Happy hunting let us know what you pick out.
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X2 with "local897" Garmin Nuvi 500! I have used it on my Snowmobile, ATV, Kayak, Bike and before I had Nav in my Truck I used it in it also. I also use the VVMapping (Great Deal and great people) for my Snowmobile/ATV Maps. They are perfect! I have used my Nuvi 500 in 5 deg. temps on my sled on the bumpiest trails and on 100 deg. days on my ATV. I have used it in rain, snow, & sleet without issue. The Garmin handle bar mount is cheap enough ($24 on ebay) for me to have one on each of my machines.
If you have any questions feel free to email or call me!
Pat
pnljackman@aol.com
586-863-7333
If you have any questions feel free to email or call me!
Pat
pnljackman@aol.com
586-863-7333
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cuzzinolaf
Well-known member
I have been using a basic ETrek Legend for the last 4 years and it works great. You can get one new for less than $75, add the trail maps and a RAM mount for $25 and you'll be set. The nice ones aren't bad but all I gotta do is throw new double AA Lithium batteries in mine a few times a season and I'm good to go.
"f6retro" I just checked on line and found the Garmin Nuvi's priced at $169 and up. Forgot to mention that you can add the "Blue Chart" to the 500 and it will give you detailed navigation & depth's for boating! I bought my Nuvi 500 at West Marine for $99.00 and then got another $20.00 off because it was the floor model! YES $79.00!!!
I would try to get a large screen GPS just for the reason that you can see whats coming ahead without having to scroll or magnify for detail. Its nice to know that you have a hair pin turn or that there is a nice lake to look at off to your left that you would not see otherwise. I see allot more both on my sled and ATV because of the GPS. It has changed the way I ride and what I see!
Its not just for finding your way but for seeing what you have been missing.
Pat
I would try to get a large screen GPS just for the reason that you can see whats coming ahead without having to scroll or magnify for detail. Its nice to know that you have a hair pin turn or that there is a nice lake to look at off to your left that you would not see otherwise. I see allot more both on my sled and ATV because of the GPS. It has changed the way I ride and what I see!
Its not just for finding your way but for seeing what you have been missing.
Pat
Thanks everyone ! Does anyone know if a person can get GPS maps of Bayfield,Ashland, and Sawyer countys in Wisconsin? That is where we normally trail ride on snowmobiles and ATV`s. Sorry, but I am new to all this and just think it would be nice to not be pulling out maps all the time .
Wisconsin is a hard state to map cuz of its reroutes and trail changes! I know that vvmapping doesnt have WI cuz of the changes but Redpinemapping.com has WI and from his screen shots looks to be a very nice map! I dont ride WI with my sled so I havent had to look for a map. The MI maps on the other hand dont change much so I would have to say every ones MIGHT be the same. I know that with vvmapping it shows all the forest roads and forest land is green and easy to see thought I was going to not like it becuse it over rides the topo map. I am a boondocker and lived but the topo then I got away from it and only use it on my computer for scouting with Goggle Earth. Find what you like and run with it there is alot of use out here with different gps that are willing to help with any question so dont be afraid to ask. The only dump question is an unasked one!
www.Redpinemapping.com snap shot of Lac Du Flambeau. its in the upper left hand so you can get your bearings. or http://www.redpinemapping.com/images/screenshots/wi_ms_1.jpg
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Not Sure You Need GPS?
Bayfield, Ashland & Sawyer trails all marked very well & when you have a reoute which is every year you just roll with it. I find a compass more useful for quick sanity trail checks & don't do that very often. It is an adventure & your are supposed to get lost once in a while & sometimes find the best trails that way. If you are riding off trail that is another matter but I usually follow my tracks in & out but yes you can get turned around out there. I would not trail ride with eyes glued to GPS kinda missing the point of enjoying the winter world. I have a Garmin GPS nothing fancy $75 at Big Lots & could take it in my pocket but don't. If every tree & trail looks the same to you then you need a GPS. But take it off sled at every bar, grill & motel or someone else will be using it.
I have a buddy that is lost 99% of the time no idea where he is or has been.........no trail imprint it all looks the same to him. If you have limited trail imprint by all means buy a GPS but remember Lewis & Clark did ok by seat of the pants too.
Bayfield, Ashland & Sawyer trails all marked very well & when you have a reoute which is every year you just roll with it. I find a compass more useful for quick sanity trail checks & don't do that very often. It is an adventure & your are supposed to get lost once in a while & sometimes find the best trails that way. If you are riding off trail that is another matter but I usually follow my tracks in & out but yes you can get turned around out there. I would not trail ride with eyes glued to GPS kinda missing the point of enjoying the winter world. I have a Garmin GPS nothing fancy $75 at Big Lots & could take it in my pocket but don't. If every tree & trail looks the same to you then you need a GPS. But take it off sled at every bar, grill & motel or someone else will be using it.
I have a buddy that is lost 99% of the time no idea where he is or has been.........no trail imprint it all looks the same to him. If you have limited trail imprint by all means buy a GPS but remember Lewis & Clark did ok by seat of the pants too.Don't think that just because you get a gps that you won't need a map. You still have to have an idea of where you want to go. About the only thing I've found a gps is good for is finding your location so you can reference your map to find out where you are and where you need to go. It helps if you're off trail too or on roads and what not.
I have a Garmin Zumo 220 with the redpinemapping. It's a waterproof motorcycle unit that I use for the truck, car, snowmobile, hiking, and Rzr.
squarepants2
New member
nuvi 500 is a great one and you can go to sled gps.com and get trail maps on a memory card. I ride in up and maps are really awesome. You always know where you are. Good luck !
Thanks everyone ! Does anyone know of a place that I can get a Garmin nuvi 500 for less than $279 (ebay) ? I was wondering if I need a waterproof motorcycle mount 265WT to keep the the garmin from getting totally wet and muddy while riding ATV. Do the Garmins usually come with a car charger? My snowmobile and ATV both have accessory plugs.
squarepants2
New member
I got my maps at sled gps for 60 dollars. memory card includes all of michigan. all of wisconsin,illinois. ohio. and indiana and I think part of canada. I have not ridden in wisconsin yet. michigans are great, so I would think that wisconsin would be great. You can email people at sled gps and they will answer any questions you may have. We have some trails here in indiana and maps are really good. I don't use them much cause lack of snow!
squarepants2
New member
Go to gps city.com The nuvi 500 is 254.95. Think shipping is either free or only 1.49. Unit comes with streets and cities and topographical maps preloaded. They also have ram mounts to mount to bars. The unit is waterproof so you sont need a case. If you have any questions scott 574-453-7212.