What maps are you using for your GPS downloads ?

ssdsts24

Member
Looking to see what people are using GPS trail maps for snowmobiling in Wisconsin and the UP. And I would like them to show logging roads back roads also. I see a web site for Red Pine and also VVmaping. I will be using a Garmin Montana.
 

Clintondf

Member
I bought a used garmin nuvi 1490. Purchased vv mapping. Sd card or downloadable. Plan to use for first time in about 38 hours!! In west up.
 

Hoosier

Well-known member
500 miles with my garmin nuvi 1490 and vv mapping. Excellent. Worked flawlessly. Highly recommend.

Did you hardwire it in or run it on batteries? Did it have any issues with the cold? I've wondered how the Garmins designed to work in cars work out in the cold. The "outdoor" ones are almost ridiculously expensive, if you want a good sized screen. Hard to justify with how technology changes. I have a Garmin 60 csx, which works great, but the screen is too small. The Montana is the outdoor unit with a good sized screen, but that's around $600.
 

rodehard

New member
I use a Garmin 276c with Red Pine Mapping. A discontinued model but it works great; pretty easy to find on ebay. Nice big screen. I have it hardwired on a Garmin marine mount and I take it in with me when I stop. The software/mapping is outstanding. I have used this combination since 2007.
 

ssdsts24

Member
Hoosier I hear you on the $600. But I got lucky found one on Craig's list that was only 3 months old they used it one a hiking trip and said it was to heavy for them . 1/3 the price of new


Did you hardwire it in or run it on batteries? Did it have any issues with the cold? I've wondered how the Garmins designed to work in cars work out in the cold. The "outdoor" ones are almost ridiculously expensive, if you want a good sized screen. Hard to justify with how technology changes. I have a Garmin 60 csx, which works great, but the screen is too small. The Montana is the outdoor unit with a good sized screen, but that's around $600.
 

Stealthy1

New member
Garmin Montana

The Montana can be used in the car, motorcycle, snowmobile, etc. The mounts available from garmin are very tough, I have crashed my dirt bike, barrel rolled my sled about 10 times down a hill out west without breaking the mount. Garmin makes an auto mount with a speaker also, and in conjunction with City Navigator it is easy to use. Montana has different profiles you can set up to use for offroad or highway. I use VVmaping for ATV trails and snowmobiling.
 

Clintondf

Member
Cold was no issue with the nuvi 1490. Only time i took it indoors was a night. I ran it off the charging cable to my cig plug adapter on my apex. 4" screen. Plenty big. I velcroed it to my handle bar pad. Worked perfect. And to be safe i took clear silicone caulk and layed a tiny bead around the seames on the gps. Then put a piece of scotch tape pver the power button in case of a wet snow condition. But this setup worked flawlessly. I was impressed. Highly recommend.
My internal battery is pretty much shot but as long as its plugged into a power source its a nOn issue. When i shut the sled off the gps has an option to power off or remain on. Or it powers off automatically after 30 seconds. But when you restart sled it powers back on and takes about 30 seconds to boot up and load maps. And your good to go. Always had gps signal. It also will auto adjust the zoo
Based on speed. So if you are going slow it zooms in close for more detail. If you go faster, like 60-70mph it zooms out further so you can see more on the map. I love it.
 
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meathead

New member
That's GREAT to hear. I wonder what else people are using for maps on their GPS ?

TO ALL ,just got a{ smarter than me phone } and was wondering if I could set it up for ridin ,or does it not like the cold? Ithinkthe apps would be OK but for all the B/Swould I be just mad in the end? MEATHEAD
 

Clintondf

Member
You could run polaris snow trails app on your phone. Not sure that it will be better than vv mapping. And cold may not be issue as long as you leave it charging on your sled while riding. They make cig lighter/charger outlets that can be wired on to your sled if you dont have a factory dc / cig lighter port.
 

heckler56

Well-known member
Purchased VVmapping last year and use it on a CSX hard wired to my sled. The only time it was off was the trail from Marquette to Big Bay since they re-routed the trail last season. After my trip I sent it into them to and they sent everyone out an update.
 
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