Hello from Arizona

tdshepard · 06-16-2008, 11:14 AM

We have a new Jeep Wrangler and love to explore Arizona backcountry, mostly on Forest Service roads. Picked up a used Garmin GPSIII plus to get started on my knowledge quest and will be upgrading to unit with more features as soon as I can make an intellegent choice!!

Max · 06-17-2008, 8:52 PM

That sounds like me many moons ago, I bought either a GPSIII or IV and sat there dumbfounded by what to do next

. The mistake I made was saying "I need to get a GPS!" and not really identifying what the heck I wanted to get it for :redface:

I can imagine the III+ will actually do alot of what you need if your goal is recording tracks and waypoints/poi's for where you want to go and have been. There are units with advanced routing and map drawing capabilites, with better battery life, etc. etc. but all in all - the III+ is a decent core unit and a great starting point

Welcome to the site all the same, glad to have ya

tdshepard · 06-17-2008, 11:14 PM

Well, the GPSIII plus was a whopping $45 on craigslist so I don't regret it!
The biggest drawback I see is the tiny 1.4 mb download space. I really want a true crossover about 5 inches wide to sit on the dash of the Jeep that will display detailed national geograpic topo maps with all the best mapping features but who makes it???

Max · 06-18-2008, 3:01 AM

Nice! When it comes time to sell it, I know a guy from Boston that will gladly take it off your hands too

1.4 is a bit on the weak side, agreed there. Your goal of a 5" display is currently only possible with the Garmin nuvi 5000. But, you could get away with something like the Nuvi 750 and load some Garmin Topographical maps on it. Unfortunately the only things that support National Geographic maps are currently the Magellan Triton series. There is some other discussion on the forum about them recently and I'm not convinced they are all they're cracked up to be though. They also are very small screens as they're designed to be mostly a handheld gps.

Which brings me to another point, your need is interesting - you'd like the detailed 1:24k scale topo's (Im assuming) but still want the big screen and detailed views of an Auto unit. That is truly a crossover gps IMHO, but no one makes anything quite that sophisticated yet. My experience is mostly Garmin's, but I have loaded Topo's onto their Streetpilot's, Zumo's and Nuvi's without issue. There is really no 3D technology occuring there and the 2D display is the same as you'd get with a handheld...it's just bigger

. If that's your goal, than I might have some suggestions for you

Are you looking to carry it with you though? like for backpacking and stuff? or just keeping in the Jeep full time?

Disclaimer: I haven't tried out a Magellan Triton for more than a few minutes in a Wal-Mart.

tdshepard · 06-18-2008, 10:54 AM

Yes, you are correct in that what I want is an auto unit that will display detailed topo maps. I do not need a handheld and since I am at that age of needing reading glasses the larger auto displays appeal to me. We have a jeep guide that mostly sends us on Forest Service roads. They are poorly marked and intersect often so it would be ideal if I could map my progress on a F.S. route. I wouldn't say "money is no object" but I understand this will not be cheap.....

06-16-2008, 11:14 AM	#1
tdshepard Join Date: Jun 16 2008 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 3	Hello from Arizona We have a new Jeep Wrangler and love to explore Arizona backcountry, mostly on Forest Service roads. Picked up a used Garmin GPSIII plus to get started on my knowledge quest and will be upgrading to unit with more features as soon as I can make an intellegent choice!!

06-17-2008, 8:52 PM	#2
Max 'tis the season for seat time Join Date: Dec 28 2006 Location: Near Boston, Ma. Posts: 876 Blog Entries: 2	Re: Hello from Arizona That sounds like me many moons ago, I bought either a GPSIII or IV and sat there dumbfounded by what to do next . The mistake I made was saying "I need to get a GPS!" and not really identifying what the heck I wanted to get it for :redface: I can imagine the III+ will actually do alot of what you need if your goal is recording tracks and waypoints/poi's for where you want to go and have been. There are units with advanced routing and map drawing capabilites, with better battery life, etc. etc. but all in all - the III+ is a decent core unit and a great starting point Welcome to the site all the same, glad to have ya __________________ Nothing free is good, nothing good is free.

06-17-2008, 11:14 PM	#3
tdshepard Join Date: Jun 16 2008 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 3	Re: Hello from Arizona Well, the GPSIII plus was a whopping $45 on craigslist so I don't regret it! The biggest drawback I see is the tiny 1.4 mb download space. I really want a true crossover about 5 inches wide to sit on the dash of the Jeep that will display detailed national geograpic topo maps with all the best mapping features but who makes it???

06-18-2008, 3:01 AM	#4
Max 'tis the season for seat time Join Date: Dec 28 2006 Location: Near Boston, Ma. Posts: 876 Blog Entries: 2	Re: Hello from Arizona Nice! When it comes time to sell it, I know a guy from Boston that will gladly take it off your hands too 1.4 is a bit on the weak side, agreed there. Your goal of a 5" display is currently only possible with the Garmin nuvi 5000. But, you could get away with something like the Nuvi 750 and load some Garmin Topographical maps on it. Unfortunately the only things that support National Geographic maps are currently the Magellan Triton series. There is some other discussion on the forum about them recently and I'm not convinced they are all they're cracked up to be though. They also are very small screens as they're designed to be mostly a handheld gps. Which brings me to another point, your need is interesting - you'd like the detailed 1:24k scale topo's (Im assuming) but still want the big screen and detailed views of an Auto unit. That is truly a crossover gps IMHO, but no one makes anything quite that sophisticated yet. My experience is mostly Garmin's, but I have loaded Topo's onto their Streetpilot's, Zumo's and Nuvi's without issue. There is really no 3D technology occuring there and the 2D display is the same as you'd get with a handheld...it's just bigger . If that's your goal, than I might have some suggestions for you Are you looking to carry it with you though? like for backpacking and stuff? or just keeping in the Jeep full time? Disclaimer: I haven't tried out a Magellan Triton for more than a few minutes in a Wal-Mart. __________________ Nothing free is good, nothing good is free.

06-18-2008, 10:54 AM	#5
tdshepard Join Date: Jun 16 2008 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 3	Re: Hello from Arizona Yes, you are correct in that what I want is an auto unit that will display detailed topo maps. I do not need a handheld and since I am at that age of needing reading glasses the larger auto displays appeal to me. We have a jeep guide that mostly sends us on Forest Service roads. They are poorly marked and intersect often so it would be ideal if I could map my progress on a F.S. route. I wouldn't say "money is no object" but I understand this will not be cheap.....