Recommend a GPS for Off-Road Use

[Chris]

I need to pick up a GPS but am totally lost looking at all the options. I want a real GPS that uses satellites and not a re-purposed phone, tablet or computer using cell towers, etc. I have an iPad but find it, like the iPhones & Androids, lacking in real GPS function. No BadElf suggestions please.

What do you suggest? I like bigger screens but that's not required, map/gpx loading is a must.

TIA!

[Jim]

I'm still lov'n my Garmin GPS V - older than dirt but it works. I well enjoy having dedicated BUTTONS (that can be operated by feel / without looking at them) - zoom in/out/pan. No looking at a screen to see what I want to do. Monochrome screen and yes I'd like larger but it's still my first choice over the Asus 7" tablet.

[Tnsejed]

I run a Garmin Montana 650 in a Ram mount.

I spent alot of time researching a GPS. I wanted a true offroad GPS that could also double as a vehicle born GPS with Turn by Turn etc. Think topo/landnav type, as well as full Nuvi/street type stuff.

The only one that fit the bill was the 650. Its not cheap but what it does is pretty amazing. It is pretty much limitless with what you can do with it by setting up customizable hot keys and profiles.
I've got mine setup with two basic profiles. Each profile can be switched to by the push of one button. Menus, map packs, dashboards, etc.. are all changed. So with one profile I have my offroad setup loaded with full USA 100k topos as well as 24k Southwest topos. A dashboard layout for trail driving (mph, heading, alt., etc...). All of my menus are setup based on off highway navigation.
Then when I am back on the road I hit my Auto profile button. The entire unit switches to a Nuvi type setup with the City streets navigation map pack. Dashboard and full on-road style GPS functionality is there.

Combining all of that with the Basecamp software seems to be a pretty powerful package. Its taken some learning, and there is lots more I need to learn, but it has done everything I needed it to in a very bulletproof GPS package that is small enough to take outside of my truck as well.

[teamhypoxia]

+1 on the Montana. If you want to save a bit, the 600 is perfectly adequate I think.

650 adds a camera and 650t adds some maps or something.

Lots of free maps out there

[ColoJeeper]

I have the 600 and have been very happy with it. Uses a rechargeable battery, but also will work on double A batteries as well, so with a little planning can be used for extended trips and away from the vehicle. Also comes with a unit you can put n your vehicle that gives you turn by turn navigation inside your vehicle when mounted. Good unit.

[Txjkjpr]

I am a die hard Garmin fan. The new street versions with the SD card slot are great. You can purchase or download topo maps and then slide them into the slot and get trails, etc. Even without the card, a lot of the trails are on there especially if they are common routes.

[Mr6dwg]

Txjkjpr previously posted:

[Chris]

I've liked past Garmins but that would have been my Street Pilot which probably makes Jim's look modern. The Oregon units seem pretty good but can you upload trails (.gpx) or do you have to buy their $100 topo map?

[Tnsejed]

It will load .gpx files.

I use Basecamp to keep all of my trail files, tracks, and maps, stored. Its a pretty decent way to manage all your trail files.

[Chris]

Thanks to everyone that offered suggestions. I've decided to go with a Garmin Montana.

[teamhypoxia]

I doubt you'll regret it.
I don't know if there are better ways to do it, but I store everything in basecamp (mostly traildamage gpx stuff)
Night or morning before a run, I'll create a route to the meeting place and load the trails in.
I set up the automotive profile the way I like it and initial route tells me how late I'm going to be
At the trail head, I change to the recreational profile (also set up to my preferences but different for offroading) and pick the trail for navigation.
Wherever we end up, I just hit "Go home" to find out how much later I'll be home than I told the wife.