Topo Maps, hiking and tracking log? Is there anything that runs on this beast that would provide back-country navigation with topo maps and such?
1942914
don't know if it would have enough memory left after the tomtom maps use up a very large chunk of the 2 gb supplied. i do use it as a backup aviation gps (load software from anywhere map). for logs (actually kml files), i have recently installed this http://www.visualgps.net/BeeLineGPS/default.htm. works like a charm :) however, to be honest, i don't know of any lightweight topo application that can be run on this.
1779416
I have Topo U.S. on mine. I am not really sure if you can upload "Hunt Montana". You may want to contact Garmin first and see what they say.Sorry that I can't be of more help.
352234
No idea.... I don't have a 550! Sorry... I loaded topo maps from a free online website onto an SD card and put it in my 450.
2032646
The topo product for the whole US is a lower resolution (100k) compared to 24k, so you do not see as many topo lines, 2 tracks etc. But the big difference would be that the 100k version does not support 'routing' (at least it did not when I bought it), while the 24k one does. 'Routing' is where you select a Go-to location, and the GPS picks a road route for you.
764537
Yes, arrow will show you the way. It wont show you a map, but I always carry a topo map as a back up to see the terrain features. . You wont go wrong with this little gps. If you have the money to buy a very expensive one with map features, like the one I have, go ahead and get it. But I got this for my f a ther in law who is a simpleton. He loves it
2215917
If you have a free topo map you like, there is no reason to spend the extra money.Now the 650 is a Great upgrade as it has rechargeable batteries and an 8 mp camera.
235360
I haven't used it yet but it does track where you have gone so that you can take the same way back. I bought it for equine trails. The map is not loaded but I found a sight where it's only around 9 bucks. You can fine many different maps there. It's called way points. You set way point & it draws a line from one to the next. You can set as many as you want on your trail. I plan to set one at every trail head. https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/maps/on-the-trail-maps/c452-c456-p1.html
362845
Gary, I have been researching the same use (snowmobiling) for the nuvi 500. sledgps dot com lists chips available either nationally or by region. The region maps are $50, the national $99. Did you get the 500, and do you like it? I want a crossover/multi mode unit and this one seems to be the only one available. I think the difference between this unit and the 550 is that the 500 has US road and US topo maps, and the 550 has north american roads but no topo maps. I don't know if sledgps maps will overlay on the topo. If anyone has tried this, please reply with info. I have not bought it yet, so can't answer your question directly (I want to be able to though). Finally I am torn on the mixed reviews on the unit. I can handle the missing USB cable, and AC adapter, but has everyone found the unit accurate, both on road and off road? Are the maps updated? Thanks...
1020415
thx, I guess i'll stick with 540TM :-) I am upgrading from old Garmin that had no map updates and traffic and hopefully it would be worth it at this price. I did use one of the TOM TOM models (smaller one) for a 2600 miles trip in the west coast and routing was really good.
2252905
Thank you. Sounds good. Now I want to find it in combo with the NuMaps Lifetime. Nuvi combo have the NuMaps Lifetime for $50 extra, but I can't find this with a combo yet.----------------Garmin said the one with lifetime update for maps (3790LMT) would be out in September, keep checking their website. Said the cost was $499.99. I hate to spend that money, but am getting the voice activated one for safety reasons. Said it was shipped to Best Buy, but I can find it only in Canada...
1584827
I use mine as a backup to the larger Garmin on my boat. For boating however, I purchased the Garmin Blue Chart (North America) on micro sd card format. The waterways and shoreline depicted on the provided topo basemap lacks any reasonable or useful detail for navigation. You can add your own waypoints (i.e. fishing spots, obstacles, etc.) with either mapping system. AA batteries alkaline or rechargeable (it comes with an external charger for rechargeables).
2124299
I have the gps 521s. it is practically the same as yours. I can plan all my trips in there I saved all my fishing data and spots. it is really a beautiful tool
895576
yes this gps has many quick easy features including a <where to> button to pick a location and geo cashe but might have to buy maps for topos are road maps
543972
I don't think Garmin has topo maps to most countries. Even if they did, you'd only be able to load a relatively small area as you're limited to 24 mb. There may be workarounds to use non Garmin maps, but they are beyond me.
197467
The Bushnell Backtrack works very well in the mountains, provided you have a good view of much of the sky. Note that you can only save 3 waypoints, and that you have to actually be at those places to save them. Then you can navigate back to them. You cannot read coordinates off a map and enter them into the unit (as you can with most other GPS devices). Last year I went to Sunrise parking lot on Mt. Rainier and saved a waypoint on my Bushnell Backtrack at my car. Then I watched it as I hiked to Fremont Peak and back, and it always gave me the distance and direction back to my car. The terrain was clear and open all the way, being at near 6000 ft and above treeline all the way. On the way back, it indicated I had arrived when I was only about 10 feet from the car.
2274607
"Hunting adventures" as in geocaching? IMHO, the Garmin Etrex is perfect for that; it's what I bought it for. It's lousy for navigation while driving, but when hunting a geocache it presents a clear direction and distance to the quarry. Ideally, you'll want to purchase a data cable to ease loading coordinates, and you'll need a 9-pin serial connector to connect that data cable to -- which may mean you'll need a serial port-to-USB adapter. When added up, it may be cheaper to get the more expensive model that has a USB connection built in.If you have a smartphone you don't need any of this, though. Just install the c:geo app and use that instead. "Hunting adventures" as in geocaching? IMHO, the Garmin Etrex is perfect for that; it's what I bought it for. It's lousy for navigation while driving, but when hunting a geocache it presents a clear direction and distance to the quarry. Ideally, you'll want to purchase a data cable to ease loading coordinates, and you'll need a 9-pin serial connector to connect that data cable to -- which may mean you'll need a serial port-to-USB adapter. When added up, it may be cheaper to get the more expensive model that has a USB connection built in.If you have a smartphone you... » Read More "Hunting adventures" as in geocaching? IMHO, the Garmin Etrex is perfect for that; it's what I bought it for. It's lousy for navigation while driving, but when hunting a geocache it presents a clear direction and distance to the quarry. Ideally, you'll want to purchase a data cable to ease loading coordinates, and you'll need a 9-pin serial connector to connect that data cable to -- which may mean you'll need a serial port-to-USB adapter. When added up, it may be cheaper to get the more expensive model that has a USB connection built in.If you have a smartphone you don't need any of this, though. Just install the c:geo app and use that instead. « Show Less
923316
I just bought a Garmin 60CSx, downoaded all of Garmin's Mac software from their website, and bought the Mac-compatible maps (as well as loading some of the free topos available) and, other than a few minor glitches, it's been great. I have an Intel iMac.