Why Garmin ? Because they are the only ones (AFAIK) to provide maps for Iceland, my next destination.
But that’s only why. I have already fiddled around on a friend’s mobile equipped with Garmin XT, and must I say that I don’t like it. Ugly colors, clumsy menus, no browsing in “live” map, 3D angles non-modifiable on that, no terrain perspective view… Compare with the neatness of iGosystem.
So I’d like to know if Garmin’s own devices (Nüvi, Dakota,…) are better than that. I’d want :
[ul]
[li]a device that provides the casual stuff for cities (streets, POIs) as well as terrain perspective, 3D-maps for the countryside ;[/li][li]for that matter - I guess - a device that can use both Europe (say) NT Navigator maps and topo-maps ;[/li][li]easy, fast, custom browsing of those in any circumstance ;[/li][li]their “Hot-Fix” feature providing (or so they say) quicker satellite lock.[/li][/ul]
I don’t care at all about any car-related feature such as speed-cams (I don’t own a car).
Mmh. Looks too cellphone-ish despite rather good specs, quite comparable to the Dakota 20’s, in fact. But the latter has a slightly bigger screen which can be touch-navigated and overall I can see myself easily shell out more money for it.
Which maps do you upload to your unit, and do you upload them via Mapsource ? In fact, do all Garmin devices work with a unique, all-collecting gmapsupp.img file ?
I either buy maps on CD or micro SD card from Garmin or download them from MapCenter. I load both maps from a CD or maps I downloaded onto micro SD cards using Garmin Map Install and Map Manager.
One word of caution, the eTrex series supports up to 2 GB micro SD cards. So, there’s no point in getting a card larger than 2 GB. Furthermore, if you try to load more than 2 GB of data on a card, Garmin Map Manager simply hangs – no error message. (At least the Mac version hangs.) It took me some time to figure this out as it’s not well documented.
We have a Nuvi 250 and 745, as well as an Etrex and GPS Map 60CsX
For your purposes, either the 60CsX or the Oregon series will do fine.
The cool thing I just discovered is that, although Garmin has nothing for the Caribbean, unless you’re boating, someone else does.
I have found third party maps for many places Garmin doesn’t have. Our trip to St. Croix last week wouldn’t have nearly as enjoyable if I didn’t have the STX data pre-programmed in before we left home.
I have a Garmin 76 CSx and love it. I stuck in a 2gb card and downloaded the entire United States map set on it.
I am also into caching: Geocaching and Terracaching. That is my primary usage for the GPS unit. If you decide to get into caching, you might pay the pittance license fee and get the Geocaching Swiss Army Knife. Best utility I have ever bought.
Out of your price range, but I sprung for an Oregon 550t for rugged wildlands field work, and I’ve been more than satisfied. Accurate, easy to use, and customizable. Comes preloaded with topographic maps (1:100k, IIRC), and can be loaded with street info. Memory is expandable via MicroSD slot. Camera is reasonable, and geotags your photos. Photos can be saved as waypoints. HotFix comes standard.
It’s also quite tough, and waterproof. I would, however, recommend a static screen protector for the touch screen.
That Oregon 550t looks damn neat, but indeed really too expensive, even with Amazon-UK’s 30% bargain :(.
The Dakota 20 seems on the other hand a good compromise on everything. That’s the one I’m going to buy, I guess. Comparing the specs of both on Garmin’s web site, the 550t doesn’t quite really stand out ; but 550t’s graphic rendering… wow… would almost give me the courage to ask my boss for a raise
