Garmin GPSIII+ or GPS176
 

Hiya everyone,

I am new to this website and have finally decided to do my dream and travel from London to Cape Town. I have never used a GPS before and after reading and reading have narrowed it down to the GPS III+ or GPS 176. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions re the two of them. My basic plan is to cross over into Morocco and go through West Africa, Senegal etc, across to the East, Ethiopia, and then down towards South Africa, and I need the GPS to suit. Any aother suggestions welcome.

Awesome website, thanks in advance.

Mark.

I use the GPS III+
Quite happy with it. But if you really want to use of this navigational AID it takes some preparations and research.
Hook it up to a PDA or labtop. Search up waypoints, work on digital maps and so on.



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http://users.pandora.be/pieter.maes2/

Hi, I also use a 3+. This is a simple robust unit that has been totally reliable for two years. Be careful with whichever unit you buy. I bought mine from 'Bracken' and all the units they sell are modified for use on motorcycles. I have see the 3+ cheeper on the web, but was warned off them as they haven't had the mod'..Bob

Thanks for the replies guys....

The III+ seems to be the favoured one, the only reason I was looking at the 176 was because it could save upto 3000 waypoints compared to the 500 of the III+. also the 176 has the ability to get memory cards for saving downloadable maps. Like I said I have not used a GPS before but would this not be an advantage as I do not intend taking a Lap Top with me.

Hello,
Got the III+ -dunno about the otherone- which im currently using on my trip to Capetown... Im really astonished on the detail of the buildin worldmap, together with the Michelin 953 it pretty much all you need. Altough I do admit a detailed map would be even greater, but they are hard to get..

I just use the 953 as general reference and the GPS for detail... Even when the III+ does not indicates a road, theres always the next village for which you can ask direction and do a GOTO.

Just hook up your III+ with a touratech holder and fix it to your battery, its great!

Hi guys,

read about this mod for use on motorcycles.
What is done with this mod ?
do you think it is really necessary...?
I too have seen a lot of Garmin GPS on E-Bay-USA, they cost half the price compared to a Touratech model. So why spending twice the money...?
Still in doubt, hoping somebody has an answer !
cheers
gijs

Mark,
I've had the III+ and now have the 176. The 176 is a far better unit, screen re-draws are faster and the memory is only limited by your pocket.
The III & III+ only have 1.4 MB memory. I have a 64MB data card in my 176 and can fit the whole of the UK, Spain and Morocco down to street level.
The 176 wins hands down in my eyes http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Paul G

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www.ukgser.com

Thanks Paul,

I have had a look around and there dont seem to be too many maps for Africa so the map memory is probably not so much of a concern as the difference in storing way points and general ease of use, bigger screen, reliability, other functions etc. Also I plan to be offroad as much as I can. Do you have any comments ?

Mark

Mark, as the price difference between the GPSIII+ and the 176 is only about £100 I would opt for the 176 every time, the only time I would say the GPSIII+ wins is if you intend to use it off your bike as the III+ is certainly more portable.
The 1.4 MB memory of the III+ did used to bug me though.
If you want to contact me direct email me at admin@ukgser.com

About the "mod" of the 3+ for motorcycle use. It's a load of crap!
The unit come's pretty much shock-proof and water-proof from the factory. Spec's are listed in the manual.
I use the 3 (not the +) on my AT for 8 month's now day in day out... and it has no problems.
I have noticed that a lot of these so called "mod's" are just a "ripe off".
Also I would suget a good mount. The touratech-mount looks great, but is not very strong and does NOT dampen any vibration (although they say it does).
I made my own mount (very simple) and am very happy with it.

Maarten


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- www.maartensworld.tmfweb.nl -
- Some photo's -