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What new modern new fangled GPS? What new modern new fangled GPS?
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  #1  
Old 6 May 2007
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What new modern new fangled GPS?
I have been using GPS's for a long time, although only for extended desert riding and long sea trips. My old eTrex model has no base map, and doesnt do songs, voices, colour, space shuttle flight planning etc etc....

In fact pretty much all it does is allow me to enter waypoints, routes, and record tracklogs. Excellent!!! Because thats all I want. Sadly there is a rather limiting 500 waypoint limit and only 20 allowable routes....also my tracklog is full after about 3 hours riding.

Is there anywhere I can get a simple model of GPS but with a larger memory capacity to allow me to store thousands of waypoints and routes?

If there isnt, what is currently considered the most rugged and simplistic GPS that has an SD card capacity?

I see the Garmin 60Cx allows 1000 waypoints (but doesnt specify whether its per SD card or in total) and an unlimted capacity for storing tracklogs on SD cards, but the Magellan range of units doesnt specify a max of wayponts only saying that it is 'unlimted' to stored memory. If this is so, why does the Garmin appear so popular with bikers? Are you guys mainly riding road routes using routes created by the GPS or are your 'off road' routes fairly small or undetailed?

Many Thanks,

Dave
Last edited by davidlomax; 6 May 2007 at 15:47.
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  #2  
Old 6 May 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davidlomax View Post
I see the Garmin 60Cx allows 1000 waypoints (but doesnt specify whether its per SD card or in total) and an unlimted capacity for storing tracklogs on SD cards, but the Magellan range of units doesnt specify a max of wayponts only saying that it is 'unlimted' to stored memory. If this is so, why does the Garmin appear so popular with bikers? Are you guys mainly riding road routes using routes created by the GPS or are your 'off road' routes fairly small or undetailed?

Many Thanks,

Dave
Nope, they are not small and undetailed, but with few exceptions I don’t make the route before I go and I often delete waypoints after I have been there.
On my GPS I seldom use waypoints when I make routes (even if there are a lot of via-points on the route). I only use waypoints if there are no roads on the map or if I use topo-maps.

I prefer Garmin 276C because it’s robust and pure navigation-aid but it’s expensive and I’m not sure if that’s the unit you are looking for.
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Old 6 May 2007
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Thumbs up 276c
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Originally Posted by AliBaba View Post
I prefer Garmin 276C because it’s robust and pure navigation-aid but it’s expensive and I’m not sure if that’s the unit you are looking for.
I'm with Alibaba on the 276c. However, you can find some deals as its been superseded now - by the 286c (i think).

The 276c can store 10,000 track log points in up to 15 tracks but you can store all 10,000 in one track.
It can store 3000 waypoints. You can create and store up to 50 reversible routes that contain up to 300 waypoints in each.

Its a damn fine unit without the gimmicks - mp3 etc.

John
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Old 6 May 2007
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If you're happy with your Vista then the 60CSx would be the most logical upgrade. It's got all of the 'proper' GPS functions you need and the convenience of being able to use cheap SD cards to store maps and tracklogs on. You've also got the option of loading up Mapsource maps for on road routing, and there's quite a lot of 3rd party Topo maps out there which you'll be able to use.
The 276c/278c are very highly regarded and very versatile, but they are bulky and you need to use expensive Garmin memory cards to store additional maps. The 278c is better value as it comes complete with City Navigator mapping and a car kit a standard, but it's still an expensive piece of kit and probably a bit OTT for your use.
I'm running a Streetpilot 2610 at the moment which is a superb piece of kit, but the limited tracklog memory counts it out for your usage.
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Old 9 May 2007
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HI I have the street pilot 2610 with world map on one of our bikes.
I have no gps on the second bike and need to get one.
My trip will take me from cape town to cairo.. what system to recommend and any idea where i can buy one with all the necessary brackets on line
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Old 9 May 2007
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You're best bet is probably going to be to take a look at the Garmin GPSMap 60 series. They do a variety of models, depending on what sort of features you feel you need. Take a look at Touratech's website for mounting options - they're not cheap, but they are very well made.
You won't find much in the way of detailed mapping for where you're going, so you'll only be using the pre-installed basemap. As such you don't need to look for a another auto-routing unit like your 2610, instead look for something which is rugged and has a good tracklog and waypoint memory.
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Old 9 May 2007
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Take a look at Touratech's website for mounting options - they're not cheap, but they are very well made.
Even less cheap but lovely unit is the Base Plate II.

Fits the 60C/CS

John
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Old 11 May 2007
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Re: Base Plate II
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Originally Posted by Redboots View Post
Even less cheap but lovely unit is the Base Plate II.


These aluminium parts look beautifully made but if they are used in conjunction with Garmin's own car brackets I would strongly advise against them on an overlanding bike. (See examples below.)
Having used Garmin brackets in my off-road vehicle for a number of years - through lack of choice - I have found they do not stand up to the rigours of heat, regular use and most importantly, vibration. In short, they break.

So, no criticism of the GadgetGuy's skills but I wouldn't put this particular set-up on my bikes.

I agree with MarkLG that the 60 series on a Touratech mount (though expensive) is a very good combination for a motorcycle traveller.
Stephan
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