What all does the Nuvi 500/550 do in it's off-road mode? I'm looking for a GPS that will track anywhere I go, save that track, then let me follow that same path at a later time. I like to "explore" trails through the woods in my Jeep. Trails that wouldn't be on any maps and it's VERY easy to get lost on.
How good are the topo maps for the 500/550? Most I've seen look useless for driving through the woods. Is there anywhere I can see screen shots? Ideally a satellite image would be best, but it seems only the discontinued "crossover" models could use those.
Obviously I don't want a handheld since it won't ever leave the dash. The screen's are just way too small. Just need a street GPS that will show me where I am and where I've been... even if it's not on a road. (and save it all, of course)
I appreciate any help anyone can give me. I've been reading up on GPS's for the last month and it's getting pretty frustrating.
Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 2874 Location: New Jersey
Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:55 pm
I always "assumed" the nuvi 550 had the same topo maps that Garmin put on the Oregon and Colorado. But based on a discussion in another forum, I think that is actually not the case. It appears that they have just added shaded terrain to the regular City Navigator maps. I don't see any elevation contours on the Nuvi 550.
I don't think it will be a very good choice based on what you've said (assuming that it's like every other Nuvi I've seen). The Nuvi records track all the time (can't turn it off) although you can choose whether or not to display the track and you can clear the whole tracklog. But the Nuvi does not allow you to load a saved track and show it on the GPS.
I think you will have to buy a handheld to do that. I wouldn't scratch the Oregon off the list personally. The screen is about the same size as the Nuvi 550 and it has more pixels (400x240 vs 320x240 on the Nuvi). When you plug it into you auto power, it gets much brighter than on batteries. The Oregon has a touch screen and has a track manager which lets you save tracks, choose which to display and choose the color to display them.
The Oregon 400t has 100k topo maps for the whole US. You can browse these maps here by clicking the interactive map link. Be sure to set detail to most in order to see everything:
Garmin units can't show satellite photos. Actually, to be more accurate, the Oregon and Nuvi 550 are capable of showing them but the only Garmin map product which includes them is their marine maps.
The Magellan Triton and DeLorme PN-40 can use aerial imagery. These are also handhelds. The DeLorme doesn't have a touch screen but the Triton does.
What topo maps and what street maps come with the Oregon 400t (or 550t) Am I going to have to spend another few hundred dollars on maps? Or are the topo maps and City Navigator maps they sell the same ones that are already on it?
I saw where they also offer region specific topos. (mine would be the southeast US, $86, for example) Are these maps any more detailed than the ones that come preloaded?
These are the equivalent of USGS 1:100,000 maps. The region specific ones they offer are equivalent to USGS 1:24,000 maps. See this thread, including my examples: http://forums.gpsreview.net/viewtopic.php?t=15639
Those examples are from USGS maps and not the actual maps on the GPS, but they illustrate how much more information a 24k map has. Really it depends on what you will be using the GPS for and what you expect. The 100k topo's may be fine for you, and you have the whole US instantly available, which can be handy.
The Oregon does not include pre-loaded City Navigator maps. That's a separate product you would have to buy.
Tried that link (both times) and there isn't a section showing "coverage".
I'd love to be able to see some of the actual maps of places I want to go. I'm just worried I'm going to spend around $700 (Oregon 400t + City Nav + SE topo) and then it not be what I need. I need to know these topos are going to show enough to go exploring small trails through the woods.
Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 2874 Location: New Jersey
Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:14 am
Very strange.... Garmin's site is weird. Something seems broken on the 100k Topo page I linked to. I get the same thing. But if I click on "Overview" then click again on "View Map", it works. Or how about this:
Thanks, Raptor. I just bought a Delorme PN-30 and so far I'm not happy with it. Mainly because it's not very user friendly. At least not for a beginner like me. Not to mention I'm just as disapointed as I thought I'd be with the small screen. It also doesn't seem to be very accurate. But there aren't a whole lot of choices out there for a GPS that can use satelllite maps.
Unless I get a LOT better at using the PN-30, I'll probably be trying the Nuvi next. Unfortunately, I might just have to get used to using topo maps for exploring trails. I'm not sure why you mentioned the elevation lines. I never thought it didn't have them. I just don't like topo maps for driving around in the woods on unmarked trails & new, unidentified "roads". I'm in south Alabama. Not too much elevation change around here. If I need to know what the landscape is doing, I'll just get out and look around, LOL.
With the Nuvi 500 or 550 can I save multiple tracks and then download them to my computer to be able to use agin later? Also, how easy is it to use on the go? Can I do most everything from the unit itslef (set up new routes, etc) or do I have to do most things on my computer and then download it to the unit at home. That's the way the PN-30 is.
Joined: 30 Mar 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Hanley Falls, MN
Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:43 am
You can download the entire manual on the garmin website. That would answer all your questions better than I can. I use it for my ATV with great results. I do need to learn more about it, I must admit. The price is what conviced me. The Garmin hand helds are crazy overpriced. The map on this this is good also, it has our babysitters driveway on it!
Well, I didn't get any better using the PN-30 so I've decided to sell it along with the RAM mount. Probably going to try the Nuvi 500 next. One thing I lerned recently is most (if not all) of the Nuvi's will accept topo maps. Now I'm wondering what the advantage of the 500 is over other Nuvi's.
Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 2874 Location: New Jersey
Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:59 pm
Yes, all the Nuvi's can use Garmin-compatible Topo's. The Nuvi 500 has a few special features which are primarily oriented towards geocaching and not included on other models. But probably the biggest difference is that it's shockproof and waterproof to the same standards as a handheld GPS. The regular Nuvi's could easily be destroyed by one dunk in a puddle.
In your search I still think you might take a quick look at the Garmin Oregon. It has a lot of advanced features which you won't get on the Nuvi series, including the ability to fine tune the map display to show exactly what you want.
Sounds like if I go with a Nuvi, I probably don't even need the 500. It'll never leave my dash so it's not going in any water or getting dropped.
I had looked at the Oregon, but once I added up everything I wanted/needed to go with it, it got pretty expensive. Around $600 - $700 IIRC. Otherwise I really liked it.
Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 2874 Location: New Jersey
Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:54 pm
Amazon has the Oregon 200 for $233. That's the bottom of the line model with no internal memory, but you can just get a big microSD memory card for all your maps, they are not expensive. It is also missing the electronic compass and altimeter of the other members of the Oregon series, but I don't think that's a huge deal, and none of the Nuvi's have them either.
You can get US Topo for under $100, or just use the free maps from GPSFileDepot. A generic car mount and charger from Radio Shack or Best Buy should cost no more than $60, maybe less. So with everything combined it should be about $300 using free topo maps, or $400 with Garmin's own maps.
I think you will start to see a lot of these maps available for free - I have uploaded 9 already myself at GPSFileDepot. There are also several new free tools available to make your own.
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