Snowmobile GPS - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

jhadley · 01-06-2013, 08:55 PM

Im looking to get a GPS for my sled. The trail maps wouldent be that important to me since i do a lot of boondocking. Im looking for something that would track where i have already gone.
Any opinions on what would be a good one?
Thanks for the help!

Yamaha440 · 01-06-2013, 09:18 PM

Garmin Etrex legend series. Waterproof and rugged with a variety of mount options.

**kccats** · 01-07-2013, 07:04 AM

I have the Nuvi 550 and I even have the Midwest trails too!

87Pantha · 01-07-2013, 07:07 AM

if you have a smart phone look for the Polaris snow trails app, one cool feature is that it will plot a map of where you go as you go, then save it, also has gas and food services on it too. free.

jordandakota · 01-07-2013, 09:02 AM

But, you need constant, uninterrupted cell phone service for them to work. GPS is satellite. My brother has a Garmin Dakota 20, which is color. Traces where you've been and can load all kinds of maps onto it without much trouble. Garmin is by far the best for compatibility and support if you have trouble with any of their stuff. Don't even look at the new Lowrance Endura's. The old i-Finders were great, but no longer produced so all would be used.

87Pantha · 01-07-2013, 09:05 AM

yeah, in Massachusetts, you never lose cell service, Im sure its far different in ND. I was near Fargo in September driving to Chicago and there aint much around.

Phaze · 01-07-2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordandakota

But, you need constant, uninterrupted cell phone service for them to work. GPS is satellite. My brother has a Garmin Dakota 20, which is color. Traces where you've been and can load all kinds of maps onto it without much trouble. Garmin is by far the best for compatibility and support if you have trouble with any of their stuff. Don't even look at the new Lowrance Endura's. The old i-Finders were great, but no longer produced so all would be used.

LOL, I have an Endura Safari. Originally bought an Out&back, had issues so they upgraded me at no charge. When they first came out, which was a huge delay, they didn't have any software like lake maps to purchase. It was very frustrating for quite a while. Now they do have micro chip software. I mainly use it for fishing with the Navionics Hot Maps software. Works good..... Just be prepared to buy chips for secondary roads and lakes.

Garmin is more widespread and has a lot more options as far as handheld units. I would think about any GPS these days would have tracking.....

jordandakota · 01-07-2013, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaze

LOL, I have an Endura Safari. Originally bought an Out&back, had issues so they upgraded me at no charge. When they first came out, which was a huge delay, they didn't have any software like lake maps to purchase. It was very frustrating for quite a while. Now they do have micro chip software. I mainly use it for fishing with the Navionics Hot Maps software. Works good..... Just be prepared to buy chips for secondary roads and lakes.

Garmin is more widespread and has a lot more options as far as handheld units. I would think about any GPS these days would have tracking.....

Really? I had one about a year and a half ago, got the Navionics maps for my birthday and they wouldn't work on it. Put them in my uncle's Lowrance graph in his boat and they worked just fine, but they never showed on my Endura. Called their support line and even talked to somebody high on the totem pole at Lowrance and they couldn't get it figured out for us.

jhadley · 01-07-2013, 10:30 AM

Thanks for all your opinions. I have the polaris app but i almost never have service which is why i want a gps. Im think im going to look at a garmin just dont know which one yet.

Phaze · 01-07-2013, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordandakota

Really? I had one about a year and a half ago, got the Navionics maps for my birthday and they wouldn't work on it. Put them in my uncle's Lowrance graph in his boat and they worked just fine, but they never showed on my Endura. Called their support line and even talked to somebody high on the totem pole at Lowrance and they couldn't get it figured out for us.

Yep, works great. Which unit do you have? Must be something wrong with your handheld. I had problems with mine that couldn't be figured out and they sent me the upgraded Safari at no cost. About a year after I bought the Out&Back. I was on the phone with Lowrance and downloading fixes and nothing worked. I give her credit, the service was great, but, the unit was bad.....

jhadley · 01-07-2013, 05:01 PM

Im thinking the eTrex 30 or the oregon 450 both by garmin. Anyone have them that can give me their opinions?

jordandakota · 01-07-2013, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaze

Yep, works great. Which unit do you have? Must be something wrong with your handheld. I had problems with mine that couldn't be figured out and they sent me the upgraded Safari at no cost. About a year after I bought the Out&Back. I was on the phone with Lowrance and downloading fixes and nothing worked. I give her credit, the service was great, but, the unit was bad.....

I had the Safari. We couldn't figure anything out so I took it back. Didn't buy anything to replace it, but dad has the older I-Finder, and my brother recently bought a Garmin Dakota 20.

jeffcool326 · 01-08-2013, 05:28 PM

I have the Polaris Trail App too, And i dont need cell service. It tracks and offers trails from GPS. I just used it a couple weeks ago in the UP and it worked great.