Anyone else use their car GPS for hiking?

[Adam]

I recently got a TomTom XL 325, which is intended to be a car navigation unit. BTW, it's on an Amazon Gold Box deal today for $90. It was $150 yesterday.

I don't actually use it for car navigation. Instead, I use it for hiking. I wrote up a review at Amazon (here) and posted some images (can see those on the main link above) for more details. In summary, though, you can load your own aerial photos onto the map, the screen is nice and large at 4.3", and it typically achieves sufficient satellite lock in about ten seconds. I was thrilled when I was walking with Niki at the nearby state park and could watch our progress on a satellite image from Google Earth that I had put on there (that's what's in the pictures that I put up on Amazon). Granted, it's more of a fair-weather hiking system because it's not intended to be weather-resistant like a real hiking GPS, but it also costs a lot less than any of the hiking GPS units that I've seen with touch screens and the ability to overlay map images.

I wanted to mention it as a concept because I don't know how many people think to use them that way, and at today's price of $90, it's a good deal (IMO). I don't know about other car systems and how well they work for this.

Anyone else here use car systems for hiking and care to discuss your experiences?

Anyone have a dedicated hiking GPS and care to discuss why I might want to pony up the cash for one of those? If it's worth it, I'd sure consider it. I'm just very happy with this TomTom right now.

 

[aberkowitz]

I recently got a TomTom XL 325, which is intended to be a car navigation unit. BTW, it's on an Amazon Gold Box deal today for $90. It was $150 yesterday.

I don't actually use it for car navigation. Instead, I use it for hiking. I wrote up a review at Amazon (here) and posted some images (can see those on the main link above) for more details. In summary, though, you can load your own aerial photos onto the map, the screen is nice and large at 4.3", and it typically achieves sufficient satellite lock in about ten seconds. I was thrilled when I was walking with Niki at the nearby state park and could watch our progress on a satellite image from Google Earth that I had put on there (that's what's in the pictures that I put up on Amazon). Granted, it's more of a fair-weather hiking system because it's not intended to be weather-resistant like a real hiking GPS, but it also costs a lot less than any of the hiking GPS units that I've seen with touch screens and the ability to overlay map images.

I wanted to mention it as a concept because I don't know how many people think to use them that way, and at today's price of $90, it's a good deal (IMO). I don't know about other car systems and how well they work for this.

Anyone else here use car systems for hiking and care to discuss your experiences?

Anyone have a dedicated hiking GPS and care to discuss why I might want to pony up the cash for one of those? If it's worth it, I'd sure consider it. I'm just very happy with this TomTom right now.

I can't discuss my experience because I haven't actually used my Garmin for hiking, but I was puttering around the Garmin website the other day and saw that they sell topographical trail maps, lake maps, and even detailed city pedestrian maps all for usage with a Garmin.

Did you download one of specific hiking maps or are you just using the standard maps that comes with the TomTom?

 

[Adam]

I just used screenshots from Google Earth. I don't know if TomTom has any of what you mentioned, so I'll have to check that out. I did download some free topo maps about a month ago when I was considering the Garmin 550. I'll have to see if those will load onto the TomTom - thanks for reminding me of that!

 

[Quickley17]

TomTom doesn't officially offer the same Topo capabilities that Garmin does. That said, I don't know what would happen if you tried to put the Garmin maps on a tomtom.

 

[Adam]

TomTom doesn't officially offer the same Topo capabilities that Garmin does. That said, I don't know what would happen if you tried to put the Garmin maps on a tomtom.

Thanks for the heads up. The ones that I downloaded were open source topo maps, but I forget the file type. I'll check it out tonight and let you all know.

 

[mperfct]

I read the thread title to fast and thought it said "Anyone else use their car for hiking?".

I never considered using my car to be cheating, but maybe it is.

 

[Adam]

Bump - probably mostly for Forest Man. I'm interested in how the Garmin Oregon might compare to this. Specifically, how's the screen viewing in sunlight? Thanks, FM.

 

[njedpx3]

Adam - Execellent use of your GPS.

Adam,

Good use for you GPS. Since recently I started hiking a lot in Canopied Forset area with no trails, I decided to buy a high level hiking GPS. I bought the Garmin Oregon 400t. It works very good and I have marked 3 or 4 new trails so far. I plan to do a lot more when the cabin is completed.

Having said that I think any reasonably priced car GPS could be used for hiking, especially one with tracking/bread crumbs. It sounds like you have made very good application of your GPS.

Good luck!

Forest Man

 

[Adam]

Thanks, Forest! How is the screen visibility in the sunlight?

 

[njedpx3]

Garmin Oregon 400t - Quick Review

Adam,

Sorry I didn't see you request was typing- here is a quick review ( good you bumped it; lost internet yesterday -problem the transformer power supply on the modem/router failed).

I turned up the brightness up all the way and at that setting it is very good except in bright sunlight. I know the reviews say it isn't the greatest in bright sunlight, but I have not found that an issue.

I was using Alkaline batteries but they are only good for about 4 hours of display on time. I bought some Lithium batteries but haven't had a chance to try them yet. I have been holding off hiking for a little while since it is the height of deer season and each time I go out I see 15 or so hunter vehicles.

The touch screen and ease of use is very easy to navigate. The preloaded contour maps are good and the elevation is accurate. Where I am hiking is pretty flat though.

Marking waypoints and reorienting back to them is very good, but not perfect. However, good enough not to get lost in canopied forest. Tracking is very good and it is interesting to see a map view of where you have hiked; you can zoom in and out. Also you have a digital compass which points back to your destination. It has a solid feel and a very good size screen. And if you are into it you can do geocaching with latitude and longitude.

And Adam a feature you would really like the clock only shows if you go to the power-off screen -- so you can go all day and not know what time it is.

I had a earlier Garmin Sports Tracker that I got free a couple of years ago. It worked pretty good ( real good consider I got it free for attending a 45 minute business seminar) but not near as good as the newer Garmin Oregon 400t. The only thing I liked was it had a hiking speedometer it went 0-10 miles-per-hour The new Garmin has speed but it is digital and not the same as a the old analog speedometer.

I am somewhat directionally challenged so I have used GPSs in cars for a long time (7-8) years. They have significantly improved and come down in price. I mention this only to let you know I have a fair amount of experience with various GPSs.


Peace and Good Luck!

Forest Man