I find that even with the GPS you can still get lost unless you know exactly where you are going (latitude x longitude) and then it will lead the way but with the GPS you will always be able to find your way back to where you started. I think the best thing to have to compliment the info that the GPS provides is a good trail map.

Rich.

 

Wookie, I agree, if your going to use a gps and enter an area your not familiar with, Use a map also. This is especially true, when in a vehicle. If you don't properly mark your way points, it will be hard to back track to your starting point. Unless, you travel in a straight line, which of course is almost hard to do in a vehicle on forest roads[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
You guys need to upgrade to moving map GPS. All the map units I've seen have a "map track" to which provides a dotted line of exactly how you got to where your at.

But having a map as backup is also a very good suggestion but bring a compass also. I've had my GPS go dead - a compass was the only way to find my way out before the fuel storage container became totally saturated with oxygen. And I've had others tell of simular tale so its not that uncommon. </BLOCKQUOTE>

 

just go ahead and buy one of those '80 packs' of batteries right now

mine is suppose to last 11 hours (yeah right)

 

The one I am looking at is the Garmin 60CS, I think. I know its the 60 but the CS part may be wrong. Anyway it does just about anything anyone would ever think of needing to do. The comment on the batteries is dead on I am sure. It says 20 hours but if its like anything else it might get 12-14. Which however is longer than I plan on riding anyway. The cool thing is that I will get the 12 volt power cord and just plug into the wheeler, so know worries there anyway.

It also does something called Geocaching, which I hear is pretty fun if your into that kind of thing. Dont really know much about it but it sounds like it might be fun to do...ONCE!

Thanks for all the advice, it has been helpful.

 

Late to the party as usual. My wife and I use Magellan SporTrac units and love 'em to death. A handlebar mount, the ciggy plug, and VIOLA. We know where we're at all the time. Of course, being in Nevada where a tree is something you make a waypoint for so you can come back and admire it, overhead obstructions are not an issue (unless it's a mountain). These, plus always having the "Map Atlas and Gazetteer" as a backup keep us well informed as to our 'whereabouts'.

I've also got a Standard Horizon Magnum NAV-40 GPS which has a TV sized screen on it, but it eats the four AA batteries by the pack-full. So, it sits in the truck as a back-up. It also has no mapping ability, but neither did my original Magellan XL-2000 and I roamed the deserts for years with it. It's all in what you get used to and how well you've learned to make it work.

Now, GPS's built in to the ATV's? After being spoiled by all these great hand-helds, I just don't see the point. Honda put them on those bikes "Because they could". If your bike breaks down, what are you going to do? Carry it so you can follow the GPS?

Boy Rescue, you're everywhere[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I have a very up to date unit that does have moving maps and leaves a crumb trail to follow which is why I stated that you will always be able to find your way back. But if you don't know exactly where your headed in the first place (new trail system, State parks, No roads etc...) It can't help you find it without some sort of lat-long cord.

Rich

P.S.- Geocaching is actually pretty cool. There is a small event up north which takes you to all sorts of neat places like waterfalls, old plane crashes, some caves, A bar/ restrauant which you find all the places fast enough ends up just about lunch time. It's fairly well run and is different every year.

 

 

Mountana, Like the state of Montana, you left a big blue sky with nothing in it[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] What happen to your post?

 

I use a Garmin 12 XL It works well in heavy tree cover and rugged terrain that we all ride in. I use it daily in my work as a Forest Technician. You can switch between metric and English units. As far as maps, you are better to buy good forestry of Topo maps at a scale of 1:20,000. You need a lot of detail in the map. I also carry aerial photos which I am sure are available for your area.
I bought a large platic map case at Canadian Forestry Equipment. Works perfect for carrying this stuff and keeps it dry. Carry a 6" plastic ruler and a few pencil crayons for plotting roads and trails.
Don't forget to carry a good compass. Silva and Brunton are excellent. Buy the one with the sighting mirror and adjustable declination. Be sure to set the declination. The GPS will tell you the declination for your area. You have to use the GPS in "True" mode if you have set the declination on the compass. Read your owners manual carefully to understand declination. If it is not set correctly, you will be way out on your map plotting