I am not being pro or con.

Garmin workred with Honda for three years developing the GPScape. One of its features is it's update rate. It is faster than a hand held because they knew the ATV would be traveling a lot faster than a person walking with one in their hand. Up-date rate is fast.

Batteries never go dead. You never leave it home. You will never loose it. It's back-light does not drain the battery quickly. You can take the battery out of the ATV and the way-points will remain in memory for 10 years.

I know hand helds have tons of advantages. I would like to have both. Our next ATV will be GPScape equipped.

 

I bought the 2005 Rubicon w/GPS
Surely not trying to **** anyone off but there's no doubt the GPS is worth the extra bucks. Super easy to use, large screen, etc. The arrow points you in the correct direction when you reach an unfamiliar intersection on the trail. It's built- in so no need to mount [and i've yet to see a mounting bracket that looks decent] change batteries or hookup power supplies. Everything is right there in front of your face in a large easy to read display. What could be better then that!! plus you can use it on the fly with it's large buttons [can't do that with a handheld]. Remember though it does not leave a bread crumb trail like some of the better handhelds but it does have 100 waypoints so that won't be a problem. If your unsure just mark another waypoint. Don' t be a fool get the GPS!!

Tracmaster

 

It's good to see, that they are now on-the-fly friendly[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

does it have a map, or is it simply an arrow pointing you back to where you came from?

 

Sure sounds like you pro. Update rates are usually every second. I don't think you'll notice much difference it if half second or less. Plus the hand helds are made for a car/truck and they go a lot faster than an ATV. I've even taken mine in airplaces before. You can wire a handheld into the ATV's system. If you foget it then it's your fault. ALL of the new handhelds also have a 10year lithium battery for waypoint storage. Actually I don't believe the GPS technology has changes much over the years. All they're doing is receiving signals from the satellites. What has changed is the features, maps, roads, topos, etc. Plus on the handhelds waypoints and trips can be uploaded to a computer for later review and backup.

I will add that the replacement part isn't that bad if it breaks. Honda list is $307 for the whole front meter (should be complete, speed-o, etc). And only $242 list for the non GPS. Much less if you buy at places like Service honda ($202 and $162). The difference in the ATV purchase price is only $200. that's not a to bad either.

Still say I'm a con. If I go somewhere without my ATV I can still take my GPS.

Rob