does anyone have garmin nuvi 500 gps and how does it work or which one is best to have.

 

I have a Garmin Oregon 300 and love it!

 

I have the Nuvi 500 and really like it. I've used it both for around town and off road. The topographic maps are nice to have and the "trail" feature that records where you've been is nice to have too. I mounted it with a RAM mount system and it works fine. Nice that it is waterproof and dustproof.

 

I have the Lowrance H2Oc (color) and R.A.M. mount for the handlebars
GPS comes with the 12 volt D.C. plug also.
Like the unit very much Great with the topo S/D card no down-loading from the P.C. just put the card in for your area and go..............Caper..........

 

I have the same one and am very happy with it. Had it for a few years through all the elements (it's on my atv and sits outside at deer camp) and haven't had a problem.

I wouldn't say it's the best, because there are so many available I wouldn't know which one is best. I liked how it was waterproof (most are) and it had a rather large screen. The SD card maps are nice also.

Look at the Garmin Rhino's if you have the money for one (~$500) and you have riding buddies that will get one also. They have a walkie talkie, locator for your friends, and are rechargeable.

Any GPS that I have ever seen eats up batteries in one day. Some are rechargeable and some take batteries and can be plugged in to a 12 volt receptacle which is on most machines now.

 

We are using the Garmin Rino 530Hcx. Of all the GPSs that I have owned this one is top of the list. Can't think of any thing I would change on it. Maps are great and I down load them free. The screen is great in bright sun or without light. The battery is rated for 15 hours or more. During hunting we always had at least half of the battery left at the end of the day. Got mine from PCNation for $284. Had to send mine back because the mic wasn't working (worked good with a mic/ear bud). Service was great from Garmin. Had a new one in about 10 days. Good luck

 

The color GPS will drain more battery power than the Black/white ones..........................(alot faster) ........just to let anyone know, that don't know already or are shopping for one..........Caper.........

 

Are there other Garmin Nuvi's with the the "trail" feature that records where you've been?
We are wanting the bigger screen also, instead of hand held.

So far the 500 is the only one in the big screen size for trails. Anyone else know of any that would do the same thing? If not .. the 500 is the way we will go.

Thanks in advance..

 

Just a heads up. Do not get the lifetime update for the Nuvi 500 if you get one. It messed up how the topo maps and street maps used to work together. Now to use one of the features I have to turn off the other features. For instance: If I want to use topographic maps I have to shut off the street maps to use it. If I want to use the street maps I have to shut off the topographic maps to get directions and change the state where I want to go. Minor irritation but it's there.

 

I read your post about that.. Sorry you had so much trouble.. Glad they refunded the update..

We are not so concerned with the country roads but want to drop pins or find our way out of the trails ahahahahhahahaa spent a very cold wet Thanksgiving lost in the woods.. we are just now able to laugh about it. AHAHAHAHHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA