Cheap garmin for routes and tracks

[mikedefieslife]

Whats the cheapest garmin these days that will comfortably handle both routes and tracks?

I previously used a Quest and while it was ok in some instances it was a pain in others. Things like no usb charging, no external SD card, no ability to inverse routes, didn't like working with a mac etc..

The good features were that the battery would last a whole day, it would accept both routes and tracks, and was of course waterproof.

 

[Blackal]

I'd recommend a S/H Zumo 220 or Zumo 550.

220 has simple cradle so relies on in-line voltage regulator to go from 12v to 5v

Al

 

[Kritou]

.......I previously used a Quest and while it was ok in some instances it was a pain in others. Things like no usb charging, no external SD card, no ability to inverse routes, didn't like working with a mac etc....

Love my Quests - all six of them! Use free up to date OSM mapping with no requirements for unlocking etc

You can reverse routes from the settings page and a couple of pounds spent in Maplin lets you charge from USB or the oem charger (no soldering required)

I understand Parallels allows full and free use of Mapsource on a Mac

 

[mikedefieslife]

The Quest is slow. I think mainly it's just bad drivers from Garmin for OSX and Basecamp. For example a few map tiles 100mb total would take 10 mins in windows, but over 17 hours on mac. I can safely say that the reverse route option wasn't on the two devices I had, perhaps I had different firmware, though I did update them. Neither were the two review review options. The other options were there though. In anycase it's memory is too small for my requirements. It was just about good nough for OSM morroco maps, but anythig larger and it would be full, which would suck on a 6 month tour.

@Blackal - can the zumo 220 definitaly handle tracks? it looks very much like a street only GPS.

 

[Blackal]

What do you mean by tracks? Can it do a route across unmapped terrain ? No it can't.

I think you are looking at an expensive device for both road routes and tracks?

Not sure how the Quest did that, unless it was on a firmware upgrade - I never noticed that feature on mine (purchased way back in 05)

Al

 

[Kritou]

.......... I can safely say that the reverse route option wasn't on the two devices I had, perhaps I had different firmware, though I did update them. Neither were the two review review options. The other options were there though. In anycase it's memory is too small for my requirements..........

Just to be clear, the two review and one reverse options are, and always were, available via the menu mode when in the navigate page - not from the main settings page

Yes, the Quest's memory is limited but by using the option to only load maps around a route and/or using two or more Quests it is still an excellent option for the complete navigator who uses it as an aid to complement a paper map

 

[adventuredon]

My Nuvi does NOT have a reverse route function. It used to irritate me when out and about. But then I did this...I simply choose to edit my planned, imported route and put the start at the end and the end at the start....and then said optimally recalculate and presto...a reversed route. Hope this helps someone. PS it cost 30 quid and is very similar to a 660

 

[mikedefieslife]

Well I've probably done the complete opposite of the title and bought an Oregon 600.

I chose it over the often preferred Montana because I got a good deal on it, It has glonass in addition to gps, and I prefer the form factor.
It's not bike powered to it's batteries (rechargeable in the device) or USB (which some people hate), but thinking about it, I never charged the Quest whilst riding (always did it whilst camping or otherwise), so it's not going to make a difference to me.

The 64/62 and 78 were all discounted due to the low resolution screens (especially the 78). Which all stems from how much nicer it was to use my Defy (with Orux) than the Garmin Question. The Oregon is a similar form factor, though the screen still falls short of an old mobile.

I've got two months before I leave to play with it/break it/lose it. Let's hope all goes well.

 

[Two wheels good]

Love my Quests - all six of them! Use free up to date OSM mapping with no requirements for unlocking etc

You can reverse routes from the settings page and a couple of pounds spent in Maplin lets you charge from USB or the oem charger (no soldering required)

I understand Parallels allows full and free use of Mapsource on a Mac

USB charger for a Quest! That's interesting. The option to leave the mains charger at home would be great.
What is concealed behind your GPS in the photo at the other end of that USB cable?
Thanks

 

[Kritou]

USB charger for a Quest! That's interesting. The option to leave the mains charger at home would be great.
What is concealed behind your GPS in the photo at the other end of that USB cable?
Thanks

Just the standard mains charging holder

 

[Two wheels good]

Just the standard mains charging holder

Thanks K. When you mentioned "no soldering" I was hoping for a novel solution. My holder had the mains charger hardwired, as usual. I hadn't thought of the possibility of adding a USB connector - even though I knew it wasn't 12V.

 

[Kritou]

Thanks K. When you mentioned "no soldering" I was hoping for a novel solution. My holder had the mains charger hardwired, as usual. I hadn't thought of the possibility of adding a USB connector - even though I knew it wasn't 12V.

Yes, what I meant was that the Maplin type A male USB connector from the charging holder does not have to be soldered - the wires are just clamped into place. The correct polarity and required pinouts are easily found on t'internet

Obviously the male to male connector shown in my pic allows you to revert to mains charging