Which GPS for green laning?

[Mouse]

After much umming and arring I've decided to upgrade my GPS. Currently I have a SP3, which is great, but a little bulky and heavy, so I am a bit concerned about using it on rough terrain - it bounces around a lot.

So I'm considering either a Garmin 60C or Quest.

On the face of it, the Quest is cheaper, as the price includes City Navigator, but I've got the maps that came with the SP3, so maybe I don't need to buy a new version.

Mainly I'm concerned about the weight, ruggedness, and the ease of using tracks on the unit. For example, does anyone know if the 60C can accept arbitrarily named tracks? (ie not called ACTIVE LOG). Does anyone have any opinions which unit is best for laning (and can also be used for normal road navigation)?

(edit - What about the Garmin 76C? It's cheaper than a 60C but has more memory and looks very similar.)

Thanks in advance

 

[Fanum]

Can't coment on the 60c as I've never had one, but the Quest is fine for it.

Mine's on a Migsel mount and the shortest ram arm, but it does bounce around a bit.....I'd not like to have anything heavier on there off road

The big advantage the quest has there is the ability to ru non batteries- this means you can just undo the ram mount and bolt it to the bars of an offroader and it'll work without havig to wire it in to power. (and it can be taken into the pub at lunchtime to mess around with routes etc)

I've dropped my quest onto concrete twice with no ill effects, and as Kevin's fish tank explouts proved, it's totally waterproof so mud and fording won't present a problem.

Top bit of kit....and if it's cheaper then the other unit, no contest IMO.

 

[Keith Chapman]

Which GPS for green laning??

Try an OS 50thou or an OS pathfinder, good grahpics that show rupps and boats routes can be down loaded with a Hi-lighter pen, and the units can be made waterproof with a suitable clear plastic bag

 

[Mouse]

Very droll

Ironically it's cheaper to buy an electronic version of the OS maps (eg Fugwai) and a GPS receiver, than all the landranger maps for the UK

 

[Mouse]

No one's going to speak up in favour of the 60C then? Guess it's a Quest for me!

 

[Kropotkin]

The offroad types here in Holland all swear by the 276C. As you already have the City Navigator maps, you don't need to buy them separately, which pushes the price up. The 276C is a very rugged unit.

Also, someone on the BMW GS email list said that the 276C allows you to switch between different types of map (e.g. automotive and topographical) with the press of a button. Ideal for navigating to a location, then switching to topo maps for offroad.

 

[TheJoker]

Mouse, how about the Garmin eTrex Legend C. I've got one, but I'm annoyed that it comes with such ^&&*£$%*!£ base maps... But if you already have the maps, then this one would be really good (for me).

It's very small and rugged, and as it's got batteries you can use it anywhere you want. The screen is nice, but it does seem to like some backlight being used.

At some point I will be wanting a GPS that comes with "proper maps", such as the Quest.
If you're interested I could be persuaded to let mine go and stick the money in the "Quest or RIDER"-fund

Apart from the lack of decent maps, I think it's fantastic

 

[jimbo]

If it is ONLY green laning that you want then, the cheapest option would be a 2nd hand Garmin V. Good track functionality and small for the handle bars.
The lack of memory shouldn't be an issue unless you are planning several weeks off road. Battery powered if required and pocketable.
I kept my V when I got a 2610 and a quick look suggested that 2nd hand they are 150-200quid.

 

[Mouse]

I've considered the 276C, and it does look like a very capable unit - but to be honest it's too expensive for me - over 150 pounds more than the Quest without maps included.

And the eTrex doesn't really have enough memory (24MB), sorry Joker.

Really, the amoutn of memory and the inclusion of maps seems to make the Quest the obvious choice ... it may not have the ideal features for laning but I've been managing OK so far with my SP3 (which is for sale by the way )

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[TheJoker]

...And the eTrex doesn't really have enough memory (24MB), sorry Joker.

Mouse, do you really need the memory? If so, for what? Sure it's convenient to load all of galaxy into the GPS, but if you don't move that far away from home, surely 24mb is enough? (I don't have the maps, no, still don't , but I'd be interested to see how much data one can load into 24mb)
Also, if you're going green laning.. ?! Surely there's no post-codes to ride to

When I got the Legend C, I wasn't bothered by the memory because a) If I'd be travelling a very long distance it still contains the basemap wich covers most large A roads and motorways. b) I've got a laptop and if I'd have the maps, I could probably stop and upload them if needed.
24MB is still a helluva amount if you don't start stuffing it full "just coz you can"
(Different pot of tea: My previous eTrex Legend {not-C} had 8mb and I had the "london"-map-tile loaded of course that wasn't an autorouting map, but still, the whole of Lahrndan)

 

[Mouse]

True, it's partly an issue of convenience, to be able to load all the maps for the UK and not worry about it again. My current streetpilot 3 has 128MB, enough that I never really have to worry about what maps to load.

I'm use my GPS for normal navigation and green lanes, so I really do need the maps, I think. Essentially I think I want a smaller, lighter version of the SP3, which is the Quest (pretty much).

 

[TheJoker]

Essentially I think I want a smaller, lighter version of the SP3, which is the Quest (pretty much).

In that case I'd agree - the Quest it is for you. I read your inital quesion as you wanted to strap the GPS onto a dedicated green-laning bike and go out for a shorter than 200 mile day-journey...

 

[Mouse]

Ahh sorry, what I should have said was "A GPS for GS-style green laning which might include a substantial road journey to get there"

Or something like that.

I really just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing somethign obvious. As soon as I sell the Streetpilot, I'm gonna order a Quest Ooh new toys!