gps choices

[gutpile]

folks,

I am looking for a GPS that is a handheld with TOPO capability, AND can do voice directions like a tomtom or smartphone it needs to use AA batt and have an electronic compass and decent battery life yet can be connected to power in a vehicle..........and can store satelight imagery........... and pretty tough

 

[erice1984]

I don't have a suggestion for you. However, if thoughts are to depend on this in SHTF scenario, you might want to consider a paper and compass backup.

"Though acquired and operated by the Department of Defense, GPS is a multi-use system owned by the United States Government and paid for by the U.S. taxpayer." - GPS.gov: Frequently Asked Questions

For maps - GPS Visualizer: Freehand Drawing Utility: Draw on a map and save GPX data

GPS information source: Garmin Open Tools & Tweaks

 

[columbusprepper]

i wouldn't rely on a GPS. My best advice. Get a small light weight laptop and install google earth. It might not pin-point your location but it'll help with roads, land, terretory, identify locations like hospitals, banks, food stores, gas stations.

and if for some reason SHTF, you have a way to connect to free internet. Wifi.

 

[erice1984]

i wouldn't rely on a GPS. My best advice. Get a small light weight laptop and install google earth. It might not pin-point your location but it'll help with roads, land, terretory, identify locations like hospitals, banks, food stores, gas stations.

and if for some reason SHTF, you have a way to connect to free internet. Wifi.

I think google earth may rely on an internet connection to retrieve maps, terrain, etc.. (correct me if I am wrong).

Given infrastructure still works. GPS on mobile devices, if not true GPS, rely on triangulation from signal towers, need at least 3 to get an okay idea on location. If you are being tracked or trying to evade I would advise against.

Otherwise save some maps to your mobile device and have some sort of a printed map for your BOL/AOP (aera of operation) with some things noted on it. Say if you needed supplies (random stuff) to fix things generally, you could easily consult "The Map".

 

[ddavidson]

Don't rely on a GPS but rely on a laptop and Google Earth? Awesome

 

[ddavidson]

folks,

I am looking for a GPS that is a handheld with TOPO capability, AND can do voice directions like a tomtom or smartphone it needs to use AA batt and have an electronic compass and decent battery life yet can be connected to power in a vehicle..........and can store satelight imagery........... and pretty tough

I have a Garmin Oregon 550T but it doesn't do anything with voice commands. Garmin has a whole lot of options.

 

[erice1984]

I have a Montana 650. I have paper maps and GPS. I will use GPS as long as its available then I'll switch to paper.

 

[Dragon]

i wouldn't rely on a GPS. My best advice. Get a small light weight laptop and install google earth. It might not pin-point your location but it'll help with roads, land, terretory, identify locations like hospitals, banks, food stores, gas stations.

and if for some reason SHTF, you have a way to connect to free internet. Wifi.

I'm not normally one to call advice bad advice but I don't see this as an option. A really good GPS costs around the same price and weighs MUCH less. Unless said laptop has wifi access it will be useless and a GPS won't. In a SHTF scenario where will the wifi come from? Also due to size a GPS is much more easily accessible and can be strapped to your wrist or in a small pouch on your pack allowing you to move while checking it and not have to take off your pack to see what you need.

So to me, the GPS is definitely the way to go. I'm looking into the Garmin Rino series as they have built-in two way radios that allow you to see the location of a friend using one by pinging their location when they activate their radio. One could argue that it's a security risk but it could also be a force multiplier at the same time.

 

[Blackhawk2001]

I have a garmin e-trex and a couple garmin Rhinos. Many new gps handhelds are saddled with rechargeable batteries. Anyone who relies solely on gps for navigation will - eventually - wind up walking in circles. I have one handheld gps in my BOB; I have three compasses.

 

[littletommy]

i wouldn't rely on a GPS. My best advice. Get a small light weight laptop and install google earth. It might not pin-point your location but it'll help with roads, land, terretory, identify locations like hospitals, banks, food stores, gas stations.

and if for some reason SHTF, you have a way to connect to free internet. Wifi.

Don't rely on a GPS but rely on a laptop and Google Earth? Awesome

Ummmm, yeah, that's the same thing I was thinking. If GPS is dead, I really wouldn't be putting all my hopes on anything else electronic/computer/sat based.

 

[inxs]

Only one I know of that does all that is Magellan Explorist 710.

 

[VN Vet]

I like my Magellan, but as has been stated herein, learn to read a topo map and to use a compass.

 

[gutpile]

in looking at the explorist 710........i think i found a winner!