garmin nuvi 500 or 550

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regor
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garmin nuvi 500 or 550

Postby regor » Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:56 am

Has anybody tried one of these units on a quad?
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ToddW
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Postby ToddW » Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:54 pm

I've extensively researched them. I want to get a 4.3" instead of my tiny 60csx... only a couple of the NUVI let you record routes, so keep that in mind if that's something you want to do. For me it was a must. I forget the model I was looking at, but I recall only a couple had the option to record routes.

They also make a waterproof box (these are not waterproof) with handlebar mount for bikes, atvs, etc.. but its $80 so keep that in mind too.

Load up the garmin with the CA/NV trails and you are good to go. I have this already, if not it's another $80.

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Postby regor » Sat Dec 05, 2009 7:23 pm

Yeah i would like a larger screen, i have a magellan xl, but the maps suck. I was looking at the nuvi 500, and figure on buying the 24k topo. I was looking at the website, it list it as waterproof, and says 500 waypoints, 10 routes. That would work for me, i could bring it home, and download routes onto computer, if needed i could load them back onto unit.
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Postby ToddW » Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:14 pm

Ah, I didn't even check that one I was looking at only the wide screen NUVIs.


NUVI 500:
Display size, WxH: 2.8"W x 2.1"H (7.2 x 5.4 cm); 3.5" diag (8.9 cm)
Battery - 8hrs
Waterproof YES

NUVI 765T:
3.81"W x 2.25"H (9.7 x 5.7 cm); 4.3" diag (10.9 cm)
Battery - 3hrs
Waterproof NO

60csx (What I have now)
Display size, WxH: 1.5" x 2.2" (3.8 x 5.6 cm)

For me the NUVI 500 just isn't that much more of an upgrade.

I don't understand why they didn't make the 765T waterproof and have longer battery life, then it would be a perfect quad GSP. As it is, we could still utilize the 12v plug, and have unlimited batteries, and use the storage waterproof handlebar mount and get it waterpoof but it really adds to the cost.

The 500 may just be the ticket, especially if you are not like me and are not going to wind up with 2 GPS units... I just know after using this thing in my vehicle on the trails (dirt roads), as a navigator in someone elses vehicle on dirt roads and on my quad the screen size makes all the difference in the world, and I wanted as big as I could get! Hell, I was set on the 7" Street Pilot but it does not do routes!!

So anyone reading who hasn't gone through 3 gps's already to find one they like.. get as big as a screen as you can fit, and then adjust the model to the specs you also need. For me, I would keep my 60csx for hiking and use the wide screen on my quad and in my vehicles. Don't even throw in geocaching "Features" or you want another GPS... one super GPS would be great ;)

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Postby regor » Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:40 pm

yeah i think i will go will the 500, it almost twice the screen. It's actually a little cheaper than going with the 60csx, probably get the whole set-up with the 24k topo for about $370. I'll carry the xl with me, it does have more poi's on it than the garmin.
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Postby Ken » Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:20 am

regor wrote:Yeah i would like a larger screen, i have a magellan xl, .
Do you have the Western US map converted from the Topo Sport Trak maps??
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Postby regor » Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:49 am

No, i have no idea what that would entail.
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Postby regor » Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:53 am

I found this, it's a great review, with lots of info. There's even video of the unit under water for a half and hour. http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2008/07/garm ... review.php
Here's the underwater test.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALDiGADCl9c
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Postby Ken » Sun Dec 06, 2009 1:10 pm

regor wrote:No, i have no idea what that would entail.
Me sending it...and you uploading it to your SD card.

It has the best detail of all the maps.
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Postby regor » Sun Dec 06, 2009 2:13 pm

So this would work on my Magellan? I would greatly appreciate it. I am greatly disappointed in the Magellan maps.
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Postby Ken » Sun Dec 06, 2009 3:04 pm

I still have it on the server...I forgot it's 165mb.

http://www.atvobsession.com/files/WesternStates.imi

Just put it in your DetailMaps folder on your SD card. Then go into your Active Setup and make it your detail map.

Has more roads than the Topo 3D maps.
The last words spoken before a YouTube video is filmed: "Hold my beer, now watch this..."

Regards,
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Postby regor » Sun Dec 06, 2009 3:46 pm

Thanks a million, i'll play with it tonight.
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Postby regor » Sun Dec 06, 2009 4:25 pm

I downloaded it, it seems to be the same program that came with my xl. mapsend topo.
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Postby Ken » Sun Dec 06, 2009 4:39 pm

regor wrote:I downloaded it, it seems to be the same program that came with my xl. mapsend topo.
It's not.

It's converted from the original Sport Trak topo map from mapsend. It's probably from the mapsend CD from 2004. That's why it works without coming from your unit. If I created one from the XL maps, it only works on my unit.
The last words spoken before a YouTube video is filmed: "Hold my beer, now watch this..."

Regards,
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Postby regor » Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:35 pm

I'll take a closer look, i just checked a couple of areas out that i know real well and didn't see any difference.
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