What's a good GPS to buy for snowmobiling

[kelwar]

if you want a radio and a gps i would go with the rino 530hcx but for just a gps get a garmin 60csx with the 60csx you should not have a problem with losing signal

 

[2zeros]

Overpaid?

I bought mine almost ten years ago, new. It has worked really good and have no complaints. I got rid of a rhino I had, cause I liked this one better.

 

[MARCUSO]

Or power it off your sled... most new GPSs can take 12V, which makes connecting it to a sled real easy.

I did that at first, and fried my first unit. If you don't have a battery on your machine,you need a voltage regulator. The power peaked and cooked mine. Luckily Garmin covered it.
Snowbunje makes a kit for 50 bucks

http://snobunje.com/store.php?crn=72&rn=332&action=show_detail

 

[Ex-Member]

I did that at first, and fried my first unit. If you don't have a battery on your machine,you need a voltage regulator. The power peaked and cooked mine. Luckily Garmin covered it.
Snowbunje makes a kit for 50 bucks

Which GPS? Some older ones are "Low-voltage" models.... they're happy at about 7V... push that up beyond 9 or so and the magic smoke comes out.

Mine's a Low-Voltage model... from the sled power I run through a fullwave bridge rectifier/capacitor, then through a 5V regulator rated to 30V. Input can spike quite a bit more due to the rect/cap. From there I step that voltage up with a DC-DC converter, then that goes out to the GPS.

Bonus to having the main voltage rail at 5V is that you can power the thing off USB rather easily as well

Most of the things I design, I try to keep the current consumption down so it can be bus-powered. 5V TTL ca....... i'm just going to stop right here.

 

[MARCUSO]

It was a rino 130.
It was good for about 2 trips, then all of a sudden it would just vibe and no screen .
I don't know much about electrical, but I was told that the stator on a doo generates AC and then gets inverted to DC. or the other way around..Not sure what screws it up, but it did.\

I was told by a few sources that you need something more than just hooking up to a couple of wires.

I have this link on making your own, perhaps someone can verify if it would work.

http://www.numbskull.com/snowmo/gps/schematic.asp

 

[MPS]

It was a rino 130.
It was good for about 2 trips, then all of a sudden it would just vibe and no screen .
I don't know much about electrical, but I was told that the stator on a doo generates AC and then gets inverted to DC. or the other way around..Not sure what screws it up, but it did.\

I was told by a few sources that you need something more than just hooking up to a couple of wires.

I have this link on making your own, perhaps someone can verify if it would work.

http://www.numbskull.com/snowmo/gps/schematic.asp

Don't listen to Marcuso! He smokes Canadian weed! haha whats up old friend!?

 

[Ex-Member]

Yeah, parts I used was a KBP202G bridge rectifier (200V 2A), 470uF 25V cap, and a LM2937 5V regulator. Not sure why there's so many caps in that schematic...

 

[SkiDoobyDoo]

I'm looking at the Garmin Oregon 400t, touch screen with big buttons that work with gloves, reportedly; however waiting to hear how the screen works in cold weather, supposed to be good to -4, may not be enough on the day i really need it
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=14904

Colorado 400t is the basically the same thing, but with manual controls
both are $600 though

Probably just end up with the proven 60 series

Also use lithium batteries. They last a LOT longer in the cold temps. Regular bateries ususally shutoff after 5-6 hours when it is -20.

keep an extra set in your shorts...

lol

 

[SkiDoobyDoo]

Is it worth it?

Do you ever ride in inclement weather?
Could you ever be separated from the group or need to get back on your own?

What are the good ones?

Garmin hands down; Rhino, 60cs, Colorado

What should I look for in it?

1. Reliability; signal, battery, accuracy
2. Usability; with or without gloves, readable screen, ease of use, comprehension
3. Features; terrain maps, way-points, compass, altimeter, two-way radio, memory (on-board & cards)
4. Physical; weight, size, accessories (power chord, pc connector, ...)
5. Value: price for what you need versus want

I want the Garmin Oregon 400t or Colorado 400t for $600, but may go with a 60 series for much less.

 

[mtncat800]

Has anyone tried any of the Tom-Tom styles? Magellan makes a new crossover that is designed to go in the back country rite out of your truck. It is waterproof and has a shock resistant case along with a mount. It looks like a ram mount would also work with it.

http://www.magellangps.com/products/product.asp?segID=391