[RickM610]

I've been shopping around for a GPS but have gotten a little confused due to the numerous brands and models that are now available in the market. I would like to bring up this topic and get feedback from out fellow JEEPERS as to who makes the best dual purpose (street and offroad) GPS for the Jeep JK. Seems Mopar has one available but it is very expensive and aint even sure if in todays sellection might be the best possible choice. Don't mind going up as high as $500.00 as long as I'm getting my moneys worth. Any sugestions out there?

Rick M
Miami (West Kendall)

[LadyJeffson]

We have a Garmin and it picks us up off road pretty much wherever we go. When we were going through a stream in CO, it knew exactly where we were. There are probably better ones for off roading but I think Garmin is great!

[MrSig]

I have and love the Garmin Jeep Trail Guide Navigation System with Topo. You can use it on and off road plus you can used it out of the caddy for 10 hour too! And I think it looks great in the JK!

[TazTJ]

Check out the crossover from Magellin. I heard it is good for roads trails and marine !!!

[JeepNWilly]

My recommendation to you is to get one that has a track log feature. Track log will leave like breadcrumbs everywhere you go and is a big help if you get lost.
I have been using Garmin for a number of years now and I am very happy with it

[WRider]

Garmin has pretty high cost but you'll absolutely be satisfied by its functionality...
It has impressive feature list and solid performance...
The best so far...

[RickM610]

I went to store and checked out the Garmin... any model in particular you recommend?

Rick

WRider, on Sep 7 2008, 10:53 PM, said:

Garmin has pretty high cost but you'll absolutely be satisfied by its functionality...
It has impressive feature list and solid performance...
The best so far...

That does look awesome Mr.Sig!

mrsig, on Sep 7 2008, 09:06 PM, said:

I have and love the Garmin Jeep Trail Guide Navigation System with Topo. You can use it on and off road plus you can used it out of the caddy for 10 hour too! And I think it looks great in the JK!

[JeepNWilly]

RickM610, on Sep 8 2008, 12:28 AM, said:

I went to store and checked out the Garmin... any model in particular you recommend?

Do a little research on the models because like said above, the track log feature is the best option you can get.
I know the cheaper Garmin Nuvies do not have track log because I purchased one for my dad since he has been getting lost lately visiting my brther in souther Georgia.

[LadyJeffson]

Our Garmin does not have track log, wish it did though. Definitely get the cheapest one that has it. Ours cost only $250.00 so I would think you could get one for $325 + that has it.

PS - you can search Garmin for TracBack®. That's the feature you want.

[JeepNWilly]

LadyJeffson, on Sep 8 2008, 11:52 AM, said:

Our Garmin does not have track log, wish it did though. Definitely get the cheapest one that has it. Ours cost only $250.00 so I would think you could get one for $325 + that has it.

What I use is the Garmin Mobile XT software which is similar as the one in the Nuvies but has more features. Since I own a Windows Mobile Pocket PC (yes I am a Computer Geek ) I purchased the Garmin GPS 10 bluetooth receiver which works great on my Windows Mobile Pocket PC.

I also managed to install the same Garmin Mobile XT software on my wife's BlackJack II phone which has built in GPS and it works great

[Overlanders]

In my personal opinion, I think GARMIN is the best brand in GPS!!!

I've had Garmin III, Garmin V, Garmin 276C.

Unfortunately the first two models are descontinued, but Garmin 276C is an excellent option for Daily Drive, Offroad & Marine:

• 3.8-inch diagonal, 480 x 320 pixel, 256-color TFT screen with adjustable LED backlight
• Unit dimensions: 5.7''W x 3.2''H x 1.9''D
• Adjustable marine mounting bracket
• Stores up to 3,000 user waypoints, 50 reversible routes (300 waypoints per route)
• 10,000 point automatic track log; 15 saved tracks
• Rechargeable lithium battery offering 5-15 hours of use (depending on backlight settings)
• WAAS-enabled, 12 parallel channel GPS receiver
• Built-in basemap with automatic routing and turn-by-turn directions
• Accepts standard Garmin data cards and pre-programmed data cards
• Provides separate serial and USB interfaces
• Offers BlueChart night mode for easier viewing at nighttime
• Water resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (submersible in one meter of water for 30 minutes)

This unit is arround USD 460.00.

[RickM610]

mrsig, on Sep 7 2008, 09:06 PM, said:

I have and love the Garmin Jeep Trail Guide Navigation System with Topo. You can use it on and off road plus you can used it out of the caddy for 10 hour too! And I think it looks great in the JK!

Hey MRSIG, the Jeep JK Caddy looks awesome and practical, so it seems I will probably go that way! Is the caddy universal for all jeep wrangler models or is it specific for the JK? Can you buy the caddy seperate from the GPS unit itself?

Rick

[MrSig]

RickM610, on Sep 14 2008, 01:38 PM, said:

Hey MRSIG, the Jeep JK Caddy looks awesome and practical, so it seems I will probably go that way! Is the caddy universal for all jeep wrangler models or is it specific for the JK? Can you buy the caddy seperate from the GPS unit itself?

Rick

I think they have one for the TJ but not sure and the base can be purchase separately that I know.

[Rayne]

i think Fro has that same thing for her jeep..ask her....

[RickM610]

Rayne, on Sep 15 2008, 11:10 AM, said:

i think Fro has that same thing for her jeep..ask her....

I wanna (I'm originally from Jersey) thank everyone that responded to my original post of best gps in the market. After a couple weeks worth research and much helpful advise I purchased the Garmin Quest which is the same GPS Mopar use in there TRAIL GUIDE package. It has the TOPO MAPS and TRACK LOG feature that was highly recommended by you all. I feel that I got a very good on the individual GPS at $99.00 from TIGER.COM (link listed below)

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...&CatId=2374

Now, all I have to do is order the Mopar (JEEP) harness at $256.00 that is sold separately and currently being ordered by Rafael at Dade Jeep Parts in South Miami. Thats a savings of of about $450.00 from the Mopar TRAIL GUIDE navigational package sold at the dealership.

Once again, thanx for all the responses!

Rick
Miami (West Kendall)considering

[JeepNWilly]

RickM610, on Sep 16 2008, 08:10 PM, said:

I wanna (I'm originally from Jersey) thank everyone that responded to my original post of best gps in the market. After a couple weeks worth research and much helpful advise I purchased the Garmin Quest which is the same GPS Mopar use in there TRAIL GUIDE package. It has the TOPO MAPS and TRACK LOG feature that was highly recommended by you all. I feel that I got a very good on the individual GPS at $99.00 from TIGER.COM (link listed below)

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...&CatId=2374

Now, all I have to do is order the Mopar (JEEP) harness at $256.00 that is sold separately and currently being ordered by Rafael at Dade Jeep Parts in South Miami. Thats a savings of of about $450.00 from the Mopar TRAIL GUIDE navigational package sold at the dealership.

Once again, thanx for all the responses!

Rick
Miami (West Kendall)considering

Very Nice , I am glad you took the track log advice

[MrSig]

Just to let you know that the one you are looking at is REFURBISHED and dose not have the same memory as the trail guide, warranty or the docking charging station for the Jeep!

[RickM610]

mrsig, on Sep 19 2008, 06:49 AM, said:

Just to let you know that the one you are looking at is REFURBISHED and dose not have the same memory as the trail guide, warranty or the docking charging station for the Jeep!

Thats true MrSig... I went for the refurbished model because of price and purchased a threee year warranty for about $ 27.00 and checked with Garmin which advised me that the Quest and Quest 2 are identical except for the amount of memory. The Quest was originally used in earlier models of Trail Guide then later replaced with Quesrt 2. Im checking with Dade Jeep in South Miami to make sure that the model is compatible with the JK docking station.

Rick M
Miami (West Kendall)

[MrSig]

Cool! And good luck I hope it works. The topo software uses a lot of memory so be careful.

[RickM610]

mrsig, on Sep 20 2008, 05:38 AM, said:

Cool! And good luck I hope it works. The topo software uses a lot of memory so be careful.

I'm in Mexico on a business trip so I wont dom anything withit right now... But as soon as I get home that was my next move! Trying to load the TOPO maps... I'll let you know next week!

Rick

[WRider]

RickM610, on Sep 7 2008, 11:28 PM, said:

I went to store and checked out the Garmin... any model in particular you recommend?

Rick

If you really want to have the best features and functionality, check out Garmin Nuvi 880...
High quality but also high cost... One of the best out there right now...