Need New Off Road GPS

[trigger]

Hey Guys, looking at getting a new GPS. I have a Garmin Montana that does everything I need it to do, has VV Mapping with like 13 states loaded into it but it's just too small. I can still read it but have to stop to really get a good look at it and would rather have something bigger that I can just glance at. I'm thinking a 7" would be perfect, any bigger would be too much in a P5. Spoke to Jeremy at VV Mapping and asked if his software could be loaded onto a tablet and he said not yet they're working on that. He said they do have maps for the Lowrance but I've read mixed reviews. Looked at the Megellan, reviews say it's a POS. Good ones for off road purpose are north of $1k. Kind of skeptical on using a tablet, is it at all waterproof, can it handle the shock? Remember a thread last year where a vendor had tablets preloaded with maps but were those only the southern states? Can it be hardwired in? Looking to use my RAM mount that's already installed on the dash.
Just looking for some direction with what others are using. Don't mind spending some coin if it's worth it. I can research and read reviews forever but figured I'd ask guys that are using these like I would in real world conditions. Any and all advice is appreciated.

 

[Admin]

 

[trigger]

@Lifetime-Trailmaps ...is this the way to go? Is this preloaded and I don't need cell coverage? Would this be a one stop shop?

 

[Vondy]

I use a Samsung tablet 9". I found mounting to the roof of the P500 to be way better on the dash. Got too dusty and sun made it hard to view at times on the dash, no issues since moving. By using some various mapping apps, I have been able to get maps of the places we went last year. Should I run into and issue getting maps, I will probably subscribe to lifetime.

I think it might be a better deal if you got tablet and lifetime maps at same time from lifetime. I already had the tablet though.

 

[Dragon21]

Lifetime seems good if you ride multiple trail systems that they cover. Id consider them if I could ride more than just WV. I wouldnt have any concern running a tablet, been doing it for years with no issues.

 

[TripleB]

I bought a lifetime trails 8 inch tablet last year. Best investment I've made. Rode more last summer than I have in the previous 5 summers combined. Due to not having to depend on someone else to show me new trails.

 

[trigger]

So do these bigger screens give you a bigger picture of the trail or just a bigger area around you? I know they have zoom capabilities, what I'm looking to do is use one without cheaters? I know, it's a getting f***** old problem.

 

[CumminsPusher]

Went with the Magellan trx7. Works really well, they say 160000 actual trails preloaded and I believe it, I was surprised at how many trails of this area were actually on it because everything we tried before didn’t show s***.
It was always spot on and never lost us ever even in dense trees, accuracy was just feet. It’s fully designed for off road. It’ll even say what type terrain, difficulty level, and conditions as of last person input. Very happy

 

[sharp]

Lifetime trailmaps here also. 8in samsung. You can buy them from him loaded or if you have your own he will send you a email with the maps to download. You dont need cell service. Its recommended that its a samsung because the gps chip is stronger. Waterproof case is also a good investment. You can stream music to your rig or you can use the tablet sitting on the couch like i am playing on the forum. Lol

 

[JTW]

@trigger the 8” tablet with a good waterproof case is the way to go! I think the app is $250 or so...

Tablet linked is the route I and many others have gone.
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Wifi-Tablet-Black/dp/B075VSG1TQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=samsung+tab+a&qid=1551485434&refinements=p_85:2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&s=gateway&sr=8-3


I think the days of dedicated GPS units are on their way out. You get a lot for the money with this setup!

 

[Vondy]

So do these bigger screens give you a bigger picture of the trail or just a bigger area around you? I know they have zoom capabilities, what I'm looking to do is use one without cheaters? I know, it's a getting f***** old problem.

Either. You can zoom in and out.

 

[trigger]

@trigger the 8” tablet with a good waterproof case is the way to go! I think the app is $250 or so...

Tablet linked is the route I and many others have gone.
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Wifi-Tablet-Black/dp/B075VSG1TQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=samsung+tab+a&qid=1551485434&refinements=p_85:2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&s=gateway&sr=8-3


I think the days of dedicated GPS units are on their way out. You get a lot for the money with this setup!

How does it work, I DL the app and then I can DL whatever maps I want? Who is the map provider, Lifetime Trail?

 

[sharp]

How does it work, I DL the app and then I can DL whatever maps I want? Who is the map provider, Lifetime Trail?

When you download the app it comes with several maps and throughout the year new mapps will be created that will be sent to your tablet free once a year. Lifetime provides the service. You can also create your own maps in your area to save on the on the tablet. Its kind of like crowd sourcing trails. Everyone records trails, saves it and sends it to lifetime. Then they will take everyones tracks and clean them up and send them back. Thats the gist of what they do.

 

[trigger]

So why not just buy a tablet all set up from them already? Costs more?

 

[sharp]

So why not just buy a tablet all set up from them already? Costs more?

Thats fine too. The price will be about the same. I got mine before he could send the app through email. I bought the tablet from best buy and mailed it to him, he downloaded the mapps and sent it back.

 

[trigger]

Thanks guys, I think I get it now. So I need a Samsung tablet and a case, then subscribe to Lifetime Maps?

 

[sharp]

Thanks guys, I think I get it now. So I need a Samsung tablet and a case, then subscribe to Lifetime Maps?

Yes

 

[trigger]

Thanks Sharp! Anyone have a pic of this setup? 8" tablet in a case and mounted?

 

[JTW]

Thanks Sharp! Anyone have a pic of this setup? 8" tablet in a case and mounted?

 

[trigger]

View attachment 111687 View attachment 111688 View attachment 111689

Nice, looks pretty solid. Thanks JT!

 

[Tramguage1]

Go to LT's website and make sure you get one of the tablets he suggest . He has test with certain models for best operation.