Member III
Member III
I take offense to that. Does it look like I've overspent a single dime on my overlanding vehicle?:
You won’t like my answer / opinion but I’m going to say No. Maps and trails get updated all the time. If you want to go cheap use something like Maps.me for offline maps and hope for the best. Or Pocket Earth. You won’t get the functionality or level of detsil as an app like Gaia but maybe it will work for your intended purpose.
I actually value your opinion, so thank you. I know maps and trails get updated and plugging something in for an update is way easier than what it seems you have to do now.... I guess my post was more of a rant than anything at the frustration of finding a nationwide all encompassing GPS. Offroad, on road, whatever, I don't see why this is not possible? I do have a cheap Samsung cell phone that has Maps.me but it has a lot of limitations for sure. Maybe I just need to bite the bullet and learn Gaia, dang it, but first I am trying to tackle the whole HAM radio thing at the moment. Who would of thought going on a road trip and camping would be to technical???
Member III
I've been thinking the same thing. From what I have seen the Garmin Overlander maybe as close as there is. At least I hope so. While I'm not a subscription guy updating maps is essential and someone has to pay for it. There are no free lunches.
Yeah I understand. I have been using GPS since it first came out in one form or another. There is an article on my website from a couple of years ago that has a link for 3 months of Gaia Premium for free. I think it is title “Our preferred GPS application” or something like that. The link is towards the bottom of the article.
Member III
Member III
How are you so sure of what the Garmin Overlander does and has? I haven't found that much real user information on it. It is supposed to have all of the US maps preloaded. I suppose the subscription is for updating maps and apps. I know my phone doesn't have room for all of that. My MS Surface might. I will check it out and operate it at Overland East and grill the Garmin folks thoroughly.Definitely use whatever you like and whatever works best for how you like to navigate (i.e. some people just prefer a separate device for navigation and that's OK). But keep this in mind, there is nothing that the Garmin Overlander does that the smartphone that's in your pocket right now can't already do for you.
In fact, at it's most basic level, the Garmin Overlander is just a smartphone. It's running a modified version of the Android operating system – excluding cell service capabilities, including a very slightly customized skin, and locking it down to only include the pre-installed apps. The GPS capabilities of it are no different and no better than the GPS built-in to any smartphone produced in at least the last 8 years.
So to answer @Wallygator question – "Is there a good/easy GPS solution that doesn't cost mega money or massive amounts of effort?" – the answer is most definitely your current smartphone. It costs you nothing in addition to what you've already paid or are paying for it. And the only effort required is downloading whatever app you want to use.
Gaia is a fantastic app and you can buy a subscription for dirt cheap. I bought a 5 year subscription for something like 60 bucks. And now, by using the discount code available through Lifestyle Overland, you can get a 5 year subscription for $48 – that's less than 10 bucks per year. Use this link to take advantage of their discount: Lifestyle Overland Discount | Gaia GPS
If you want iOverlander, the app that Garmin brags is "pre-installed", just install it. It's completely free.
As far as loading maps, you've already got all maps available through Gaia. The only exception is that you'll lose detailed views if you're in an area where you don't have cell internet service. This is where downloading maps for offline use comes in, which is super easy. Heck, you could download a section of map encompassing your entire state if you wanted to, at whatever level of detail you want. I understand the desire to "just get in the car and drive" but, surely, you do have at least some idea of of the general area you'll be in before you leave (i.e. I'll be in my county or surrounding counties, I'll be in my state, I'll be in the Southeast, etc.)? So if you're concerned about the remote possibility of not having cell internet service, just download for offline use a section of map that's way bigger than the area you're thinking you might be and then you'll be well covered for wherever you might end up.
Enthusiast III
That's a good summary. Especially the reminder that this device really is a mini Android tablet.Definitely use whatever you like and whatever works best for how you like to navigate (i.e. some people just prefer a separate device for navigation and that's OK). But keep this in mind, there is nothing that the Garmin Overlander does that the smartphone that's in your pocket right now can't already do for you.
In fact, at it's most basic level, the Garmin Overlander is just a smartphone. It's running a modified version of the Android operating system – excluding cell service capabilities, including a very slightly customized skin, and locking it down to only include the pre-installed apps. The GPS capabilities of it are no different and no better than the GPS built-in to any smartphone produced in at least the last 8 years.
So to answer @Wallygator question – "Is there a good/easy GPS solution that doesn't cost mega money or massive amounts of effort?" – the answer is most definitely your current smartphone. It costs you nothing in addition to what you've already paid or are paying for it. And the only effort required is downloading whatever app you want to use.
Gaia is a fantastic app and you can buy a subscription for dirt cheap. I bought a 5 year subscription for something like 60 bucks. And now, by using the discount code available through Lifestyle Overland, you can get a 5 year subscription for $48 – that's less than 10 bucks per year. Use this link to take advantage of their discount: Lifestyle Overland Discount | Gaia GPS
If you want iOverlander, the app that Garmin brags is "pre-installed", just install it. It's completely free.
As far as loading maps, you've already got all maps available through Gaia. The only exception is that you'll lose detailed views if you're in an area where you don't have cell internet service. This is where downloading maps for offline use comes in, which is super easy. Heck, you could download a section of map encompassing your entire state if you wanted to, at whatever level of detail you want. I understand the desire to "just get in the car and drive" but, surely, you do have at least some idea of of the general area you'll be in before you leave (i.e. I'll be in my county or surrounding counties, I'll be in my state, I'll be in the Southeast, etc.)? So if you're concerned about the remote possibility of not having cell internet service, just download for offline use a section of map that's way bigger than the area you're thinking you might be and then you'll be well covered for wherever you might end up.
Member III
Not sure if there's some specific piece of information I stated about the Overlander that you're referring to but any information I have comes directly from Garmin's product page: Garmin Overlander™ | Navigation for Overlanding
Member III
Member III
You should check out Lifestyle Overland's review:
Member III
Member III
Member III
Now I want to grill them more at Expo East. Any questions that that I should ask?
Member III
My only question would be "when do you plan on lowering the price to something realistic?"
Member III
I can probably answer that from their video's. Simple to use, Don't need do deal with all those companies and web sites, integration of software and inreach integration.My only question would be "when do you plan on lowering the price to something realistic?"
Seriously though, you could ask them "what benefits, other than some preloaded map data, makes this thing worth purchasing over a standard Android tablet that's significantly less money, and has 4x the storage space, that I can install Gaia and iOverlander on and also use it for games, movies, whatever I want, etc.?" That's an honest and relevant question - but it'll also make them sweat a little bit, which will be fun to watch.
Member III
