GPS recommendations for our trucks ??

[Mike Fultz]

I am looking for recommendations for GPS with Maps to install in my 03 2500HD. Besides, yet another fun toy in the truck, I pull a car trailer and often find myself fumbling for outdated maps. Do most of you that have GPS use a handheld or a dash mounted unit? How about antenna mounts? What else do I need to know before I go out and buy one? Recommendations for retailer?

Thanks

Mike Fultz

[DieselDixon]

I use a Magellan Platinum handheld GPS and the suction cup windshield mount. The Magellan has the Street Maps Topo loaded in it and I plug it into the lighter for continues power, for me this works well. Manly because I use it on my ATV

[DMAX Daddy]

I have a Garmin Etrex Legend that is $150 after a $50 rebate. They have nice software you can add to it from a computer for about $85. Each $85 spent gets you topo maps, or metro maps, or other specific type of maps.

It is handheld and I havent looked for a mount for the truck yet, but it sits nicely in the armrest on my door. Kinda of small though.

Garmin Etrex Legend (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000058BCQ/qid=1055968826/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/104-6419809-2495107?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846)

[ 06-18-2003, 02:41 PM: Message edited by: DMAX Daddy ]

[Stoner]

Lotsa info here....hope you've got some time to read :D :D

gpsinformation.net (http://gpsinformation.net/)

[RVGuy]

Garmin Steet Pilot III Deluxe has a large enough screen that I have mine mounted in the middle of the dash right above the radio. Plugs into the lighter area. Works for me.

[Cobra One]

Laptop under the back seat, gps antenna under the dash mat and a 10" LCD tv in front of the ashtray, and I use CoPilot 2003 voice nav software.

John

[Professor]

Mike,

I use a Garmin GPSIII. It is a handheld with mapping. The GPS V is a newer version (there are some III

[Mike Fultz]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I had not thought about using with my Road King, but that makes a boat load of sense as I am forever getting lost on small roads in VA/WV. So it sounds like there is no need for an external antenna, the handhelds will work O.K. inside the truck??


Mike

[Professor]

Mike,

The GPS series will work on the dash with the built-in antenna fine. The included antenna just plugs into the back with a bnc connector. Sitting on the console will be marginal. You can remove the antenna and connect an external antenna. When I had mine in the upper console, I built a small jumper to hang the included built-in antenna on the back side of the mirror. Out of the way, unnoticeable, and worked great! Let me know if you want to see a couple of pictures.

[battmain]

Extrex $85 on sale. Eplug-I pledged $3. Old Mouse cable and 3v power supply for GPS power and data $0. Laptop $0 from work. Street and Trips $15 at Sams. 400 watt inverter $40 at Target. I used just the laptop and the map for one trip and still had to stop and fumble with maps on the laptop. Then I added the GPS, I usually don't get lost for long. Just click on 'track' and the GPS zooms right in to where I am. The directions are sometimes screwed up. Even with those nuances, I wont leave home without the GPS or the laptop again for those long hauls. BTW, All the tracks I've looked up are on the Street and Trips program, so haven't found the need to try other programs yet. Even VIR, although it doesn't list it by name. smile.gif

[DMAX Daddy]

I have Street and Trips 2001 and it is awesome. Was $10 at Sam's with a $15 rebate! Shame they only let you have 1 rebate, I coudl have been a millionaire! :D :D :D