GPS unit recomendations

[grantdcol]

Sorry to ask a question that has come up quite a few times, but "GPS" isn't a valid search term.

I'm looking for a GPS unit for my truck - it will be used mostly for keeping waypoints during offroad/mexico trips, but I also want the ability to import maps into it.

Looking to spend about $400, is there anything decent at that price? I would like to hear from racers as to which models are durable/easy to use/etc.

Thanks,
Coiln

[14802]

Check with P.C.I. look into the 3500c unit

[Ryan_P]

Check with P.C.I. look into the 3500c unit

I have the 3500C going into my 5 open. It really is a very nice unit and highly recommended by P.C.I., but you are going to be over your $400 budget and spend roughly $550 @ P.C.I., but it is truely an awesome piece for the price.

-Ryan

[grantdcol]

Has anybody used the Lowrance GlobalMap Baja or GlobalMap Baja 480C (color version)?

-Colin

[powerbox_builder]

The Baja color looks like it might just be the 3500c with a better Mexico base map. Which would make it an awsome unit, because the 3500c is a great unit already, if you can get one. (always on back order). Maybe Scott will ring in. I might just have to upgrade my 3300c. I don't know if you need to spend the money on a color unit for your truck, but in a race car it is a cool feature. I buy Scott's map and put his track in one color, my prerun lines in another color, and chase roads in another color.

[pciscott]

The new Baja GPS units have no additional Baja map, this is a common misconception. They come Baja Race Prepped from the factory so you do not need to pay us extra to have them race ready. The new units all have a new Topo capable map software package available, but I think this does little good for racing. The units have been back ordered due to supply and demand, the demand is higher than the amount of units Lowrance can produce at this time. We are out at this time and have 100 units due in early July, get on the waiting list because for the next few months Lowrance is backed up. All the new units take the secure digital cards and will take the PCI, BFG, or Score downloads. Color is better in my opinion for a race truck, and we have a few of the monochrome Baja units in stock for $399. Good luck.

[ntsqd]

I have a Lowrance. I'm not impressed. It stays home more often than not. I was excited when I got it, but frankly my little old Garmin GPS III does as good a job and sometimes does better in spite of it's little screen. Garmin's tech people give a shiat when you call them, unlike when you call Lowrance. Lowrance's exclusivity with their map files reminds me of the mistake Apple made with the Mac's.
I wish I'd better researched my purchase b4 I bought a Lowrance.

[Sandmaster]

I use tons of the Baja Lowrance GPS setups in our sandcars. They are awesome! Out of probably 50 units i've only had an issue with one. Sent it back and they sent me a completely new one, no questions asked.

If you buy your product from Scott at PCI, you'll have a complete support team behind you if you have any issues. Their always at the races to offer support also.

Also for the price, you can't beat it. $399 for a 5" screen GPS is cheap. Saw a Garmin setup yesterday at Costco for $1,450

[ntsqd]

But have you USED a newer GPS from another brand? The best that Lowrance can do, here in the States, in map detail is only equal to what came pre-programmed in my GPS III.

[Sandmaster]

But have you USED a newer GPS from another brand? The best that Lowrance can do, here in the States, in map detail is only equal to what came pre-programmed in my GPS III.

Actually no. Never needed to as the Lowrance had more features than what we needed anyway.

[powerbox_builder]

I guess it depends on what you are doing with it. I have a Garmin V, I keep it on my XR650, I also raced with it in a single seat car in the 03 Baja 1000. But it is too small. For the same price I got a Lowrance 3300c. The bigger the better if your going to race with it. I've used both to drive in the States and Garmin does seem to have more detail. But again its so small. If your going to off-road with it I say Lowrance. If you want to find the Police station in Billings Montana a Garmin might be better.

[Jack]

Does Lawrance have a handheld unit? I was thinking abour a lawrance for the chasing, but was hopeing that I could do my preruning and maping of small access roads on my quad with a smaller unit. It seems that you can not transfer data from one type to the other??

[grantdcol]

I am primarily buying it for offroad use, keeping breadcrumbs of trips, and marking interesting locations/camping spots for future visits. Any street navigation would be a bonus, though I've never used it, it might be very useful and worth factoring into my decision.

I'm likely to buy through PCI, so other than PCI support, and availability, what makes the GlobalMap 3500C prepped by PCI for $550, better than the GlobalMap Baja 480C for $470? Or for a B&W unit, what is the difference between the GlobalMap Baja and the GlobalMap 4800, both at $400?

I'm open to other brands as well, but the price is right for Lowrance's 5" displays.

Thanks!

-Colin

[pciscott]

All current Lowrance units take a secure digital card and run on the same format, this means you could prerun with a handheld and then upload to any built in unit you are racing with. The 3500c and the 480c Baja are exactly the same unit, the 480c comes standard with the race prep that PCI has been offering for years. We still have both 3500c and 480c units on order with Lowrance due to them being backordered so heavy on these models, we take what we can get. We sell all Lowrance systems for MAP pricing and offer what I feel is the best service and the knowledge to answer any questions you have about using your unit in a racing application. When racing any model of Lowrance will do the job, however the color screens are easier to see on a bright day and the largest screen you can afford so you can see the unit while bouncing around in the racecar. Many racers are adding a second unit on the driver side (check out my hot rod or Jesse's new ride), this gives the driver a speedometer on his side of the car for when racing on the 60mph pavement sections in Baja and allows the driver the line of the race course for him to gauge during the race. This allows the co-driver a break and gives you a redundant system if one of the units fails during the race. Jason and Josh Baldwin, Bob Shepard, Jesse Jones, Vildosola Racing, Alan Pflueger, and myself are a few that are adding a screen to the drivers side and it is a huge benefit. For the few of you racers who are not using the benefit of GPS, you guys are in the dark ages and need a whole lot of luck to win a race. GPS is a huge advantage! Good luck to all at their next event!

[14802]

Like I said before in this post the 3500c is the most bang for your buck ...It will do most of your need's, if you need fuel managment and so forth.. still hit up scott @ P.C.I. ...they will hook you up w/ everything , and they are one of the companies that still will deal with the customer ONE ON ONE.... they are # 1

[Junior]

I hear the ifinder is compatable with the GPS files from PCI/SCORE/BFG and use the same type memory card. The ifinder hand held unit is very reasonable for prerunning, chasing and what not. Any thoughts on this unit?

Jr

[pjc]

Try the Lowrance I-Finder H20. It is water resistant and has a nice display. Perfect for a bike or quad with RAM mounts. It uses the same data format (both file type and media "SD Card") as my Lowrance 6000c in the prerunner.

Does Lawrance have a handheld unit? I was thinking abour a lawrance for the chasing, but was hopeing that I could do my preruning and maping of small access roads on my quad with a smaller unit. It seems that you can not transfer data from one type to the other??

[grantdcol]

Like I said before in this post the 3500c is the most bang for your buckNot if the GlobalMap Baja 480C is the same thing for $80 less...

Thanks so much for the help Scott. I will definately buy through P.C.I.
I would rather support baja racing than deep sea fishing anyway!

-Colin

[TDORSloppy]

I can't wait to get one of these! 10" Screen, 20GB MP3 player built in!

http://www.lowrance.com/images/Automotive/iWAY800C/iWAY800C_large.jpg
http://www.lowrance.com/Automotive/Products/iWAY800C.asp

Probably $900-$1000 when they come out.

[Kbach66]

I can't wait to get one of these! 10" Screen, 20GB MP3 player built in!




Pardon my GPS ignorance.....but would that work the same as the Globalmap series, that could be used in a prerunner, but also thrown in the RV as a 'navigation' system when on trips/vacations/etc. for turn by turn directions??

Sounds like a good selling point for negotiations with the wife!!!!
"Honey, it's not ANOTHER part for the truck, it's a navi system for the motorhome"


Sold!!!!!

[Sandmaster]

I use tons of the Baja Lowrance GPS setups in our sandcars. They are awesome! Out of probably 50 units i've only had an issue with one. Sent it back and they sent me a completely new one, no questions asked.

If you buy your product from Scott at PCI, you'll have a complete support team behind you if you have any issues. Their always at the races to offer support also.

Also for the price, you can't beat it. $399 for a 5" screen GPS is cheap. Saw a Garmin setup yesterday at Costco for $1,450


I have to give a tremendous plug to Mike a Racer X. Mike has always taken care of our shop with some of the best service available. Any kit (radio or GPS) has worked flawless from Racer X. If you have questions, Mike and his crew can take real good care of you also.