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A good GPS for Safari and offroading
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 1:44 pm
by harrazh
Hi Guys,
I was wondering if you can give me any tips on a good GPs device that can help me on roads and offroads, I was told that not all Garmin devices has desert maps and navigate you thru it.
I dont know what a good budget for it but I thought to start with 1000 AED
Any Help?

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 1:49 pm
by tintin
You can get some good deals at carrefour on some garmin products. For the desert they must have waypoint ability, route recording ability and possibly back track so you can find your way out if you ever get lost or very stuck in a difficult area. I have a garmin 60csx, it's small but is great for the sand and easy to handle.
Or you can go for the bigger garmin models which are more suited to boats, bigger screens but also much bigger devices. It's liek having a portable TV on your dashboard! You will most likely pay anything between 1-2000 with maps for a good garmin device.

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 2:50 pm
by Tillybean
I have a Garmin 276C which is all singing and dancing - it's taken me a while to understand it, although that could be a user issue and not a product issue! LOL.
I have heard that they are being sold for around 1,800 AED new, so you may be able to pick up a used one closer to your budget?
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 3:26 pm
by Wallie
Harrazh,
I got a Garmin 1410, but use it for on road. You can also use it off road. I prefer my Iphone app called MotionX it is fantastic. I don't know if the Android store got it. So may be if you got a smart phone you can look for the App to give you more time to save for the big one.
http://gps.motionx.com/iphone/overview/
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 5:04 pm
by m_obaid
I got a Navigon 40 Premium GPS. You can use it on road & off road and recording ur rout in the desert . (900 DHS)
http://www.navigon.com/portal/au/produk ... ieger.html
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 6:01 pm
by Wasif Ahmed
Whatver GPS you finally decide to buy make sure it has the "Off Road Mode" ...wihtout the off road mode it will be absolutely useless on the sands
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:25 pm
by harrazh
oh, so many options

)) Its not easy as I thought

)
@ tintin: I like the back track option, but when I checked in garmin ( as this is my first choice) I found it in eTrex models, but I prefer GPs gadget with bigger screen,
@ Tillybean: from the way it looks I doubt that its a user issue, I may check that one but does it have a track back feature?
@ Wallie: I'm actually considering this option.
@Obaid: Thanks man, this one has very good user ratings, and within my budget, I will check it as well
@Wasif: The problem is no one knows what an off road mode means

when I asked the guy he gave me that look ( what the he;ll r u talking about

), and as far as I understand when you say off road mode that doesnt mean only a straight line, it also means compass, and trackback feature, so if you know of these features in any garmin device I appreciate if you share it.
From my quick search I did using the info I got from your replies guys, I found that to get the trachback and compass features with the on road navigation, I will need two devices

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:35 am
by ScaVenger
Hi harrazh,
i have 2 Garmin Gps devices that i always have in my car, one i use mostly for the car, and one i use when im tracking my route when i use my bike in the desert. they both have all youre on-road capabilities and offroad.
1. This one i use while in my car - smaller version of 276c but not with all the ssame functionality. 276c heavy duty + hardcore but takes a while to learn how to use properly,
Garmin Montana
[attachment=1]garmin_montana_650_touchscreen_gps_1277484_2_og.jpg[/attachment]
2. This is one i use alot with bike, compact but has all functionality needed in desert and road.
Garmin 62s
[attachment=1]garmin62s_1.jpg[/attachment]
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:34 am
by Mpenzi
Most guys here are using Garmin276 so i thnk it the best.
Good thing about it you can easily exchange way points & routes
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:52 am
by Uncle
Garmin 276C
Garmin Montana
These are the two best devices that will take care of all your navigation requirements.....onroad and offroad.