GPS Suggestions

[Mike1951]

Is it the standard for GPS data to be free once you have purchased the hardware?

I am also in the market for a GPS and would like to have one operated on batteries
so that I can save my power sources in the truck for other devices that I run.
Are battery-powered GPS units available?

TIA / SIA

The data is not always free. I bought the Garmin 1450 LMT. It has a 5" screen instead of the common 4.3". LMT stands for (included) Lifetime Maps & Traffic. Lifetime is whatever period Garmin decides is the normal useful life of your product. You get 3-4 map updates per year for free.

I would disagree about running a vehicle unit on batteries. Mine will run about three hours if I pop it out and use it as a handheld. My GPS76csx is better for that. The power cord on mine has a integral FM receiver that picks up traffic alerts.

Having (vehicle) navigated with the handheld and its small screen, there is no comparison with the vehicle units.

Decide how you'll be using it and go ahead.

[Pawpaw]

Is it the standard for GPS data to be free once you have purchased the hardware?

I am also in the market for a GPS and would like to have one operated on batteries
so that I can save my power sources in the truck for other devices that I run.
Are battery-powered GPS units available?

TIA / SIA

The data is not always free. I bought the Garmin 1450 LMT. It has a 5" screen instead of the common 4.3". LMT stands for (included) Lifetime Maps & Traffic. Lifetime is whatever period Garmin decides is the normal useful life of your product. You get 3-4 map updates per year for free.

I would disagree about running a vehicle unit on batteries. Mine will run about three hours if I pop it out and use it as a handheld. My GPS76csx is better for that. The power cord on mine has a integral FM receiver that picks up traffic alerts.

Having (vehicle) navigated with the handheld and its small screen, there is no comparison with the vehicle units.

Decide how you'll be using it and go ahead.

The actual GPS data is always free. It comes from the constellation of GPS sattelites that are owned and operated by the US military.

Updated information for your device, such as new maps when they come out or real-time traffic data will cost you. They are value-added services from the manufacturer of the particular unit you purchase.

[Excaliber]

Whatever you do GARMIN!!!!! GARMIN!!!!! GARMIN!!!!!

[zero4o3]

Is it the standard for GPS data to be free once you have purchased the hardware?

I am also in the market for a GPS and would like to have one operated on batteries
so that I can save my power sources in the truck for other devices that I run.
Are battery-powered GPS units available?

TIA / SIA

The data is not always free. I bought the Garmin 1450 LMT. It has a 5" screen instead of the common 4.3". LMT stands for (included) Lifetime Maps & Traffic. Lifetime is whatever period Garmin decides is the normal useful life of your product. You get 3-4 map updates per year for free.

I would disagree about running a vehicle unit on batteries. Mine will run about three hours if I pop it out and use it as a handheld. My GPS76csx is better for that. The power cord on mine has a integral FM receiver that picks up traffic alerts.

Having (vehicle) navigated with the handheld and its small screen, there is no comparison with the vehicle units.

Decide how you'll be using it and go ahead.

most "car" gps systems have built in batterys and dont require the use of your cars power adapter 100% of the time expect to use it some in a logn trip though

[WildBill]

most "car" gps systems have built in batterys and dont require the use of your cars power adapter 100% of the time expect to use it some in a logn trip though

That is true, but the problem I am having with my older Garmin is that the battery is not keeping a good charge unless it is constantly plugged in. That is one complaint that I have is that batteries are not "user replaceable". You can do it, but they are not designed to make it easy. It is concern of mine that their newer slim models may be worse as far as battery longevity.

[RPB]

My first Garmin (Handheld Etrex Legend black and white small screen) was annoying in the car, but useful, it got retired when I got a nuvi (the waterproof one) which I use in the car on a cigarette lighter, and on the kayak with a deer feeder battery.

I bought the optional LAKE BOTTOM contour maps (for kayaking) on an SD card.
I like it, could consider a separate car and separate marine one now but got it years ago due to limited budget and dual usage..... looks like they advanced a lot since 2007.


The internal battery last a while, but not good for long trips.

For a light weight external 12 volts ...
For a lightweight camping/hiking trip etc most kayakers I know who don't want to lug around a deer feeder battery get the 8-battery AA cell battery holder from radio shack, (that usually lasts at least 8 hours even running a fish finder beside the GPS.)
When those AA cells finally run down, you still have a little internal battery juice hopefully while you change AA cells.
Bottom photo shows TWO battery holders (one for backup, or one for Fishfinder and one for GPS) in my waterproof box. That way I'm not looking for batteries in total darkness out in the middle of a lake to find my way back (no street lights out there)
Top photo has the part number, you connect it with a car cord if you want; don't reverse positive and negative

8 batteries x 1.5 volts = 12 volts
(But if you use rechargeable 1.2 volt batteries, you'll need the 10 AA battery holder for 12 volts ...obviously.)

[OldSchool]

Is it the standard for GPS data to be free once you have purchased the hardware?

I am also in the market for a GPS and would like to have one operated on batteries
so that I can save my power sources in the truck for other devices that I run.
Are battery-powered GPS units available?

TIA / SIA

Yes and yes.

ETA: If you can go with a small screen, the 450T takes AA batteries (chargeable and alkaline). More practical when in the woods, where we want to take it.

[OldSchool]

Flexible and reliable, to the point that we picked up an Oregon trail unit this past month.

Do I understand that they have finally included wilderness trails operated by the forestry service? I have been waiting for such a feature. Without it, when you lose the trail, your compass doesn't tell you which direction you need to go to find the trail again. You have to criss-cross for awhile to find it.

Seems to. I would never trust it to replace a USGS map, though. Too small a screen; a good paper topo map is much better for finding a route. IMO, this is just to help keep you informed of where you are and what's around you.

[Mike1951]

Is it the standard for GPS data to be free once you have purchased the hardware?

I am also in the market for a GPS and would like to have one operated on batteries
so that I can save my power sources in the truck for other devices that I run.
Are battery-powered GPS units available?

TIA / SIA

Yes and yes.

ETA: If you can go with a small screen, the 450T takes AA batteries (chargeable and alkaline). More practical when in the woods, where we want to take it.

Regarding handhelds, Garmin used to allow me to update two units for $50. Then it went to $75, and finally $75 to update each unit. So do not assume that map updates are free.

As I stated, my Garmin nuvi 1450 LMT comes with free traffic and map updates. But they also sell it with lifetime traffic or lifetime maps or neither. Buy one without maps being included and Garmin charges $49.95 for a one time upgrade or $89.95 for the lifetime updates.

Battery life on mine is three hours on battery. There is no long term option for using the unit when not plugged in. Plus, as I said, the power cord is the antenna for the FM traffic reports.

[PappaGun]

I have been using Delorme products for many years, and am quite satisfied.

I have a DeLorme laptop GPS.

It's awsesome to have a 15 inch screen in your car.

For some things the Garmin is better and more convenient, but the laptop program has a lot more functionality.

I took it on a flight to the west coast once and put the antenna in the window. It was fun to see us going 400 plus or minus mile an hour and racing by everything at street level.

[OldCurlyWolf]

I have been using Delorme products for many years, and am quite satisfied.

I have a DeLorme laptop GPS.

It's awsesome to have a 15 inch screen in your car.

For some things the Garmin is better and more convenient, but the laptop program has a lot more functionality.

I took it on a flight to the west coast once and put the antenna in the window. It was fun to see us going 400 plus or minus mile an hour and racing by everything at street level.

I have been using Delorme for 10 years and I still like it. I have the 2007 topo bundle and will upgrade as soon as I can afford it to the newest bundle.

[OldSchool]

Is it the standard for GPS data to be free once you have purchased the hardware?

I am also in the market for a GPS and would like to have one operated on batteries
so that I can save my power sources in the truck for other devices that I run.
Are battery-powered GPS units available?

TIA / SIA

Yes and yes.

ETA: If you can go with a small screen, the 450T takes AA batteries (chargeable and alkaline). More practical when in the woods, where we want to take it.

Regarding handhelds, Garmin used to allow me to update two units for $50. Then it went to $75, and finally $75 to update each unit. So do not assume that map updates are free.

As I stated, my Garmin nuvi 1450 LMT comes with free traffic and map updates. But they also sell it with lifetime traffic or lifetime maps or neither. Buy one without maps being included and Garmin charges $49.95 for a one time upgrade or $89.95 for the lifetime updates.

Battery life on mine is three hours on battery. There is no long term option for using the unit when not plugged in. Plus, as I said, the power cord is the antenna for the FM traffic reports.

Yes, that's how our nuvi 265W works, and it has been great on our long car trips. Traffic on the screen isn't always what we see on the road (sorta like traffic reports on the news), but helps. It's a keeper, so we just added the lifetime map updates (about $84, as I recall, with a discount), which got us the track download utility as well (works really well). It holds somewhere over 4 hours of charge for us when we use it in the house (and then we charge it off our USB ports).

We bought the handheld for 'packing, and will use it on our long plane trip coming up. It is advertised to stay lit 16 hours with rechargeables, but it also allows us to keep it fed in the woods with alkalines.

[sugar land dave]

It holds somewhere over 4 hours of charge for us when we use it in the house (and then we charge it off our USB ports).

Using the GPS inside? That must be some house!

[Pawpaw]

It holds somewhere over 4 hours of charge for us when we use it in the house (and then we charge it off our USB ports).

Using the GPS inside? That must be some house!

"Y'all hop in the truck. We're goin' up to the big house now."

[RPB]

It holds somewhere over 4 hours of charge for us when we use it in the house (and then we charge it off our USB ports).

Using the GPS inside? That must be some house!

"Y'all hop in the truck. We're goin' up to the big house now."

I guess the issue is ... can you get from one end of the house to the other in under 4 hours?
(Don't laugh, sometimes, with distractions, ... I can't, and ...
I suppose older age makes it even tougher, and that's when a house GPS really might come in handy)

My dad used to say, he thought about the "hereafter" a lot as he got older, He'd enter a room and wonder "What did I come in here after"
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Back on topic:

Just compare features on the major brands is all I know.
I've always liked Garmin, but always hated their "harder to understand website"