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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
I have an opportunity to get a Garmin GPSMAP 176C for 50 bucks. My question is, how functional is this unit for the kind of trail driving, off-roading that we do in our rigs? Is it worth the time or should I just hold out for a better model? I know this model is discontinued, but I think there is still online support for software. Any and all answers are greatly appreciated!
I can't comment on the specific unit you're asking about, as that is a marine GPS designed for use on water (though it does appear to be able to download on-road maps). I can, however, comment that my Garmin Nuvi 260W isn't a huge help in off-road situations as it's maps are designed primarily around paved roads and POI's (Points Of interest) like shopping and gas stations. It will give you the coordinates of you current position when off-road, so you could in theory plot a route by saved coordinates, but the map will mostly just show you in the middle of a green or brown splotch (at least that's all it has ever done for me, though I must confess to not having used it too extensively off-road either).
my buddy has one we used it on his boat, it had anchor alarm, it was nice, BIG and heavy, no touch screen. he does use for auto . .I'm not sure about the routing. . .
Would only use it for California/US? Or do you travel to Mexcio or Canada? If not, look for a base model Nuvi, much nicer, routing, touch screen etc. and if your only looking for US then they where $120 or so. . .add rest of NA brings it up to about $150.
Thanks for the input guys! I really appreciate it! I think I'm going to let this one pass... Any ideas about what a good in-vehicle GPS unit for off-road mapping would be? I am looking for one that I could possibly track myself as I drive trail. It would be great if it had actual mapping of the land itself, instead of a green or brown 'Splotch'. Not trying to break the bank, but it would be good to know where to shoot for! Thanks again!
