I did a thing

[Frenchy]

Well last week I decided to pull the trigger on the Garmin Overlander. But why you ask? That's alright we shall get to it.

To start it is currently on sale for $600(vs the normal $700). It's better than nothing on that part. Also when it comes to the old Pathfinder my options for navigation was the cell phone(not that grate for OffRoad) of a dedicated GPS(depending on the unit would say if OffRoad is a thing).

Some might ask why not just download the OnX OffRoad APP? Well if you don't download your trails you will be screwed since the phone is still going to depend on Cell Towers vs the GPS will depend on Satellite signal. I would rather have the Satellite for a GPS alone. Makes things a bit simpler.

There are two modes, Drive and Explore. Drive is like your regular GPS. Explore gives you the TOPO Map view. For regular driving I see myself using the Drive. For OffRoad I see myself using Explore.

It does have a track record function for when you find a trail you like and want to remember where it's at. It will save it to the unit. You can also upload different trails from Funtreks and possibly other places. I know there are a few on the Garmin Explore Website (might be an app page of sorts where individuals share).

Compared to Factory Navigation it will be better than Factory for OffRoad for sure. On the street I think it will depend on what we put it up against. Many here will probably claim it's better than Ford Sync. I can't confirm or deny.

Should you buy one? That's up to you. If you can justify the purchase then go for it. If you feel you can't justify it then don't buy it.

Overall I do like it and feel it can be a nice investment for someone who regularly hits the trails and wants a navigation unit that will help them know where they are at.

Oh and I don't see myself having more than 1 unit like Ronny.

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[CATX]

looks like a cool device and a great upgrade for an older vehicle.

cell phones also use GPS and are pretty accurate - maybe not as accurate as a Garmin, but probably. But you still have to download the maps.

also, iPhone 13 and older phones can use a weak cell signal to make an emergency call, and the iPhone 14 can make an SOS call with no cell signal, via satellite.

 

[Radioman]

Nice buy Chris. I have had a Garmin Oregon and now use a Garmin Montana. I use these with Garmin's BaseCamp. I preplan trips on BaseCamp and download them to the Montana. After returning, I download the track to BaseCamp and save it. I also have Garmin Topo maps. I have many trips saved in BaseCamp and review them often while planning new trips.

I looked long and hard at the Overlander. It appears to be a better unit than the Montana and has a larger display. It also will use the topo maps I purchased. Unfortunately, the Overlander will not work with BaseCamp. This a a major error for Garmin and prevents me from buying the Overlander.

I hope it serves you well.

 

[Frenchy]

Nice buy Chris. I have had a Garmin Oregon and now use a Garmin Montana. I use these with Garmin's BaseCamp. I preplan trips on BaseCamp and download them to the Montana. After returning, I download the track to BaseCamp and save it. I also have Garmin Topo maps. I have many trips saved in BaseCamp and review them often while planning new trips.

I looked long and hard at the Overlander. It appears to be a better unit than the Montana and has a larger display. It also will use the topo maps I purchased. Unfortunately, the Overlander will not work with BaseCamp. This a a major error for Garmin and prevents me from buying the Overlander.

I hope it serves you well.

I just did a quick look and I can see the difference between the Garmin Basecamp and Garmin Explore. Both are very similar but obviously different. I will agree and say that Garmin should find a way for them to share data at the least.

 

[Frenchy]

looks like a cool device and a great upgrade for an older vehicle.

cell phones also use GPS and are pretty accurate - maybe not as accurate as a Garmin, but probably. But you still have to download the maps.

also, iPhone 13 and older phones can use a weak cell signal to make an emergency call, and the iPhone 14 can make an SOS call with no cell signal, via satellite.

Compared to a cell phone a GPS is way more accurate. Even the GPS on a cellphone has to be calibrated way too often (at least that is my experience). As for making a phone call like such many new phones have similar capabilities. Are they as good as the actual SOS devices that are offered by Garmin and others? Who can say as that is a conversation for a different thread.

 

[RedlandRanger]

Compared to a cell phone a GPS is way more accurate.

I'm not sure I agree with this statement - I do a lot of hiking and used to use a dedicated Garmin unit to record my tracks. Several years ago, I carried (and tracked) using both my cell phone and the Garmin unit. I did this over several trips and the tracks were essentially identical. Ever since, I've used my phone as my GPS - the only advantage the Garmin unit has is battery life. I could track for 3 or 4 days with it - with my phone after a day of tracking my battery is pretty low.

 

[Frenchy]

I'm not sure I agree with this statement - I do a lot of hiking and used to use a dedicated Garmin unit to record my tracks. Several years ago, I carried (and tracked) using both my cell phone and the Garmin unit. I did this over several trips and the tracks were essentially identical. Ever since, I've used my phone as my GPS - the only advantage the Garmin unit has is battery life. I could track for 3 or 4 days with it - with my phone after a day of tracking my battery is pretty low.

The handheld units might be a bit different. I do recall a recent review about a basic handheld Garmin Inreach not tracking as well thanks to the way it was pinging location.

 

[9zero1790]

the garmins are awesome. i still have a Garmin nuvi 1550 or some number like that lifetime maps. but these days its a backup when the "phone" not doing its job. several places i go the phone gets no signal. phones google maps, waze, etc. the Garmin, a paper map - yep paper- and if things are really bad a cb radio and compass.

 

[RedlandRanger]

The handheld units might be a bit different. I do recall a recent review about a basic handheld Garmin Inreach not tracking as well thanks to the way it was pinging location.

I also have a Garmin Inreach unit as well and as a communcations device it works GREAT. As a GPS/Mapping device it totally sucks. If I were to do it over, I would buy one of the mini communicators - a lot smaller and lighter, without the mapping part of it. My other Garmin GPS is/was a 60csx - it is an amazing unit, but it is nice not having to carry so many devices. I used to carry a separate GPS, phone and camera and now I use my phone for all 3. I do carry the Garmin InReach as well, but that is a new capability.

 

[Friday yet?]

a paper map - yep paper

+100!!!!!!!

Carry paper maps when driving. For long trips I preplan the route via paper. Yes I use Waze while driving. But I always have that paper visual as backup in my mind. Always have paper maps in the vehicle.

Also carry paper, and a compass, for longer hikes.

Now I will admit that I have been a bit of a map freak since childhood. Love maps. But, they are one hell of a good tool. Land Nav course in the Army? Weaker players ( some higher ranking) always wanted to be on my team.

IMHO? Parents need to teach their kids how to read a map. Unfortunately many parents these days most likely have zero clue themselves.

?

 

[MountainGoat]

I've been interested in adding a standalone nav unit and this one looks good. Come on Labor Day sales!

 

[RedlandRanger]

+100!!!!!!!

Carry paper maps when driving. For long trips I preplan the route via paper. Yes I use Waze while driving. But I always have that paper visual as backup in my mind. Always have paper maps in the vehicle.

Also carry paper, and a compass, for longer hikes.

Now I will admit that I have been a bit of a map freak since childhood. Love maps. But, they are one hell of a good tool. Land Nav course in the Army? Weaker players ( some higher ranking) always wanted to be on my team.

IMHO? Parents need to teach their kids how to read a map. Unfortunately many parents these days most likely have zero clue themselves.

?

I'm kind of a map freak too. It is interesting that my daughter has come to appreciate paper maps too. As is typical with most of the younger crowd, she uses her phone a LOT, but when we were planning an upcoming backpack trip, she said she really likes paper maps because she can't see the bigger picture on her phone, or even on her computer. I had to smile when I heard that!

I still have some old paper maps in our vehicles but with our phones AND the nav in the vehicle, I haven't needed to pull them out in years now.

Map reading is an important skill - even if you use an electronic version, you still need to know how to read a map. I think if more people really knew how to read maps, we wouldn't have people stupidly following google maps into bad situations.

 

[IdahoRanger]

Always had a Thomas guide back in the day. Still have paper maps tucked into the glove box, and behind the seat holders.

 

[Frenchy]

+100!!!!!!!

Carry paper maps when driving. For long trips I preplan the route via paper. Yes I use Waze while driving. But I always have that paper visual as backup in my mind. Always have paper maps in the vehicle.

Also carry paper, and a compass, for longer hikes.

Now I will admit that I have been a bit of a map freak since childhood. Love maps. But, they are one hell of a good tool. Land Nav course in the Army? Weaker players ( some higher ranking) always wanted to be on my team.

IMHO? Parents need to teach their kids how to read a map. Unfortunately many parents these days most likely have zero clue themselves.

?

I won't argue that having a paper map is still a good idea. When it comes to Funtreks alone they state to make sure you use the trail books along with the navigation trails since the navigation won't give you information that the book has.

I also remember years ago learning how to read maps in school and in Cup Scouts. Definitely a useful thing to know.

 

[Clank]

Well last week I decided to pull the trigger on the Garmin Overlander. But why you ask? That's alright we shall get to it.

To start it is currently on sale for $600(vs the normal $700). It's better than nothing on that part. Also when it comes to the old Pathfinder my options for navigation was the cell phone(not that grate for OffRoad) of a dedicated GPS(depending on the unit would say if OffRoad is a thing).

Some might ask why not just download the OnX OffRoad APP? Well if you don't download your trails you will be screwed since the phone is still going to depend on Cell Towers vs the GPS will depend on Satellite signal. I would rather have the Satellite for a GPS alone. Makes things a bit simpler.

There are two modes, Drive and Explore. Drive is like your regular GPS. Explore gives you the TOPO Map view. For regular driving I see myself using the Drive. For OffRoad I see myself using Explore.

It does have a track record function for when you find a trail you like and want to remember where it's at. It will save it to the unit. You can also upload different trails from Funtreks and possibly other places. I know there are a few on the Garmin Explore Website (might be an app page of sorts where individuals share).

Compared to Factory Navigation it will be better than Factory for OffRoad for sure. On the street I think it will depend on what we put it up against. Many here will probably claim it's better than Ford Sync. I can't confirm or deny.

Should you buy one? That's up to you. If you can justify the purchase then go for it. If you feel you can't justify it then don't buy it.

Overall I do like it and feel it can be a nice investment for someone who regularly hits the trails and wants a navigation unit that will help them know where they are at.

Oh and I don't see myself having more than 1 unit like Ronny.

Actually been looking at these as well. Going back and forth between the Overlander and the Tread Overland.

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