Hybrid GPS

[Weeble247]

Is there a manufacture out there who builds a GPS that can switch between Automotive (driving directions) and Hiking (Lat and Long)

[+Entropy512]

Is there a manufacture out there who builds a GPS that can switch between Automotive (driving directions) and Hiking (Lat and Long)

All of Garmin's newer trail-oriented mapping GPS units (Dakota, Oregon, GPSMAP 62, GPSMAP 78) can give driving directions if you load City Navigator maps - however none provide spoken directions in this mode.

 

The Nuvi 500/550 have limited geocaching support and very good driving support.

 

There is no unit I know of that does BOTH functions very well.

[+CacheFreakTim]

In another post today I stated I recommend the Nuvi 500/550. It is like a regular Nuvi but has full Geocaching support very similar to the Dakota and Oregons. It looks like a Nuvi and has driving maps, but also can cache. Depending on what model you get comes with full US Topo maps.

 

Check out my post here where I show pictures of the Nuvi 500 in action.

[+mpilchfamily]

The drawback to the Nuvi 500/550 is still the same drawback with most nav units. The battery life isn't that good and it has an internal rechargeable battery. So after being out for a 2 or 3 hours and the battery goes dead you can't replace them and continue caching.

 

Most of Garmin's Nuvi line is able to transition to Lat and long and is usable for Geocaching. It sucks but it can work. I used a Nuvi 1300 for the first few months i cached. It just won't tell you the distance to the cache and i found you needed to carry a compass with you to make sure your heading in the right direction.

[+CacheFreakTim]

The drawback to the Nuvi 500/550 is still the same drawback with most nav units. The battery life isn't that good and it has an internal rechargeable battery. So after being out for a 2 or 3 hours and the battery goes dead you can't replace them and continue caching.

 

This is true they do not have the 18/HR battery life some other units do(the box says 8hrs), but in my tests I easily got 5+ hours on it without a charge. Another cool think is I just looked and the battery is swappable and you buy extras on Garmin's website.

[Weeble247]

Thanks A lot

This looks exactly like what I am looking for. Now I am off to try and Find a place to buy one.

Weeble

[+CacheFreakTim]

I also just did a mini review of it on my site...see my sig. link below.

[+fegan]

The drawback to the Nuvi 500/550 is still the same drawback with most nav units. The battery life isn't that good and it has an internal rechargeable battery. So after being out for a 2 or 3 hours and the battery goes dead you can't replace them and continue caching.

Simply NOT true...the 500/550 has a battery which can be swapped out by the user.

[+humboldt flier]

The drawback to the Nuvi 500/550 is still the same drawback with most nav units. The battery life isn't that good and it has an internal rechargeable battery. So after being out for a 2 or 3 hours and the battery goes dead you can't replace them and continue caching.

 

Most of Garmin's Nuvi line is able to transition to Lat and long and is usable for Geocaching. It sucks but it can work. I used a Nuvi 1300 for the first few months i cached. It just won't tell you the distance to the cache and i found you needed to carry a compass with you to make sure your heading in the right direction.

 

Nuvi 500 / 550 series has / have a changeable batteries

[+kentwoodkrew]

Is there a manufacture out there who builds a GPS that can switch between Automotive (driving directions) and Hiking (Lat and Long)

 

I was testing my nuvi 295w for geocaching today and it was ok considering the $80 I paid. It does not compare with a 500for ease of geocaching but it was cheap and better for street nav than my oregon.