Pirogoeth Posted October 24, 2003 Share Posted October 24, 2003 I have a Garmin Legend. I see there are a lot of different accessories available for it like cases, mounting brackets, car chargers, etc. What would you recommend getting, if any? Also, is the map software worth what it costs or is the map on the GPS good enough? Quote Link to comment
+webscouter. Posted October 24, 2003 Share Posted October 24, 2003 I really like my car mount and dual power/serial cable from GPSGeek. Quote Link to comment
+Dad and the Dynamic Duo Posted October 24, 2003 Share Posted October 24, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Pirogoeth:I have a Garmin Legend. I see there are a lot of different accessories available for it like cases, mounting brackets, car chargers, etc. What would you recommend getting, if any? Also, is the map software worth what it costs or is the map on the GPS good enough? IMHO, a case (not necessarily a Garmin case) is the first accessory I'd get. I have a 2.5 year old yellow eTrex that looks brand new because it has live in a Body Glove case since I've had it. It has tumbled down hills, been dropped on rocks, fell off my motorcycle, etc and looks like it did 2.5 years ago. If your legend did not come with the data cable, that is a close second and the power cable is very nice in the car. As to the maps, you don't need them for caching but it is real nice to have when driving to the cache. George eTrex basic eTrex Vista Quote Link to comment
+PeachyPA Posted October 24, 2003 Share Posted October 24, 2003 For my birthday I received an e-Trex. I really enjoy using that gadget. Where does one purchase a case for it? We bought it at a Dunham's sporting goods store; they had no accessories, just the units. Also, how big is the beanbag type holder for these units? Can someone e-mail me the measurements? Thanks. PeachyPA Quilter, Cacher, Cubmaster Quote Link to comment
BogSlogger Posted October 24, 2003 Share Posted October 24, 2003 Try a case by a company called "Nite Ize". I have one, and it is very rugged and durable. It has little side pockets for small things, like mini pens, small pocket knife or whatever and it stands up by itself. Weeelll here is the URL, have a look for your self. http://www.niteize.com/gps.html Quote Link to comment
TaffyDahli Posted October 24, 2003 Share Posted October 24, 2003 Hi, Just A quicky! That's it many thanks!! Quote Link to comment
+PeachyPA Posted October 24, 2003 Share Posted October 24, 2003 BogSlogger, that looks like a great product. Does it allow the GPSr to sit on the dashboard? I just might get me one. Thanks! PeachyPA Quilter, Cacher, Cubmaster Quote Link to comment
Team DAD Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 I bought an Etrex case at Circuit City for around $15. I've also seen them at Target. It really keeps the unit from getting banged up and still allows good access to the buttons. My unit still looks brand new thanks to that case. Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 The mapping software is worth it if you snag a great deal off of eBay. Quote Link to comment
shrekTBA Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 I have the nite eyes cases for both of my GPSr's, only issue that i had with them is they put quite a bit of pressure on the clik stick on my vista, so i did a little cutting and put in a backing of cardboard to keep it off of the stick and it works great. I would not put it on the dash in it though. I have the handlebar mount and a suction cup window mount. I love both of them. I also have a power cable and a combo power/serial for a laptop. Next mount will be a mini ram for my boat. Nice thing about using the Garmin mounts is that the same battery cover mounts will fit all of the others, no changing the GPS unit at all to go from windshield mount to handle bar mount. It's not a sport unless there is something dead in the back of the truck when you get home. Quote Link to comment
+Touchstone Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 I have a small tote bag for carrying GPSr, PDA, small Swiss Army knife (the one with the hidden pen), batteries, and compass. Powercord/PC link is an essential as far as I'm concerned. Bike mount or car mount are on my wishlist. Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. The rest go geocaching. Quote Link to comment
+Wulfster Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 quote:Originally posted by webscouter495:I really like my car mount and dual power/serial cable from GPSGeek. I also have the dual cable for the car and the car mount from GPSGeek, and I love the cable. I'd be wary of the suction mount; the plastic that holds the arm to the bracket breaks easily. There is a warning about it in the packing materials that I didn't see until mine was broken. Nothing that a little epoxy can't fix... I also bought (and love) the Map Source software. Quote Link to comment
+T10X Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 Everything you mentioned sure makes it easier. The maps cd is great because it shows all the side streets. I saw Garmin DC power cords at Target for 8.99 with the phone accessories. Quote Link to comment
+Alan2 Posted October 26, 2003 Share Posted October 26, 2003 I'm using a RAM Mount for my windshield with suction cup. I decided on RAM rather than Garmin for my Vista because you can swap to a bycycle mount easily as the holder and clamps do not have to be changed. I didn't like the Garmin mount because you have to take off the battery cover each time and then replace it when done. The lighter cable is also they way to go - you save bateries while driving which is a considerable portion of its use (for me as I have Metroguide). Also, with the cable you can keep the back light on all the time at night. Good luck. Alan Quote Link to comment
notec Posted October 26, 2003 Share Posted October 26, 2003 II bought a Garmin case for my legend from radio shack for $20 canadian. The only problem I have with the software is there is no detail for my city,but if I look at others....whoa...wholy detail Batman!!!!!! If it doesn't hurt your not doing it right Quote Link to comment
Pirogoeth Posted October 27, 2003 Author Share Posted October 27, 2003 Thanks! I got the eTrex case, which seems like protection enough (I don't plan on dropping it off of any cliffs or anything...) and the car power cable so I don't waste the batteries when I'm driving. I didn't get a mount because there no real good place inside my car to put it (The top of the dashboard is curvy, so I don't know how well it would stick.) The eTrex case has velcro on it, so maybe I can do something with that, like in the crevase between the dashboard and the driver's side door. Quote Link to comment
+webscouter. Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 Just make sure you check the satelite reception before you mount the unit. My original intent for my van was to put it where you are suggesting and I couldn't get any reception there. Also make sure you don't put it near the airbag. Don't want it hitting you if you are watching the GPS and drive into a tree or something. Quote Link to comment
+happycycler Posted October 31, 2003 Share Posted October 31, 2003 A positive comment for the Ram GPS Mounts. I bought one for my Magellan Merigold. I used it in the car (w/ suction cup) and on the bicycle for 8 - 9 months until it failed. I contacted the manufacture ( www.ram-mount.com ) and have received a replacement cradle. No cost to me except for some e-mailing back & forth. So I have happy thoughts about Ram Mounts! Of course maybe their original design could be improved -- it did fail -- but I do take the GPS in & out of the cradle a bunch -- while caching and benchmarking. Everybody loves benchmarks more! Quote Link to comment
Pirogoeth Posted November 3, 2003 Author Share Posted November 3, 2003 The velcro seems to do the trick. It's mounted next to the dashboard, actually stuch to the door. It's on the other side of the steering wheel, so no airbag concerns, and I don't have to take my eyes off the road (much) to glance at it. The only problem I seem to have is that my van apparantly has some magnetic shielding around it, as even next to the window, I can barely get a signal. In the other car, I can have it sitting on the floor and I get a great signal. Anything I can do? Quote Link to comment
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