Handheld GPS

[casualmadness]

Anyone got a good handheld GPS they can recommend? Please note; handheld only. I'm not interested in something that is meant to stick to my windshield. I have a job that requires an insane amount of travel; mostly OCONUS (Outside Cont. USA). So I need something that I can get foreign maps for. In addition to the usual places like many European cities like London, Paris, etc. I also need more remote regions like certian places in Africa, Southwest Asia, etc. The international maps is a must have. Without that, it's useless to me. A topographical map would be nice. Price really isn't a concern as this is something that I really need.
I've looked at the Garmin Colorado and it seems like it might be what I'm looking for except I can't find any definite availability of international maps.
Anyone got any suggestions?

[Selta]

Honestly, I use my cell phone. Verizon has a decent GPS built into my phone (VZ Navigator). It works well (for USA).

[Tsal]

It's might be a good idea if you start by looking who makes the best maps for your use. Every map company doesn't do every continent, etc.

[spencer]

iphone

[casualmadness]

Originally Posted by Tsal

It's might be a good idea if you start by looking who makes the best maps for your use. Every map company doesn't do every continent, etc.

I didn't realize that. That's good info; thanks. I'll start looking at the maps that I need and I guess I'll go from there.

[Steve]

The tip about choosing based on the map availability is good.
Beyond that, I think Garmin is the preeminent contractor to the US military so, that's probably worth something.

It can get pricey. I think the Garmin map packs run about $100 each

[Happynoj]

Originally Posted by casualmadness

Anyone got a good handheld GPS they can recommend? Please note; handheld only. I'm not interested in something that is meant to stick to my windshield. I have a job that requires an insane amount of travel; mostly OCONUS (Outside Cont. USA). So I need something that I can get foreign maps for. In addition to the usual places like many European cities like London, Paris, etc. I also need more remote regions like certian places in Africa, Southwest Asia, etc. The international maps is a must have. Without that, it's useless to me. A topographical map would be nice. Price really isn't a concern as this is something that I really need.
I've looked at the Garmin Colorado and it seems like it might be what I'm looking for except I can't find any definite availability of international maps.
Anyone got any suggestions?

Are you a bounty hunter...

[Chunk-O-Funk]

I have a Garmin product (nuvi) and I know they do have international maps available. They come on a SD memory card and cost about $150.00.

Here's the link for the Colorado 400. Click on the "Buy additional maps" tab to see what's available. I did see one map for Southern Africa and Southeast Asia.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?...D=11023#mapTab

One thing I can say about the Garmin products is the manual that comes with the unit is very minimal. Going to their website and registering your product is well worth it. They have a much more comprehensive manual to download.

For instance. They have an application you can download to your computer that can communicate with google/mapquest/ etc. maps and download them to the GPS. It came in handy for me once when my nuvi didn't have an address on file.


Try emailing Garmin. I did once and they returned my email the next business day.

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I have a Magellan Explorist 500.

It's decent, but I've had to repair it a couple times--a solder connection that needed redoing, and the keypad got flaky. Magellan's customer support is weak and often unresponsive. I've sometimes needed to just figure things out by trial and error or through online user groups because I couldn't get an answer from Magellan.

[MJ5150]

I have one that mounts to the windshield, but it fits in my hand too. I put in my pocket when I walk around an unfamiliar place.

-Mike