Newby

I would like to buy a Garmin GPS unit, but I don't know what to buy with all
the different models available. I need a unit that will show dirt roads and
trails, as I go off road in the Nevada desert. They are shown on county
maps, but I want them on GPS. Also a unit I can use in Europe for regular
roads and highways.

Bill

in the future
it would help all readers - and later searchers -
to have a more descriptive subject/title for your question...

Most of the mapping data you will find on GPS units
is very similar to what you would find using Google, Mapquest, etc.

If the "trails" are not marked on the national vendors offerings,
then you will not see them on the GPS.

Garmin has created other ways to "overlay" a GPS screen with your own map
image
and "sync" them together with known landmarks.
Basically - you take a camping or local paper/jpg map image and use it as
"wallpaper"
and sync it to some GPS coords so you can move around on the map.
This lastest feature is only available on the fully graphic Garmin GPS units
that again are using your own wallpaper map as the image.

ps56k wrote on Jul 14, 2010:


Mapquest would give a better idea since they use NavTeq mapping data the same
as Garmin. Google maps are based on Tele Atlas data.

--
Mike Lane
UK North Yorkshire
mike_lane at mac dot com

since Joel has gone off on his usual rants....
let me clarify a couple of points.

- the GPS determines it's point on the earth, in the air, etc from the
surrounding satellites.
- there is NO map associated with that point... merely some coords
- the coords are then matched to some underlying map image... just like a
paper map.
- you must BUY the map image, just like a paper map - if it didn't come
installed on the GPS.

the additional "features" of various GPS models determine how you can
interact with the GPS,
the mapping data avail, routing, voice directions, street names, jpeg, mp3,
bluetooth, traffic info, etc -

SO - the GPS doesn't magically draw the map -
it's more of plotting a point on an existing paper map.

ps56k wrote on Jul 15, 2010:


I know all that. Is your post directed at me or someone else?

--
Mike Lane
UK North Yorkshire
mike_lane at mac dot com