Lowrance GPS

[Blanco]

Is there really anybody else making a worthy unit, when it come to Off road GPS :confused:

I'm about to buy this unit for my new custom Dash!
http://www.lowrance.com/images/Products/Automotive/GMBaja540c/GlobalMap-Baja-540c_large.jpg

My plan is to use this as a Speedo/etc.

So if any of you can give me some input as to why I should not use this as my Speedo, & if you could tell me where I could find it cheap'ist I'd appreciate it! :D

[Moss2]

Is that the Baja 480C? I cant make out the model in the pic. Seems like it should work for a speedo as long as you dont need immediate response from it. The GPS only updates itself every X# of seconds so you may be almost stopped and it will say you are still doing 40 for a sec or two. It makes it a little bit challenging to try and hold exactly 60 on the Mexican highway sections during a race but shouldnt be so big of deal in a driver. You might also not like waiting for it to power up and find itself all the time.

Have you looked at these http://www.racepak.com/udx.html ? I have seen them in some fancy prerunners and Robby Gordons race truck.

[Blanco]

Is that the Baja 480C? I cant make out the model in the pic. Seems like it should work for a speedo as long as you dont need immediate response from it. The GPS only updates itself every X# of seconds so you may be almost stopped and it will say you are still doing 40 for a sec or two. It makes it a little bit challenging to try and hold exactly 60 on the Mexican highway sections during a race but shouldnt be so big of deal in a driver. You might also not like waiting for it to power up and find itself all the time.
Thanks Ken, actually that's the Baja 540c http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Automotive/GMBaja540c.asp
Same thing pretty much but has a 5" screen.

those are some interesting points I did'nt know.
The biggest reason I'd want any real world to the second acuracy would be when a Cop is clocking me...

You said "You might also not like waiting for it to power up and find itself all the time."
Do you mean just when you 1st start up the truck or? :confused:
Have you looked at these http://www.racepak.com/udx.html ? I have seen them in some fancy prerunners and Robby Gordons race truck.

Those at the link you gave look nice but, dont have GPS...
Its not that I want a Trick digital screen speedo..

Its just that I'm looking at how to justify the expense of a GPS, I since I usually alone in my Bronco when I'm running it, I need to be able to watch the screen myself.

Example of where I would of love'd to use it, was at the Baja 250.
I was in Erindira & need'ed to get back to the finish line & the Checkers told me of this short cut I could take but they also warned without a GPS its not a good idea.

So I had to go all the way back around the long way. :rolleyes:

Plus as all you that run a GPS know how awsome is it to plot your own course's with notes etc...

I do remember following along some map in Dave G's chase truck & thought it was pretty darn nifty. :cool:

[chupakabras]

i rember that you ask me at the contingency about your plan on putting a gps as a speedometer, well, by that time we never had use one, now we do, it's awsome, like moss said, it updates every second, and to start up needs a couple of seconds, every time you turn on your engine, because your starter sucks all the power from the battery so it will shot down, but, anyway, i was at the start of the race and by accident i hit the exit bottom 3 times because i don't recall wath i want it to do, but, that put the gps in a speedometer mode only, the whole screen becames like a analog speedometer, it's great, and like you said, you can customize the routs, it's a must have for any one getting into offroad, eaither racing or chasing, so, i support your idea of installing that gps, ..

.. i saw some racers with gps larger than my computer screen, wow, the driver had the 5" screen and the codriver had the, mmm, kind of a 15" or larger screen, it helps a lot because you can zoom in and still been able to see much larger terrain ahead, so, like some one told us when i was asking for advice on a gps, go for a larger screen that you can afford, ..
see yaaa guys..:)

[Blanco]

Ok a few other thoughts,

1st I run an E4OD trans & wonder if I dont run the factory speedo set-up how might that effect me? :confused:

& might I be better off mounting it as a removeable system so I can move it from my Sammy to the Bronco? :confused: :confused:

The Original thought was to have it flush mounted into the Custom dash?

[Blanco]

I got my Lowrance GPS 540C a few days ago & now I wonder can this unit be worked to play DVD's & such? :confused:

[chupakabras]

not at all, you can see photos at 256 colors at most, but that's all.
that's what i know.

[Blanco]

Ok thats cool, I did'nt buy it for DVD play & such...

But thought if it did work for that, It would be http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/cooool.gif

[BajaBronco13]

I got my Lowrance GPS 540C a few days ago & now I wonder can this unit be worked to play DVD's & such? :confused:

What the...... What are you sending off the Blanco to "Pimp My Bronco"? :D

[Blanco]

What the...... What are you sending off the Blanco to "Pimp My Bronco"? :D

No! :rolleyes:

Just would like to know the extent of the options available. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/shrug.gif

[roach]

Have you looked at these http://www.racepak.com/udx.html ? I have seen them in some fancy prerunners and Robby Gordons race truck.

JUNK! they are cool for what they display, but you cant see any of it at speed or in a whoop section. yea, maybe for the pre-runner or street toy, but definatly not your race car. nothing like good old fashion mechanical guages.

[Brokenbronco]

What do you guys know about the lowrance iway 500?

[Grimm]

I thought that the 540 could play mp3's. I remember reading it somewhere in their catalogue but i don't have it with me.

[chupakabras]

does any one bought this baja map already? for those who come to baja it's a good map. i could say it's a must have.
http://www.lbmaps.com/baja_exp_.htm
http://www.lbmaps.com/exp_screshots.htm

[Blanco]

http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/awesome_dude.gif

Thanks for the Links....
Even though it will be a while before I get mine installed?

EVERYONE! I have a queston for you?

Should I start a new Sub forum dealing strictly with Lowrance Up-dates & down loads etc?

I ask you people because I've not even opened my box yet..
But if theres enough involved with these units, I'd be happy to start a Sub-Forum in the PITS for us to all share info about Lowrance/GPS stuff :confused:

[Brokenbronco]

http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/awesome_dude.gif

Thanks for the Links....
Even though it will be a while before I get mine installed?

EVERYONE! I have a queston for you?

Should I start a new Sub forum dealing strictly with Lowrance Up-dates & down loads etc?

I ask you people because I've not even opened my box yet..
But if theres enough involved with these units, I'd be happy to start a Sub-Forum in the PITS for us to all share info about Lowrance/GPS stuff :confused:

Great idea!

[Blanco]

Or is this thread enough?

[Brokenbronco]

I just bought a lowarance iway h2oc
http://www.upr.com/images_products/L_4137.jpg
I really think that this is all i will need. yes, it is a small screen, but i'm not racing, and can pull over to look at it. It has all the same features of the 540, just in a smaller packaage. And the best part, it only cost me 200 bucks :D

[Blanco]

Looks about the size of a Cell phone.

Or is it bigger?
Can you load in the same maps & such?
I ask because I'd like to find a small unit for my sammy :)

The 540C is just too big for my tiny Sammy's dash.

[Brokenbronco]

It ships on monday, as soon as i get it i'll let you know the size.

You can do everything with it that you can do with the 540

[Blanco]

Except, see it while driving. LOL!!!

[Brokenbronco]

Except, see it while driving. LOL!!!

I gues we'll have to wait and ......SEE! :D

I really don't think it's going to be an issue, i've talked to some guys that use the handhelds on both trucks and bikes and they have not had a problem.

[Scott]

Is that the Baja 480C? I cant make out the model in the pic.
They quick making the 480C in '06. PCI didn't tell me that until after I purchased my 2nd from them! I would have preferred to have purchased the newer version with the larger screen, but I guess they had to sell their inventory..:mad:


I just bought a lowarance iway h2oc
That's the same one we use in our driver transport. It uses the same maps as the 480C, meaning you can load the course maps on this one just like the 480C, so everyone is running on the same map. It's a nice little unit. I also use it to mark my favorite fishing spots! ;)

does any one bought this baja map already? for those who come to baja it's a good map. i could say it's a must have.
http://www.lbmaps.com/baja_exp_.htm
http://www.lbmaps.com/exp_screshots.htm
I agree -- these are great maps! They just released an upgrade with updated detailed streets in TJ.

[Blanco]

I've not even opened the box of my 540C yet.

& I'm curious how do get & install maps & such into it?

Does it come with anything already installed?

I would assume being called the Baja that it would have baja maps already.?

[Scott]

I've not even opened the box of my 540C yet.

& I'm curious how do get & install maps & such into?

Does is come with anything already installed?

I would assume being called the Baja that it would have baja maps already.?

It comes with a base map only, which will include major roads only (in baja, that's about 2!). It's only called "baja" because they put some foam inside to keep it from rattling to pieces. You have some options on maps. If you want to use it for U.S. travel with detailed roads and such, then you'll need to buy the Lowrance mapping software. You build the map on your pc (very simple) and save it to the little SD card that goes into your 540c. The 540C then loads that map you built and overlays it onto the base map. But that's ONLY U.S. data. The links above are detailed overlay maps for baja that have been built and the guy sales for a reasonable price. You save those onto the SD card the same way. For racing, BFG will provide you a file to save to the SD that will have the race "route" on it, or you can buy one from PCI that has dangers marked that Scott (PCI) notates when he pre-runs.

Did that make sense? :confused:

[Blanco]

:eek: Wow!

I just opened the box about 2 minutes ago & was shocked how small my 540C really is!
It might be perfect for the Sammys dash. :D

BrokenBronco I just cant imagine how tiny your unit must be!
GPS Unit that is. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/HistericalSmiley.gif

Now that I Opened it I'm having to re-think my Custom Dash layout? http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/humm_smilie.gif

I for some reason I had the Unit Dave G has in his chase truck in mind...
That's about twice the size....

I'm not complaining, I like its compact size but for some reason expected it to be bigger. ( Where have I heard that before? http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/17.gif )

[Brokenbronco]

Just got the gps...holey moley! I need to go back to school to figure this thing out!

Anyone want to give me a crash course in gps use?

[straightaxle]

Mount the thing up in your daily driver, and play with it every day. This is what Dave G did, and I highly recommend it. We went through some minor panic the first time we brought the GPS to a race and not Dave, luckily he was close to his cell phone. Then you get a green co-dawg that starts punching buttons while going through the whoops, and the screen goes black..........

[Blanco]

Mount the thing up in your daily driver, and play with it every day. This is what Dave G did, and I highly recommend it.Good idea!


Then you get a green co-dawg that starts punching buttons while going through the whoops, and the screen goes black..........

I bet he looked just like this! :eek:

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

Mount the thing up in your daily driver, and play with it every day. This is what Dave G did, and I highly recommend it. We went through some minor panic the first time we brought the GPS to a race and not Dave, luckily he was close to his cell phone. Then you get a green co-dawg that starts punching buttons while going through the whoops, and the screen goes black..........

Which unit is Dave G running that the screen is twice the size as the Baja 540?

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

It ships on monday, as soon as i get it i'll let you know the size.

You can do everything with it that you can do with the 540

Brokenbronco, It has all the same features, but does it have the same memory as the Baja540?

[chupakabras]

We went through some minor panic the first time we brought the GPS to a race . Then you get a green co-dawg that starts punching buttons while going through the whoops, and the screen goes black..........

we are still reading the g... d. manual, we were able to use it last time, but, it has a lot of functions that we didn't use because we didn't know how to. .. so, keep on pushing those buttons, ok. good luck..

[straightaxle]

Which unit is Dave G running that the screen is twice the size as the Baja 540?

Its a 600c I believe.

[Brokenbronco]

A little update...

I sold the handheld h2oc and bought an iway 500c because i was told that i could download maps...WRONG!!! You can download course maps, but you have to be a rocket scientist to do it! The 500 is a bitchen unit for the street, so it will go in my wifes expy.

I lucked out and found a slightly used 480c with the antannae, mapcreate 6, and a 1gig sd card. I picked it up this morning, ihope this will be the end of my gps saga! I guess that's what i get for being a cheap bastard! For the time and money i have spent i could have gotten a brand new 540, oh well...live and learn!

[Blanco]

You mentioned an ant.

I've not even givin that any thought.
What type of antenna does one use with a GPS? :confused:
Would mine be in the Box from Lowrance?
Or do I buy that seperate?

[chupakabras]

it's in the box, don't worry, open the box, haha, don't need anything else, everything is in the box, :D

[Blanco]

it's in the box, don't worry, open the box, haha, don't need anything else, everything is in the box, :D

Actually the GPS is in my Bronco & thats at Fantelli MotorSports.

Man I cant wait to get it back & hit the dirt! http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/spaz_smilie.gif

[Brokenbronco]

Cam, now that your unit is installed in your dash, you will defineatly need an antenae. Go on e-bay type in lowrance gps into the search, and you will get a bunch to look through.

[Blanco]

Cam, now that your unit is installed in your dash, you will defineatly need an antenae. Go on e-bay type in lowrance gps into the search, and you will get a bunch to look through.

:eek: WHAT!

Chupa said it was all in the box? :confused:

& actually its not mounted IN the dash, its gonna be mounted on the top of the dash & this will allow me to swap it back & forth between my Bronco & Sammy.

[chupakabras]

:eek: WHAT!

Chupa said it was all in the box? :confused:

& actually its not mounted IN the dash, its gonna be mounted on the top of the dash & this will allow me to swap it back & forth between my Bronco & Sammy.

no need for an antenna, BECAUSE, IT'S IN THE BOX, you bought the 540c? even if it were the 480c, they come with the antenna fot the gps,. ok, so don't worry cam,.

[Brokenbronco]

I think what Chupa is saying is that it has an internal antenae, even so, i would still go with an external.

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

I think what Chupa is saying is that it has an internal antenae, even so, i would still go with an external.

No, he is saying it is "in the box". Meaning that it is "in the box", the cardboard box that the GPS came in. He said that model comes with an antenna.......and it is in the box......LOOK IN THE BOX! Do you need a functioning GPS to punch in the coordinates of the antenna so you can find your way into the box? ? ? Come on now, that there was funny! :D
....I know, Cam. The box in in the truck, and the truck is in the shop.... :)

[Moss2]

No, he is saying it is "in the box". Meaning that it is "in the box", the cardboard box that the GPS came in. He said that model comes with an antenna.......and it is in the box......LOOK IN THE BOX! Do you need a functioning GPS to punch in the coordinates of the antenna so you can find your way into the box? ? ? Come on now, that there was funny! :D
....I know, Cam. The box in in the truck, and the truck is in the shop.... :)

Thank you, I was just about to do that!

[Brokenbronco]

No, he is saying it is "in the box". Meaning that it is "in the box", the cardboard box that the GPS came in. He said that model comes with an antenna.......and it is in the box......LOOK IN THE BOX! Do you need a functioning GPS to punch in the coordinates of the antenna so you can find your way into the box? ? ? Come on now, that there was funny! :D
....I know, Cam. The box in in the truck, and the truck is in the shop.... :)

:o :o :o My bad!

[chupakabras]

thks guys, ok, let's try it with pictures, right, this is what's IN THE BOX,
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/531622/fullsize/globalmap-baja-540-lqtr_xlarge.jpg
AND THE LGC-2000 MODULE GPS ANTENNA RECEIVER, EXTERNALLLL:mad:
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/531623/fullsize/lgc-baja.jpg

:D :D :D