Garmin Overlander

Hey I’m new to tacoworld but have been consulting on it for a while.

I’m looking at getting a Garmin Overlander for navigation. Going to be traveling in the Southwest next month and don’t really want to use wifi, it can get expensive I’m a Canadian.

Garmin always keep updating the GPS. I haven’t been really happy with the factory Tacoma gps for roads and I want more off-road coverage.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Paul

 

Paul,

From what I've read the Overlander is still really overpriced for what you are getting. You can download most of your maps to your phone or tablet before you leave. It does seem like a really neat piece of kit however.

 

Yep working on learning it.

 

I think it is overpriced, but, I can also use it on hikes when I need it it’s not to big. I always worry about phones and tablets durability garmin GPS has been in the game for ages.

 

I won a Garmin Overlander and it is awesome. It is the first automotive navigation GPS device I have ever had besides using my phone.

Things I love:
1. The screen size is awesome for navigating unknown roads. I used it to drive from Salt Lake City, Utah to Anchorage, Alaska in conjunction with Google Maps on my Samsung S9.
2. It works when there is no cell reception (google maps wouldn't load.)
3. The magnetic attach/detach is amazing. 10/10
4. Rugged nature of the device is great.
5. I didn't use this but the camping spots was sweet.
6. The built-in speaker produces great sound plenty loud enough for a loud vehicle like my 94 FZJ80 towing up the Alcan highway.

Things I don't care for:
1. The suction mount would loosen up have issues over highway driving. The awesome magnetic attach/detach would loosen up the ball mount so readjusting everytime was necessary.
2. USB Mini connection. Why not USB C? It sucks a lot of power, so use the supplied cig. lighter outlet or a high amp USB charger. The USB charger from my iOttie wireless phone charger I had wouldn't charge the Garmin Overlander.
3. I thought it was ready to go OOTB. It definitely was not... See the below screenshot showing the 5 hours or so it needed to download the data it needed. Glad I checked this before my trip.
4. Recording tracks and adding waypoints, not sure if this is possible with the Overlander. If it is possible, GAIA GPS on my phone is significantly easier and more intuitive for making and sharing tracks imo.
5. Adding GPX tracks to the device, again not as simple as I think it should be, assuming this is possible on the Garmin Overlander at all.
6. Gaia GPS with the different layers shows more trails in Alaska in my limited checking. Might be the other way around elsewhere.

If you have any other questions I could answer let me know. Once I clean up my Land Cruiser and get her out of the garage I will be using this more often with the family accompanying me on more trips (why I sold my SAS Taco in the first place.)