|
TNRancher420AT
|
Subject: Nuvi 500 - Anybody have off road experience with this one? | 2009-11-06 23:46:52 |

Posts: 181 Corryton, Tennessee , USA
|
I'm looking at possibly getting a Nuvi 500 mainly for use on my ATV. The main feature that has me interested is the large display size compared to the handhelds. The preloaded US topo maps are another consideration. Anybody here have any good or bad experiences with this model on the trail? Can tracks, waypoints, etc be transferred to/from mapsource as with the "mapping" handhelds?
Nuvi 500 Product Page
Right now I have a eTrex Legend Cx. It does the job, but it's display is just so tiny.
I was also looking at the Oregon 400t, but price is an issue with most of the higher end mapping units.
|
----------------
Joel
09 Red Rancher 420 AT with EPS - 25" Maxxis Bighorns, Maxxis 4x4 wheels, Warn XT25 syn. winch, KMI winch mount, Blitzkrueg.com anodized aluminum fairlead, Winch Saver, Kimpex box, Garmin Nuvi 500 GPS, RAM GPS mount, Honda 12V accessory socket.
84 ATC 70 - Stock
86 TRX 70 - Stock
84 ATC 70 - Custom rebuild in progress
|
|
Bojib
|
Subject: Nuvi 500 - Anybody have off road experience with this one? | 2009-12-05 13:23:00 |
Posts: 75 Chavies, Kentucky , USA
|
Have you ever found out the information you are looking for about the Nuvi 500?
I've been considering getting this model as well. How nice would it be to navigate to the trails with it, then switch from vehicle to ATV and use the same unit on the trails.
I have a Nuvi 200 that I use to navigate with in the vehicle, but it's not built up enough to withstand the elements one would encounter on an ATV. The 500 looks nice though.
Now I am using a Magellan Triton 1500 on the ATV when I go out. It has some nice features to it. Problem is that I used Garmin products for all those years and have obtained quite a library of Garmin specific topo maps. The Magellan I don't have that luxury with.
I wish there was a way to test drive a GPS before buying it. I suppose buying from a store with a good return policy would solve that, but no stores local to my area carry the 500.
|
----------------
2008 Suzuki KingQuad 450 AXi
Stearns Rear Rack Bag
Uni Air Filter
Maxxis Zillas
Member of Knott County Trail Riders
|
|
TNRancher420AT
|
Subject: Nuvi 500 - Anybody have off road experience with this one? | 2009-12-06 12:45:36 |

Posts: 181 Corryton, Tennessee , USA
|
Not from an actual atv user. I have found several mixed reviews online with some info. it seems this model suffers a lack of features for off-road in order to preserve the on-road functionality. I may buy one off ebay for cheap and dump it if I don't like it.
|
----------------
Joel
09 Red Rancher 420 AT with EPS - 25" Maxxis Bighorns, Maxxis 4x4 wheels, Warn XT25 syn. winch, KMI winch mount, Blitzkrueg.com anodized aluminum fairlead, Winch Saver, Kimpex box, Garmin Nuvi 500 GPS, RAM GPS mount, Honda 12V accessory socket.
84 ATC 70 - Stock
86 TRX 70 - Stock
84 ATC 70 - Custom rebuild in progress
|
|
Bojib
|
Subject: Nuvi 500 - Anybody have off road experience with this one? | 2009-12-06 13:17:22 |
Posts: 75 Chavies, Kentucky , USA
|
I kind of was having the same thoughts.
If I could get one cheap off e-bay or elsewhere, try it out. If I don't like the offroad capabilities of it, then I could still use it as a on-road navigator.
I've been looking at the Oregon 200's as well. They don't talk, but would work better for the off-road parts. They also now include raster map support, so a person could take .pdf maps or scan printed maps, geo-reference them, and load them up in the GPS for use on the trails.
|
----------------
2008 Suzuki KingQuad 450 AXi
Stearns Rear Rack Bag
Uni Air Filter
Maxxis Zillas
Member of Knott County Trail Riders
|
|
B52
|
Subject: Nuvi 500 - Anybody have off road experience with this one? | 2010-01-29 16:29:48 |
Posts: 25 Rensselaer, Indiana , USA
|
Just wanted to bump this one and see if anybody else has any experience with this model before I shell out some cash for it. Looking for it to find the way on the road, trail, and water.
|
----------------
"Kick the tires and light the Fires!"
Locals call me "Bravo"
2006 Silver 750 Bruteforce, Maier Fender flares, Warn Winch, Rear Rack Luggage, TrailTamer Fender luggage, USI handguards, Heated Grips, converted a Polaris Glacier Plow System to my ride...Looking forward to purchasing a wheel/tire set.
2005 Blue Kodiak 450, heated grips, fender luggage (wife's ride)
|
|
TNRancher420AT
|
Subject: Nuvi 500 - Anybody have off road experience with this one? | 2010-03-28 14:10:17 |

Posts: 181 Corryton, Tennessee , USA
|
I just bought a refurbished unit from TigerGPS.com. I paid $139. It should be here this week. Once I have some time to try it out, I'll report back.
|
----------------
Joel
09 Red Rancher 420 AT with EPS - 25" Maxxis Bighorns, Maxxis 4x4 wheels, Warn XT25 syn. winch, KMI winch mount, Blitzkrueg.com anodized aluminum fairlead, Winch Saver, Kimpex box, Garmin Nuvi 500 GPS, RAM GPS mount, Honda 12V accessory socket.
84 ATC 70 - Stock
86 TRX 70 - Stock
84 ATC 70 - Custom rebuild in progress
|
|
Racorman
|
Subject: Nuvi 500 - Anybody have off road experience with this one? | 2010-06-29 01:57:14 |
Posts: 324 La Selva Beach, CA, California , USA
|
I just ordered one after using a Garmin 276C which is starting to fail
Garmin Nuvi 500 Pre-Loaded Streets and Topo USA only Multi-Mode Voice Guidance GPS - $254.95
I'll see what it's like..............
|
----------------
2008 KQ 750 w/steering stabilizer and WCRP A-arms. . Transport with '02 Chevy Duramax dually w/'06 Weekend Warrior LE3305
|
|
Arizona Griz
|
Subject: Nuvi 500 - Anybody have off road experience with this one? | 2010-06-30 23:31:49 |
Posts: 85 Mesa, Arizona , USA
|
One item I would be concerned about when using any Nuvi for an ATV mapping GPS is the detail of the MapSource program displayed in it. While the handheld models allow you to set the detail setting to most, my Nuvi 255W will not. The maximum detail level is more. This leaves a lot to be desired when your are off the beaten path ATV riding and exploring. I don't know if all other Nuvis are the same though. Just a thought.
|
----------------
A pickup, a few trailers and some rides.
|
|
Racorman
|
Subject: Nuvi 500 - Anybody have off road experience with this one? | 2010-07-01 21:32:01 |
Posts: 324 La Selva Beach, CA, California , USA
|
Wow, it arrived by Fed Ex today.....but it's going to be returned tomorrow.
I would not bring this into the boondocks and expect to find my way back
Can't enter coordinates
No compass
It's a great GPS for the wife in her car. Off road use is useless 
|
----------------
2008 KQ 750 w/steering stabilizer and WCRP A-arms. . Transport with '02 Chevy Duramax dually w/'06 Weekend Warrior LE3305
|
|