Portable car GPS

[Bassman37]

I am looking to buy a portable gps unit for my SUV that shows small lakes, rivers, streams and retention ponds.

 

I currently have a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder that has a factory gps/nav unit that is severely lacking in this area. I previously had a Toyota 4Runner that showed any and all lakes and rivers which was great for finding new areas to shore fish.

 

If any of you could recommend a portable unit it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Kevin

[Tennessee Boy]

Why not just use a smartphone?  There are so many mapping apps available with different data sources.  Can any portable GPS compete with Google Maps?

[Bassman37]

Good thought but I intend to permanently mount it in the vehicle.

 

Thanks!

[DanielG]

I have a garmin. It shows each body of water or stream as I drive by it. No lake names though but Sometimes I can just see it through the trees but it's always there if it says it is.

[Koz]

Ditto on using a smartphone. You can always buy a mount for your dashboard, then simply remove the phone when you're not in the car.

 

I don't know about the portable GPS units, but with the one in my car it will cost me $200 to update the maps. I was surprised to find my new home address does not show up in mt car's GPS. At least with Google maps or Apple maps the roads are always updated.

 

You also stated your car is a 2018. Do you have the Apple  or Android car play as a feature? That will allow you to port your phone maps to your display screen.

[J Francho]

9 hours ago, Bassman37 said:

I intend to permanently mount it in the vehicle.

I can't imagine permanently mounting a break my window sign in my truck.  Use your smart phone.  They make cheap dash mounts.

[Scott F]

Garment makes probably the best dash mounted units out there. Just be sure you get one with the LM designation which gives you free, lifetime, map updates. The maps are made to give road information but to see many smaller lakes or rivers, you have to zoom in before they show up.

[Bassman37]

15 hours ago, DanielG said:

I have a garmin. It shows each body of water or stream as I drive by it. No lake names though but Sometimes I can just see it through the trees but it's always there if it says it is.

Good to know and thanks!

10 hours ago, Koz said:

Ditto on using a smartphone. You can always buy a mount for your dashboard, then simply remove the phone when you're not in the car.

 

I don't know about the portable GPS units, but with the one in my car it will cost me $200 to update the maps. I was surprised to find my new home address does not show up in mt car's GPS. At least with Google maps or Apple maps the roads are always updated.

 

You also stated your car is a 2018. Do you have the Apple  or Android car play as a feature? That will allow you to port your phone maps to your display screen.

Thanks Koz. Unfortunately mine does not have Android car play but your idea of a portable dash mount makes sense.

4 hours ago, Scott F said:

Garment makes probably the best dash mounted units out there. Just be sure you get one with the LM designation which gives you free, lifetime, map updates. The maps are made to give road information but to see many smaller lakes or rivers, you have to zoom in before they show up.

Thanks Scott and all the others for the positive thoughts and information!

[DanielG]

2 hours ago, Bassman37 said:

Good to know and thanks!

Thanks Koz. Unfortunately mine does not have Android car play but your idea of a portable dash mount makes sense.

Thanks Scott and all the others for the positive thoughts and information!

I have a Garmin (with the larger screen) that also has lifetime automatic updates, you just connect it to your computer and use the app for it... easy. Mine is about 4 yrs old now.

I also see lakes and streams as I pass by and I don't have to zoom in. Water is blue, state parks and national forests are green. Maybe it's because I have the larger one.

Mine is the Garmin Nuvi 2757LM, it's not made any longer. Seems the update is the 2689LMT. But it's $299 on Amazon. They make less feature rich models that might have the water bodies, I'm just not sure.

 

Here's a picture of mine in my driveway with my lake in the front yard.

[Bassman37]

I think I like your home location more than the Garmin!!!

 

Thanks.