[pct-l] Garmin GPS III+

[Jeff Jones <jjonz@gte.net>]

Someone asked about the Garmin GPS III+.  I just upgraded from the III
to the III+.  These are fairly expensive ($359.00) as GPS units go as
some can be had new for $100.  The advantage that the III and III+ have
over the less expensive units is the moving road maps feature.  Almost
all interstate highways and state routes along with a very few local
roads are loaded into unit's software.  The III+ has a much greater
number of local roads in the software.  Another nifty feature on the
III+ is that Interstate offramps are numbered and services are listed
(gas stations, restaurants, banks, etc.).  By using the view feature
when enroute to an offramp, the III+ tells you the distance and time to
that offramp. The big advantage of the III+ over the III is that maps
can be downloaded from a CD that can be purchased from Garmin.  I bought
the Streetmap CD as I use my GPS mostly on the road.  When I bought my
CD, I noticed that Garmin offers a CD with downloadable topographical
maps for about $120 but I don't have any experience with that CD.  The
Garmin III and III+ are good for both road use and trail hiking.  If I
was just going to use mine for hiking, I'd go for one of the $100 units
unless I was interested enough in the downloadable maps to pop for an
extra $350 or so dollars.

Does anyone have experience with the Garmin Topographical CD when used
with a III+ or know a magazine/website that has done a review?
           Jeff Jones


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