Do You Use GPS/Navigation In a Sandcar?

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Dockmaster

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Curious how many of you have a Lowrance, Garmin or similar unit on the dash of your sandcar and do you actually use it? And by use it, I mean the navigation feature, not just for a back up camera screen or GPS speed. I was planning to put one in my new car but mainly just because the Holley dash doesn’t have an input for back-up camera. I’m aware Motec does but I don’t need the added features of Motec and cost and I actually like the graphics on Holley better.

When I was at the SSSS show I saw a sandcar with the camera rear view mirror and it provides for back-up monitor too. I figured this was a better option for back-up rather than putting a Garmin on my dash mainly just for back-up monitor. I don’t really like the look of these on the dash anyway. Just wondering if I might regret not have a navigation unit? For the little I ever use navigation I usually just use my phone. I guess if I ever really needed something I could find a mount for my iPad and an app but I doubt I need it. What say you all?
 
I always have a GPS of some form on the dash and use it pretty frequently. Handheld GPS, Tablet with Gaia or different app, built in nav, etc... used them all. I also lead a lot. I will use it to toss in a bearing and occasionally glance if heading to a specific area or destination... also when heading back to camp as I'm a nomad these days and it's washes one weekend, pad 3 next, vendor flats after that... and I end up coming back in the dark most days so it's pretty helpful in that regard when trying to avoid certain areas.
...my very first season with a GPS and first real time using it to run back to camp for parts... wife and little ones in the buggy with a broken steering rack... I had led for seasons out there already and knew the dunes well but having that GPS and a sense of urgency I found myself attempting to follow a straight line and almost killed myself... quick lesson that I never forgot, do not "navigate" that way in the dunes 🤘
 
I turned mine on the day of bought the car and didn't turn it on again. That said...... I was a follower, and we always went to glamis. Our leader has been going to glamis since sand was discovered and he has his I-pad deal in his car.
 
only have a handheld portable in my car.basically just used for emergency of needed.Dunes are easy to navigate and been going for about 40 years so font need to look at it.

years ago i was on my dirtbike had it in backpack brother broke a cv i marked the spot went back on bike grabbed another axle with cvs used gps to do the last part worked great.
 
We use the Lowrance to mark points of interest and things like that. Its also useful to get a general sense of where you are. If someone breaks and we needed to go back to camp to fetch a part its way easier to accomplish that with a waypoint. Mine is a Trophy 5M, it was like $495 or something, in hindsight I should have got something with a much bigger screen, a touchscreen too, so use while underway was easier. The new car may get something more substantial.
 
It's important for at least one person in the group to know how to use their navigation in the event of an emergency...if you'll never be the guy who needs to have coordinates in an emergency and don't need to rely on it for leading, then it's a waste...or as you said, have a handheld backup for those emergencies -but that can add a layer of complication as it's not hard wired, batteries die, etc. I'm thankful I have one - but I don't use it very often...and agree I don't like the look of them either.
 
I'm putting together a new car. I opted for no GPS. I did go with a digital rear view mirror. A lot of the mirrors now have speed and recording functions
 
I have an older Lowrance HDS5 baja, and use it a lot.

I wouldn't build a new car without one or some sort of GPS.

I lead a lot, and when we do our morning go fast runs, it is very easy to get turned around and not know where you are at. I mainly use it as a point of reference to know where we are and what direction we should head. I do not stare at it, or use it to guide me to a spot, but just as a reference after tearing up a dune run and everyone wanting to land at olds, I'll glance over to know which way to redirect the ride. I have olds, swingset, flag pole, and osborn as waypoints. I also like the GPS speed feature and tracking of miles.

never really used for when someone is broke down, but I can see how that can be very useful.
 
I have Avenza maps on my phone.
They have free maps and once you download the APP you don’t need cell service, it just uses your GPS in the phone.
Sometimes our group will be sitting on a hill and one guy will say Olds is that way and then another guy will say it’s in the opposite direction. I pull out my phone and tell them that they’re both wrong. 😝
Other than that and an emergency, I don’t use a GPS anymore.
 
With my rebuild I put in an HDS7, previous I had the Baja 540C. I turned it on more to get a bearing if it was just me and my son. When on rides that I am not the leader (which I prefer) I dont even turn it on.

I put it in my new dash to have for 2 reasons - first if I need to mark a waypoint for a breakdown in the group, and second for the back up camera.

Although hearing about the rear view mirror with back up camera sounds pretty sweet as well.
 
one of those things you may not need or use all the time, but when you need it its a must have. Very beneficial for marking spots, camps, broken down, or finding your way back at night.

I am usually pretty good about knowing where camp is and not getting lost but its happened.
 
I have an iPad mounted in the dash with a gps app. I rarely use it. It does come in handy if you need to drop a pin where someone broke so you can make it back to them if you need to run to get parts or tools etc
 
I run the Gaia app. Love it. Use it on my boat, sand car, bikes, hikes. It's free and works offline.
 
I lead our group on rides, haven't used my GPS in over 10 years in the dunes. Glamis is really easy to get around.
 
I had a handheld unit in my last car for emergencies. Only ever tried to use it for guidance at night. I've never been so lost! I had to turn the thing off and go back to my roots.
New to me car has an older Lowrance in the dash. I loaded some coords for waypoints but don't really plan to use it outside of that.
 
DarkSide said:
I had a handheld unit in my last car for emergencies. Only ever tried to use it for guidance at night. I've never been so lost! I had to turn the thing off and go back to my roots.
New to me car has an older Lowrance in the dash. I loaded some coords for waypoints but don't really plan to use it outside of that.
Click to expand...
That is an excellent point ...if you never use it and aren't accustomed with navigating by one then it is absolutely pointless and could get you in more trouble when you really need it. If you have one and ever plan to use it then acquaint yourself with operation, how to get coords off of it and what format they are, etc.
 
FOG said:
I have Avenza maps on my phone.
They have free maps and once you download the APP you don’t need cell service, it just uses your GPS in the phone.
Sometimes our group will be sitting on a hill and one guy will say Olds is that way and then another guy will say it’s in the opposite direction. I pull out my phone and tell them that they’re both wrong. 😝
Other than that and an emergency, I don’t use a GPS anymore.
Click to expand...
That's what I use too. Phone mount clamped on the A-Pillar. Drop a pin for camp, leave cookie crumb trail, the major waypoints, etc...
Having no more than 5 seasons at the dunes makes it nice to be able to navigate my way around as I'm usually the one to lead our group. I also use the phone to Bluetooth music through the Rugged radio.
 
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