Hi,

We are looking to buy a portable navigator for Dad this Christmas. We are experienced PC users but new to GPS. We want a system with memory cards where we can purchase or download topo maps for trails and logging roads, but would rather have a portable auto unit than a true handheld.

It looks like, at least with Garmin, it's hard to find a non-hand-held unit that accepts topos. It is feasible to download other maps from PC to these units (any brands).

I hope this tells anyone interested in helping us enough info to see where we are going with this.

Thanks so much!

Hello rerah and welcome to Slow Talk,

I'm not going to be much help on GPS systems. I'm hoping that maybe some of our members might have some experience with auto units and topos.

I know that many of our members like the Gamin Nuvi line. They seem to be a cross between an auto unit and handheld. I did find this blog with a comparision of nuvi units. There is a question in the comments about using Topo on the unit. I also saw a Magellan unit on Amazon that was for the car that also supported Topos.

Good luck on your search.