Garmin GPSMAP 66i and other GPS on sale $449.99

MadPup

May 28, 2021 5:06 AM

13.1K Comments

Joined Jan 2007

MadPupMay 28, 2021 5:06 AM

13.1K Comments

Read the reviews. Garmin's watches are much more respected than their handheld GPS units. Those are clunky and overpriced, even at these prices. If you need off-grid SOS then there's not a lot of choices, but there are definitely better choices for gps and mapping.

BTW I own a 66i and I wouldn't say that I am delighted with it. This however is a very good price for it, if you want one.

Last edited by MadPup May 27, 2021 at 10:09 PM.

1

feijichang

May 28, 2021 12:02 PM

7.6K Comments

Joined Nov 2009

feijichangMay 28, 2021 12:02 PM

7.6K Comments

Quote from MadPup

:

Read the reviews. Garmin's watches are much more respected than their handheld GPS units. Those are clunky and overpriced, even at these prices. If you need off-grid SOS then there's not a lot of choices, but there are definitely better choices for gps and mapping.

BTW I own a 66i and I wouldn't say that I am delighted with it. This however is a very good price for it, if you want one.

Agreed, i also have it. What are your best resources for getting gpx files for it. Alltrails?

flatlight

May 28, 2021 3:34 PM

3.3K Comments

Joined Jan 2007

flatlightMay 28, 2021 3:34 PM

3.3K Comments

I'd avoid the Inreach mapping units unless you must have an all-in-one device. The interface is very slow/dated compared to your phone. Happy user of an Inreach mini and used it for one SOS - got two helicopters within an hour (ymmv).

MadPup

May 28, 2021 3:53 PM

13.1K Comments

Joined Jan 2007

MadPupMay 28, 2021 3:53 PM

13.1K Comments

Quote from itsarectangle

:

Agreed, i also have it. What are your best resources for getting gpx files for it. Alltrails?

I haven't used gpx files enough to have a favorite source yet but Alltrails is definitely on my list.

Quote from flatlight

:

I'd avoid the Inreach mapping units unless you must have an all-in-one device. The interface is very slow/dated compared to your phone. Happy user of an Inreach mini and used it for one SOS - got two helicopters within an hour (ymmv).

Phone software is lightyears better than anything Garmin but it does require you to use a touch screen which is not always practical. This is the one thing that Garmin units gain from still having an antiquated design.

Did you have GEOS membership to pay for your rescue?

1

barbed061

Original Poster

May 28, 2021 3:55 PM

56 Comments

Joined Jun 2015

barbed061

Original Poster

May 28, 2021 3:55 PM

56 Comments

Quote from MadPup

:

Read the reviews. Garmin's watches are much more respected than their handheld GPS units. Those are clunky and overpriced, even at these prices. If you need off-grid SOS then there's not a lot of choices, but there are definitely better choices for gps and mapping.

BTW I own a 66i and I wouldn't say that I am delighted with it. This however is a very good price for it, if you want one.

I bought the 66i and am happy with it overall. It feels a bit old school and isn't the smoothest interface but my plan is to use it as a life saving device when hiking and motorcycling alone. For me, the satellite coverage is important and a device that has 2 way communication options unlike personal locator beacons. Because I will also use it for hiking I don't want to have to depend on my cell phone and want a completely independent device. The 66i is able to do 200 hours of location reporting at 30 minute increments which is the best I could find with this much satellite coverage.

flatlight

May 28, 2021 4:05 PM

3.3K Comments

Joined Jan 2007

flatlightMay 28, 2021 4:05 PM

3.3K Comments

Quote from MadPup

:

I haven't used gpx files enough to have a favorite source yet but Alltrails is definitely on my list.
Phone software is lightyears better than anything Garmin but it does require you to use a touch screen which is not always practical. This is the one thing that Garmin units gain from still having an antiquated design.

Did you have GEOS membership to pay for your rescue?

It was for someone else. No I don't pay for GEOS insurance.

MadPup

May 28, 2021 4:10 PM

13.1K Comments

Joined Jan 2007

MadPupMay 28, 2021 4:10 PM

13.1K Comments

Quote from flatlight

:

It was for someone else. No I don't pay for GEOS insurance.

I was wondering about that. If you call for a rescue aren't you potentially liable for the charges? What if the person in trouble stood up and ran away just as the helicopter arrived? Smilie

GEOS insurance [my-geos.com] seems like a no-brainer to me since it doesn't cost that much (~$30/yr) compared to the cost of the Inreach subscriptions.

Last edited by MadPup May 28, 2021 at 09:14 AM.

flatlight

May 28, 2021 4:25 PM

3.3K Comments

Joined Jan 2007

flatlightMay 28, 2021 4:25 PM

3.3K Comments

Quote from MadPup

:

I was wondering about that. If you call for a rescue aren't you potentially liable for the charges? What if the person in trouble stood up and ran away just as the helicopter arrived?

GEOS insurance [my-geos.com] seems like a no-brainer to me since it doesn't cost that much (~$30/yr) compared to the cost of the Inreach subscriptions.

All GEOS does is lookup the # for the local agency responsible for emergency and gives them a call with your location and any information you provided (such as "person collapsed at the summit of mount xx"). They also offer to contact your emergency contacts if you want.

It's up to the local agency for billing - you will probably get billed if your county contracts out the ambulance and helicopter services.

UpbeatMoney274

Sep 22, 2021 3:41 AM

190 Comments

Joined Dec 2018

UpbeatMoney274Sep 22, 2021 3:41 AM

190 Comments

How the hell did this get only 4 upvotes?

Greenworld123

Sep 22, 2021 3:47 AM

2.7K Comments

Joined May 2014

Greenworld123Sep 22, 2021 3:47 AM

2.7K Comments

Quote from UpbeatMoney274

:

How the hell did this get only 4 upvotes?

Is there a current deal?

UpbeatMoney274

Oct 17, 2021 5:18 AM

190 Comments

Joined Dec 2018

UpbeatMoney274Oct 17, 2021 5:18 AM

190 Comments

Quote from Greenworld123

:

Is there a current deal?

No, and that is exactly my point, this was a stellar deal that didn't get to the FP

Garmin GPSMAP 66i and other GPS on sale $449.99

$450

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