Advice on Garmin Tread XL purchase.

[TonyT]

Anyone here using any of the Garmin Tread models?

I think I've got it narrowed down to the Tread XL Overland. I'm sure it will do more than I'll need, but I want something I can grow into.

Up to now I've been using my phone (or iPad mini) and have subscribed to Gaia for years. It's been okay, plenty for what I need. However, the urge to upgrade came along because I'd like a brighter screen and a stronger GPS. This weekend we were cruising in the dunes and my track location would float-off and wouldn't fix itself until I came to a stop. That was really frustrating in the dunes.

They're not easy to come by where I'm at in Saudi. Soonest I can get my hands on this model is 3-4 days, unless I opt for the more expensive Chase Edition. I'm not opposed to getting the Chase Edition, but the way I understand it is that model is geared toward a focus on desert racing and a team using the same Garmin to locate others on your group and communicate with each other.

 

[cozdude]

I have no experience with any of these GPS models but I will say that Garmin is the best GPS system imo. Having using them offshore on a boat and even inland is easy. They are accurate and fast while on the move

 

[bobfriesenhahn]

The Garmin maps and GPS accuracy are very good. I have no knowledge of the Tread except that it is very expensive, and especially with the InReach capability that I would want.

I currently have the Garmin Montana (with InReach), and several of the road oriented (e.g. "Drive") GPSs. The Montana provides lots of detailed info but I am certain that the screen is better for driving with the Tread.

You need access to high-speed broadband Internet in order to update the GPSs successfully since the file download sizes are on the order of 8 GB and Garmin's servers will time out if the transfer takes too long (but you can retry over and over with more incremental progress until done).

 

[cosmokenney]

Personally I am not a fan of the Garmin maps which tend to only show "routable" trails. And their business model of "everything cost extra" has really turned me off to them. I prefer using Gaia GPS via Android Auto on my 8.4" (8.2"?) stock head unit ... when I can get it to work. Some day in the future I'll probably upgrade my head unit and kill two birds with one stone.

 

[bobfriesenhahn]

Personally I am not a fan of the Garmin maps which tend to only show "routable" trails. And their business model of "everything cost extra" has really turned me off to them. I prefer using Gaia GPS via Android Auto on my 8.4" (8.2"?) stock head unit ... when I can get it to work. Some day in the future I'll probably upgrade my head unit and kill two birds with one stone.

My Montana shows most side/rural roads where there is a primitive gate in the barb wire, and I can see that the actual tracks on the ground match the GPS.. It also shows side/rural roads which stopped being used many years ago so you can't see that they exist any more.

The driving oriented maps do not show these details. But even the driving maps are aware of documented forest roads, even if they do not normally show them.

It is good to have as many active sources of data as possible in case one is lacking.

 

[cosmokenney]

My Montana shows most side/rural roads where there is a primitive gate in the barb wire, and I can see that the actual tracks on the ground match the GPS.. It also shows side/rural roads which stopped being used many years ago so you can't see that they exist any more.

I have a Montana gathering dust in my gear room. I had the (city streets?) driving map and the Garmin TOPO maps on it. The topo maps were okay for off trail nav. But if on a bike or jeep in the middle of nowhere, the trails or less used USFS roads where just not present. Waste of money in my opinion.
EDIT: and I should note that I had originally bought a lifetime version of the topo maps. Then after about 2 years of use, they switched it to annual. When I confronted their tech support on it they flat out lied and said it was never a lifetime deal.

 

[TonyT]

Thanks for the tips guys. I have the 10" Tread XL Overland requested from a local shop that says they can bring it in from one of their stores a few hours away. I should have it early next week.

 

[TonyT]

Saturday came and the guy who said he'd have the Tread XL ghosted me so I went down there. Out of frustration I bought the 7" Garmin Overland. That model is overwhelmingly popular here and everyone swears by them at less than half the cost of the Tread XL. ($719 vs. $1,730)

The Overland was great, easy to figure the basics out right out of the box. However, on Sunday that damn salesman came out of hiding with the Tread XL I wanted. So, I went down there and bought it.

The Tread XL is exactly what I've been needing and fills-in where the iPad comes up short. The older Overland model would be fine and certainly a value for what it is, but I feel like the Tread XL Overland is going to be something I'll be using for many years.

 

[TonyT]

Okay, this thing is awesome! I'm now a Garmin convert. We went on a short morning drive about 90minutes outside Riyadh to some dunes, a salt facility, and a heritage village and it performed great. Screen is bright and easy to see, and it recorded my tracks and position at speed without having to slow down or stop in the sand.

I am still using GAIA to map the routes because it's easy to upload to the Garmin on the Tread app and I still have a while on my subscription. So far I haven't had to pay for any of the Garmin features or maps.

Thanks for the input guys. Glad I went ahead with it. Wish I'd have done it sooner and I'm looking forward to bringing it home in April for Moab and Sand Hollow in the Jeep.