GPS Device for use on Long Distance Trains

[Eric in East County]

We’re thinking about buying a GPS device to take with us on our cross-country train trips. We’re thinking in terms of a basic, stand-alone unit that doesn’t have a lot of extra “bells and whistles” that we’ll probably will never need or use.

We’d appreciate hearing from those of you who use GPS devices while traveling on long-distance trains with suggestions on which GPS unit(s) we should be considering. We’d also like to know more about how you get maximum enjoyment from your GPS device while traveling across country by train.

Eric & Pat

 

[zephyr17]

I find my phone in conjunction with a offline maps app such as Maps.me works just fine. Google maps is always wanting a signal and gets unhappy without one, so a totally offline map app avoids that.

A gps app such as gps status that gives you direct access to your gps info is fun too.

If you have a fairly new phone (last 3 years or so) the phone should be fine.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

There’s some really great apps you can buy for your smart phone that will do it all. Elevation, speed, etc.

“GPS Tracks” is one I’ve enjoyed.

 

[Eric in East County]

We just have a basic pre-paid phone that doesn't doesn't receive apps.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

We just have a basic pre-paid phone that doesn't doesn't receive apps.

*just kidding with my wow emoji*

 

[Qapla]

Garmin makes a good GPS.

The only thing wrong with GPS units are that many of them are made for driving or hiking and do not have all the train tracks maped.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Garmin makes a good GPS.

The only thing wrong with GPS units are that many of them are made for driving or hiking and do not have all the train tracks maped.

I don't know about GPS units, but my phone's GPS app can be set to "hiking" and will follow the tracks that way.

 

[Thirdrail7]

*just kidding with my wow emoji*

No, you're not!

 

[railiner]

We just have a basic pre-paid phone that doesn't doesn't receive apps.

Before I got a smartphone, I had a Verizon simple flip phone...but it did have 'Verizon Navigator" on its preloaded apps. It worked well, as it even showed the name of the railroad we were following...

 

[Eric in East County]

Before I got a smartphone, I had a Verizon simple flip phone...but it did have 'Verizon Navigator" on its preloaded apps.

That's what we have. We'll have to check to see if the Navigator app.

 

[TinCan782]

Garmin makes a good GPS.

The only thing wrong with GPS units are that many of them are made for driving or hiking and do not have all the train tracks maped.

I use a Garmin GPSmap 64st which is in their "On The Trail" series. I use it to "follow" along as we travel. Train tracks show (depending on which maps you are using) when at the 800 foot scale. I use the "tracklogs" to record my trips and for geotagging my photos. The red route lines were generated by the GPS over many trips during the past 10 or so years...

 

[Eric in East County]

I use a Garmin GPSmap 64st which is in their "On The Trail" series.

This was one of the units we'd been considering. Does anyone have information on the Garmin Oregon 600t which another railfan recommended to us?

 

[lonewolfette9847]

I’ve used a Garmin car gps & it works relatively well on the train. However, my particular model is several years old now & it’s been retired. I poked around Amazon & they have a large selection of name & non-name brands.

 

[Eric in East County]

I’ve used a Garmin car gps & it works relatively well on the train.

We already have a Garmin car GPS unit, but weren't aware that it would work on a train. Do you use the plastic mounting bracket to attach it to a window?

 

[lonewolfette9847]

I used the suction mount. It was only a 4 hour ride but it was nice to see the info it offered.

 

[TinCan782]

This was one of the units we'd been considering. Does anyone have information on the Garmin Oregon 600t which another railfan recommended to us?

The GPSmap series can use an external antenna as seen here on the SWC...

 

[Bob Dylan]

You're Smart Phone can be used too!

 

[Ryan]

You're Smart Phone can be used too!

We just have a basic pre-paid phone that doesn't doesn't receive apps.

Here is my car-based unit in action on my honeymoon in 2010. Was hoping for a trip for our 10th anniversary next week, instead we get plenty of time together.

 

[jiml]

The GPSmap series can use an external antenna as seen here on the SWC...

I have a unit almost identical to this that came packaged with the last version of Delorme Street Atlas that was made before they were sucked up by Garmin and closed. You can still buy the package new and used online at Ebay and others. It does need a laptop to run. I found its best location tucked behind the window handle in a Superliner sleeper. Although somewhat out-of-date for highways, the software shows all rail lines which really haven't moved location in the last few years. The computer display indicates speed, altitude and other pertinent data. Worked great on the Empire Builder a couple of years ago.

 

[railiner]

Here is my car-based unit in action on my honeymoon in 2010. Was hoping for a trip for our 10th anniversary next week, instead we get plenty of time together.

View attachment 17246

Now that...is a portrait of a serious railfan....

 

[tomfuller]

My sport is geocaching. Over the past 14 years since retirement, I have found at least 1 cache in all 50 states. I use an old Magellan Meridian. I get them on EBay for less than $90US. I like the Magellans because of the buttons on the front instead of the buttons on the side of Garmin units.
I usually only fire up the unit if I wonder exactly here we are or how fast we are going. GPS usually works well in the Sightseer Lounge.
One memorable geocaching trip I took in 2015 took me on the CZ to Galesburg IL. There is an Enterprise office about 100 yards from the station. I rented a car for 1 week and drove in 20 states finding caches I had preloaded into the GPS. I also attended a one day event of geocachers in MO.
When I returned the car in GBG, I took the SWC to LAX and the CS north to my home station of CMO.

 

[Eric in East County]

Our thanks to all of you who responded to our inquiry about GPO devices suitable for taking along on a long-distance train trip. We finally decided upon a Garmin GPSmap64st, which was already on our “short list.” (The clincher was the photo posted by FrensicPic showing the external antenna that he uses with his unit when he travels.) We’ll be using it on our trip next summer and will let you know how it worked out for us. Thanks again.



Eric & Pat

 

[Asher]

Whatever you get, start using it in your car when ever you go anywhere, I don't know if you have to download maps of areas you plan on going to. My old Garmin does. At any rate, there's a lot of functions you can use to track trips, it takes studying, learn, and using. Don't wait until trip time to get used to it.

 

[Eric in East County]

Don't wait until trip time to get used to it.

We understand. Many thanks.

E & P

 

[trainman74]

Before I had a smartphone, I would use a Garmin car GPS on the train, and I didn't need to have it suction-cupped to the window -- being near the window was sufficient. (It worked fine sitting on the a tray table, or even just in my lap.)