I'd pay $1200 for the device with all the things you've covered as improvements. Would also like to see it with a Ham radio option. An all in one device with Satellite uplink for downloads.
Great review, thanks. I’m looking for an easily mounted, non-subscription option to GAIA but.... I can buy a bunch for years of GAIA for that price. My GAIA unlimited subscription can be and I have used world wide. If Garmin continues to respond with larger memory and a greater map selection, I’ll be in for sure.
Having a close look at the Topo maps on this unit it seems to me they have used DeLormes Topo maps and hacked it to fit this unit the same as the Inreach does via Earthmate app.. Delorme Topo was a desktop software that had a ton of tools and options that are lacking on this unit . I was so pissed Garmin aquired Delorme because I knew they would mess it up ! So in saying this it seems Garmin hasn't really developed much just patched things together ?
Proof that "Overlanding" is the thing because companies start releasing crappy consumer products to Americans because let's face it, we will buy the next great new thing.
Lol. That is what we use , just our phone GPS , backroad maps, but in the future we would be going on a eastern loop here in Canada. We need more than phome GPS and back road maps. :)
Thanks for one of the most honest reviews I have seen of an overland product . To many you tubers these days just say what company’s want to hear so they can receive more free stuff and sponsorship
I've used Garmin products since th early 90's. They make a great product that always comes up short for what you want it to do. And it always seems to be in their programming dept. The maps are out there and easily available, The ability to do the calculations and storage is old school. Yet they always miss on 5-7 things that most people wish their devices could do. Garmin : Wake up!! Satisfy your customers !!
Great review. I have been looking at these and do realize there is no one unit (GPS, Tablet or App) that does it all. They are just a tool. As a pilot we learned to track our progress on the map strapped to our leg and constantly compare landforms/details with the map. Long before GPS were installed in aircraft. I still go back to a Garmin 76 GPS along paper maps and compass when I want detail and confidence in where I am and need to go. But I will be monitoring the progress on upgrades - and at some point will to me be worth the $$$. You are teasing us with the Troopy screen saver!
I left Alaska in the 70's. I think about going back, frequently. Alaska is a state of mind, not just a place. You're videos pull at my soul to return. Thank you for sharing the most magnificent place on earth with those who have never experienced such magnificence. 👍
I just wanted to take a quick minute of your time to tell you thank you. I know there is a ton of guys who get opportunities to do full reviews on stuff they have been sent to test. I want to say thank you for your honest opinion and review of this product. I personally know one guy who would have said what a great item it was simply because the thing was sent to him for free, and obviously i do not watch his channel anymore. So thank you for that as well. I actually have the magellan trx5, I use it in my Jeep, I have not done review on it yet since i have only been using it for about 6 months, and not a whole lot of time to use it on trips etc. When I seen the garmin in your suggested video I immediately clicked on it, because Garmin has done so well with the hand held GPS units I have carried hunting and backpacking for many many years, and to be honest, the Magellan is just simply not something I would trust the safety of my family with, it is so inaccurate it is scary. But thats another story. The fact this unit compass is not working with very little use on the unit is sad to me. I do like the voice commands on going to the next town with out having to type in the said city etc. But again, for the cost of the unit and some of the issues you have had, I am thankful you told us. I can save my money for thing much more needed for my outings and stick with the GIA app that has honestly been working flawlessly for us. Thanks again for your honesty and I hope Garmin can fix the issues and lower the price and add a few of your suggestions, biggest being it cost way to much for what it is. With the majority of us having a smart phone, the actual going from town to town can be done via cell phone and when there is no cell service IE the back roads, the unit should be doing more than it does for that price point. Thanks again and have a blessed week. Dale
YES! Our old Garmin works great for our needs and has shown most every forest service road. We would love it for the ease of use and low learning curve since we already use an old one. It would need to be under $500 for us to purchase it now. Thanks for the review. Very excited to see if Garmin improves this.
Have to agree with what others have mentioned when it comes to the price of the unit vs what features it has. For what it is if it was priced somewhere in the low to mid $300 range it would be more appealing. For the $700 pricing you would think the unit would be more off-road map friendly since it seems Garmin is trying to appeal this gps unit towards the off-roading/overlanding community. I’d be interested in seeing a comparison, in-use video, of the Garmin versus an iPad with the Gaia app. But this unit definitely has some potential!
Great objective review. Remember Prior Preparation and Planning Prevent Piss Poor Performance. Its the 7 P's. Take your electronics but be prepared for them to fail.
I think you hit the nail on the head. Garmin still has a ways to go before this is can be the single navigation device that replaces everything else. I’ve seen several reviews of this device, and I’ll still take my iPad with Gaia any day. Thanks for the review!
Thanks for the very complete review of this. You raised a lot of great points, for me it will be a pass. I'll stick with a tablet running Gaia along with all of the other apps I need that the Garmin doesn't have. More flexibility for 1/4 of the price of this unit.
Those are some very good points about what it can and cannot do, hopefully Garmin does listen and makes adjustments. The fact that it costs $700 is what most everyone talks about the most and they forget to factor in just how much they paid for their cell phone and/or personal tablet that they are currently using to do the same thing. My iPad and iPhone cost quite a bit, neither are waterproof or come with a rugged cover like the one on the Garmin, I downloaded Gaia and paid for the premium subscription which is an annual fee, neither of them offer a backup camera feature for free either.
Thank you Kevin for your thoughts and insight on the Overlander. As I kit out my FJ40 electronic package I find myself gravitating back to a time when all we had to steer us was a Topo, compass, and in some cases a NFS map. Being a boy scout, orienteering was and still is an instinctual behavior for me. I still cannot believe the number of the overlanding community that cannot orientate themselves correctly using a USGS map, but rely solely on their electronic devices. I have both, and have added the Overlander to the FJ40. I agree with your assessment on the maps and the ability to overlay with different levels of transparency (I am spoiled by GAIA). So thank you again for taking the time to be a strong advocate for safe and adventurous overland journeys.
ive been using ipad mini cellular and just download a ton of sections thru google maps for simple navigation. since it a cellular model i dont need actually cellular and but just built in gps. i use gaia for the more hardcore off road stuff.
These guy's are crazy $700? no way, tablet and some some cheap apps accomplish the same. Then you can even load custom gpx files of known trails that other overlanders have traversed.
I'll end up paying the $700. I hate computers so I don't want deal with software, downloading, home computers or any of that crap. I just want plug and play.
Here in Brazil the 276MAP and others in that form factor were well liked by offroaders: large screen, waterproof, proximity alarms, SIMPLE interface, large memory. The ability to load custom, non-Garmin maps was ESSENTIAL, since there are no reliable official sources for tracks, backroads and even some minor official roads. I might be getting old, but the 7 button interface of the pre-touch units was outstanding. My old 60csx is still going strong and I sorely miss not having bought a 276 or similar unit, since the current marine units are too specialized. For 700 bucks, a ruggedized android tablet or a regular one with a waterproof case looks a better option. Even if such tablet costs more, is also does other things. Garmin has lost the ball on the auto market since the advent of craptacular nav units.
Paulo Marcondes you sound a bit like me. My adventure bike navigation started with my Garmin 60csx and now I have a Montana. Both great rugged units in my experience. No tablet or cellphone I have seen would match the durability of them. Crash a bike, dunk them in a stream and they just keep going. Those little USB ports on tablets and phones wouldn’t last a year on an off road bike. No fancy stuff, but they get the job done day in and day out. Yes I use and like Gaia GPS app when on 4 wheels, but I don’t venture far off the tarmac without my Garmin.
I just picked up a Galaxy Tab S3 on prime day for $360. Added a 400GB sd card for $60. Gaia premium $30. Mounting hardware another $75. Hard to justify $700 for a much smaller display and far fewer maps, though admitedly Gaia download speeds can be painfully slow. The magnetic mount is nice but a simple USBc connection for power isn't rocket science either.
All the things you mentioned are exactly why I wasn't interested when I first saw it a few months ago. The article I initially read made it sound as if the satellite texting and SOS was a built in feature, which is what grabbed my attention (the article also didn't mention the price). When further research revealed this to not be the case, and also how much the thing cost, I immediately lost interest. Gaia and iOverlander do everything I need at the moment. And honestly, even if they made all the improvements you suggested, $700 is still a big investment for me. I would reconsider, at least. But for that price point, it would truly have to be an all-in-one solution. And it would have to work right, every time, all the time.
Amen and Respect! Way too many RU-vidrs loving everything because they got it for free. At last an honest review! GAIA is so good it's difficult to beat - they only downside is having to download maps and non rugged iPhone or iPad but I can live with that. BTW I'm the beekeeper that gave you guys the honey at ExpoEast 😀
Can you load other maps for other countries as well? (considering to buy for a future trip to Australia but then I want to use it elsewhere after that). Thanks!
Great review, I hope Garmin reads the suggestions. I would hope that with a unit of this size Garmin would think about placing a GMRS radio receiver in it that would act as a base station for the Garmin Rino units. Of course I would like to see the aforementioned trail map suggestions. This would be a great hunting and camping device mountable on your UTV or ATV, just needs to be more versatile at that price. Garmin put enough memory capacity in the unit so you have room for hunt, satellite, trail, and property maps. You are marketing this to the outdoorsman, nobody has time to fool around searching for and purchasing maps from 3rd party sources.
I somehow missed this review before I bought one, but I wish I had seen it. 100% agree with you on your critique of what they need to improve. The entire reason I bought it was because of the advertised preinstalled maps thinking I'd no longer has to mess with downloading them in Gaia before we headed out. It is a pretty big disappointment to find out they are not as detailed as Gaia. If they could fix that and offer additional more detailed maps and add layering I would be pretty excited about the device. As it is though it is just a $700 dash ornament to display next to my tablet rather than the tablet replacement I was hoping for. I see this video is over a year old and nothing has changed with regard to the map situation so I'm not confident Garmin is listening. Hello Garmin are you out there? You have a potential hit on your hands if you will make the changes Kevin is suggesting.
I just subscribed to your channel. I respect that you are honest and non bashing. I believe that you have all our best interests in mind when reviewing this product. Please keep up the great work. And thank you for your time. Daniel
Couldn't agree more, atv, utv, overland, and off road. I use a garmin gps with the birds eye veiw( which sucks on batteries, always have 24 pack under my seat) and paper maps now. Needs a lot of improving for me to buy.
Hey you guys we are your new subscribers. MY husband really loves watching your videos. :) his definition of "Netflix and chill" is "watch lifestyle overland and chill" lol. We do offroading, but would love to do overlanding too , when my youngest gets a little bit bigger. We have 4 kids and dog, and we fit so well in our 4runner, my husband gets so much inspiration from your videos. Anyway, thanks for sharing this review.
A very solid and honest review, thanks. As an adventure motorcyclist it is very hard to justify a $950 Canadian Dollar price tag when it is 1) not waterproof (critical) 2) does not have Canadian Topo maps 3) the unit right from the company prepared to be reviewed and criticized did not work correctly 4) cannot see trail detail in larger scales so you can get a sense of your bearings 5) cannot blend topo maps onto one another 6) etc. I do like the big screen. Sometimes compact is just too small when bouncing around on a trail and my old eyes need more than Inreach. How is the screen in the sun? The Garmin 660 and 595 have issues when it is a cloudless sunny day. What have been Garmin's feedback to your comments? This product does look like a great start in the right direction. Until then paper maps rule and keep up the good work.
I was debating, It will be a pass for me now. Excellent presentation. I will be using the $700 to upgrade to a new tablet, and renew my Gaia Maps membership. Do you guys have a link for the GAIA maps membership?
I have this device on my list to buy as a back-up gps with my tablet. With your in depth review and thoughts, I guess I will pass this unit for now. Thanks for sharing and great reviews on this device.
The one comment you made that I agreed most with (I agreed with many) is that Garmin could have integrated the capabilities of the InReach device with the Overlander so that 2 devices were not needed. $700 would not be worth it for me, based on all the limitations. Thank you for creating this review!
The idea of having satellite emergency built into the device is a really good one, but the reality is that I'd still need a smaller portable satellite emergency device for when I'm off away from the vehicle. So then I'm $500 into the InReach and $700 into an Overlander! :-(
When you said it deleted tracks I had flashbacks to the Garmin BaceCamp days, what a nightmare that was. I love GAIA but I did pre-order this device at the Expo because of the campsites and inreach compatibility but I never liked Garmin so I hope they take your suggestions for improvement very seriously. I was also hoping the magnetic holder will hold up and charge on my ATV as well...
Man, that was one of the smartest reviews I’ve ever seen. Was thinking about this. Gonna hold off now. I hope Garmin makes the changes you suggested. All the best!
I started my GPS education on several Garmin units...back then their mapping software was in my opinion awesome and did a lot of things...but the replacement package is lacking....I just went thru the process of finding a off road GPS for my new Raptor...when all the dust settled (no pun intended) I went with the Ipad Mini and LeadNav as my GPS....The one thing Garmin has over others is the preloaded maps, while others have to download maps tiles as needed... Thanks for this video...
I did a double take when you said it even paired with the old form factor DeLorme InReach -- this confirmed my long-standing suspicion that the expensive Garmin InReach Explorer is basically just a repackage of the old tired DeLorme product. By the way - this Overlander plus an InReach mini means Garmin was able to suckle away $1100 of your cash. Wow! How do they do it? All their products are half broken, even two years after numerous firmware updates. Amazing. When I want to create a custom InReach navigation map I have to factor in the two hours I will spend fighting with it to begin working. Their entire ecosystem of products is like this. Happens with the Edge 820 too. Happened with the Garminfone way back in 2010. I guess some things never change -- that's what happens when you have a monopoly on the outdoor GPS market. Still waiting for some ingenious smart phone manufacturer to toss in an Iridium chip and an antenna.
Yeah, $700 is a pretty high price point for the device considering a 5 year membership to Gaia is about $160 and there are a ton more maps with Gaia. Having the built in IOverlander info is nice but thats just another app for the tablet a person would already have. I do think that Garmin is on the right track though of making a one stop device that integrates all the electronic tools a person would be using for travel. That would clear up the screens that clutter a persons dash and consolidate them into one. However this device from Garmin is version 1 and is not there yet, but it's a start. Thanks for a great review.
I really like your evaluation of this product, and that you talk about the goods and the bads. GPS interface and features is so far behind personal computing technology its shameful, but the garmin is a real step forward. I'd like to see you revisit this subject in 2022 and re-review the garmin and compare it to other apps or devices. I've been thinking about getting and off road GPS for 4 years now and am still not convinced that there isnt much you can't do with a little old hand held combined with a phone app. Its time consuming and frustrating, but totally doable.
Excellent and very full review. You have done Garmin a great favor. A very fair review and PERFECT suggestions. I am a backroads camper and adventure motorcyclist in search of exactly what you have suggested for the functions of this device. I travel on-road and off-road many days a year and would love to see if this is a significant upgrade to the Garmin ZUMO 396 for the motorcycles I ride. It will definitely need to be rugged to go on the bars/dash of the bike and have the waterproofing you suggested. I wonder if they have had it tested on 2 wheels? The $700 price tag would not be a daunting were it not for the features (that would be "expected" i.e. Inreach included, water proofing, etc. ) Hoping to make a decision on a new device like this before I do the Continental Divide Route on Memorial Day weekend this year. Thanks for posting. Appears you are a NM guy. I'm in LBB TX and head that direction as often as I can break loose.
All I have to say is, GAIA !! I used Garmin for years, and it cost me well over $1000 including the device itself (Garmin Montana 600) and all the individual map loaded SD cards I had to buy. Once I started using GAIA, I was done with Garmin, with the exception of their Mini-InReach that I carry for emergencies when there's no cell signal. As always, thanks for your great review.
Very nice overview. Hopefully Garmin will take your advice and add the recommended features. Also curious how their overlays compare to the multitude of options available on Gaia.
Great Video & Review! It's 2021 and now this costs $800!!! Maybe a follow up review is in order to see if its improved as much as it's gone up up in price.
I wish I went that route, I have an Overlander that has been sitting in its box since I bought it when it came out on a sale through Overland Bound. I just have no use for it here in Honolulu, I had planned to move back up to the mainland and figured it would come in handy.
I originally wanted this for the wifi camera options in addition to the nav stuff. But I just installed an Alpine ILX-W650 with Andriod Auto/ Apple Carplay (key for hands-free operation and using Siri or google to perform tasks) and it has 2 camera inputs that can be selected at any time. This deck, combined with two cameras and a Samsung tablet with Gaia still comes in less than just the Garmin Unit, with far more functionality. If it was less than $700, it might be viable.
Thank you for your open and honest review. This may be the best non biased review I’ve ever seen. I’ve always been a fan of Garmin gps ever since owning my firs Garmin 12 years ago when working on boats in the scuba diving industry. Garmin does gps’s well overall. I was looking forward to this device as I’m new to overlanding and don’t get out but a handful of times of year. I think this would be a good device for newbies like myself that don’t have the time to learn some of the more technical apps like Gaia. I’ve heard it’s challenging to use initially. $700 is definitely pricey with the options it currently has but, the improvements you suggested would make this a real winner. As for me it may work for my needs but, tough on the cost. I do travel roads more than off-road so, it has an appeal to me. Overall I am on the fence about it due to it’s cost and overall capabilities. With the features you suggest it would definitely be a winner. Thanks again fo such a great review and I always enjoy your videos.
This is an excellent review. I have been looking at this device but will NEVER pay $700 for it. For that money, I can buy a big tablet and use it for many things. I am glad you dug into the functions and articulated some frustrations. I hope Garmin takes your feedback into account!!
As a mountain-loving Colorado guy, one feature that would make it worth the price for me would be a nicely-integrated peak identification system, similar to the PeakFinder or PeakVisor apps.
Here in Auss we have Hemma maps on the Overlander, is it worth the $$$$ yup sure is, water proofing would be nice but not a deal breaker as I never remove it from vehicle
Did they upgrade or improved anything yet? Would this unit work on atv or skidoo? More specifically vibration with the mount? Also is the operating temperature range? Thanks
There is a lot to like about it, but the price tag is not one. I currently use a Garmin RV 770 which does a fare job on highways and provides me with a rear view camera. For back road I use a Garmin Montana with HuntView map for the state I'm in. It doesn't look like the HuntView maps are compatible with the Overlander; too bad! On the Montana HuntView provides great land ownership information along with routable roads and trails.
Great review. Your analysis is spot on with features to cost value. I thought the same when I first investigated the device. My conclusion was to stick to Gaia GPS and paper maps though I do like the dedicated device preloaded with maps.
Excellent channel! IMO, Garmin missed the boat! "This needs to be waterproof for Jeeps with the top down, motorcycle adventure riding and all the UTVs. For the price, you would think it was waterproof!
Awesome review. Whenever I see someone compare iOS/Android navigation solutions with Garmin devices, I have one thought. iOS offers Assisted GPS (A-GPS) which requires a couple cell towers and a couple satellites, to determine position. Garmin has true GPS, so it locks in to a number of satellites, and is not dependent on cell towers. Most folks who argue that "A-GPS is good for off-roading" haven't truly gone overlanding. Not judging, but just saying. ;) Even in local offroad parks where there is some cell reception, I see folks panicking that the blue dot in their iOS navigation app is all over the place. Not knocking iOS navigation apps, just wondering why there's no mention that pairing an iPhone or iPad to a Bluetooth GPS receiver solves that problem...BadElf, Garmin, and Dual all make such devices. I just received my Garmin Overlander, nifty design, now I just need to call offroad parks to the mat to provide importable trail maps that include trail markers (green/blue/black/red, or 1 through 10, or easy/moderate/hard/extreme). Keep up the great reviews!
We've been using iOS devices with built-in GPS chipsets for years and the accuracy is great. We've also used Wi-Fi only devices paired to our old Delorme InReach with similar results. The big struggle now is most people don't know how to setup permissions on their phones so after a few hours, iOS shuts down GPS tracking or the app entirely to save battery life or prevent unwanted tracking. That's when you really freak out.
Typical (terrible!) approach for dedicated hardware "solutions." Give it a few gimmicky features in an attempt to justify the exorbitantly-priced hardware purchase, and then proceed to completely drop the ball on all the little things that actually matter... This model also usually means that the company either has no incentive to provide any value-add software updates, or they just charge you more for them. I have NEVER seen a dedicated unit in this segment that would even come close to swaying me from just using (better) apps on the phone/tablet that I already have. Not to mention, the upcoming Overland Bound app *sounds* like it will be a massive leap forward, even from the other great apps that are already out there.
Say somebody get a hold of Garman GPS company and let them know to update their Garman GPS with satellite footage to make it look like real life like Google maps does
Nope, it's way to expensive & to many features left out.Keep up the good work, you are very inspirational. Edit: This just popped up in my suggested content & I thought it was new. Anyone know if they have incorporated any of the suggested updates?
You can get android based radio to substitute factory radio, and download whatever app you want, Gaia, Google maps, topo... for about $90.00. For much less than $700, you can get another tablet, and dedicated emergency communication device. Yes, paper maps and compass do not need batteries, and they are much more affordable.
Good review of the pre-order version you have, Guessing that is what you have since they still haven’t delivered any to those of us like myself who bought one at Overland West. (Ordered it after we saw you and My mother gave you that bag of Morels, how’d ya’ll like them?) I was sold on the downloaded maps for North America and the camp data as well as the stand alone InReach connectivity, I think having to need only one subscription is better than the unit needing it’s own subscription, as it allows me to carry my little InReach Mini on hikes, boats, etc while still having rapid message or emergency use in the vehicle. I am disappointed about the non-GIS style mapping you saw and the forest road issues and I’m hoping that is part of the reasons that the units hadn’t shipped last month like they were supposed to. I use OnX Hunting Maps on my phone and tablet all the time for land owner status (private, public, etc) as well as other layers for various uses. I would be killer if they partnered with them as OnX currently has MVUM’s GIS mapped into their system so that you can use your phones GPS to ensure your on the right road. Speaking of I think you were alluding it, but you never outright said were the missing roads on the current MVUM for that area? I know that the map software in both my 09 F150 and many other vehicles often show many trails and roads that are long since closed and grown over based on old 1960’s USGS maps. Even if they didn’t partner with OnX, Garmin could easily do their own MVUM map overlay using the GIS files that the USFS post and releases of their MVUM plan. And a GIS system like that provided by OnX would be the perfect overland/forest vehicle map system in my opinion. I think the price is a little steep, but IMO I’m hoping that it is worth it based on other Garmin products I’ve owned and used around the world in the past.
Super good criticism on the unit. I was thinking about the exact same points. Wide view bringing up roads/trails is very important when looking over a map area. That’s why I like using a tablet over my cell phone. Garmin needs to take a page out of Gaias book with maps. This is essential! Two other fixes would have me buy the unit even if it costs $1k. Make inreach part of the unit by itself and be fully waterproof so I could mount it on my adventure motorcycle handlebars.
Add more screen size, some sort of limited open source addition for the unit. Better warranty, service and no set price repair options, lower price, as well as what has been mentioned above, ability to overlay information from rhino radios and even APRS packet data! I am sure I can think of more if oven a chance to use it.
Brilliant no frills review, thank you. It seems the "Overlander" is geared towards travel in the US, we travel around Europe and push into Northern Africa...It has amazing potential but I won't be buying one just yet. I too believe that any trip/mission should not have a single point of failure. I run a Garmin 64s,(back up) iPad Air 2 with view ranger app paired with a Garmin glo, an iPad mini with the same data as the iPad air and for road use a Garmin Nuvi and a bag full of paper maps and a compass....oh and a SPOT gen3! lots of gear and a cluttered dash ( I love RAM mounts!) but it all works and the iPad's get used for other stuff when not traveling (like watching youtube). Love your channel!
I like the idea of preloaded maps, but the MVUMs are a must IMO. I may have missed it, but can you download new routes via wi-fi when your out on the road?
Thanks for the great video! Keep the updates with this thing coming! I like the idea of this thing, but I got burned by the Magellan, so I'm going to be cautious before jumping into one of these.
WOW what a coincidence Yesterday I spend six hours looking for a 9" or 10 tablet for my next overland expedition.. While doing that I ran into the Garvin overlander. It caught my attention but I just I just couldn't find any product review until your came out today .. The price was a No go too me. I Agree what you said about this product but i must say that a Goggle/Nexus 9 tablet with ONX Offroad APP + Gaia app is cheaper than Garmin overlander . what do you suggest for a tablet for navigation?
Garmin just released the Motorcycle targeted Zumo XT. It is $200 cheaper, has a lot of the same features, and is waterproof and dust proof. Would love to see you try it out for overlanding. I have ulterior motives, I'm considering buying one for my motorcycle, and if it can pull double duty it would be easier to justify to my Wife.
