GPS and CB for wheeling newbie

[Anonymous]

(– by ZubeDude #7753 –)

Hi All,

I'm new to wheeling, and looking to get a GPS, a CB Radio, and a winch for my rig.

What kind of CB radio/antena should be I be looking at? I figure I need a basic CB radio.

What kind of GPS units work well for off-roading. I'm guessing something like the Garmin Nuvi 500, but I can't seem to find anything like it.

Would love to hear what is working well for everyone.

Thanks,
Serge

[Anonymous]

(– by Dubya_TJ #3170 –)

I am not read up on CBs right now, but the Garmin Montana is the best GPS offering around.

[Anonymous]

(– by LugNutz #5331 –)

Hi Serge, welcome to the forum.

We can certainly give you some suggestions/ recommendations based on our own experience and feedback, but it would help to know a few more details such as vehicle model and how often you'll be needing it (in the case of the GPS and winch).

As for preferred CB's, that's a loaded question for which you'll get many answers. I personally use the Uniden Pro 510xl ($75-80) and the Pro 520xl ($80-90) and they've worked great for me. They are small enough to be put about anywhere, I've had the 510 stuffed between the passenger seat and the center console of my TJ for years, and have the 520 custom mounted in the Cherokee underneath a single DIN Alpine radio inn the dash. The 520xl offers a PA output and RF Gain control over the 510 and is worth the extra few pennies. As for antennas, do you want a permanent fixed mount (best) or a temporary magnet mount?  I'm running an 8ft whip mounted on my swing out tire carrier and it always works well, you just need to make sure it has a good ground. If you often find yourself driving into underground or covered parking a tall whip probably isn't for you. A lot of guys will run a 4ft Firestick which also work well as long as it has good clearance of the roof. My Cherokee came with one bolted to the back tailgate at the bottom so most of the antenna was blocked by the vehicle body. If you were behind it you'd hear me fine, if you were in front you had to be within 150 ft. If your running a basically stock TJ I'd look at mounting off of the rear tire carrier and make sure you have a good consistent ground, don't rely on it to ground through the tailgate hinges (ever notice Chrysler runs a separate ground back to the vehicle chassis for the third brake light? They know the hinges are a poor ground). I'm sure some others will chime in with their personal preferences too, just remember it doesn't matter how much you spend on a CB, it's all a waste of money unless you take the time to get it matched (tuned) to the antenna once it's on your rig.

As for GPS, I know of some who have hacked their Nuvi's to work ok offroad, but most guys are running something meant for portable exploring such as the Garmin CS60x or the new Montana. If it's going to be used 90% of the time on city streets then maybe a modified Nuvi would be best as it has the larger easier to read screen, but you will lose some of the key features for offroad tracking unless you have it hacked.

To give you the best guidance and deals on equipment, I'd give Radioworld a call at 416-667-1000 and ask for Leo the sales manager. Radioworld is an OF4WD supporter so make sure you tell him you're a current OF4WD member and they will help guide you with the right options, and our members get discounts on equipment and accessories. Hard to go wrong.

As for the winch, that's a loaded question, there are some who will tell you that Warn is the only winch worthy of their bumper, others will swear by their lower cost imported winches, which have gotten a lot better over the last couple of years. Warn is one of the oldest winch companies out there and they've earned the reputation they have as the top manufacturer. The key thing you need to ask yourself is how often are you going to use it? If it's a dedicated trail rig or gets used all season long, it can be easier to justify the more expensive Warn models that come with a lifetime warranty, but know you have to read the fine print. That warranty only covers the mechanicals of the winch, not the motor or electronics. If its for just occasional use, maybe a couple of times a season, then the lower cost "offshore" winches may be a wiser choice for you, even Warn now has a lower cost entry level series of winches made in China. Personally I have a 12,000lb Titan winch on my TJ which has got to be about 5-6 years old now. It's gotten a lot of use, I've had it loaded right down pulling a full tube buggy on Rockwells up a slope without a problem, and it's never failed me yet. It's been a great purchase.

The key question is how often will you use it, how will you use it, and what is your budget? There are more great and affordable option out there than ever before, just make sure you pick up something rated for 8000lbs minimum. Just about everyone of our sponsors sells a variety of winches to fit every need and most budgets, call around and don't forget to tell them your a current member for the best pricing.

[Anonymous]

(– by Raymond #6340 –)

I use the Cobra 75 wx st Cb in my TJ. I like it because the box of it hides behind the dash and then you just mount the connector through somewhere and plug in the mic. All the controls are on the mic.

I run a whip antenna that's mounted off my aftermarket tire carrier but the only differance that I have is I also use a quick disconnet. It was recommended to use a spring to get the little bit extra length as is make tuning easier but the whip antenna already moves aruond so much that I didn't want to use a spring. The quick disconnect is also nice on any size antenna for those times when you want to go into a parking garage or just put the jeep in your own garage.

As for GPS as it's been mentioned the Garmin 60CXS or the montana are good choices. The nuvi series is more of an on road GPS.

[Anonymous]

(– by hustler #5243 –)

For a trail GPS I did this.http://www.jeepcentral.ca/forums/showthread.php?560-How-to-make-a-Trail-GPS-for-around-200

[Anonymous]

(– by ZubeDude #7753 –)

Thank you for all the info Dubya_TJ, LugNutz, raymond, and hustler!!!! It is very much appreaciated

LugNutz: my rig is a stock 2003 TJ Rubicon with 31" Duratrack tires for now anyway. I'm already considering trading up to a Unilmited JK as the extra space would be nice. I'm new to wheeling, but I am hoping to be on some trails or in some mud on a regular basis.  As for CB mounting, I'll put it were it fits :); and GPS, well I'm not much of a GPS person but trying to find a few trails last weekend showed me I need one to upload the GPX files and KNOW I'm in the right place. With all the private property around, I'd hate to find myself on the business end of a salt gun 😉

For winches I was looking at a Warn or a Rugger Ridge in the $700 range. Not sure how often winches get used, so that is a hard one to answer. I understand the need to have one as I get more adventurous in my wheeling.

Cheers,
Serge

[Anonymous]

(– by hustler #5243 –)

After a couple of cheap winch disappointments, I'd go Warn or nothing. You will use your winch as often as you get stuck, where you can't use a strap.

While that sounds like answering a question with a question, what I mean is that some people always seem to end up in the inaccessible parts of the mud, and some people don't. Whenever I get into a place where I need recovery it's just a quick pull on a strap and I'm free.

Regardless, if you have a winch you should be able to count on it. Warn is the standard for better quality winches for a reason.

[Anonymous]

(– by hustler #5243 –)

Oh, and if you have a smartphone you can use it with a GPS app in lieu of a dedicated unit. I have used my Blackberry Z10 with OF4WD tracklogs before (in a topo map app) and it worked just fine. All you would then need is something to mount the phone, and probably a way to charge it.

[Anonymous]

(– by ZubeDude #7753 –)

Thanks hustler!

I'm seriously looking into your Playbook setup with Magellan Compass Map software. All I really need is the Garmin GLO GPS and RAM Mount. After Camp NL and checking out other folks setups, I'll have a better idea.

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

(– by hustler #5243 –)

If you want to see it in person sometime, let me know. I live in Milton, not sure where you are.

The Playbook might seem like an odd choice (given that they're effectively orphaned by BB) but at the price I paid for a 32gb tablet with GPS built in it couldn't be beat.

[Author]

Posts