Why I Still Appreciate the Concept of a Portable Dashboard GPS

      Garmin

      Subscribe to The Drive’s daily newsletter

      Stay updated on the latest car news, reviews, and features.

      About 20 years ago, smartphones were not yet widespread, and in-dash navigation was a rare feature. Many of us resorted to printing directions from MapQuest.com and reading them like rally notes while navigating unfamiliar cities. This led to a brief surge in the popularity of portable GPS devices the size of iPhones, a trend that faded as smartphones became commonplace. Nonetheless, dedicated GPS devices still have relevance today, particularly for off-road adventures.

      Garmin has today unveiled the Tread 2—an upgraded version of its portable off-road GPS tablet, which remains an existing market. While portable GPS may seem outdated for family or college road trips, with adequate features and weather resistance, these devices can be excellent tools for adventure.

      The Tread 2 will be available in several variations; there’s a smaller version for Powersports and various larger Baja racing models. The newly introduced models include the Overland and SxS versions, featuring suction cups for mounting in truck cabs and clamps for roll-cage attachment, respectively. It boasts a significantly larger size than the original Tread, with an 8.0-inch display as opposed to 5.5 inches, and improved durability. The Tread 2 has an IP67 protection rating (water and dustproof), compared to the older model's IPX7 rating (waterproof only).

      This device is much more sophisticated than the playing card-sized Garmins and TomToms that affluent graduates received around 2004. You can connect it with the Tread app to document and download routes, assist in route planning based on weather and vehicle specifications, serve as a short-range communicator between vehicles, and even track your dogs if they’re wearing Garmin collars.

      However, it’s also a significant investment—Garmin prices the Tread 2 Overland and SxS models at $999.99.

      Tread 2 Overland in action. Garmin

      I would need to spend some time using this device to determine whether it is worth the investment, but conceptually, I am quite fond of the idea of a dedicated and robust GPS for off-road adventures.

      The first reason is convenience. While off-roading, I prefer to use my phone mainly for taking photos of my dog and beautiful landscapes. If my phone is tied up with navigation, switching apps can be frustrating. When I'm really indulging, I prefer to keep my phone in a Pelican case, sealed, and completely ignore notifications until I'm back off the trail.

      Then, there's the durability aspect. My iPhone has endured numerous drops while using the OEM wireless charging case, but if it spends an entire Baja trip on my truck's dashboard, it will likely be covered in dust and exposed to intense sunlight. There's a reason why very few, if any, Baja racers use iPads for navigation; standard tablets and smartphones often overheat during multi-day excursions in harsh conditions. Plus, there's no way I’d secure my phone to my Polaris Ranger’s roll bar—it would be instantly muddied.

      Lastly, reception is an important consideration. You can download offline maps, especially if you’re using a reliable cartography app like onX Off-Road, but there’s always a chance you might forget to do so, venture into areas without downloaded maps, or, like me, find your phone unable to accommodate the data because it’s filled with dog pictures.

      Dedicated GPS units undoubtedly have a more restricted use case than they did at the beginning of the millennium. It would be impractical to purchase one solely for driving on roads already mapped by Google. However, for serious backcountry exploration, the value of a device like the Tread 2 remains compelling.

      Have a tip? Send us a message at [email protected].