Guide to the Latest Off-Road Electronic Gadgets Gear

Guide to the Latest Off-Road Electronic Gadgets Gear from Lowrance, PCI Race Radios, ProComm Radios, Racer X Motorsports and Spot


While many off-road enthusiasts and Dirt Sports readers may think of massive bypass shocks or grippy new tires before they think of electronics for their vehicles, the electronic components can be a vital part of the entire modern off-road experience. There are many electrical components that go into your off-road machines, and the conditions that you race, compete or play in will have a huge impact on the ones you choose. This month, we will turn our focus to the “on-board” electronics typically found in a modern off-road cockpit including GPS, cameras and video equipment.

Racers and weekend adventurers alike can enjoy the benefits of knowing where they are, where they are going and where they have been thanks to modern GPS and mapping systems. Family and friends can even track you online and receive updates about your safety and progress. We can also use camera and video systems to record our racing, testing and play riding or driving. The recorded footage can be used for promotional efforts like Web sites and sponsor meetings, as well as coaching, driver improvement and even for vehicle dynamics testing.

We have pulled together a selection of various on-board electronics products that should help you to get the most out of your dirt adventures. Keep in mind that this is not an all-inclusive list as manufacturers are developing new product and constantly updating and improving their offerings, so check their Web sites for the most up-to-date products.

LOWRANCE
In the last few years GPS systems have gone from top secret military technology to something so ubiquitous that it is even included in many cellular telephone handsets. Of course, GPS has found its way into off-road racing and adventure riding where drivers and riders rely on the magic box and screen to give them directions and warn them of hazardous situations. In the off-road market the biggest name in the GPS game is Lowrance, who now offers dirtready versions of their GPS units in the Baja series including their new HDS (high-definition) models. Lowrance has been a leader in outdoor electronics since 1957 and GPS navigation since 1992 so they are surely a name that is familiar to many.

HDS-5 BAJA
Carrying a suggested retail price of only $749, the HDS-5 Baja is a 5-inch GPS unit designed to meet the high-stress and high-impact demands of off-road racing and hardcore off-road recreation. This new GPS chartplotter supports
Lowrance FreedomMaps EX, high-detail topographical electronic maps as well as the standard features that we have grown accustomed to with our GPS units. New options include LWX-1 ($399) Sirius satellite weather and radio receiver and LGC-4000 Baja ($299) external GPS receiver.

Its compact chassis is easy to mount and measures in at a scant 7.24-inches wide by 5.27-inches high and 3.46-inches deep. The unit is designed with a special dampening material on the inside for unparalleled shock absorption. An easy to read 480 X 480 pixel 5-inch color display incorporates the exclusive Lowrance SolorMax PLUS sunlight-readable enhancements for ease of viewing in all conditions. It also uses a new menu that provides quicker and easier access to the most-used features in addition to an improved backlit keyboard design. Fast screen updates and redraws combine with great waypoint management and a huge selection of marker icons to make this a great GPS unit for the serious offroader.

For optional map display and GPS data recording the HDS-5 Baja uses a highspeed micro SD card slot. When connected to the optional LGC-4000 Baja antenna it offers a true 5 Hz satellite signal update rate that provides superior real-time locational accuracy by updating position 5-times per second.

The HDS-5 Baja is backed by an unprecedented two-year warranty and is designed to handle the bone-jarring conditions that we subject ourselves to on a regular basis. It is fully water and dust protected to make sure it can bring you home even in the worst conditions.

LOWRANCE ENDURA HANDHELD GPS UNITS
If you thought you couldn’t afford to use GPS technology for your off-road adventures maybe you should think again. With the introduction of its new Endura handheld GPS line Lowrance delivers high quality GPS units starting at just $230 MSRP for the entry level Out&Back (yellow) moving up to $385 for the Safari (gray) and topping out at just $549 for the flagship Sierra (blue). All three units share the same lightweight 5.1-inch high by 2.3-inch wide and 1.1-inch deep chassis that weighs less than 6-ounces without its two AA batteries. They also use an innovative 2.7-inch color touch screen display for easy viewing and operation. The rugged housings feature rubberized armoring that protects the unit and provides a comfortable grip.

The Lowrance Endura line consists of three innovative touch-screen GPS handhelds for the outdoor market: the flagship Sierra – the most powerful and complete out-of-box GPS experience available, the Safari – the most versatile navigator for any outdoor experience, and the Out&Back – setting a new standard in affordability and ease of use. The Out&Back offers straightforward GPS functionality while the Safari adds the capability to view photos and play MP3 audio through the micro SD expansion slot. The Sierra builds upon that capability with 4 GB of built in storage capacity. Contact your nearest Lowrance retailer to decide which unit is best for your needs.