SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1526915
RACE-READY NAVIGATION The Latest Off-Road Tech from Garmin, Lowrance, LeadNav, and Rugged Routes By Micah Anderson In the high-stakes world of professional off-road desert racing, precision and timing are everything. Your choice of navigational tools, and how to use them, can be the difference between a faster route that can shave seconds, or using a slower leg that adds minutes to your overall time. With the right accessories and available maps added into your navigation tools, it can also help find faster routes or prevent you from getting bunched up in a traffic jam bottleneck. Accurate, reliable, and durable navigation systems are always being updated, and staying on top of new GPS units and map overlays is critical for anyone racing in the treacherous and remote areas of the Baja California Peninsula. Several navigation manufacturers such as Garmin, Lowrance, LeadNav, and Rugged Routes, have provided some insight on their latest specialized off-road navigational tools racers can use to stay ahead of the competition. Garmin Tread XL – Baja Race Garmin’s Tread XL – Baja Race is a purpose-built off-road racing navigation device designed to meet the demands and criteria of desert racing. This unit is tailored for those who need a durable, high-performance navigator with special built-in features. Why It’s a Hot Item: The Tread XL – Baja Race isn’t just about getting from point A to point B; it’s about doing so with precision, reliability, and more. This navigator is a critical component for serious racers who need the best tools to stay on track and ahead of the competition. Garmin Tread XL – Baja Race Key Features: 10-Inch Ultra-Bright Touchscreen: The large, high-resolution display ensures visibility in any light condition, including the intense sunlight typical of desert environments. Baja-Specific Maps: Preloaded with topographic and satellite maps of the Baja Peninsula, this unit is designed for the unique challenges of the Baja 1000 and similar races. InReach Technology Integration: Stay connected with built-in satellite communication for two-way messaging and emergency SOS, crucial for off-the-grid racing. Multi-GNSS Support: With GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo support, the Tread XL – Baja Race provides robust positioning capabilities, ensuring accurate navigation even in the most remote locations. Rugged Design: Built to handle dust, water, and extreme temperatures, this unit is ready for the toughest racing conditions. “The Baja Race Edition navigator is purpose-built for high-speed race vehicles. It features a 10” glove-friendly touch screen, with a team tracking feature that uses inReach technology to allow race vehicles and chase trucks to message and track each other with live position updates and global satellite coverage. It also allows drivers to add pace notes, see the race course, and see terrain during pre-running to help them prepare for race day. It’s an amazing device for the sport.” - Don Schmidt, Garmin Lead Product Manager Product: 10” Off-Road Race Navigator Part Number: 010-02510-00 Price: $2,499.99 Garmin Tread XL – Baja Chase The Tread XL – Baja Chase is Garmin’s answer to the needs of off-road chase teams. This navigator is designed for those who follow the racers, ensuring they can provide support and assistance whenever and wherever it’s needed. With a focus on connectivity and real-time information, the Tread XL – Baja Chase is an essential tool for any chase team looking to keep up with the race and provide timely aid. Why It’s a Hot Item: For chase teams, staying connected and informed is crucial. The Tread XL – Baja Chase, when combined with a Tread XL – Baja Race unit, offers the tools necessary to track racers in real-time, manage logistics, and ensure that the team is always in the right place at the right time. Garmin Tread XL – Baja Chase Key Features: 10-Inch High-Resolution Display: Similar to the Baja Race version, the display is bright and easy to read, providing essential data at a glance, even in challenging light conditions. Live Tracking Capabilities: Keep tabs on racers with real-time tracking, ensuring you know their location and can respond quickly if needed. Preloaded Topographic and Satellite Maps: The same detailed Baja-specific maps are available, ensuring chase teams have the same level of navigational support as the racers. Group Ride Radio: Allows for communication between up to 20 Tread users without needing cellular coverage, ensuring the chase team stays in sync. InReach Satellite Technology: Just like the Baja Race version, this unit includes two-way satellite messaging and SOS, offering peace of mind when out of range of traditional communication methods. “The Baja Chase Edition is the companion for the Baja Race Edition and includes most of the same features, but is designed for chase vehicles and team members in the pit. The team tracking allows the entire team to track and communicate with the race vehicle and provide insights from outside the driver’s seat. The portable device comes with a heavy-duty suction cup mount, vehicle power cable, and robust mounting hardware so you can easily move it from one support truck to another.” - Don Schmidt, Garmin Lead Product Manager Product: 10” Off-Road Chase Navigator Part Number: 010-02833-00 Price: $1,799.99 LeadNav GPS Core Application LeadNav’s GPS Core Application stands out in the off-road world for its adaptability and functionality. Unlike traditional GPS units, LeadNav offers a flexible platform that allows racers to customize and control their navigation experience, which is crucial for the ever-changing conditions of desert racing. Why It’s a Hot Item: This isn’t your average GPS app. LeadNav is built for those who need more than just turn-by-turn directions—it’s for racers who require a tool that can adapt to their strategy on the fly. LeadNav GPS Application Key Features: Custom Map Overlays: Allows users to create custom map overlays, helping to visualize key areas, obstacles, and waypoints tailored to specific races. Waypoint Management: Manage waypoints with precision, making it easier to track progress and adjust routes as needed. Offline Access: Provides offline map access, so you’re not dependent on cellular service—ideal for remote race locations where signal is unreliable. Device Compatibility: Works seamlessly with multiple devices, including iPads and iPhones, making it versatile for various setups. Product: LeadNav GPS Core Application Price: $19.99 (In-App Purchases Available) Lowrance HDS Pro 12-Inch Navigator Lowrance has long been a trusted name in marine and off-road navigation, and its HDS Pro 12-inch unit is a testament to the company’s commitment to quality. Paired with the Point-1 Baja GPS antenna, this setup provides racers with an accurate and reliable navigation system that is built to endure the rigors of desert racing. Why It’s a Hot Item: The Lowrance HDS Pro is an expandable ecosystem that provides precision navigation assistance with no-subscription high-resolution satellite imagery at the touch of the screen. Lowrance HDS Pro 12-Inch Navigator Key Features: 12-Inch SolarMAX Display: The HDS Pro features a high-definition display that remains clear even in bright sunlight, essential for racing in desert conditions. Integrated Mapping: Comes with detailed maps and the ability to integrate additional maps, providing extensive coverage of off-road trails. Point-1 Baja Receiver: The GPS/Glonass receiver offers rapid and precise positioning, critical for maintaining course accuracy during high-speed races. Rugged and Weatherproof: Built to withstand dust, dirt, and water, ensuring the unit performs reliably in harsh environments. Product: HDS Pro 12-inch: Part Number: 000-16002-001 Price: $4,449.99 Product: Point-1 Baja Off-road GPS antenna Part Number: 000-11045-002 Price: $349.99 Rugged Routes High-Resolution Offline Map Data of Baja Peninsula & Keypad for GPS Race Notes Programming Rugged Routes offers high-resolution offline map data specifically designed for the Baja Peninsula, a key region for off-road desert racing. These maps, available on an SD card, provide detailed topographic and trail information that can be accessed without a cellular signal, ensuring racers and support teams have reliable navigation tools even in the most remote areas. Why It’s a Hot Item: A plug-and-play memory card for Lowrance GPS systems, this comprehensive GPS map combines road and trail data with up-to-date 15-meter satellite imagery and includes Landsat Imagery for the entire peninsula. All Satellite data included was acquired by satellites in early 2023 which is combined with the latest OSM highway, road, and trail data. Rugged Routes Map Data Key Features: High-Resolution Topographic Maps: Provides detailed terrain information, including elevation contours, to help racers navigate challenging landscapes. Offline Accessibility: Maps are stored on an SD card, allowing for seamless use in areas without cellular coverage, ensuring reliability in the most remote locations. Baja Peninsula Focus: Specifically designed for Baja off-road racing, offering targeted information and accuracy in this demanding environment. Customizable Waypoints: Allows users to mark and customize waypoints, making it easier to plan and follow routes specific to their needs. Product: High-Resolution Baja Map Data Part Number: RR-M0201 Price: $149.99 Rugged Routes TrailMark Keypad for GPS Race Notes Programming The Rugged Routes TrailMark Keypad is an innovative tool designed for racers who need to program GPS waypoints and notes quickly and efficiently. This keypad integrates seamlessly with Lowrance off-road GPS units, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments and precise navigation during races. It’s a valuable tool for those who want to stay organized and make quick decisions while out on the course. Why It’s a Hot Item: In the fast-paced world of off-road racing, having the ability to quickly input and adjust GPS data is essential. The Rugged Routes Keypad makes this process more efficient, reducing the time spent on navigation adjustments and allowing racers to focus on performance. Rugged Routes Map Data Key Features: Seamless Integration with Lowrance GPS Units: Designed specifically for use with Lowrance off-road GPS systems, ensuring compatibility and ease of use. Quick Access to Key Functions: The keypad provides quick access to essential GPS functions, allowing racers to input waypoints, notes, and other data without slowing down. Durable Construction: Built to withstand the rigors of off-road racing, this keypad is designed to handle tough conditions, including dust, moisture, and vibration. Customizable Buttons: Users can program the keypad’s buttons to suit their specific needs, making it a highly flexible tool for navigation. Product: Rugged Routes TrailMark Keypad Part Number: RR-G0401 Price: $199.99 “Our Rugged Routes map data is an essential no-subscription map that greatly assists in Baja, especially when chasing. Additionally, our Trail Mark keypad is the absolute pinnacle of pre-running tools and is highly configurable for the racer and navigator’s needs. It saves valuable time by marking accurate notes at the push of a button. This allows you to cover more pre-running miles in less time and greatly reduces the need to edit notes prior to race day..” - Steven Lutz, owner of Rugged Routes Elevate Your Navigation Program To Be The Most Competitive In off-road desert racing, where every second counts and precision is key, the right navigational tools are essential. Garmin, LeadNav, Lowrance, and Rugged Routes offer products that don’t just guide you through the course—they give you the tools to strategize, adapt, and excel. By equipping yourself with these advanced systems, you’re not just racing; you’re setting yourself up to win. SJ