Waterproof Cases For GPS

You might want to consider getting a hand held outdoor unit that is waterproof and rugged, rather than encasing a Nuvi. The battery life will be much better, with better access to the controls. I usually stick electronics in heavy duty freezer bags when I'm near water.

One of my friends used a waterproof case from this company http://www.aquapac.net/usstore/small-waterproof-pda-case-br-...

I have used this in the past with my Nuvi 260, in a HWMMV with the Army. It worked great.
http://www.ram-mount.com/Products/AquaBoxMounts/tabid/125/De...

Do those water proof cases still allow you to use the touch screen on the GPS?

With the Ram Mount ones, yes.

...early on, but it was pretty silly - in that it kept wanting to put me on roads.

I've since bought a waterproof Garmin 76Cx, and stick that in a waterproof case (rubber seals and gaskets dry out and leak sooner or later, so the 'aquapac' is another layer of protection). It allows full access to the buttons. The one I have is guaranteed for 3 years against the plastic yellowing - and it's that age now, and is still non-yellowed, and the plastic hasn't dried out (must be those BPA's or pthalates!).

GC

You need to switch from normal driving mode to off road mode. Otherwise the Nuvi will do as you say, it will continually try to direct you towards the nearest road.

Somebody in another forum tipped me to this. While I probably won't buy it because of the price, it is an interesting accessory.

http://www.thepocketsolution.com/PSI-60942/Garmin+Nuvifone+G...

now that is a case.

...meaning that you can't operate the buttons on a GPS without opening it. If all you're doing is following a route, it's not an issue. If you have to zoom in, zoom out, scroll around while you're on a trek (walk, hike, bike, kayak), it would be a pain. That was the other problem I had when I tried putting my Nuvi in to a hard case without access to it. Those cases also muffle any TTS voice.

GC

I carry a Garmin 60csx for backcountry use including 4x4, canoeing, and white water rafting. Found that the 60csx fits very nicely into a 3"x7" Pelican 1030 Micro Case. The clear window in the case allows one to read the GPS while in the case, but you have to open the case to push the buttons. I've used it on several white water trips including most recently on the Seti River in Nepal. Works very well, floats with GPS, and is easy to tie into the boat. Most important, its totally waterproof and rugged.