Garmin Overlander
Fri, 06/05/2026 - 10:32pm
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    19 years
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By any chance does anybody here on POI Factory happen to have a Garmin Overlander? They have been discontinued for four years, but if anybody happens to have one, I have a few questions about it.
Briefly
I'm not sure I can answer many questions, but I'll try. I bought an Overlander in 2021 hoping to use it on my bike. I returned it after just a week. It was expensive, heavy, (almost a pound) and the 7" screen was not bright enough to see in sunlight. IMO, it was designed more for automotive use, rather than for bikes or ATV's.
I exchanged it for a Montana 700i handheld. Slightly smaller screen but considerably brighter. It can also be powered via a USB port on my bike and takes up less space on the handlebars.
The Overlander was quickly replaced by the Tread series, which I might try when the prices come down a bit.
No experience myself...
But there was some discussion awhile ago at GPSFileDepot, about whether they could be used with 3rd party maps. A user said they were able to sideload some Android apps but were having problems installing 3rd party Garmin maps.
https://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php/topic,5221.0.html
Also a brief discussion here.
https://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php/topic,4823.0.html
boydsmaps.com
Garmin Overlander
I'm not sure I can answer many questions, but I'll try. I bought an Overlander in 2021 hoping to use it on my bike. I returned it after just a week. It was expensive, heavy, (almost a pound) and the 7" screen was not bright enough to see in sunlight...
Actually, that is exactly what I needed to know. I, too, thought it was too expensive, thus avoiding consideration until now.
The weight factor I might be able to live with. I see that my Garmin Zumo XT comes in at 9.2 ounces and the Overlander is 15.4 ounces.
The brightness factor is the deal breaker for me. I bought a Garmin Nuvi 500 for my wife's vehicle years ago. It was also marketed as "...a unique, rugged, waterproof GPS designed for multi-mode adventures like driving, hiking, bicycling, and boating..." When we bought our first ATV years ago and I tried using the Nuvi 500, but it simply was not bright enough to see in the direct sunlight. That and other factors are why I bought my Garmin Zumo XT for ATVing. The Zumo is listed as 1000 NITS. It looks like the Overlander might be less than that.
AI overview says motorcycle Android Auto screens require a minimum of 800 to 1,000+ nits of brightness for clear daylight visibility. Because displays are fixed on the handlebars and directly exposed to the sun, screens under 700 nits wash out while wearing polarized sunglasses.
I, too, am considering the Garmin Tread series. The good thing is I am in no huge hurry. If I see a deal on a second hand device, I might buy one.
Thank you for the reply.
Garmin Overlander
But there was some discussion awhile ago at GPSFileDepot, about whether they could be used with 3rd party maps...
Those are very helpful links.
Things like this push me more towards a bright, rugged smartphone or tablet. Or a dedicated bright screen that runs Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. (If only Polaris Ride Command worked with Android Auto.)
Thank you for the reply.
Screen brightness
The brightness factor is the deal breaker for me. I bought a Garmin Nuvi 500 for my wife's vehicle years ago.
I've learned that brightness is a curious thing. In the car, it's really about mounting position and angle IMO. Turn the GPS off and look at what is being reflected on the screen. If you can mount it so the roof is reflected, it makes a big difference compared to a windshield or side window reflection. Of course, on an open vehicle you can't do that.
I wrote about getting an 11 inch m4 iPad Pro recently. That screen is rated at 1000 nits and widely praised. It really is bright and a very high quality/high contrast image. I felt it was just as bright as my best Garmin units (Drivesmart 61 and Drivetrack 71). But, putting them side by side in the house, I was surprised that the Garmin devices were noticeably brighter! They are definitely more than 1000 nits. Image quality/contrast might not be as good, but those things are bright!
I have a bunch of other vintage Garmin devices, including a Nuvi 250 which I think is the same screen as your Nuvi 500. I always felt that screen was terrible, when I look at maps I made myself and compared with other Nuvi's, they just looked bad, with too much contrast and over saturated colors. Have never seen a Zumo in person or a Tread.
My 1000 nit iPad is quite visible with direct sunlight shining on the screen in my car, which impressed me. On an open vehicle however, I think I'd want something brighter than 1000, if possible. Too bad Garmin doesn't publish screen specs.
boydsmaps.com
Screen Brightness
You make great points. One of the motorcycle smart displays that I keep running across is Chigee. The Chigee AIO-6 Max Smart Riding Display shows 2000 NITS!
https://www.chigee.com/products/aio-6?source=pageEmbed&page=...
that 2000 nit screen
looks nice, cost $480, certainly cheaper than Garmin. However, I think you need to consider the manufacturer in the equation. I have certainly been critical of Garmin, but not when it comes to support, they are going to take care of you if there's a problem (assuming you're using their native apps, not something you side load...)
For me, I bought a ~$200 rugged Chinese tablet just for testing my app and other stuff. For that price, I don't expect any support (beyond an Amazon refund if it just doesn't work). When you get into more expensive devices (like $1000 iPads) then I'd like to think the company will be there for me, within reason.
boydsmaps.com
Brightness
I'm not sure I can answer many questions, but I'll try. I bought an Overlander in 2021 hoping to use it on my bike. I returned it after just a week. It was expensive, heavy, (almost a pound) and the 7" screen was not bright enough to see in sunlight...
Actually, that is exactly what I needed to know. I, too, thought it was too expensive, thus avoiding consideration until now.
The weight factor I might be able to live with. I see that my Garmin Zumo XT comes in at 9.2 ounces and the Overlander is 15.4 ounces.
The brightness factor is the deal breaker for me. I bought a Garmin Nuvi 500 for my wife's vehicle years ago. It was also marketed as "...a unique, rugged, waterproof GPS designed for multi-mode adventures like driving, hiking, bicycling, and boating..." When we bought our first ATV years ago and I tried using the Nuvi 500, but it simply was not bright enough to see in the direct sunlight. That and other factors are why I bought my Garmin Zumo XT for ATVing. The Zumo is listed as 1000 NITS. It looks like the Overlander might be less than that.
AI overview says motorcycle Android Auto screens require a minimum of 800 to 1,000+ nits of brightness for clear daylight visibility. Because displays are fixed on the handlebars and directly exposed to the sun, screens under 700 nits wash out while wearing polarized sunglasses.
I, too, am considering the Garmin Tread series. The good thing is I am in no huge hurry. If I see a deal on a second hand device, I might buy one.
Thank you for the reply.
To overcome the sun glare & brightness issue, I use articulating RAM B ball handlebar mounts for all my screened devices. RAM makes adapters for many Garmin products, but I sometimes have to make my own. I just loosen the clamp slightly and reposition the device to avoid any glare.
Niteize Steelie
...
To overcome the sun glare & brightness issue, I use articulating RAM B ball handlebar mounts for all my screened devices. RAM makes adapters for many Garmin products, but I sometimes have to make my own. I just loosen the clamp slightly and reposition the device to avoid any glare.
My DriveBozo 51 is awful for glare and I use a Niteize Steelie ( https://niteize.com/steelier-original-dash-kit ) mount and to cut the glare I merely touch the GPS to change it's angle. I can do that while driving. The negative of the Steelie is that the tape won't last 5 years.
I use Ram mounts for my ham radio rig and phone which don't have a glare problem. If I had to re-orient them I'd need to stop since re-adjustment takes two hands.