Should you Get a Handheld or Dash mounted GPS Navigator?

When choosing between a handheld unit versus a dash-mounted unit for your vehicle, keep in mind your primary use for the GPS receiver.
    * Do you prefer a unit that will remain in your vehicle and primarily be used when you're driving?
    * Do you think you might want to use a GPS receiver at other times as well, such as hiking, biking, or boating?
    If your needs require that your GPS unit be portable, then a handheld receiver is for you.

To read more about the pros and cons of different GPS navigators and to see the prices for different units, follow this link:

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/cs/gps/a/gpschoosing.htm  

Personally I'd rather have a hand held. An in dash mount isn't going to do you much good if the rig you're riding in breaks and you have to walk out. Besides, many of the companies (and after market suppliers) are making mounts for the hand held units.  
'Got Mud?'

Bought a Garmin 650. Has a SD card slot so you can load any topo map that is compatible. Has a 8 hour battery built in and a big screen you can see bouncing around the trail. Only draw back I see is when on foot the flip out antennae has to be extended for satellite acquisition.  

Actually, you can get the best of both worlds with the Mopar accessory unit. I think it's actually made by Garmin. It has a nice docking station on the dash that routes audio prompts through the speakers, but you can detach it and take it with you on the trail. Pretty slick!  

Do you have to get the Jeep or Dodge attachment?  
"if you don't run,you rust"

I received the garminmap76 for Christmas and it is awesome use it in the truck n the highway. got to the boatramp and threw it in for the fishing trip waterproof and it floats. downside is having to buy topo maps the base map is pretty lame. By the way it is a good idea to carry a map and compass and know how to use it! electronics can go down and being lost is bad. Remember if you get really stranded it is better to stay with the vehicle better chance of being found.Always leave a trip plan as you will be missed sooner or later. I call my spouse if plans change so she at least knows were to start looking good luck  
Hello from the eaglesnest

Many in-dash nav units (including MyGig) don't have software available for mapping off the pavement.  I agree with Ed - I really like the Trail Guide by Mopar that mounts on the dash, but is also portable.  It has complete topo map software available for North America.  It's really a Garmin Quest, rebadged for Mopar, so is kind of expensive when compared with its Garmin sibling.  I guess you're paying for the dash mount with built in speakers.  
____________________
Iacta alea est. (The die is cast)

-- Julius Caesar, Divus Julius xxxii; spoken at the crossing of the Rubicon

thanks Phil.  The Garmin Quest will be on the top of my check it out list.  
"if you don't run,you rust"

Click on this link and you can se a trip completed with my Garmin

trip uploaded from my Garmin GPS

In this case I traveled over roads to get there and then carried the unit in my gheenoe to copy waypoints. Uploading to this website lets me see the trip on google maps and you can chose topo map in upper corner and view it in that format
awsome unit  
Hello from the eaglesnest