Buying A GPS

[FuzzyRSTD]

Anyone got any suggestions for the best GPS unit for a motorcycle ? I need one that I can see well, big screen I quess. Probably could not hear it anyway (maybe with a ear phone jack plug). I plan on maybe just sticking it on windshield when need to use. I borrowed my sisiter's GPS unit the other day on a trip to Louisville,KY, used it in the car. I likey it, neet how it worked so well. My wife actually wants to buy one. So I agreed as long as I get one that I can use on the bike also. I know that I will have to probably spend around $ 250.00 - $ 350.00 I apreciate any and all your suggestions. Thanks....

James

[big mike]

Unless you plan riding in rain with it on your bike, I would buy a Garmin any model for a car. When we went on our trip in June through 4 states, that is what we used and it worked great. If you look on Wal-Marts website, they are clearancing out several models and sizes of all that they carry, since the new models are coming out. Worth a look. Oh yea, you CAN'T hear them unless you have earphones, due to wind noise!

 

Good Luck,

Big Mike

[FuzzyRSTD]

Unless you plan riding in rain with it on your bike, I would buy a Garmin any model for a car. When we went on our trip in June through 4 states, that is what we used and it worked great. If you look on Wal-Marts website, they are clearancing out several models and sizes of all that they carry, since the new models are coming out. Worth a look. Oh yea, you CAN'T hear them unless you have earphones, due to wind noise!

 

Good Luck,

Big Mike

Thanks Big Mike. I will check out the Wally World.

James

[massey130]

there is a lot of info on GPS units here, just in different threads.

at the top of the page near the logout button is the seach button.

enter the letters GPS and it will bring you all the threads with the information you are looking for.

 

cheers.

[BoomerCPO]

GARMIN!! They have so many models to choose from it will make ya dizzy....and those folks stand behind them 100% even when the Warranty expires.

 

Check out Amazon.com for good deals there.... as well as E-Bay too.

 

 

Boomer........who never leaves home without American Express, GARMIN, and a flask of Jim Beam for medicinal purposes.

[Marcarl]

I had a Lowrance XOG, and now have a Garmin Zumo 660. if it weren't for the screen size and being able to see it in bright daylight, I'd would take the Xog back anyday. Oh ya, it also does not accept other routes very well, or I just can't figure it out.

You can go to the Garmin site and compare all the units there are. You can put in your choices and then it eliminates all the things you can't have if you make that choice. Kind of neat actually. and really helpful.

If you want waterproof, it's the Xog, or if it's Garmin, it's the Zumos your looking for. I do like the 660 but it's going to take a little getting used to after the flexablity of the Xog.

[saddlebum]

i have a Tom Tom rider 2 my only grievence with it is that the screen is hard to see in bright sunlight. For the rest it works greatIt comes with a blue tooth headset which attaches to your helmit the speaker is the size of a quarter and simply uses velcro to stick it any were in your helmit without making any modifications. mine is currantly stuck inside my 1/2 helmit and the sound is clear as a bell. The mike attaches in the usuall fashion. If your cell phone has blue tooth it ties in real nice and works great right through the gps and the head set. When the gps senses motion you can only answer incoming calls , you have to stop to make an out going call , but once conected you can continue to ride. I find the mapping excellent and updating is free. I find it more user freindly than the garmin as well.

[CMIKE]

I like the Garmin 660...I can see it fine in bright sunlight. Software came with it so I can map out my routes off the interstates onto those back roads or the senic routes. I like the fact it has blue tooth and syncs with my phone. I can have my phone in my pocket syncd up with the garmin. Look for Lodging...call them through the zumo 660 and ask about rates and room availbility. Phone still in my vest pocket. Then press go and it will lead me to the hotel.

It was pricey but I am happy with it.

[raceman62race]

Most use Garmin GPS's but I use a Magellan Crossover 2500. Suppose to be water resistant. I've ridden in the rain with it 2 times with no problems but I have heard of some who have had issues with them in rain. The screen is a little hard ot see in sunshine but manageable. It will work in the woods too as well as marine if you buy the marine maps...thus the word corssover...can be used in 3 modes: raod map, marine and offroad. I have used it many times in my travels with no problems. I think you can get them for less than $150.00. Which ever one you decied on, be sure you can get a mount to attach it to the handlebars. I wouldn't even consider attaching it to the windshield unless it is bolted to the windshield and not attached with the suction cup method.

[dave_wells]

Make sure you can get a mount to use on the bike with the GPS Ram mounts should.

 

Take a look at www.BUYDIG.COM

I have purchased 2 units from them

They did have the best price at the time.

 

Ride Safe

[slick97spirit]

i have a Tom Tom rider 2 my only grievence with it is that the screen is hard to see in bright sunlight. For the rest it works greatIt comes with a blue tooth headset which attaches to your helmit the speaker is the size of a quarter and simply uses velcro to stick it any were in your helmit without making any modifications. mine is currantly stuck inside my 1/2 helmit and the sound is clear as a bell. The mike attaches in the usuall fashion. If your cell phone has blue tooth it ties in real nice and works great right through the gps and the head set. When the gps senses motion you can only answer incoming calls , you have to stop to make an out going call , but once conected you can continue to ride. I find the mapping excellent and updating is free. I find it more user freindly than the garmin as well.

 

I have the same & like it. Really easy to move from the bike to the car too. You get both mounts with the unit.

[KeithR]

I've been looking at the Zumo 660 but I don't really need it till next summer, so I have been lurking around some forums to get as much info as I can on it. Have a look at this site if a Zumo is in your future

 

Keith

 

www.zumoforums.com

[loehring]

I'm a Garmin Zumo 550 person. I looked at the 660 and loved the large screen but they dropped the XM Radio and Traffic on the 660 so I stuck with the 550. The screen is a little smaller but it has all the features I like. Great unit and Garmin is the best when it comes to CS.

[RandyR]

What about price of updates and special maps (like forest service roads). I heard that the updates from Tom-Tom are free. Is that true?

 

I've been put off on what the updates and extra maps seem to cost and haven't gotten a GPS yet.

[1sttenor]

What about price of updates and special maps (like forest service roads). I heard that the updates from Tom-Tom are free. Is that true?

 

I've been put off on what the updates and extra maps seem to cost and haven't gotten a GPS yet.

 

I have a TomTom and the free updates is not entirely true. In fact, to get real updates they charge you. That said, I like my 720. I can put 50 routes in it before I leave home and you can run the sound through the Aux on the bike. So I put in a 4 MB SD card in the tomtom and never hear the same song twice on a two week trip. It also BlueTooths to my Blackberry. Works for me.

Edited July 29, 2009 by 1sttenor
Spelling

[RandyR]

I have a TomTom and the free updates is not entirely true. In fact, to get real updates they charge you. That said, I like my 720. I can put 50 routes in it before I leave home and you can run the sound through the Aux on the bike. So I put in a 4 MB SD card in the tomtom and never hear the same song twice on a two week trip. It also BlueTooths to my Blackberry. Works for me.

 

Maybe I'm not ready for a gps.

 

For $6 I can get an updated Walmart N. America road map atlas every year. Will I be the last one buying these?

[FuzzyRSTD]

there is a lot of info on GPS units here, just in different threads.

at the top of the page near the logout button is the seach button.

enter the letters GPS and it will bring you all the threads with the information you are looking for.

 

cheers.

Thanks Massey , I did try that last night after posting. Found out a lot that I did not know about the GPS world and all the differant units and prices, wow.

[FuzzyRSTD]

I've been looking at the Zumo 660 but I don't really need it till next summer, so I have been lurking around some forums to get as much info as I can on it. Have a look at this site if a Zumo is in your future

 

Keith

 

www.zumoforums.com

 

Thanks Kieth, I am leaning toward the Zumo 660. I found a decient price on Wallmart site last night. I will check these forums out. THANKS It's just money, and everybody knows your not taking it with you. Man would this thing have really been a help to us on our last ride, on our way home, tired and wore out, looking for a room and trying to find phone numbers and locations.

Edited July 29, 2009 by FuzzyRSTD

[FuzzyRSTD]

Maybe I'm not ready for a gps.

 

For $6 I can get an updated Walmart N. America road map atlas every year. Will I be the last one buying these?

For me and my bike, I will always have back up and plan B.

***THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR HELP. I AM MAYBE GOING WITH THE GARMIN ZUMO 660 OR 450, BUT FOR SURE THE GARMIN BRAND.

Edited July 29, 2009 by FuzzyRSTD

[sgripp]

I'm a Zumo 550 user. I know it's a little pricey but it does it all.

 

Waterproof/XM Radio/MP3/Audio Books/Bluetooth.

 

I have split the aux output in the fairing and have the Zumo piped in there.

 

Have found it great with the buttons on the side with gloves.

 

Good luck on your search.

[Mariner Fan]

I'm a Zumo 550 user. I know it's a little pricey but it does it all.

 

Waterproof/XM Radio/MP3/Audio Books/Bluetooth.

 

I have split the aux output in the fairing and have the Zumo piped in there.

 

Have found it great with the buttons on the side with gloves.

 

Good luck on your search.

 

 

Me too and I use it all!

[saddlebum]

What about price of updates and special maps (like forest service roads). I heard that the updates from Tom-Tom are free. Is that true?

 

I've been put off on what the updates and extra maps seem to cost and haven't gotten a GPS yet.

Yes the Tom Tom updates are free and contineus ( EG: no one expiry)and much simpler to do than the garmin. ( my friend has a garmin and since he does not have a computer I do his updates for him so it gives me a reasonable comparison base). As well Tom Tom recocmends you do your updates on a weekly basis because thet have what is called map sharing and map correction. If any Tom Tom owner notices an error in the map or a new road not yet on the map he can put that info directly into his gps. the next time you do an update Tom Tom downloads this info, and as soon as it varify's that the info is correct makes it availble to all other Tom Tom users. Another nice feature is You plan an itinarary and if riding with a group then you share it with other members in your group.

[ablumny]

I know you said it's just money BUT I dont have much so I went with a refurbed Garmin 2720 off of eBay. $110, rugged, waterproof, readable outdoors, glove friendly and works great. No internal battery but bullet proof. Custom waypoints, records trips, exports and imports maps. Nice unit for the money. My 2cents....

 

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9EMyKcng_yA/SnT6WJe92gI/AAAAAAAAC1E/0gElucl7rIY/s800/P8010619.JPGhttp://lh6.ggpht.com/_9EMyKcng_yA/SgcFULDy9SI/AAAAAAAAB8I/mrvrkKRSGRk/s640/P5100249.JPG

[Wanderer]

Another great place for refurbs and open box is Newegg . I got a Clarion N.I.C.E. 430 for $99.00 and wouldn't trade it for nothing. Although there were some complaints about map updates it suits my needs perfectly.

[Sleeperhawk]

I'm a Garmin Zumo 550 person. I looked at the 660 and loved the large screen but they dropped the XM Radio and Traffic on the 660 so I stuck with the 550. The screen is a little smaller but it has all the features I like. Great unit and Garmin is the best when it comes to CS.

 

 

I agree with you, I love the fact that I have bluetooth, xm radio, weather and mp3 all in one unit, with one set of wires. Makes for a clean set of handle bars. So far no issues with the Zumo 550, but I did upgrade firmware to 4.7 last night. Will be testing on bike shortly.