GPS Questions

[BradT]

Just curious what you would recomend for a good GPS for the bike ?

 

I know the Prices vary quite drastically but I was curious a good one that is is relatively inexpensive.

 

I knoe little to nothing about these so please mention what options or features you feel would be important.

 

Thanks

 

Brad

[Rocket]

Just curious what you would recomend for a good GPS for the bike ?

 

I know the Prices vary quite drastically but I was curious a good one that is is relatively inexpensive.

 

I knoe little to nothing about these so please mention what options or features you feel would be important.

 

Thanks

 

Brad

 

Brad, one with map & auto routing features, comes in handy. It will guide you through cities, to addresses & even lists resturants (important for this group). For some of these features (address & Points Of Interest listings) you will need the compatable auto routing capable software to put on your computer & transfer to the GPS. Normally the GPS comes pre-loaded with a base map only.

 

I had found in my crash during the summer, that the RAM Mount, held the GPS securely in its place. I had removed it from it's mount on the bike, after I got out of hospital, before being driven back to CFB Wainwright.

[Guest sargeb13]

I've had a GPS for about six months now, and its a GREAT toy to help us enjoy our rides. Some of the things I thought about when buying/have learned:

 

Display size is very important to me (3" dia screen or better); also, many screens "wash out" in direct sunlight.

 

The learning curve can be very steep, with lots of step by step processes to follow in establishing routes and Points of Interest and all that.

 

Integration of the GPS into your sound system/intercom can be complex and difficult, or easy and simple, depending on the GPS and availability of cables and interface.

 

RAM systems can sell you an excellent mount for almost anything at a reasonable price; but, only one or two GPS can be securely LOCKED on a motorcycle.

 

Disk drive or solid state memory. Some riders have reported trouble with hard drives (almost all GPS have disk drives) and vibration leading to skipping, reboots, or failure.

 

Touch screens vs. buttons. Some folks love touch screens, and both motorcycle specific GPS (Tom Tom Rider and the new Garmin ZUMO) have touch screens. Others (me included) prefer buttons, as I can op the GPS by feel without taking my eyes off the road.

 

getfeetwet.com has some excellent information on various models; also, CNET has comparisons which I find helpful.

 

Some of my thoughts on some specific models (don't rely on me for prices, these are just some of my thoughts and not "researched"):

 

the Lowrance 500 is very popular with motorcycles. Has a BIG screen, but can wash out in sunlight (hoods/shades are available). Has a big hard drive, with room for lots of tunes. Its anticdotal, but I know three riders with the 500, and all of them have experienced hard drive failure after one to two years. Good prices on this model right now. 'bout $600?

 

the Tom Tom rider is a made-for-motorcycle GPS that comes with everything (mount, cables, etc.). The Tom Tom is VERY easy to use, touch screen, almost no "learning curve": even my ex-wife was able to use her Tom Tom in minutes... I'd suspect prices around $600 or $700?

 

Older models (e.g., Garmin Streetpilot III, early models of the Garmin 27XX and 28XX series) are available at impressive discounts (say, $300 or so). These were the cutting edge a year or so ago, and will work quite well.

 

Garmin is releasing a new motorcycle specific GPS in the next few weeks, called the ZUMO or something like that, with a truly impressive array of features and a heafty price tag, I am sure.

 

Garmin 27XX and 28XX series are very popular, too; you'll see a lot of them on the road. Full featured and very nice display.

 

I bought a Garmin 376, which is a marine (for boats) unit, because: big screen won't wash out in direct sunlight; solid state memory so vibration problems are minimized; waterproof and dustproof; buttons; availability of a locking mount (Touratech); the only waterproof XM radio available anywhere, together with XM weather and traffic. The downside to these units: mapping is not 3D (two dimensional maps, not pretty 3D pictures) and limited memory (only holds about 3/4 of the US in detail, but can be changed easily with computer or an extra memory chip) New models (378/478) hold the entire US.

 

I agree that the decision is best driven by a list of needs, and not pocketbook. Prices on these things seem to fall qickly when new models are introduced.

 

Hope this all helps. Let us know what you get!

 

Michael

[dray]

I use the Magellan its the

meridian platinum with a ram mount

 

this works great and with the snap of a button its off for hand use

it floats if droped in the water. its waterproof witch is great for the

bike iv had it for over 5 years now with no problems

it will work on batter or 12v adapter with batters you will eat them up

fast but if you spend some money for good rechargable batters they

will last a lot longer the best ones i can get in a store last about 4hours

with out using the light but the rechargable ones last a good 6hours with

the light on low i got a 10 pack at sam's for about 20bucks and they have

lasted allmost 2 years now and still going

 

i dont think they are still making the platinum but they make a great product.

 

 

http://www.magellangps.com/products/

[hale374]

I have the Lowrance 100M, got it off of amazon.com. Cost was $200. It comes with map software and gives turn by turn directions. Really simple to use. I have it mounted with a RAM Mount.