Recommend GPS

[ediddy]

I know there are many threads about GPS's. I have a friend that purchased an 07 RSV and he would like a gps that you can plug into the venture's audio system and is bluetooth compatible so he can use his cell phone through the system. Any suggestions?

[ragtop69gs]

All depends on how deep his pockets are. Zumo can't be beat if you have lots to spend. Next would be a Garmin 276C, but it doesn't have blutooth or MP3. Next on my list is a Garmin 765T ( I have this one) it does everything the Zumo does, except it's not waterproof and the screen washes out in bright sunlight. The 765t has bluetooth, MP3, FM transmitter, custom routing and lifetime traffic, the only problem with the traffic is it only works in select markets. Overall the 765T is your best bang for the buck. Pick them up on ebay or amazon.

[XV1100SE]

In my selection... I too wanted a unit that played mp3s and had bluetooth. Being waterproof was my prime consideration which narrowed it down to the Zumo. Then was a matter of whether I wanted satellite radio/weather or not. I ended up going with the Zumo 660.

 

To tie it into the audio system on the RSV, you'll want the Buddy Rich cable. Not only can you play mp3's and hear them and directions thru the headsets, bluetooth sync with your smartphone allows you to make and receive phone calls. Bluetooth will sync your smartphone address book with the Zumo so you can search the gps address book for names (which get wiped off when you disconnect between the units).

 

Pricey but being waterproof, with the features it has, and an easily visible screen in sunlight... worth it.

[djh3]

I Studied up quite awhile before I bought. I felt best band for my buck was the 765t and a zip loc bag.

[uechi kid]

I'm in the middle of my first trip with a zumo 660. So far I'm very please with it's performance. I have been using an HD web site to to make custom maps and load them on the zumo. With one exception the maps have all been right on the money. Right now I'm not interested in using my cell while riding but it's nice to know it's possible with the Buddy Rich mod. I'm glad I spent the extra money on the 660.

[Prairiehammer]

I Studied up quite awhile before I bought. I felt best bang for my buck was the 765t and a zip loc bag.

[cecdoo]

I Studied up quite awhile before I bought. I felt best band for my buck was the 765t and a zip loc bag.

 

 

:sign yeah that::sign yeah that::sign yeah that::sign yeah that:

 

 

Craig

[timgray]

If you want to use the GPS in the sunlight, your only choice is a Zumo or other Motorcycle GPS that has a reflective display.

 

The $99.00-$199.00 GPS's are useless on the handlebars in sunlight. IF you want to find one that works well on a bike, go to the store with a super bright flashlight and aim it directly at the screen. if you can still read it with the flashlight blasting the GPS screen, it's useable on a motorcycle.

 

very few GPS's have a line level out to plug into an AUX audio jack. Not even the $800 Zumo models have that.

[djh3]

Yea fewer and fewer are comming with audio out. Also seems the ones you can add your own trips too are diminishing.

[aharbi]

Yea fewer and fewer are comming with audio out. Also seems the ones you can add your own trips too are diminishing.

 

I just picked up a Zumo 350LM for $699.99 with $100 rebate so I paid $600 for a Motorcycle specific GPS with lifetime map up dates, no MP3, no audio book player, no phone (A2DP) bluetooth, headset blue tooth, and an audio out plug. I get turn by turn navigation thru the Venture AUX in. I can use my old wired headsets and have all the available Venture music/radio/audio/CB/intercom features available to me except cell phone. Which is no big deal to me as I'm only concerned with my wife's (checking on me) phone calls when I ride and when I ride the Venture my wife is usually with me and the intercom is more important.

 

Why the Zumo 350LM? Granted it is expensive, the $100 rebate helped. Garmin needs some serious competition in this area. They brag "built by bikers for bikers" well I don't know who but anyone that has ever done serious riding sure didn't have any input to their "novelty" biker things. Don't you find it strange that serious dual sport or IB riders have TWO GPS mounted on their bikes, chances are they never asked these bikers what works, maybe they weren't wearing enough leather. Sorry - least I get distracted. Oh another thing Garmin has dropped Mapsource in favor of Basecamp OK slight learning curve but now Basecamp requires the GPS to be connected (USB) to the computer to see the map detail to plan a route, what a pain. However the Zumo 350LM does claim a 7hr battery life (I can only get 4) and it will hold 100 routes where the 660 and 665 only held 20. But the main reason was to get the most current GPS in an attempt to hold off technical obsolescence as my two previous in good working order Garmin GPS met.

 

What drove me to this point was the purchase of a Triumph Trophy SE. ALL communication between the Trophy and the rider are via bluetooth. I updated to an iPhone and a Zumo GPS as the Trophy is pre-programmed for plug/play iPods, iPhones, Zumo GPS, MP3 players inaddition to the built in AM/FM/XM/Traffic and weather radio. As my Venture headset will not work I also invested in a new SHOEI GT-Air helmet and a Scena SMH-10 bluetooth headset.

 

All in all, a refurb GPS and a zip-lock bag have alot going for it.

[Barrycuda]

Like Dion, I hav recently purchased a used 765T off flea bay, along w ram mounts for under 100$. The zip loc bag and a rubber band work gret as I neded it to get to B2Moms Tennessee shindig which I am still here. It rained HARD much of the way up but the garmin was the only thing dry... Great GPS for super cheap...

[Jactana]

Garmin makes a Nuvi 550 that's waterproof comes with a auto/motorcycle mount kit for around 300.00. Mine works great, no bluetooth or MP3 capabilities though. Ron

 

http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-nuvi-550.html