| Author | Message | ||
     Trevd |
So, I'm looking for a cheap, effective GPS option for my Uly (and the car on occasion). Am I just getting old, or is it just me, or is this whole GPS thing very confusing? I've done searches here and on advrider, but I tend to just get more and more confused the more I read. I don't want to spend the $ on a Zumo. I'm fine with a used or refurbished one, as long as I can get relatively new maps with it. This is what I want in a GPS: - waterproof - able to plan out a route on my computer, and put it on the GPS, with multiple waypoints. - shows my traveling speed, miles traveled, etc... - headphone jack to enable me to listen to the spoken route directions through my helmet speakers - fast calculation of routes or changes to the routes while on the road. Touch screens, bluetooth, and the like doesn't really matter to me. Can someone please tell me what I need? | ||
| Rwven |
It's the waterproof requirement that limits the selection. You might want to shop for a Tom Tom Rider. It'll get you where you want to go just fine and is hundreds less than the Zumo. I don't know for sure if the Rider has an earphone jack, but it does have bluetooth. The Garmin Streetpilot 2600/2700/2800 series unit were very good and relatively inexpensive but are very hard to find now. If you can score one really cheap on E-Bay Garmin will refurbish it for you for $180.00. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Garmin Quest II. Make sure it's a II - the I only had space for regional maps, but the II does the whole 48 (and I think Canada, but I'd have to check). They're "not supported / discontinued" at Garmin.com...but you can find them online inexpensively and mine refuses to die no matter what I do to it. And, you can still get accessories at Garmin.com - power cords, cradles, etc. Get the universal MC wiring harness and it has a headphone jack. Get a RAM mount and you can stick the cradle wherever you want. Maps are available no problem, I've got lifemaps or whatever it's called on mine - 4 free updates a year for as long as the unit lives. Trip functions are there - speed, distance, ETA, distance to destination, etc. - but in a seperate screen (have to hit a button to see 'em). Only "issue" I've had is sometimes it can take a while to recalculate, especially if you're in a downtown area like DC. If it gets really confused, a redlight cycle or a couple seconds in a parking space / on the shoulder lets it sort itself out. Got mine reman for $130 a couple years ago, haven't had an issue with it. Screen's a little small for car use (it came with the car mount and power cord), but a good size for m/c use (it sits closer to my old eyes on the bike). | ||
| Yooper71 |
I just picked up a garmin nuvi 550. Decent price and waterproof. | ||
| Buewulf |
Touch screens will matter to you. Don't skimp on that. Garmin Nuvi 550 is waterproof, and you should be able to get it new for around $250. TomTom Rider2 is motorcycle specific, and the screen works with gloves. COmes with a bluetooth headset. You can probably find one for around $350 (MSRP is $650). It's worth the extra money. | ||
| Babired |
I have a QUEST 2 also and it is everything Rat says. Dislikes about it for me are small screen and buttons. Before I start out I have everything preloaded and ready to ride. The Buell quest kit has a quest one in it but all of the hardwire and mount fit the quest 2 which is perfect on the Uly. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
The Nuvi 550 will not allow you to plan routes on the computer and transfer it to the GPS. These features (especially combined) really limit you to a motorcycle specific GPS: - waterproof - able to plan out a route on my computer, and put it on the GPS, with multiple waypoints. - headphone jack You're not going to find those features on ANY cheaper GPS. Period. Tom Tom Rider and Garmin Zumo are the two new units you need to be looking at. The Streetpilot line will also work if you don't mind used or refurbished units. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Yah, forgot to mention the Q2 is programmable through your laptop/USB connection via either Garmin/MapSource, or you can upload directly from Mapquest. And it's waterproof. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Mike, The Nuvi 500/550 will accept GPX files. It also supports the Garmin Communicator plugin. So you can also use the Harley Davidson Ride planner, and upload routes directly to the GPS. Page 16 of the manual http://www.garmin.com/manuals/2650_OwnersManual.pd f Supported File Types Maps, routes and waypoint files from MapSource : see page42 GPX and GPW files: see pages 33-34 | ||
| Buewulf |
You can also do route planning for the Garmin though Google Earth. Search youtube for a tutorial. | ||
| Trevd |
That was another question I have - I guess you don't need the Garmin software in order to plan routes? It seems that you can buy the Trip and Waypoints manager from Garmin.com for $30... Is that the best one to use? | ||
| Trevd |
"Touch screens will matter to you. Don't skimp on that. " Why? Is it really that much easier to use? | ||
| Froggy |
Most Garmin units come with the Mapsource program for plotting routes and junk. It isn't needed, you can do it from Google Earth and various other applications, or you can just drag and drop a .GPX file from someone to the unit and import it.
Yep. The Zumo 550 was designed to be used with the gloves on. The buttons are nice and large. The interface on the Quest is junk and can result in you almost rear-ending a car while fighting the damn thing to input coordinates. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Touch screens are a LOT easier to use if you are entering an address or waypoint ON the unit. "Typing" with a 4 point arrow button to select letters on the screen....well, it sucks to say the least. If you can do all your destination entries on a computer and transfer them...it's not a big deal. But yes, touch screen is niiiiice. | ||
| Mnrider |
If your really poor like me,get a Nuvi 205 for $120 and a ram mount for $40 and rubber band a sandwich bag over it in the rain. | ||
| Trevd |
OK, now I'm learning stuff! Another question: What is the purpose of a GPS being able to accept data cards? Is that just to upload maps to it? Would that also be able to get done with it connected to a computer? | ||
| Froggy |
The newer units have enough memory for the entire US, so you don't need to do any map switching short of going to Russia or something. I personally haven't used my SD card slot, but you can use it to hold some music and photos and junk and play/view them on the GPS. I use the XM radio so I don't need the SD card. | ||
| Trevd |
I've looked at the Nuvi 550, but one concern I have is if it will be able to withstand the vibrations of the Uly. The Nuvis seems a bit more fragile then some others... | ||
| Mnrider |
I've had the Nuvi 205 on my bike for thousands of miles with no problems. | ||
| Buewulf |
Why? Is it really that much easier to use? The touch screen makes things much easier if you need to find an alternate route or decide to get off the beaten path once underway. There are also "easy" buttons to say find the nearest gas station, restaurant, etc. one concern I have is if it will be able to withstand the vibrations of the Uly I have not used the 550, but I have used a Garmin GPS unit for years. I have also recently purchased a TomTom. Both GPS's have a hard life (off-road riding, wife's purse, etc.). It think any unit you buy can probably handle the vibes. | ||
| Blasterd |
I'm rockin a GPS V on my Uly, works great for me. | ||
| Towpro |
You need to do research. Some Garmin Nuvi GPS's don't allow you to build routes on your computer, then download them to the GPS. My brother just bought the 205w so he could load bicycle routes into it, but it will not let you do it. http://www.gpsreview.net/ is a good place to look at what units have which options, but I think it is geared towards Auto units. The garmin program for your PC is called MapSource. I can send you a link on how to trick it into working for free, but it is useless without the same map that comes with the GPS. (Mapsource comes with a base map that only includes major highways). If your lucky enough to get a GPS with an outdated map, you are entitled to a free map download from Garmin. When you do the download, and you already have mapsource installed, the download will install the map into mapsource as well. Now you use mapsource, you make a great back road route, load it into the correct GPS, import it and start to navigate the route, the Nuvi will change the route to what it feels is best (fastest, or shortest are only choices). Sure you can add way points to force your route down the roads you want, but the more way points the slower my GPS would run. One day it was so slow it would not restart without clearing the memory. (Good thing I knew where we were). I dumped the Nuvi 760 (put in my Wifes Honda)I was using and bought a Delorme PN-40. Yes it is waterproof. No it does not have a sound cable you can plug into your helmet. No it does not have a touch screen, but I can work the buttons with my gloves on. (all I need to do is zoom in or out while riding anyway). Yes it is a small screen, but I can see it and I need reading glasses (the screen is far enough away on my handle bars). With the Delorme GPS, I make a route on my PC with Topo-8 (which has a learning curve if you have never used delorme software), download the route into my GPS, and it follows the route I created 100%! You can even make it route trails I am told, but I have not tried it yet. Delorme has a new device coming out that adds Bold New Graphics on the screen, plus a wireless system that can locate other PN-60 users, as well as interface with SPOT devices. Over at ADV there is a lot of people using other Garmin GPS's that are not Nuvi's. I have no experience with any of them, or the Zumo series. | ||
| Firstbatch |
Continue to do your research as Towpro says. The Guys in the GPS forum on advRider are very helpful and there are great threads to research. I'm biased to Garmin and in particular to the Garmin GPS Map 476. Ultimate control of the route and many details associated with the route.. YOu can pick one up refurbished for less than $500. Superb screen for outdoor usage and originally designed for marine use so it is very rugged. | ||
| Oldnotbold |
If you do some looking you can get a NEW Zumo 550 for under $600. Dennis | ||
| Trevd |
Thanks for all your help folks! I think I may pick up a Streetpilot 2720 on Ebay... | ||
| Firstbatch |
That's a good choice and a great value! | ||
| Trevd |
There! Done! I bought a used Streetpilot 2720 with the latest 2010 maps on it for $160 on Ebay. Since the maps are $100 on the garmin site, I figure I got the gps for $60. The only thing it doesn't have that I was looking for is the headphone jack, but I've decided I can do without it. Now I'm going to have to get a mount for it... | ||
| Mikef5000 |
The only thing it doesn't have that I was looking for is the headphone jack, but I've decided I can do without it. That's where you're wrong! Buy the 'Motorcycle Kit' for it (google or ebay it) and it gives you the mounting cradle, hardwired power cord, AND HEADPHONE JACK! You made a fine choice! | ||
| Towpro |
Here is your mounts. (look for coupons on main page). http://www.gpscity.com/gps-mount/garmin/streetpilo t-2720 | ||
| Trevd |
Great! Well then I guess I got everything I want in a first GPS! I had planned to use the 12 volt socket on the dash to power the GPS, but I guess the hardwired option is better? Where do the wires get connected on the Uly? |
