GPS selction?

[Jeff K]

Ok so I'm thinking about a GPS. One that could be on the bike or truck. I have a small hand held but I'm thinking of getting one with a larger screen and voice. So the questions are...

Why spend $900 on a bike GPS?
Why not buy one of the $100 -$150 Models?

I see units on sale all the time for under $200 Why not?

[Stanley Steamer]

Ok so I'm thinking about a GPS. One that could be on the bike or truck. I have a small hand held but I'm thinking of getting one with a larger screen and voice. So the questions are...

Why spend $900 on a bike GPS?
Why not buy one of the $100 -$150 Models?

I see units on sale all the time for under $200 Why not?

I got the Garmin Nuvi 550 from Santa......it replaced my old Garmin 2610.....the Nuvi already has all the current maps of the entire US and (maybe Canada in it?)....it's supposed to be waterproof but i haven't been in any rain with it yet....I lost the little "plug" that covers the charging dock on the back of it.....it was around $250 I think.....I paid $750 for the 2610 back 5-6 years ago.....

I am still learning the Nuvi....I like some of it's features but also miss some from the 2610.....not sure what I'm going to do with the 2610 yet....it was working fine when I got the new one....

[CanadianViking]

I've got a Garmin 60Csx that I move between the truck, Valkyrie, Rhino and hiking.  Its a great little tough unit thats easy to get RAM mounts for.

[Serk]

Zumo 550...

-It comes with the RAM Mount (So add the cost of a mount to any non-motorcycle GPS you're considering)
-It's water proof
-It's designed to be operated with a gloved left hand
-Fuel Gauge. I LIVE by it. (I've got a Standard...) (Well, all it is is an alert that pops up at a certain number of miles since your last fill up, and yeah, can do the same thing with the trip odometer, but this is a big alert in your face to remind you "Hey Idiot, time to take a break from the fun, I'm thirsty!")

It's come down in price a bit, down into the $500's (Interestingly enough, it seems the replacement, the Zumo 660 is cheaper now? I haven't researched the 660 much, so not sure if there's a reason for that or not)

When you add the price of a good RAM mount to a lower end water proof GPS, you're pretty close to the price of a motorcycle specific GPS anyway...

Oh yeah, and the Zumo comes with a RAM Mount for the bike, and a windshield mount for the car as well, so you can quite easily move it between both places...

[Jeff K]

I've got a Garmin 60Csx that I move between the truck, Valkyrie, Rhino and hiking.  Its a great little tough unit thats easy to get RAM mounts for.

Thats the one I have now
Small screen, no voice

[Steve K (IA)]

I have a NUVI in the car and got a ZUMO 450 for the bike.  Don't know if it has voice or not.  I do know that the difference between the 550 and 450 was XM and Bluetooth?  I already have XM and I sure don't need Bluetooth.  My phone will go for days without ringing 'cause nobody calls me...............   My biggest issue for GPS on the bike was the ability to hook up to my computer to download turn-by-turn routes that I make.  I am quite pleased with my set up.

[Super Santa]

I got the new Zumo 220 about 30 days ago.  A little smaller than older Zumos.  Waterproof and can be wired into your bike power.  Voice built-in, entire U.S. map set included, and motorcycle Ram mount included with windshield suction cup mount for the car, and I paid less than $600.

I love it.

[Lyn-Del]

Zumo 550...
It's come down in price a bit, down into the $500's

Cheapest I found the Zumo 550 was $670 the other day. 

Zumo 550 also comes with a mount for use in the car as well, including the power cord to plug into the cigarette lighter.  The car mount has a built in speaker, and if your cell phone is paired with the Zumo's bluetooth, it's a hands free car phone too!

We also have the TomTom Rider 2, started out with the Rider 1. 

Feature by feature, there are lots of things I really like about TomTom.  Wizard prefers it (as it's the one he's used to).  There are advantages to both.

Both the Zumo and the TomTom have at least a thousand miles of rain use on them, and they've done well, including riding through some pretty serious storms.

If I choose by feature, I'd likely choose TomTom.  However, I chose by Customer Service, so my newest is another Zumo 550.

TomTom's customer service pretty much stops with mailing you your order.  It took me over a year to get a replacement mount for the existing Rider 2 after Hurricane Ike caused the first unit to disappear.  Even though I bought the unit directly from TomTom, they wouldn't send me a new unit unless I could produce the receipt to show it was under warranty (We received it a week before Ike).  Right.  A piece of paper would survive where the entire mounting system didn't?  It hadn't yet been mounted on a bike.

After a year, I finally got hold of the head of the customer service dept. I explained my problem to him, and vented my frustrations, including telling him I'd gone to the Garmin site and with just a couple of clicks, had a new mount on it's way.  His reply?  "We're not Garmin."

'Nuff said.

Thanks for listening to my ranting!

[fudgie]

For $900 you call me and i'll give you directions. 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I’ve got a Zumo 550 and couldn’t be much happier with it. As has been mentioned, it's completely waterproof and made to operate with a gloved left hand. The display auto dims and brightens to match daylight or dark. The bike mount is great and locks on to the Zumo with a special tool which can fit on your key ring and won’t let the Zumo bounce loose and would resist theft for a while.

It comes with a great mapping program for your PC which allows you to create routes on the PC and transfer them to the Zumo and vice versa.

I prefer to use the Zumo’s "corner of the screen" speedometer function instead of the stock speedometer because it is easier to read in any light and I assume it’s more accurate.

With a big memory card mine holds around 200 cd quality tunes which allows it to replace my mp3 player. The mp3 player display is large enough to read and easy to control. And, of course, verbal instructions from the Zumo over ride the music which would not happen with a separate mp3 player.

Perhaps best of all, if you set it to “avoid traffic” it finds some of the best motorcycling roads imaginable. When riding into my deer camp area my buddies tom-tom just shows a blank screen as if there are no roads in this rural area but my Zumo has no problem with it.

My only bitch is that the blue tooth function does not work in stereo so I use head phones that plug into it instead of a bluetooth setup.

[Lyn-Del]

For $900 you call me and i'll give you directions. 

 

Gee, if I'd known that, I'd have called you to help me find a park with no signs on the main roads!!  wanna send me your number?  I'll be traveling on my own in a couple of weeks, headed to a seminar in Dallas.   I'm lousy at reading maps.... I can never find the "You are Here" arrow.

[Momz]

http://www.youtube.com/v/lPtDxRzeYiY&hl=en_US&fs=1&

[scoot]

I have a Magellan 2200t. It is also waterproof, has US and Canada maps. It has the ability to enter multi destinations. Also has mp3 and photos with a SD card. One of the pluses I liked was that it has a battery life of 8 hours. I can also plug it into my audio through my J&M radio as well. Best thing is it was under $100.00 Here is the link to their factory outlet.
http://magellan.factoryoutletstore.com/

[highcountry]

My plan, when my wife becomes employed again, is to get a Garmin Nuvi 765T with a weatherproof RAM mount.

[RedValk]

Ok so I'm thinking about a GPS. One that could be on the bike or truck. I have a small hand held but I'm thinking of getting one with a larger screen and voice. So the questions are...

Why spend $900 on a bike GPS?
Why not buy one of the $100 -$150 Models?

I see units on sale all the time for under $200 Why not?

I got the Garmin Nuvi 550 from Santa......it replaced my old Garmin 2610.....the Nuvi already has all the current maps of the entire US and (maybe Canada in it?)....it's supposed to be waterproof but i haven't been in any rain with it yet....I lost the little "plug" that covers the charging dock on the back of it.....it was around $250 I think.....I paid $750 for the 2610 back 5-6 years ago.....

I am still learning the Nuvi....I like some of it's features but also miss some from the 2610.....not sure what I'm going to do with the 2610 yet....it was working fine when I got the new one....

Sherry and i are both running the Nuvi 550....it's waterproof....has a replaceable battery you can change on the fly...we carry a spare battery....and it gives us 10 hours of use on battery power...without even running any wires to power it. We like it that way. SImple. It's a good unit...does anything i want. Even use it in the car. and....cost...was about 250 ....new. We like our Nuvi 550s! They have touch screen....mountable drives (on your computer)...holds pictures. One of the only drawbacks...is they don't do MP3s. But you can't beat it for the price......

We upgraded from Quest 2 units. I love the bigger screen...and they say "once you go touch screen, you won't go back to pushing buttons".   

True dat...............

[Stanley Steamer]

Ok so I'm thinking about a GPS. One that could be on the bike or truck. I have a small hand held but I'm thinking of getting one with a larger screen and voice. So the questions are...

Why spend $900 on a bike GPS?
Why not buy one of the $100 -$150 Models?

I see units on sale all the time for under $200 Why not?

I got the Garmin Nuvi 550 from Santa......it replaced my old Garmin 2610.....the Nuvi already has all the current maps of the entire US and (maybe Canada in it?)....it's supposed to be waterproof but i haven't been in any rain with it yet....I lost the little "plug" that covers the charging dock on the back of it.....it was around $250 I think.....I paid $750 for the 2610 back 5-6 years ago.....

I am still learning the Nuvi....I like some of it's features but also miss some from the 2610.....not sure what I'm going to do with the 2610 yet....it was working fine when I got the new one....

Sherry and i are both running the Nuvi 550....it's waterproof....has a replaceable battery you can change on the fly...we carry a spare battery....and it gives us 10 hours of use on battery power...without even running any wires to power it. We like it that way. SImple. It's a good unit...does anything i want. Even use it in the car. and....cost...was about 250 ....new. We like our Nuvi 550s! They have touch screen....mountable drives (on your computer)...holds pictures. One of the only drawbacks...is they don't do MP3s. But you can't beat it for the price......

We upgraded from Quest 2 units. I love the bigger screen...and they say "once you go touch screen, you won't go back to pushing buttons".   

True dat...............

I think I took your advice and that's why Santa brought me the 550.........I haven't used it enough yet to feel as comfortable with it as I was with the 2610......my battery doesn't last but maybe 4-5 hrs...I guess I could cut back on screen brightness and tweak some other things to get more time out of it?.....I can't remember if you can customize a route on the PC and send it to the unit like you can with the 2610?....I'm not sure I have a cord to do that or not?.....

I already lost the little black plug that covers the charging dock on the back of it.... .......I need to call Garmin and see if they'd send me another one?....and I'd also like another 12V DC charging cord to keep in the trunk on the bike......I wonder if moisture can get into the 550 from that charging port when the cord is plugged in?.....the 2610 sometimes got a line of condensation INSIDE the unit in the middle of the screen...taping the plug cover on it helped prevent that on the 2610.....

[BonS]

There is a $100 rebate from Garmin until July 4 for any Zumo purchased from an authorized dealer - not bad. There is also a new Zumo 665 just released. They can be had for $800 after rebate. Certainly not cheap but it out-features the 550 and 600 with weather radar, lane assistance, traffic avoidance, XM and bluetooth all included.

[RedValk]

Ok so I'm thinking about a GPS. One that could be on the bike or truck. I have a small hand held but I'm thinking of getting one with a larger screen and voice. So the questions are...

Why spend $900 on a bike GPS?
Why not buy one of the $100 -$150 Models?

I see units on sale all the time for under $200 Why not?

I got the Garmin Nuvi 550 from Santa......it replaced my old Garmin 2610.....the Nuvi already has all the current maps of the entire US and (maybe Canada in it?)....it's supposed to be waterproof but i haven't been in any rain with it yet....I lost the little "plug" that covers the charging dock on the back of it.....it was around $250 I think.....I paid $750 for the 2610 back 5-6 years ago.....

I am still learning the Nuvi....I like some of it's features but also miss some from the 2610.....not sure what I'm going to do with the 2610 yet....it was working fine when I got the new one....

Sherry and i are both running the Nuvi 550....it's waterproof....has a replaceable battery you can change on the fly...we carry a spare battery....and it gives us 10 hours of use on battery power...without even running any wires to power it. We like it that way. SImple. It's a good unit...does anything i want. Even use it in the car. and....cost...was about 250 ....new. We like our Nuvi 550s! They have touch screen....mountable drives (on your computer)...holds pictures. One of the only drawbacks...is they don't do MP3s. But you can't beat it for the price......

We upgraded from Quest 2 units. I love the bigger screen...and they say "once you go touch screen, you won't go back to pushing buttons".  

True dat...............

I think I took your advice and that's why Santa brought me the 550.........I haven't used it enough yet to feel as comfortable with it as I was with the 2610......my battery doesn't last but maybe 4-5 hrs...I guess I could cut back on screen brightness and tweak some other things to get more time out of it?.....I can't remember if you can customize a route on the PC and send it to the unit like you can with the 2610?....I'm not sure I have a cord to do that or not?.....

I already lost the little black plug that covers the charging dock on the back of it.... .......I need to call Garmin and see if they'd send me another one?....and I'd also like another 12V DC charging cord to keep in the trunk on the bike......I wonder if moisture can get into the 550 from that charging port when the cord is plugged in?.....the 2610 sometimes got a line of condensation INSIDE the unit in the middle of the screen...taping the plug cover on it helped prevent that on the 2610.....

Sorry....i didn't make it clear...i meant i get 10 hours of battery operation between the one i start with...and the spare one i carry. You're correct...about 4-5....sometimes 6 hours...one ONE battery. i mute the volume...and turn brightness down to 70 or 80%.....to save on battery power when doing an "all day" ride. for shorter rides, i don't worry about it. Though.......i can NOT hear the volume well enough to warrant running the volume when on the bike with my exhaust. in the car, i hear it just fine.

it's a snap replacing batteries on the fly...and the spare battery  is SMALL...so it fits in just about any container. it's smaller than a 9 volt battery. i too have NOT tested the waterproof rating of the unit...but...it's rated for the same level of waterproof as the Zumo units. i bought mine for 250 new on the internet. i bet one could find a refurbished "new" for well under 200? I just don't see the need to spend the money for the more expensive units. but it's like anything else in life.....opinions vary. Some, say all they want is a map    Actually, that was me just a few years ago! But it's like anything else....once you try it....and get hooked on it...you can't live without it.  

sorry, forgot to answer your other question. Yes, you can load routes from the PC/mapsource software using the cable. it came with one. It doesn't come with Mapsource software though if i remember right? i had mapsource from my Quest units. you can download as either .gdb garmin files or .gpx files. you can either download from Mapsource....or....move the route file over onto the device treating it like a mounted drive. Either way works.....

[fudgie]

For $900 you call me and i'll give you directions. 

 

Gee, if I'd known that, I'd have called you to help me find a park with no signs on the main roads!!  wanna send me your number?  I'll be traveling on my own in a couple of weeks, headed to a seminar in Dallas.   I'm lousy at reading maps.... I can never find the "You are Here" arrow.

  I'd have to get a updated map. Mines a 98 yr model.  I use maps everyday at work so its second nature.

[Jeff K]

Ok so I'm thinking about a GPS. One that could be on the bike or truck. I have a small hand held but I'm thinking of getting one with a larger screen and voice. So the questions are...

Why spend $900 on a bike GPS?
Why not buy one of the $100 -$150 Models?

I see units on sale all the time for under $200 Why not?

I got the Garmin Nuvi 550 from Santa......it replaced my old Garmin 2610.....the Nuvi already has all the current maps of the entire US and (maybe Canada in it?)....it's supposed to be waterproof but i haven't been in any rain with it yet....I lost the little "plug" that covers the charging dock on the back of it.....it was around $250 I think.....I paid $750 for the 2610 back 5-6 years ago.....

I am still learning the Nuvi....I like some of it's features but also miss some from the 2610.....not sure what I'm going to do with the 2610 yet....it was working fine when I got the new one....

Sherry and i are both running the Nuvi 550....it's waterproof....has a replaceable battery you can change on the fly...we carry a spare battery....and it gives us 10 hours of use on battery power...without even running any wires to power it. We like it that way. SImple. It's a good unit...does anything i want. Even use it in the car. and....cost...was about 250 ....new. We like our Nuvi 550s! They have touch screen....mountable drives (on your computer)...holds pictures. One of the only drawbacks...is they don't do MP3s. But you can't beat it for the price......

We upgraded from Quest 2 units. I love the bigger screen...and they say "once you go touch screen, you won't go back to pushing buttons".   

True dat...............

I see amazon has them for $228

[Kindred Spirit]

I have a Nuvi 765T mounted with a RAM mount.  I believe I have about $250 in everthing including mount and hard wire charger.  It isn't waterproof, but I have a great ziplock back to put over it if it starts raining.  I plug it directly into my AUX input and it works great.  The only real problem I have is the glare/sun.  Sometimes it's hard to see during the day, especially with polarized sun glasses.  Overall though i'm very happy with it and it works great. 

[ChromeDome]

I have a Garmin Quest and am quite happy with it. I tend to spend anywhere from 6 hours to 16 hours riding so battery life is very important to me. The next is that since I don't tend to pull under an overpass when it starts raining being waterproof is also very important. The Quest addresses both those issues for me ... especially battery life, 20+ hours without needing a re-charge (I know, I should get it wired into the bike) and being waterproof. When I decide to replace it, those will still be the 2 most important issues, waterproof & battery life between charges.

As for one with a voice, blue tooth or XM .... thanks but I'll pass.

[Jeff K]

One of my problems is that I can't see a small display without glasses, so the voice would come in handy, IF I could hear it.

[BamaDrifter64]

I bought a reconditioned TomTom off ebay for $50 including S/H, bought a handlebar mount for $35, hardwired it into the bike's electrical system, works fine for what I use it for.  When I get off the bike, I pop it out of the mount and take it with me.  When it rains, I pop a sandwich baggie over it and rubber-band it closed around the mount.  Can still see it and use the touchscreen.  What's the saying - keep it simple, stupid?   

Dave