Best GPS for my Valk

[bm51]

Just joined today but have been lurking in the background for many years. I have learned lots from you guys in the past but need some advice now. I did  search for this but could not come up with anything conclusive. From what I have gathered most you guys (that use GPS) run a Garmin either the Zumo 550 or another model. Question is are the other newer models 660 or 665 any better? It's a lot on money and I only want to buy once.  
Thanks

Opps almost forgot what about a lock for the thing so somebody doesn't help themselves to it while your paying for gas?

[LandElephant]

Bm51,
I'm not trying to be sarcastic so please don't take offense.  The best GPS is a paper map and the desire to ride.  I have the built in GPS on my Goldwing and I use it mostly as entertainment.  I am of the wandering kind.  I come to a road and I wander where it goes and just head down that path.  I have found more great riding roads that way than depending on a computer to tell me where I am going.

I know what way is north so if I get lost I point in that direction and finally get someplace that looks familiar. But to answer your question,  many on the GW board use the Zumo 550 if that helps.  Now a days you can get GPS in your cell phone if that helps.

Welcome to the board.

Charlie
Land Elephant

[Super Santa]

I also only intended to buy once.  I just recently (couple months) broke down and bought the newest Garmin Zumo model, the 220.  Made for the motorcycle, a little smaller than the older 550 up models and also cheaper.  I paid just under $600 and love it.

[Ridemylifeaway]

I just installed the 550 on mine. There really isn't anything better in the Garmin line. The 660 is newer but lacks some of the features of the 550.

[MP]

+1 on the Zumo 550.  However, I ALWAYS try to check my route against a paper map.  I have been sent on really STUPID roads sometimes.  Years of over the road trucking make me and a paper map feel like home!

MP

[fudgie]

 

[Dougger]

I bought the 550, because it has the XM radio built in. So I have only 1 unit to do 2 jobs.
Works good for us.

[bigguy]

iPhone with an app called Navigon. ($15.00 from iTunes store.) In conjunction with stereo bluetooth headset. GPS. MP3 player, Phone, and a dozen other utilities including gas cubby to keep track of vehicle maintenance.

[bm51]

Thanks for all the info.sounds like the 550 is the choice. Also I think that one can be charged while riding (if you have an adaptor).
Charlie, no offence taken I too like to wonder. That is way I think a GPS would be a good investment. I have on more then one occassion realized I did not know where I was or how to get to some where I wanted to be. Least with the gps you can zoom out far enough to get an idea of where you are?
Now where is the best deal on one of these things?

[Rams]

Well, apparently I'm in the minority but I purchased a Tom Tom version for my Valkyrie.  It's wired and is powered/recharged from the bike.  Easy to use and I've never had a problem with it.  It also has bluetooth if that's of interest to you, you can connect to the Tom Tom or your cell phone.

I used the bluetooth for a while but got tired of listening so I've muted the system but to each their own.

blackrams

[BonS]

I have a TomTom 940T and like it but I can't see it in the sun at all. I recently bought a Garmin Zumo 665 and I'm enjoying the daylight viewable screen, NavWeather, NavTraffic, Bluetooth and XM radio. I'm not enjoying that it doesn't have a lock on the mount to protect it. One other nit to pick is that Garmin doesn't make an unwired mount for motorcycles. I'd like to move my Zumo from bike to bike but the only motorcycle mount is wired. They do have Zumo wireless car mounts - go figure. This is the same for all Garmin Zumo GPS's. Nothing's perfect.

[LandElephant]

bm51,
I didn't mispell when I used the word wandering.  My kids "wonder" where I am at most times while I am "wandering" the backroads of where ever I am working.  I have always had the wanderlust but, my good friend Marty Rood really taught me how to literly get lost, ride some outstanding roads, and then step into (a forbidden word) poopoo and find ourselves home.

Lucky 13 can tell you that we used my built in GPS to get us back to Robbinsonville one night after a friend of mine crashed on Rt 28 in the Smokies during one of the many Memorial day rides.  I believe that was the first time I meet Gordon AKA Lucky 13.

But like MP said, I have had my GPS get me lost.  Once in Virginia on CR 623 out of Tazwell Va.  I wound up on a Rut Road (thats not Scobby Do speaking) for 11 miles.  I mean muddy dirt ruts.  The next time was in Oregon in the Snake River widerness.  Missed the turn for NP 39 and spent 3.5 hours in no mans land.  Finally had to just look east because I knew that is where NP 39 was and headed in that direct.  125 miles of loose gravel roads on a Goldwing.  

A Goldwing is not an endruro or a dual sport motorcycle.  I tried to use it as one.
I understand the GPS thing.  Just making good conversation on a non political topic.

Charlie
Land Elephant

[bm51]

Thanks guys I'll look inot the Tom Tom too.

Hay Charlie I'm the one that mispelled (never was a strong suit).I do fair now that they have spell check on computers Wander it is, maybe I should stick to roam. I have a very old GPS I used once that got me lost in Texarkana. I "wandered" around for some time until I found the road I wanted.

And then bottom line is it's probably more of a toy then a tool but may provide some fun.

As for your goldwing endruro I can only imagine as I had my tourer on a couple oil roads down here in East Texas and they do not handle well on oil road rock.

[RLD]

A priority for me is to be able to create a route on my computer and upload it for planned group rides, secondary would be the ability to save a route I'm on (tracking) and download it. Any advice this way? I'm leaning towards the Zumo 660 as it appears to have these features plus the wide screen. Mp3, XM, bluetooth, etc are all irrelevant to me.

What is a "wired" mount? Not heard that one.

[Rams]

My Tom Tom came with a handlebar mount for the unit.  The T/T unit has a slider mount with four electrical contact points for power.  When I remove the T/T from the mount, the T/T goes on it's own internal battery power.  I initially mounted the T/T centered and above the handle bars but it partially obscured my guages.  So I changed it to below the handle bar and now all is well. 
I won't say it's the best but, it is easy to read, has clear instructions, easy to input and has yet to be wrong.  But, I'm fairly sure it will eventually get me lost.

blackrams

[MP]

The 550 comes with a mount for the bike, and also the car.  The mount is wired to the bike, so it powers the unit when on the bike, and also recharges the batteries if you want to use elsewhere.  You can take it off the bike easy, to keep in room overnight.  Then, mount it in you car, and using the supplied power cord, use it there, or run on batteries.  It really comes with a lot of stuff to use anywhere.  Easy to see in the daylight, and it is waterproof for riding in the rain.

Can make up routes and preload into it too.

MP

[LandElephant]

bm51,
It's not the spelling it was my intent for the word.  I feel sometimes that we as a society have started depending on technology rather than ourselves.  The only reason I even have the GPS on my Goldwing is because when I bought the wing I purchased it because of the color and the fact that I wanted a wing again.  Didn't realize until I got it home that I had bought the Cadillac of wings with all the bells and whistles.  As SmokinJoe would say "Can't hide money."

I don't regret the off tracking I have done.  Sometimes there are true gems out there if you take some chances.  When I hit the Rut Road I found a painted sign that said "Scenic View."  I parked and walked the 100 yards to this fabulous scenic view of a valley in Virginia in the fall with the fall colors screaming at ya.  No regrets on the rest of the 11 miles of mud and dirt.

In the Hells Canyon Widerness I was riding along when I say some movement out of the left side.  I turned and there were 3 elk cows and a massive elk bull just running along side of me. They then turned left and headed into the hills.  Sometimes you just can't beat those rare opportunities to see what mother nature provides.

I use my GPS when I have point A to B rides just as a reference to how far and some moving entertainment.  I hope you enjoy your travels.

Charlie
Land Elephant

[R J]

I have 2 Garmin units.   The older one (2760 I think is the #) is used mostly in the car.

The 550 is used mostly on the bike, or Trike.

Both units were bought for a specific purpose.

I can get from :A: to :B:, but at :B: there is an address.
So, the GPS can guide me to the address.

I use them both to find gas, food, motels, and etc.

If you buy one to use for routing you on the highway and byways, plan on putting a few more miles, remember these GPS's are only as accurate as the current maps in their system.     Maps in my old one are like 3 or 4 years old in #'s, but are really antique in routing.

You can tell when they are old by the way it says off route, recalculating.    The new highway is laid a few yds from the old one and you are on the only road there......

So, my advice is, for what it is worth, paper map, with highlighting of things you do not want to miss, then the GPS for a quick reference point as to where you are.   

This is a safety measure......    There is a Route Home button.
DO NOT  and I repeat do not put your real address in there.    I use a town about 12 miles away as the route to my house goes by it in all directions.

You ask why do that.

You are out traveling, say you are from New Mexico and in the state of Texas, boom someone snatches the GPS, plugs it into their vehicle, press route home and most of them will take you to the owners home.   You gone, time to make a breakin and have a looks see.

I set my wifes GPS up to route her to the PD here in Des Moines, after 24 years, she should know how to get home once in town, and she likes LEO's...    

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I just this morning bought  a Garmin 265WT. Probably not the best for the bike but I used safety points to get it. We'll use it in the cage most of the time and just on trips on the valk. Comes with free traffic up dates where some charge annual fees. I'll let you'll know how it works out.

[RedValk]

Sherry and i have NUVI 550 units. Use them on both Valks and both Runes. waterproof....replaceable battery on the fly (we don't like running wires...so we run on battery for convenience and clean looks...one battery goes about 4-5 hours....we carry a spare battery too...so we're good for 8-10 hours).

the 550 is MUCH CHEAPER (like 240 new)....DOES allow you transfer routes with Mapsource s/w on your computer (you have to be REAL careful chosing Garmin GPS units...to make sure IF YOU WANT THIS FEATURE...you get one that does it! Many Garmin units do NOT work with Mapsource, which means, you can NOT transfer/build routes on your computer with many of their units!).

And yes, one must always use SOME COMMON sense when using a GPS unit...any GPS unit, or you may wind up having what i call a "GPS moment". ie, going the wrong direction...going OUT OF YOUR way...going down a dirt road ...etc. I always double check my routes after planning them......

but i can tell you, my GPS units (i've had several different models the last several years) have saved my "bacon" many a time...finding hardware stores in strange cities when i needed a bolt....finding restaurants...gas....getting me back to the hotel in strange cities..to and from the airport...etc.

5 years ago i saw no use for a GPS. Now, i wouldn't live without one! i have three in fact......