GPS??

[RedValk]

Thanks for all the input.  Decided to go with the Garmin 750.  Looking forward to getting lost with it in the near future.  
 
Bandit

Don...if you have ANY questions....whatsoever, email me. I know that unit inside out. I not only bought one for us....but i bought one for my daughter to us since she moved from home to Auburn. I have spent countless hours researching "power user" functions not listed in the manual...making MP3 playlists...importing routes from Mapsource, making splash screens, adding vehicles, voices, using the flash memory.......etc, etc, etc. i know the unit pretty darn good! Just let me know if you need ANY help, i'd be glad to offer.......

[FLAVALK]

Just purchased a Nuvi 550 (waterproof) on Amazon for $259 delivered. Purchased a RAM mount for mountguys.com for $19 delivered. The 550 has a 9-hr Lithium-ion battery that is removable. That way you can hold a fresh on in reserve. It takes about 60-seconds to change out the battery. So, there's really no need to hard wire it to the bike

The 550 has bluetooth but DOES NOT have a mp3 player

[iba1990]

I have a Garmin ZUMO 450. A little pricey tho. Made specifically for motorcycles. Water proof. I use it in my pick up truck too when I drive it. Has lots of features. Have it hard wired in two bikes...my Stratoliner & my Valkyrie. I don't leave home without it. Has nice mounting hardware too. I just came back from an 1100 mile trip & it rained most of the way...no problem. Works GREAT. Whatever you get...ride safe. IBA1990 Tommy t

[Stanley Steamer]

MAPSOURCE. they don't advertise this...but Mapsource....does NOT come will all Garmin units...and ...as you'll see if you go to the link i provided...sadly, many of their units are NOT fully compatible with Mapsource. IE....the units i listed...do NOT allow you to use Mapsource to upload/download routes! not having that capability SUCKS. again, they don't advertise this limitation. So...be careful...when buying their products....to research and get EXACTLY what you want.

For me, i HAVE to be able to use Mapsource to plan my routes...exchange routes with others...etc. it is SOOO much easier ...for me...using Mapsource. oh, they don't do a good job of telling you HOW to use this feature either. On some units, you just upload and download routes....no problem. NOT SO ON MANY OF THE NUVI UNITS! take my 750. you have to know that you just can't simply upload/download. When you try to download a route to the unit...from mapsource...there are two ways to do it...but BOTH...require you AFTER DOWNLOADING....to go into a menu....and convert/translate the downloaded file. THE MANUAL SAYS NOTHING ABOUT THIS. i had to research it on FAQ. on my QUest2, it was simple...  oh, my Quest2 units came with Mapsource. My 750.....did NOT. i use the Mapsource s/w that came with my Quest2 on my 750.

I found when shopping for GPS units...asking questions of 99% of sales people....was USELESS. BamaJack says the things i wanted to do....xfer routes from Mapsource, use/make playlists for my MP3 files, etc, etc.....were considered "power user" things....so the manual, doesn't cover it. You have to research that stuff.

i know, i've spent HOURS upon HOURS researching this stuff. But now, i can build MP3 playlists, xfer routes from Mapsource, change vehicles from MyGarage, make cool splash screens...etc...with the best of em'  

I opened my Mapsource program from the program files and a little box popped up saying the "Map info is more than a year old and may need to be upgraded"...just like it does on my 2610 unit.....I bet they charge $$ for that too.....it's been so long since I loaded a custom route into the 2610, that I'd have to refresh my memory on how to do it.....

If I buy another Garmin Nuvi 500 series unit, I wonder if it'd allow my older version of Mapsource to load a custom route into it??....and another thing I need to research is if the 500 series have a 12V DC plug like the 2610's do....that way I wouldn't have to depend on a battery.....I guess I better start digging into some GPS research now.....

[boss hoss bill]

I'm ready to pull the trigger on a Garmin GPS, either the 500 or 550 Nuvi. Can anyone tell me the difference? ??? I like the idea of just buying an extra battery so you don't have to hard wire it!
Thanks
Bill

[Stanley Steamer]

I'm ready to pull the trigger on a Garmin GPS, either the 500 or 550 Nuvi. Can anyone tell me the difference? ??? I like the idea of just buying an extra battery so you don't have to hard wire it!
Thanks
Bill

I'm going to buy the 550 if I can find one....I think the only difference is that the 550 has pre-loaded maps for the USA and Canada.....whereas the 500 has only ones for the USA?.....I like the idea of the battery and a back-up, but I also have 2 12V DC plugs installed into my fairing....and have been known to ride a 10,12,14 hr day upon occasion...

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=134&compareProduct=13424&compareProduct=27442

[fudgie]

rand mcnally

I'm wih Jr. I like maps. I've been mixed up at work with the GPS and its frustrating. GPS call the road something else that it has never been known by. Plus with a map if you get lost its a adventure!

[Stanley Steamer]

rand mcnally

I'm wih Jr. I like maps. I've been mixed up at work with the GPS and its frustrating. GPS call the road something else that it has never been known by. Plus with a map if you get lost its a adventure!

So you boys are Low-tech rednecks??....I guess I'm not surprized coming from a SpongeBob Squarepants dude!!.....

[fudgie]

rand mcnally

I'm wih Jr. I like maps. I've been mixed up at work with the GPS and its frustrating. GPS call the road something else that it has never been known by. Plus with a map if you get lost its a adventure!

So you boys are Low-tech rednecks??....I guess I'm not surprized coming from a SpongeBob Squarepants dude!!.....

I'm not low tech, my maps have a protector on it so you can mark on it and erase it! 
I usually travel the same roads year after year anyway and don't need the map. Plus I'm in the habit of reading maps while I'm on the throne. Kit hates it! 

[Stanley Steamer]

"I'm not low tech, my maps have a protector on it so you can mark on it and erase it!   
I usually travel the same roads year after year anyway and don't need the map. Plus I'm in the habit of reading maps while I'm on the throne. Kit hates it!"

I bet that's not ALL you read while on the throne!!.... ... ..

[fudgie]

"I'm not low tech, my maps have a protector on it so you can mark on it and erase it!   
I usually travel the same roads year after year anyway and don't need the map. Plus I'm in the habit of reading maps while I'm on the throne. Kit hates it!"

I bet that's not ALL you read while on the throne!!.... ... ..

Or look at pictures........... 

[RedValk]

If I buy another Garmin Nuvi 500 series unit, I wonder if it'd allow my older version of Mapsource to load a custom route into it??....and another thing I need to research is if the 500 series have a 12V DC plug like the 2610's do....that way I wouldn't have to depend on a battery.....I guess I better start digging into some GPS research now.....

yes, your current version of mapsource WILL work with the new unit. i've been using my Mapsource software i got several years ago with my Mapquest....on my new Nuvi 750. You can go upgrade the version of the Mapsource s/w for FREE...if you have any 'authorized' copy from any of your GPS units. But to upgrade the Mapsource maps, you'd have to pay.

i may have to get one of those Nuvi 500 or 550 models for my bike? They are waterproof. My Quest2 screen is kind of hard to see...small...and not touch screen. might be time for an 'upgrade'???

[MarkT]

I've been using Garmins for about 10 years now.  Just upgraded from the Streetpilot III to the Zumo 550 recently.  Yeah it's spendy, but it's the best GPS available for bikes, is made for motorcycles, is waterproof, has a lot of onboard memory (holds all of North America NT 2010 database), a fast processor and an SD slot that reportedly works with up to a 16GB card ( I've only tried up to 8GB ), XP and NAvtraffic compatible.  Puts out great sound - I've loaded several cards up with weeks of my tunes. However it is not XP WX radar compatible - so don't expect to receive doppler radar with it  (XM's WX doppler radar and more subscription is $99 a month - not something I'll do anyway) - though the ZUMO 550 does receive and display NAVweather reports - if you buy the GXM30 receiver/antenna - you can find for as low as $160, and get the NAVtraffic subscription - $19/mo. gets XM radio, NAVtraffic and NAVweather bundle - though I haven't gone there, probably won't - XM has been abusing their customers since they took over Sirius and eliminated the competition - that's a story for another thread.  The ZUMO 550 stores a LOT of track info - in fact you'll never run out - a gripe for me on the Streetpilot.  Also, the controls are much more intuitive, and just what you want and expect.  The touch screen is glove compatible, and for left hand operation.  It's quick on calculating, and recalculating routes.  Comes with the latest mapsource.  I found it listed for as high as $1399 - but found it online, fully warranteed, brand new for $612.  My experience was, it's a device I'm going to use for probably 6 years or so before I upgrade again - like I did the Streetpilot - so I wanted the best GPS I could find, rather than save pennies then be frustrated every time I use it.  I've hard wired both bikes and installed the included Ball mounts.  It also came with a suction cup car mount and wire, and AC adapter and computer connections.  But do get a card reader/writer, it's much faster than reading/writing the SD card in the ZUMO.  There's a big user base at http://www.zumoforums.com/ and other places you'll find at that link.