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valkMJ
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« on: July 26, 2010, 08:26:02 AM » |
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So in the course of trying to get the damn charger working over the weekend, I fried my TomTom. I'm hesitant to get another TomTom at this point, due to the incredible lack of support for my current model. I need something that I can charge off the motorcycle battery, and something that will survive a rainstorm. It would also be nice if it could sync up with my Scala headset, but I'm willing to settle in that regard. So what does everyone here use for GPS? And what do you think would be a good solution for me? Thanks in advance for any advice.  |
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9Ball
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« Reply #1 on: July 26, 2010, 09:48:11 AM » |
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search is your friend...try "Zumo" and "GPS" as a suggestion.
Zumo 550 here...will work with your Scala and BT phone.
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VRCC #6897, Joined May, 2000
1999 Standard
2007 Rocket 3
2005 VTX 1300S
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Baloo
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« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2010, 11:57:53 AM » |
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+1 On the Zumo 550.  It is waterproof. I've been through a couple of rain storms, even a thunder storm with mine without a problem. It has bluetooth and it can be paired with your cell phone and the Scala team set (which I have) without a problem. It also has a MP3 reader if you have a sound system on your bike and like to listen to music while riding. It comes with 2 cradles, one for the bike and one for the car. The car craddle also serve as hands free phone as it has a built in speaker. I've had mine for 2 years now and did not have a problem with it. If you don't have a I/S, it has a fuel gauge function which might be very helpfull. I love it and would definitely buy again! |
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« Last Edit: July 26, 2010, 12:00:11 PM by Baloo »
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Never ride any faster than your guardian angel can fly...
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valkMJ
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« Reply #3 on: July 26, 2010, 12:24:13 PM » |
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Yeah, looking through the old posts, it seems like the Zumo 550 is the way to go. The price is pretty steep though. These little purchases have been killing me lately (tires, hard bags, etc). Oh well, I'm not about to embark on a 2-week trip through the wilds of Canada without a GPS. I'm going to try TomTom's customer service line one more time tonight, but failing that it looks like I'll be ordering a Zumo this week.  |
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MP
Member
Posts: 5532
1997 Std Valkyrie and 2001 red/blk I/S w/sidecar
North Dakota
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« Reply #4 on: July 26, 2010, 02:19:36 PM » |
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Zumo 55o
MP
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 "Ridin' with Cycho" |
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humshark
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« Reply #5 on: July 26, 2010, 08:53:06 PM » |
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+1 for the Zumo
My zumo DID have problems, at which support promptly had me send it in and replaced it with another! No questions asked.
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99 Interstate
05 FJR
97 Vulcan '88' Hacked
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valkMJ
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« Reply #6 on: July 27, 2010, 05:28:38 AM » |
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For the record, TomTom's customer service was not very helpful. Apparently since my unit is 2 months out of warranty, I am now the proud owner of a lovely TomTom brick. Just a warning to anyone thinking of purchasing a TomTom. Beyond that first year, you will get NO support whatsoever.  |
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Baloo
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« Reply #7 on: July 27, 2010, 06:52:27 AM » |
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I'm not about to embark on a 2-week trip through the wilds of Canada without a GPS.
So, you're heading our way... I live in Quebec. Which part of Canada are you going to? West or East? |
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Never ride any faster than your guardian angel can fly...
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valkMJ
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« Reply #8 on: July 27, 2010, 06:59:40 AM » |
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I'm not about to embark on a 2-week trip through the wilds of Canada without a GPS.
So, you're heading our way... I live in Quebec. Which part of Canada are you going to? West or East? I'm heading up through New England into Nova Scotia, then west through NB, Quebec and Ontario. I'm planning on spending a night camping somewhere around Quebec, actually. Right now I'm looking at places just north of Quebec City. Got any suggestions? |
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Baloo
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« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2010, 03:50:23 PM » |
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There is a camping ground on an island called L'Île d'Orleans. It is just outside Quebec City. Check this link: http://www.campingorleans.com/. I live in Rimouski, which is about 300 miles east. I've been to this camping a few times and it's really a nice place. You should like it! |
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Never ride any faster than your guardian angel can fly...
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Dougger
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« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2010, 04:02:17 PM » |
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I bought the 550, because it has the XM built into it. Two functions in one unit.
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skierbob
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« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2010, 09:35:19 PM » |
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When you say you "Fried" your Tom Tom, if you mean you baked it in a hot car and now it is hosed, that happened to my son's as well. Apparently, the heat had screwed up the programming and left it all locked up. If I remember right, I put a pin in a reset hole in the bottom to unstick it so I could at least turn it on and off, connected it to my computer, wiped the memory clean somehow, and reloaded new software from the Tom Tom site. Mine was out of warranty also and Tom Tom provided no help but the reprogramming did the trick and it has been working fine for a year and a half since. Good Luck!
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valkMJ
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« Reply #12 on: July 28, 2010, 06:59:52 AM » |
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Heh. Well, I suppose I can tell you what I did to my TomTom. If nothing else, let this be a cautionary tale to others (although you really should know better already). At one point in trying to get my charging dock to work, I touched the wires (connected directly to the Valk's battery) to the contacts on the GPS itself. BAD IDEA. Yeah, there's nothing like a couple hundred dollar mistake to assure you never do that again. And thanks for the suggestion Baloo, I'll check them out. Unfortunately it doesn't look like my route is going to take me up to Rimouski.  I'll give you a wave from Quebec City though.  |
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TearlessTom
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« Reply #13 on: July 28, 2010, 09:23:21 AM » |
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If you like me (cheap) the older Garmin work just fine. I have the 2730 and a 2610. the 2730 has mp3 capability.Completely waterproof and can be picked up for a bout $100. +/-. All the "extras" of the Zumo is just not worth it for me. https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/assets/pdfs/specs/sp2730_spec.pdf |
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« Last Edit: July 28, 2010, 09:33:18 AM by TearlessTom »
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X Ring
Member
Posts: 3626
VRCC #27389, VRCCDS #204
The Landmass Between Mobile And New Orleans
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« Reply #14 on: July 28, 2010, 03:55:03 PM » |
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Tom, where are you picking up the 2730 for $100? Garmin has it listed on their site still for $1300 and ebay has used ones for $400 and up.
Marty
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People are more passionately opposed to wearing fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than bikers.  |
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TearlessTom
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« Reply #15 on: July 28, 2010, 06:02:07 PM » |
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Tom, where are you picking up the 2730 for $100? Garmin has it listed on their site still for $1300 and ebay has used ones for $400 and up.
Marty
I paid in the neighborhood of $120. I think. got it on Ebay 2 years ago when my wife started riding her own bike. There was a guy on Ebay selling reconditioned ones. Mine was like new in the box with all accessories, including the XM antenna and with at the time the latest maps on board. I guess folks caught on to what a great deal it was. Keep an eye on Ebay. they still show up from time to time. |
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TearlessTom
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« Reply #16 on: July 28, 2010, 06:16:14 PM » |
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TearlessTom
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« Reply #17 on: July 29, 2010, 07:53:23 AM » |
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Okay I couldn't believe the prices have jumped that much or there were so few out there so I looked till I found the rest.
On Ebay do search under:
"garmin streetpilot"
Then look for any that have a 4 digit model # ie: 2610 ,2720, 2820 etc. Those models are waterproof with different levels of extras on-board.
They do not have internal speakers. The speaker is in the power cord that goes to the cigarette lighter plug. They do make a dedicated cord that you can power the unit with a tail for a headset or mini rca type plug. My earphones work just fine as did my J&M.
Bluetooth for me is not an issue. I make probably less than 10 calls a month on my cell. I only carry it for emergency contacts. I ride to get AWAY from people not bring them with me. Never been a big fan of helmet speakers or earphones.
CAUTION: Check the Garmin site as to which ones will accept new Maps Updates. I know the 2610 no longer does , not sure about some of the others. Not sure how fast they add streets to it as my neighborhood only part is on the map. I live in the newer section which is about 8-10 years old and my street is not on the Garmin maps but is now on Google Maps just recently.
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valkMJ
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« Reply #18 on: July 29, 2010, 08:13:40 AM » |
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Man, gotta love Amazon. My Garmin Zumo 550 arrived today. After it charges up I'll get to play with it a bit. And hopefully the weather holds out today and I can actually get it mounted on the bike. Thanks for the help everyone. I'll let you know how this thing works out for me when I get back from Canada, eh?  |
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Baloo
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« Reply #19 on: July 29, 2010, 12:26:02 PM » |
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ValkMJ,
Don't forget (or if you don't know, be aware) that you can plan all your trip on your computer using Mapsource, and then transfer it to your GPS. It is recommended that you split the trip and make one route for say, day1, day 2, etc... Then, when loaded to your GPS, you just choose the route for that day and there you go! You'll love it. I do. Have a safe and pleasant trip up here!
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Never ride any faster than your guardian angel can fly...
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Dougger
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« Reply #20 on: July 29, 2010, 05:02:21 PM » |
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If you wish to use the XM, sit down when you price out the antenna....
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TearlessTom
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« Reply #21 on: July 29, 2010, 07:10:10 PM » |
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If you wish to use the XM, sit down when you price out the antenna....
I have a new one if anyone interested. Never used. Not interested in XM. |
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doily57
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« Reply #22 on: August 19, 2010, 06:08:29 AM » |
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I have a Lowrance Iway 500c, and love it.
The stopped making and supporting them but you can still buy them on ebay.
the 250, 350, 500 and 600 are all about the same.
You can buy a used one from $50 to $150. You might be able to find New ones out there also.
The 500 and 600 have larger screens and are not portable. I have no problem with that. My GPS stays right on the bike.
Good luck
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #23 on: August 19, 2010, 06:52:58 AM » |
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So how did you fry the GPS?? Rain or the charger?? Most units have a fuse..
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