Looking for a good GPS that I can see in direct sunlight?

[BF]

What's a good gps that won't break the bank that I can see during daylight hours in direct sunlight?  It doesn't have to have bluetooth, XM radio, mp3, doppler radar, HBO or anything else fancy, just a good, reliable, readable, see-able gps.  

I have a Garmin Nuvi 255w that usually stays in the truck, but I've tried using it on the bike several times without success.  It's absolutly useless during daylight hours on the bike.  It washes out and I can't see the screen.

Hopefully I can find something that I won't have to take a loan out on to buy......and preferably something that RAM makes a mount for.  

[mrprez]

Anything that is touch screen will wash out in the sunlight.  When I am on my dirt bike, I use a Delorme Pn40 which uses buttons to operate the device and the screen is readable in the sunlight if you have the backlight on.  I power mine from the bike so running the backlight isn't a problem for me.

[BF]

I have power outlets on the bike, so power for anything I get isn't problem.  

I was looking at the Garmin Zumo 220 as it's the cheapest gps Garmin seems to offer that they say is motorcycle specific.  Or maybe a Zumo 550 if I can find a good used one for a decent price. 

I was hoping someone has experience with either one of those......or like you, recommend something perhaps better/different.  

[salty1]

BF I share your frustration. Just chiming in so it will be easy to follow where this thread goes. 

[Former BMW Guy]

You can buy sun shades for those things.
I use one on my 2720.
Secures with Velcro and is removable. Works great.

Good luck!!

Joe P

[BonS]

The Garmin Zumo series is as good as it gets in direct sunlight. Along with that and water proofing, traffic, satellite radio and weather radar. The first time I saw a 550 I retired my TomTom and got a Zumo. Other than sunshades I haven't heard tell of anything that comes close. That said, even the Zumo is barely bright enough when in direct sun and viewed through sunglasses.

[BF]

You can buy sun shades for those things.
I use one on my 2720.
Secures with Velcro and is removable. Works great.

Good luck!!

Joe P

I tried one of those sun shades that I got off of ebay for the Nuvi 255w.  Didn't do a thing......still washed out and couldn't see it.  

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I can see my zumo 550 in pretty much any conditions, dark, light, rain or shine in spite of it being a touch screen. They're proud of them though. My only complaint with it is that after paying for the lifetime map updates I've found that the new maps take too much memory to have updated maps for the whole US all at once. I have to pick a section of the US and just be satisfied with that.

[sandy]

The 550 has 2  gig of built in memory. In order to load all of the map updates, you have to install an SD card. It can take up to an 8 gig card. The 660/665 Garmins have 4 gig built in and can take up to 16 gig in a micro SD card.

[BF]

Is the Zumo 450 and the 550 the same......except for XM and what-not?

[MarkT]

The 550 has 2  gig of built in memory. In order to load all of the map updates, you have to install an SD card. It can take up to an 8 gig card. The 660/665 Garmins have 4 gig built in and can take up to 16 gig in a micro SD card.

How do you do this?  The loading software wants to put the map file only in the onboard memory.  I have a 550, lifetime updates, and several SD cards, usually have the 8Gb one installed.  Haven't seen any tips on the forums to force the unit to use the SD card to hold the big map file, but haven't looked lately.

[BigBod]

I was in the market for a new GPS but in the end I bought an app for my Samsung Galaxy S2. It's called Sygic and you can download maps from all over the world. Cost me £17 for UK maps. Free updates. There is also an iphone version as well as android.

Used it for the first time in anger the other day on a 120 mile round trip to find a new chroming company I dropped some Valk bits off to get done. Took me right to their door with no problem. I was impressed. Way better than my old Garmin and the S2 screen is great in direct sunlight.

[mmvalk]

BigBod, if you're wearing gloves, how did you manipulate the screen while riding?  I've the same device and the screen will not react to my gloves.

Marty

[Michvalk]

I have an old lowrance that I use. It will not provide turn by turn directions, but I'm a map reader, and have no problem with finding my way. Has the old style screen, in black and white, and can be seen anytime. Works better for me than my wife's Tom Tom.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

The 550 has 2  gig of built in memory. In order to load all of the map updates, you have to install an SD card. It can take up to an 8 gig card. The 660/665 Garmins have 4 gig built in and can take up to 16 gig in a micro SD card.

Ah, thanks for the info. My SD card is loaded with tunes. Guess I should put a blank one in, load the updated maps and then see how much if any space I have left for music?

[ptgb]

The Garmin Zumo series is as good as it gets in direct sunlight. Along with that and water proofing, traffic, satellite radio and weather radar. The first time I saw a 550 I retired my TomTom and got a Zumo. Other than sunshades I haven't heard tell of anything that comes close. That said, even the Zumo is barely bright enough when in direct sun and viewed through sunglasses.

I had a Zumo 550, was pretty good in direct sunlight. I now have a Zumo 665. It is TERRIBLE in direct sunlight. Can't see it at all. All in all, it is superior to the Zumo 550 in most ways, but the screen is much worse; especially for what you pay for it.

[BigBod]

BigBod, if you're wearing gloves, how did you manipulate the screen while riding?  I've the same device and the screen will not react to my gloves.

Marty

Your right, won't work with gloves on but I don't need to touch it once the route is set. For 17 quid I'll live with that...

[BigBod]

Oh, and another thing, you can download it for free for a trial period so nothing to lose if you don't like it.

[RudyF6]

Shop for a Garmin Nuvi 500. Not bad in sunlight, waterproof, works with gloves, comes with a suction cup mount for the car, and I bought a Ram mount for the bikes as well. Got mine at Cabela's after Christmas 2010 for $179.

[BF]

Garmin is about to release a new hi-zoot gps......the Zumo 350LM.  Garmin says it has a "Highly visible, sunlight-readable 4.3” glove-friendly touchscreen display".   That's the ONLY one they advertise as having a "highly visible, sunlight-readable" screen.  Ummmmmm. 

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=135

It seems to have lost some of the features of the Zumo 550 though.  

Now I don't know what to do......keep looking for good used 550 or wait for the 350LM.  

[al v]

Garmin 1450. Viewing angle does seem to make a difference in direct sunlight.  Mounted mine on the risers with screen almost straight up and down. Still readable in direct sunlight.  

[medic263]

I have a Garmin Zumo 660 and LOVE it!  I used a TomTom XL before and could not see it most of the time, but the Garmin is complete opposite.  On our recent trip to the Pow Wow I had no issues at all seeing it, and the music was wonderful.  You can work the display easily with gloves on and the maps are great.  It gives you a zoom in on an interchange or exit you need in advance so you make sure you are in the correct lane and not have to make a last minute lane change.  It's not cheap, but worth every penny you spend on it.

[fudgie]

My Rand McNally maps have no glare. 

[sugerbear]

might try this

http://www.amazon.com/Lexerd-Furuno-TrueVue-Anti-glare-Protector/dp/B002DPBAOA

[BigBod]

I was in the market for a new GPS but in the end I bought an app for my Samsung Galaxy S2. It's called Sygic and you can download maps from all over the world. Cost me £17 for UK maps. Free updates. There is also an iphone version as well as android.

Used it for the first time in anger the other day on a 120 mile round trip to find a new chroming company I dropped some Valk bits off to get done. Took me right to their door with no problem. I was impressed. Way better than my old Garmin and the S2 screen is great in direct sunlight.

I too have a Samsung S2.  I would be concerned about the phone eating up the data allowance in short order using the GPS that way.

Not so, the maps are already downloaded to the phone and having the GPS on does not use data.

[RainMaker]

I have a Garmin Nuvi 780 and I can work it with my gloves on.  The screen is bright enough to see what's going on in sunlight and with sunglasses on.  I also have it hooked into the intercom through the mp3 jack so I can hear the directions, which keeps the eyes on the road. Listen to the built-in mp3 player on it as well.  If it rains, I put a sandwich bag over it and tape it closed in the back.  The touch screen still works through the sandwich bag, too!  With a RAM mount.

[jer0177]

My Rand McNally maps have no glare. 

Can you see them in the dark though?   

[Philthy]

Up until about 18 months ago I was still using my old Garmin Emap which I picked up in 1998 for $300.

No touchscreen, no routing, no bluetooth, no voice, no MP3, no photos, no color, no traffic, no remote, no rechargeable battery, only stores a few counties, pain in the boot to enter addresses, discontinued, and can only be found on Ebay or maybe a garage sale.

It is unlikely you'll find updates for it.

It does show maps, your location, and, if such section is loaded, and was around in the late 90's, your destination, with a neat line going from you to it, as well as an arrow to follow and distance display.  It takes AA batteries that last about 8 hours sans backlight.  It does have a base map for the whole US with most major streets and freeways.

It also works great in direct sunlight, and there are handlebar mounts for it.

I still have it for my bicycle.  It still has it's charms.

If you don't need a whole lot of goodies, and really need help finding 20+ year old places, this is the gadget to have.

CS

[BF]

I think the Emap is just a little dated for what I'm looking for.  Still leaning towards finding a good used Zumo 550 or waiting on the Zumo 350LM to come out. 

[Tropic traveler]

My Rand McNally maps have no glare. 

[Tropic traveler]

My Rand McNally maps have no glare. 

Can you see them in the dark though?   

Flashlights have no glare! 

[fudgie]

My Rand McNally maps have no glare. 

Can you see them in the dark though?   

Not really I guess!  I usually study the maps a few months out and know my routes before I leave so map reading is very minimal on a trip.

[BF]

My Rand McNally maps have no glare. 

Those glosy plastic coverd maps will blind ya.   

[joefromperry]

I have the Zumo 660 and like it a lot. I use the Glare-Stomper shade that helps quite a bit with the sun. However, when the sun is directly behind me shining on the screen, not much helps.

http://www.glarestomper.com/

[Toledo Mark]

I can see my zumo 550 in pretty much any conditions, dark, light, rain or shine in spite of it being a touch screen. They're proud of them though. My only complaint with it is that after paying for the lifetime map updates I've found that the new maps take too much memory to have updated maps for the whole US all at once. I have to pick a section of the US and just be satisfied with that.

Have you tried deleting things like other languages you do not use to make room?  I have done that with two of my Garmins and was able to get the whole USA and Canada in.

[Toledo Mark]

I have the Nuvi 750 and have never had an issue but also just purchased the Montana 650T for Geocaching.  Been Geocaching for years with an older handheld.

Anyway the Montana 650T has a built in camera and when you take an outdoor picture with it the coordinates are recorded also.  It works with Gramin Basemap which can be downloaded for free.  There are so many features with the Montana it is amazing.  Check it out and if you have any question send me a message.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=75228

Also I do not work for Garmin or any other GPS company.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I can see my zumo 550 in pretty much any conditions, dark, light, rain or shine in spite of it being a touch screen. They're proud of them though. My only complaint with it is that after paying for the lifetime map updates I've found that the new maps take too much memory to have updated maps for the whole US all at once. I have to pick a section of the US and just be satisfied with that.

Have you tried deleting things like other languages you do not use to make room?  I have done that with two of my Garmins and was able to get the whole USA and Canada in.

Yep. Deleted all routes, most way-points, all tracks, other languages and all icons besides the motorcycle. I will double check tomorrow to see if I missed anything though.