Navigation recommendations

[Farther]

OK, I am kind of a luddite; I have no smart phone or desire for a smart phone or most other electronic devices that make life bearable for others.  I had a cheap Garmin Nuvi ($60 plus $70 for lifetime maps) in my personal vehicle that worked well but was stolen when I loaned it to one of my adult kids.  This Nuvi was as simple as was available but could not seem to get accurate maps for Portland, OR but most other places were good.  Sometimes it was more confused than me for example when it wanted me to go through a gravel pit when looking for a Starbucks between Redding, CA and the Pacific.  The Nuvi was not waterproof or any good in the sun so was limited in use on the bike.  Bluetooth is of limited use for me as I wear a half helmet or none at all when legal.  Internal speaker is what's preferred.  I have some type of hand held/vehicle mount Garmin in my agency vehicle that is a POS and the maps have not been updated in 10 years because of budget problems.  I would think that with the layoffs and my 20% reduction in take-home pay that basic tools would be affordable.  

Before I get too much off track, what are peoples recommendation?

[Daddie O]

Google Maps on whatever smartphone you use.  Updated regularly for free.  Use a Ram Mount or something similar.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I guess I must be Mennonite . I right down my directions and tape them to the tank. Although I do look up on the iPhone on google maps. Sorry I'm no help at all.

[Farther]

I should have said that I don't have a smart phone.  Please refer to the OP stating that I am a luddite.  Although I kind of like the idea of taping directions to the tank.

[Michvalk]

I don't think ANY of them are perfect. You will find some of the motorcycle units can be seen in bright light, but, you need a mortgage on the house to afford one. I have an old lowrance unit that I use. Not a color screen, and shows a map you can actually see. No voice prompts, and you have to program the route in step by step. I mostly use it to see where I am, as opposed to where I am going.

[salty1]

An iPhone 4s or iPhone 5 with Siri and google map navigation will get you anywhere you want to go. If your ready to make the jump both phones are Bluetooth compatible or have a 3.5mm jack for piping the output to your helmet speaker system. I agree Garmins for the most part outside the Zumo series are limited as stated above.

[dubsider]

fear not.  get a smartphone.
google maps is the greatest thing. free. updated. easy to use.

[Farther]

Smart phones and other cell phones don't work in many areas that I ride.  A good chunk of the county I live in is off the grid, both electrical and cell phone grids.  Not by choice but because the grid is not available.  So even if I could afford a smart phone, which I can't, it would be of some limited use.

[gordonv]

I us NavFree USA. It resides on the smart phone, and you down load the maps for the states you want. I can add Canada, and the West Coast of the USA, so I have all on my phone, which is GPS capable, but I do not need cell coverage to have it work. It is like having a GPS, but the maps are newer than what are on my stand alone GPS.

Now, in answer to your question. I've heard of people using the Dry Makers and writing on the inside of the windshield.

I also bought a small 7" cheap tablet, which I use the free Wifi from all those restaurants (McD) and using Google Map see where my next destination is.

So far I have also found something you can see in direct sunlight while on the bike is not cheap. So just the usual map and next destination is what I now have done.

[Daddie O]

Smart phones and other cell phones don't work in many areas that I ride.  A good chunk of the county I live in is off the grid, both electrical and cell phone grids.  Not by choice but because the grid is not available.  So even if I could afford a smart phone, which I can't, it would be of some limited use.

A smart phone gps does not work off cellphone service, it uses satellites (hence Global Positioning Satellite).  As long as you aren't in an underground bunker it works wonderfully whether you have cell phone service or even have the phone activated at all.  I have a solar charger to charge the phone (plus a fitting to run off my battery), so even if you are off the electrical grid you could charge one.  Even without cellphone service even activated it is a gps, a level, a camera, a flashlight, a compass, and a calculator!  Buy an older used one off craigslist or ebay.

Or get a sundial and a sextant you luddite 

[F6Dave]

I think using a phone, even with a mount, could be a problem in states with laws against cell phone use while driving.  I know of a case in NY where a tourist was stopped at a light and simply picked up his phone to look at the screen.  A cop walked up and wrote him a $350 ticket.  I think CA has a similar law, and there are surely others.

I just use a very basic auto GPS with a RAM Mount.  I got a Magellan because it was on sale, but a Garmin or Tom Tom would be just as good.  IMO the map updates are useless, because in my area the 'latest' maps still don't show roads that were built 5 years ago and many POIs are out of date.  But the lifetime traffic is an awesome feature that has helped me avoid traffic jams many times.  Compared to phones, things like bigger 'buttons' and one touch POIs make it much easier to use while driving.

[0leman]

I ride some of the "out back" roads that Farther rides.  There is no cell service on many of these roads, though I carry a cell just in case Valk has issues.    I don't use/have a GPS nor smart phone.  If I can't remember the roads from looking at  google maps/mapquest, I will get out paper map to see where I am going.   Though it sometimes fun just to see where the road goes.

Putting a map in some kind of water proof, clear pouch on the tank would work great.   Seem there are quiet a few that use this method.

[R J]

Before I got brave and just followed my radiator cap, I would get a state map for every state I was going to go through.

I'd set down with a hi-liter and trace the route I wanted.

Then I would cut these maps up into 8" squares so they would fit in my tank bag map holder,  I'd follow the marked map, when it run off of the current map, I'd stop swap out that map for the next one down in the pack.

Only got lost once using that technique.    Was in the wrong lane coming out of Canada into Detroit.    Had to go back into Canada on this lane I was in, and when I got over there I took a wrong turn and ended up back out into rural Canada.

After that episode, my daughter said we were not lost we were just seeing new country.     She still says that to this day.      She was 9, and when I told her we were lost she thought I meant we'd never see mommy again.    It cost me a long distance phone call to mommy to get her to quit crying, and for mommy to assure her that her daddy could get her home safely.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Before I got brave and just followed my radiator cap, I would get a state map for every state I was going to go through.

I'd set down with a hi-liter and trace the route I wanted.

Then I would cut these maps up into 8" squares so they would fit in my tank bag map holder,  I'd follow the marked map, when it run off of the current map, I'd stop swap out that map for the next one down in the pack.

Only got lost once using that technique.    Was in the wrong lane coming out of Canada into Detroit.    Had to go back into Canada on this lane I was in, and when I got over there I took a wrong turn and ended up back out into rural Canada.

After that episode, my daughter said we were not lost we were just seeing new country.     She still says that to this day.      She was 9, and when I told her we were lost she thought I meant we'd never see mommy again.    It cost me a long distance phone call to mommy to get her to quit crying, and for mommy to assure her that her daddy could get her home safely.

That`s a nice story! I bet you don`t let her forget it.

[R J]

Before I got brave and just followed my radiator cap, I would get a state map for every state I was going to go through.

I'd set down with a hi-liter and trace the route I wanted.

Then I would cut these maps up into 8" squares so they would fit in my tank bag map holder,  I'd follow the marked map, when it run off of the current map, I'd stop swap out that map for the next one down in the pack.

Only got lost once using that technique.    Was in the wrong lane coming out of Canada into Detroit.    Had to go back into Canada on this lane I was in, and when I got over there I took a wrong turn and ended up back out into rural Canada.

After that episode, my daughter said we were not lost we were just seeing new country.     She still says that to this day.      She was 9, and when I told her we were lost she thought I meant we'd never see mommy again.    It cost me a long distance phone call to mommy to get her to quit crying, and for mommy to assure her that her daddy could get her home safely.

That`s a nice story! I bet you don`t let her forget it.

Ya got it backwards.   She won't let ME forget it.

[Farther]

I'm liking the dry marker on the windshield and RJ's paper map ideas.  Although the Garmin Nuvi 54LM is looking good for the car and motorcycle.

[john]

            my word of the day
Lud·dite

 [ lú dt ]  


1.opponent of new technology: an opponent of technological or industrial change
          ???        

[BF]

I'm liking the dry marker on the windshield and RJ's paper map ideas.  Although the Garmin Nuvi 54LM is looking good for the car and motorcycle.

I have a Garmin Nuvi 52LM.  It's great for the truck (and the wife's Accord)....not so much on the bike.  Can't see it all in the direct Florida sunshine. 

The best results I've had for it was using one of those velcro stick on sunshields that they sell on eBay and put it on the night time screen (the dark background screen).....still, just barely marginal at best.  Not too bad on a cloudy day, but still sucks during the broad daylight. 

I'd suggest saving your pennys and find a good used Garmin Zumo 450 or 550 motorcycle specific gps......unless you want to go all the way and get the new hi-zoot model(s) they've got out now. 

eBay search for Zumo 450's.....

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=zumo+450&_sop=16

eBay search for Zumo 550's....

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=zumo+450&_sop=16&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR6.TRC1.A0.Xzumo+550&_nkw=zumo+550&_sacat=0

or check Craigslist.  This is a good entire Craigslist search engine to search for anything and everything.....

http://www.adhuntr.com/

Or perhaps put a wanted ad in our classifieds for a motorcycle specific gps. 

[sandy]

If you're going for the Zumo upgrade, the 550 is no longer made. Any that are available are new old stock. It also has 2 gig of memory(8 gig micro SD card). The 660-665's have 4 gig  and 16 gig available on a micro SD card. My 665 is great. XM radio and 1400 of my music tracks in MP3 format. Audio is piped into my headset.

[ShiftHappens]

I posted this back in January 2013

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,50508.msg485316.html#msg485316

I bought the Garmin Nuvi 40LM from Staples for $80.

It's not perfect... hard to see in the sun, occasionally gives strange directions, but mostly (99% of the time) works just fine.

[PhredValk]

I bought the Garmin Zumo 220, and I am quite pleased with it. Designed by bikers for bikers, the zumo 220 has a bright, glove-friendly, color touchscreen display that gives you all the information you need in an easy-to-read format. Pretty good sunlight visible screen (washes out with the sun directly over my shoulder, but a shift of the head and it covers nicely), waterproof case that resists fuel sprays and UV rays, and the focal point is a little guy on a motorcycle!
No music storage, but multiple voices available with Bluetooth or speaker. Good search for nearest gas, motel, restaurant. I punched in Ikea to get a sheepskin and it came up with three, each with distance and direction. It even auto-updates time zones.
I use it mostly for an accurate speedo and ETA info.
Pricey, at just under $500, with RAM mounts (car and handlebar), cables and lifetime map updates.
Fred.

[dubsider]

Try to find a refurbished model. Several years ago I got a garmin 2610.. It is weather hardened and really nice.. problem is maps have not been updated since '10. 

[Moonshot_1]

Old fashioned paper maps for me.

Don't need to be concerned about coverage, battery charge, internet access and such things. And they just take the fun out of certain aspects of riding. I like the adventure.

[0leman]

            my word of the day
Lud·dite

 [ lú dt ]   


1.opponent of new technology: an opponent of technological or industrial change
           ???          

That's me.  AND I was a system administrator before I retired.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

            my word of the day
Lud·dite

 [ lú dt ]  


1.opponent of new technology: an opponent of technological or industrial change
          ???        

Shows what I know, I thought it was an Amish sect

[PAVALKER]

Join AAA, get Plus RV coverage for towing/road assistance for your bike and cars, and use their free maps and trip tiks.  Granted, it would cost you more than a GPS over the years, but you would have road assistance.  But then again... out in the sticks where you can't even get phone service.... there might not be any tow service either.

[Jess from VA]

I was called a Luddite in the USAF. 

They gave me an MS DOS computer (and no training) and I never turned it on. 

They got after me to experiment..... and the next the day the Col caught me playing solitaire.

Solitaire is put on there to teach you how to use a mouse.... but that didn't fly..... so I never turned it on again. 

Still never owned any kind of cell phone, ATM, Ipod, laptop, notebook, MP3, GPS.... I may try a GPS. 

Study your history.  Luddites in England during the industrial revolution didn't just not use technology, they went around busting it up.     Been called a Reactionary too.   Sticks and stones.... 

If the foo craps, wear it.