GPS

[Super Santa]

I currently have an ancient Garmin V GPS and am thinking of getting a newer, bigger and better one.

Looking for opinions on the 550 model.  Not really wanting to pay new prices (600-700) so any hints on what to look for in used would be appreciated.  I am always leery of fleabay purchases but may end up going there.

Any hints or suggestions considered.  TIA

[dreamaker]

I have a Zumo 550 and I love it, it does what I want and it is worth the money. I look around on the net and got mine $400 less the the retail price. But if you are not interested in XM radio and Bluetooth get the 450 it is allot cheaper and it looks the same as the 550. keep in mine you get what you pay for, if it is cheap you get cheap. Some of the other guys use other models and get good service with them. Also it depends on what you want to use it for, maybe you don't want all the bells and whistles.

Dan

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

The only thing that could make me any happier with my 550 would be free map updates. The MP3 player built into it is top rate in my book. I added a larger memory card and it holds a boat load of tunes now. The navigation voice cuts in when it's time to make a turn. It's made to operate with a gloved left hand. It's easy to see, screen changes to night mode automatically when it gets dark. The special tool which locks it on the mount is easy to use.

The speedometer is easier to read that the valk unit. Even when I’m not navigating with it I leave it on for the speedometer, current road ID, compass and map of my surroundings.

The bluetooth is not stereo so I just plug in headphones. It is absolutely and completely waterproof as far as I can tell. I’ve used it through some butt kicking storms without any problem. If the bluetooth was stereo and the map updates were free it would be perfect. Ad it is, its close enough for me. 

[Michael K (Az.)]

Howdy Ray!
I have the 450 I don't wast to listen to tunes while ridin so this works great for me! Waterproof etc!

[DFragn]

This past winter I ordered online a Garmin 2720 (out of production-replaced by the Zumo) factory refurbished for $170.00. It is MC friendly as in weatherproof, antiglare screen same as Zumo and practically all the features of the Zumo but with a slightly smaller screen.
The knuckleheads sent me a NEW unopened or resealed upgrade, the 2730, which is the same but includes the 2720 optional XM antennae with a suggested retail of OMG $265.00 (antennae only). Although they're both out of production it came with '08 mapping, good 'nough for me. Also, you can register and upgrade refurbished units mapping if you choose. Best of all I like the audible directions that go to both my fairing speakers and headset. In heavy city traffic I don't even have to take my eyes off the road.

Needless to say, because I'm so dishonest, I mounted it without informing them of their error. Where's that lightning bolt  

I don't care for Garmins stand alone & downloadable to GPS trip planner "Map Source" though. It could be more user friendly, but it gets by.

The 2720 or even the 2730 (approx. $300.00) refurbished may be a good alternative even if you don't get as lucky as me.

There's a plethora of available mounting options. Some are expensive. I decided to fab my own from .125" x 1.25" aluminum bar stock from Ace Hardware. I polished it and mounted it to my brake reservoir. The 2720/2730 is a little bulky [thick], but does not interfere with anything at that position.

[BonS]

Does the Garmin 450/550 trip information include distance to destination? I've been on the fence for a while and want to go Garmin but heard that it doesn't.
The Garmin 660 does as it's shown in the owners manual but the 550 manual doesn't explicitly say so.
Right now I have a TomTom that I've pressed into service but it washes out in sunlight (amongst other problems).

[Serk]

The Zumo shows time to destination, miles to destination, miles to next turn and time to next turn... I love my Zumo 550...

The spousal unit calls it my BIMBO (B--ch In Machine Barking Orders.... "Oh... I see... You'll listed to HER when SHE gives you directions!!!")

[makotosun]

I am using a Garmin 478 on all of my bikes. It comes with a Sat radio I don't use, but has amazing capabilities and can be used on my wife's boat in the off riding season!



I use a Touratech mount purchased from http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/tt276.html in Seattle. It is mounted on a short Ram mount which allows some adjustment but stability.



It is model Number 065-0087 and provides a locking mechanism for some security.

Here are some poor photos of it mounted on the Valk:





The unit is waterproof and pretty shock proof. Not the easiest to use with gloves on, but I did use it successfully on a cross country dirt bike trip last spring and we were stuck in both snow and rain with no ill effects. I used the same mount but had to run off of the internal batteries as the bike was 6 volt. This shows the best shot I have of the mounting setup.

[Bob E.]

I bought my Garmin Quest used and got a really good deal on it at the time.  However, the problem I have is that the previous owner had also bought it used off ebay.  Anyways, the original owner had registered it, but did not un-register it when he sold it to the guy I bought it off of.  Therefore, I was unable to register it to get any updates, etc.  As far as Garmin knows, I may have stolen it...so they won't even service the unit unless I try to get the previous seller to un-register it...and I don't even know who that guy is.

Anyways, just something to think about if you do end up buying used.  Make sure the seller un-registers the unit.

[Str8shooter]

Rumor has it that Garmin will be introducing a new motorcycle based GPS for 2010. Heard it either on this forum in the Tech section or on the FJR forum. Think I may wait and see what happens. Could buy a cheaper unit and use it until the 2010's intro and move the cheap one to the truck!

[ptgb]

...I don't care for Garmins stand alone & downloadable to GPS trip planner "Map Source" though. It could be more user friendly, but it gets by...

I was having the same problem, re: getting routes off the computer and into my Garmin (Zumo 550) without using their horrendous Map Source program. I tried some internet work-rounds, etc. to use Google Maps, etc. Nothing worked seamlessly, always had some sort of foibles.
 
Of all places, found the Harley Davidson Ride Planner. You just type in your starting address, then your ending address. It will route it for you. You can drag the route line anywhere you want to change the routes if you want to take specific roads etc.
 
Then you simply plug-in your GPS to the PC and export to your GPS... no muss, no fuss. It has, so far, for me, worked perfectly...  YMMV

http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.com/rideplanner/ridePlanner.jsp

Rumor has it that Garmin will be introducing a new motorcycle based GPS for 2010...

They have; the Garmin Zumo 660. It looks more like the Nuvi line of GPS's, but it is made for motorcycle use.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=135&pID=15000

[Michael K (Az.)]

Thanks for the heads up PTGB!!
Yay Harley marketing!
What a simple upload/download program. It took me about 3 minutes to make and export a map from Glendale,Az, to Robbinsville, N.C. and that was including the time it took me to find my Garmin 450!
Now, I only wish I was making that trip!

[Super Santa]

I like that HD mapping program too and even downloads quickly into my ancient Garmin GPS V quickly. 

Why does the Garmin mapping software take so long and seem so awkward.

Anyway, Thanks to all for suggestions and hints.

Maybe I can find a used 450 somewhere now.  Seems to me more what I need.  Don't need all the extra bells and whistles.

[RedValk]

get a refurbished one.....much cheaper....comes with complete warranty...saves you lots of $$$. and/or get a model that's being disontinued. Same deal.........

I have two Quest 2 that i paid about 170 for...and 2 Nuvi 750 that i also paid about 170 for (each, of course!). use the Nuvi in the car/truck...Quest 2 on the bikes........