Question for GPS users

[Chrisj CMA]

I know nothing about a GPS.  I spell GPS map.  I also like Google Earth.

Ok back to my question.  When you have a GPS do you have to have a service plan of some sort like a cell phone?  If so how much are plans?

[Valkpilot]

I know nothing about a GPS.  I spell GPS map.  I also like Google Earth.

Ok back to my question.  When you have a GPS do you have to have a service plan of some sort like a cell phone?  If so how much are plans?

Not really.  There are periodic map updates that you have to pay for, but many GPS (at least from Garmin) can be purchased with lifetime updates.

Up until recently, I bought inexpensive Garmins like you would use in your car and plugged them into a power outlet mounted under one of the neck covers.  If there was weather, I put a ziplock bag over it and used a small bungie to hold the bag in place.

I've was given a used Zumo 550 motorcycle specific GPS.  It came with lifetime updates and has a lot of good features including weatherproofing, built in XM radio interface, Bluetooth connectivity to a phone, and connectivity into the GL1800 audio system.  But new, it was 5 or 6 times the cost of the one I was using on the Valk.  

For me, one of the best aspects to a GPS is being able to pre-plot a route (I use Microsoft Streets & Trips) and upload it to the GPS.  For long trips, I plan the whole trip, then break it up into day segments and load a route for each day.

Or...you can get a mount for your phone and just use Google maps.

[mrgeoff]

Chris...I have two older cell phones that I don't use any more...I use one for an alarm clock beside my bed...I can still use it as a GPS to travel anywhere in USA...it is not hooked up to any plan...just picks up towers and is free...Of course I have my active cell phone too...!!!

[Chrisj CMA]

The reason I ask is that I was looking at GPS speedometers. I thought it would be cool to have a perfectly accurate speedo that only needed power.  I could do away with the whole speedo cable and everything

[gordonv]

Biggest trouble is seeing it in the open on a MC.

As for a GPS, mine is like 6 years old and does fine for me. It's only a means to get somewhere, not to find a new residential street. So no reason to update. I very good at looking at a map and being able to following somewhere, so don't really us it.

I don't know if a cell has a GPS feature with a speed display.

[Harryc]

What's the current 'best buy' for a Motorcycle GPS, without having to spring for a full price latest model Garmin or whatever?

[Chrisj CMA]

What's the current 'best buy' for a Motorcycle GPS, without having to spring for a full price latest model Garmin or whatever?

I found GPS speedometers ( no actual map function) for $40 -$200.  I think I d be looking to spend closer to the $200 for a nice one

[Hook#3287]

Like Valkpilot, I use the less expensive Garmin Nuvi, which is a car GPS.

It serves me well and has helped me find many, many really great unknown roads I would have never taken.  

As far as using it as the only speedo, it is accurate when compared to those radar warning signs.  It's always right on.  I use it as my main speedo with the OEM as backup.

But as stated, in sunlight it can be difficult to read at times and in heavy overcast, it sometimes can't find the satellites.

I have handlebar mounts on all my bikes and I switch it over to the one I'm riding.  

Except the Bobber.  

I ran wires from the bars to the Acc plugs behind the right side cover, so it turns off when I shut off the bike.

[Hook#3287]

Another plus about the GPS is you can program different functions in the sidebar, like current time and elevation, although being in Florida, elevation probably isn't important.

I could do away with the whole speedo cable and everything

You'd lose your odometer.

[Chrisj CMA]

I'm not really looking for a gps for the map function. The speedometer units are made for this purpose and have big backlit speed display.

My next dilema is...If I get one with a tach function, what are the chances of using the wire hook-ups for the stock tach and having it actually work?

[Chrisj CMA]

Another plus about the GPS is you can program different functions in the sidebar, like current time and elevation, although being in Florida, elevation probably isn't important.

I could do away with the whole speedo cable and everything

You'd lose your odometer.

Actually, not necessarily. Some have distance counters as well. That was the main reason I want a nicer one. I am willing to lose the tach. It's not that big of a deal to be. After 15 years I know what it should sound like

[Maddog vrcc#508]

Well, the chicken or the Egg again, I'll throw in my 2 cents worth. I used to use Garmin products in my truck and on my bike. Garmin builds a great product, had one fall off my bike at highway speed in Nevada, saw it go, pulled over walked back, picked it up and to my surprise, it was working, a testimonial to the ruggedness of the product but, with Garmin they are locked down and you do need to subscribe to their software to do updates and the like. The Garmin devices I used all had proprietary connectors, minor issues but issues you may not want to see when you're on the road. When I switched to a cell phone I found that the programs you could get were provided by the carriers and they required you to use cell data which is not free and can be costly, but those days are over.  I think I have tried every app out there and I'm happy to say that there is one really good free application you can get from the Apple store or the Android store. it's 'Here Maps', you can research it on Google. The beauty of this app is you do not need to be on the Internet to use it. It just works, showing you where you are all the time and for the data hungry there are several small windows with items of interest. You down load the maps of the states you will be in and you're off and running.  One more thing, you do not need to have a brand new cell phone, any 4 or 5-year-old used cell phone will work just fine. All the majors are using the same GPS Radio Chips. I would spend more time finding one with the best viewable screen in the daylight.
Good Luck

[Bagger John - #3785]

As I posted in the other thread...occasionally, the GPS constellation will fail.

Sometimes, intentionally.

[PAVALKER]

 As a general rule of thumb, you do not need any subscription for a GPS.  Sometimes, depending on the GPS, you may want to purchase updates/updated maps or a subscription for that, but it isn't required to use the GPS.  some newer GPS's come with lifetime maps.   I have an older Garmin NUVI 660 that I bought new, years ago at the tune of about 600 bucks.  I still love it, because not many newer GPS's do what mine does..... it has an MP3 player which I have loaded music on a SD card to play most of the time. The audio output can be either via it's own speaker, broadcast FM into an FM radio or via audio jack....which is how I have it used on my Interstate.  I listen to the MP3 and GPS audio via my Interstate stereo system, or my Truck audio system and even my car audio system.   It also has blue tooth and serves as a hands free phone on all the vehicles I have, yes I can even use it on the bike, but not at speeds.  It does have a speedo indicator which I can use but don't normally.  The max speed on my GPS reads about 689 MPH which it recorded on an airline flight across country.  I saved that speed to show others if they ask how fast my bike has been, and have it in case I get stopped by some unsuspecting officer.  LOL.

If this one ever breaks.....  I can get another used one on eBay for about 50 bucks.

[allanbegg]

I think most of the responses your are getting, are not based on your actual intentions.
They are thinking of mapping functions, which are GPS based.
Navigation devices, smartphone applications, etc...

You are asking about a GPS based Speedometer, though. Not the same at all.

The GPS signal is being sent by 24 satellites and is available to be acquired by any GPS Receiver, including the one inside the smartphone, GPS Navigation device, and a GPS based Speedometer. There is no cost or fee to receive these signals, other than the cost of the Receiver.

Speedhut has a really nice looking GPS based Speedometer. My son is looking at using one in his '67 Chevy, instead of worrying about mismatches between transmission, rear gearing, and tire size.

[Chrisj CMA]

Thanks allabegg. Thanks for clarifying what I essentially gleaned from the responses so far. I'll look at speed hut. As of now I have seen close but not exactly right for me

[Hook#3287]

I think most of the responses your are getting, are not based on your actual intentions.
They are thinking of mapping functions, which are GPS based.
Navigation devices, smartphone applications, etc...

You are asking about a GPS based Speedometer, though. Not the same at all.

The GPS signal is being sent by 24 satellites and is available to be acquired by any GPS Receiver, including the one inside the smartphone, GPS Navigation device, and a GPS based Speedometer. There is no cost or fee to receive these signals, other than the cost of the Receiver.

Speedhut has a really nice looking GPS based Speedometer. My son is looking at using one in his '67 Chevy, instead of worrying about mismatches between transmission, rear gearing, and tire size.

I've never looked into a gps speedo, are they different in their accuracy compared to a standard gps?

[Chrisj CMA]

I think most of the responses your are getting, are not based on your actual intentions.
They are thinking of mapping functions, which are GPS based.
Navigation devices, smartphone applications, etc...

You are asking about a GPS based Speedometer, though. Not the same at all.

The GPS signal is being sent by 24 satellites and is available to be acquired by any GPS Receiver, including the one inside the smartphone, GPS Navigation device, and a GPS based Speedometer. There is no cost or fee to receive these signals, other than the cost of the Receiver.

Speedhut has a really nice looking GPS based Speedometer. My son is looking at using one in his '67 Chevy, instead of worrying about mismatches between transmission, rear gearing, and tire size.

I've never looked into a gps speedo, are they different in their accuracy compared to a standard gps?

I'm thinking GPS accuacy is GPS  accuracy.  A speedo unit is made to be just that.  It's not a navigation device with a tiny speed indicator at the bottom.  The good ones have resettable trip meters and some have electronic tachometer function as well. 

[Hook#3287]

I think most of the responses your are getting, are not based on your actual intentions.
They are thinking of mapping functions, which are GPS based.
Navigation devices, smartphone applications, etc...

You are asking about a GPS based Speedometer, though. Not the same at all.

The GPS signal is being sent by 24 satellites and is available to be acquired by any GPS Receiver, including the one inside the smartphone, GPS Navigation device, and a GPS based Speedometer. There is no cost or fee to receive these signals, other than the cost of the Receiver.

Speedhut has a really nice looking GPS based Speedometer. My son is looking at using one in his '67 Chevy, instead of worrying about mismatches between transmission, rear gearing, and tire size.

I've never looked into a gps speedo, are they different in their accuracy compared to a standard gps?

I'm thinking GPS accuacy is GPS  accuracy.  A speedo unit is made to be just that.  It's not a navigation device with a tiny speed indicator at the bottom.  The good ones have resettable trip meters and some have electronic tachometer function as well. 

I didn't think there was a difference but thought I'd ask.

My gps has a trip function, but I don't ever use it. 

I guess my point is, you could spend x amount of dollars and get a gps speedo, or spend the same and get a fully functional gps that has most features a gps speedo will have.

And once you learn how to tickle it right, it will take you places you never would have found.

[Daycruiser]

I think most of the responses your are getting, are not based on your actual intentions.
They are thinking of mapping functions, which are GPS based.
Navigation devices, smartphone applications, etc...

You are asking about a GPS based Speedometer, though. Not the same at all.

The GPS signal is being sent by 24 satellites and is available to be acquired by any GPS Receiver, including the one inside the smartphone, GPS Navigation device, and a GPS based Speedometer. There is no cost or fee to receive these signals, other than the cost of the Receiver.

Speedhut has a really nice looking GPS based Speedometer. My son is looking at using one in his '67 Chevy, instead of worrying about mismatches between transmission, rear gearing, and tire size.

Ding Ding Ding, this guy is right.  All you need is a smartphone with any number of Speedo Apps.  Since they all use the GPS integrated into the Phone they're all pretty accurate and most are free or nearly so.

[Cracker Jack]

Are ya'll sure the smart phones use the GPS satellites? Maybe you just assumed it uses the satellites. I thought the phones used the cell towers. My smart phone works for positioning inside buildings etc. A GPS needs line of sight for positioning.

[Moonshot_1]

Another plus about the GPS is you can program different functions in the sidebar, like current time and elevation, although being in Florida, elevation probably isn't important.

I could do away with the whole speedo cable and everything

You'd lose your odometer.

Actually, not necessarily. Some have distance counters as well. That was the main reason I want a nicer one. I am willing to lose the tach. It's not that big of a deal to be. After 15 years I know what it should sound like

The loss of your odometer would have an impact, a legal one, should you ever have to verify the mileage of the bike.

[Chrisj CMA]

Another plus about the GPS is you can program different functions in the sidebar, like current time and elevation, although being in Florida, elevation probably isn't important.

I could do away with the whole speedo cable and everything

You'd lose your odometer.

Actually, not necessarily. Some have distance counters as well. That was the main reason I want a nicer one. I am willing to lose the tach. It's not that big of a deal to be. After 15 years I know what it should sound like

The loss of your odometer would have an impact, a legal one, should you ever have to verify the mileage of the bike.

Ya, that thought crossed my mind.  I was wondering if you could manually adjust the removed speedo's odometer to show miles after removal so it could be re installed and still be correct.  Ya it would have been manipulated but if it was correct I wouldn't feel the need to tell anyone.

[Paladin528]

I have a speedometer app on my phone that uses the GPS to give me speed, altitude and direction.
cost FREE

[Karen]

Probably what you're not looking for, but I had hooked up a bicycle cyclometer when the speedometer went bad, and calibrated it using the State sponsored radar speed sensors on the side of the road. Worked fine, put it back on the bicycle once I fixed the speedometer. Then again, I used a red plastic bowl as a taillight cover until I was able to replace the lens...  

[MarkT]

Sounds like you could have an entry on the Red Neck Fixes site.

http://www.redneckrepairs.com/

or

http://whitetrashrepairs.com/

or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS2cdIx3Kow

[Willow]

Are ya'll sure the smart phones use the GPS satellites? Maybe you just assumed it uses the satellites. I thought the phones used the cell towers. My smart phone works for positioning inside buildings etc. A GPS needs line of sight for positioning.

You are correct.  Mixing the terms GPS and smart phone is erroneous.  The phone people are careful of that.  They refer not to GPS but to mapping app.

[Valkorado]

Are ya'll sure the smart phones use the GPS satellites? Maybe you just assumed it uses the satellites. I thought the phones used the cell towers. My smart phone works for positioning inside buildings etc. A GPS needs line of sight for positioning.

Yup.  Almost all modern smartphones have (and use) GPS technology.  While towers supply cellular data that may indeed be used by some navigation applications, virtually all smartphones are equipped to use GPS satellites.  Some offline GPS navigation applications (for example Sygic) work entirely without cellular data, and store maps on the device.