GPS...what's affordable that works...

[Daniel Meyer]

May take the bite and get a GPS for the bike...

BUT...

Daylight readable? Can you see any of these outdoors in the sun?

What works...that you have actual daylight experience with...that you'd buy again if a shark with lasers on its head took it out today?

Any that are affordable?

The wife has a $100 garmin in the car that works great...in the car...but I tried it on the bike and you can't read the screen in bright daylight. Need bigger and brighter!

Really don't want to spend the summer's gas budget on one...so...thoughts?

[Michael K (Az.)]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Garmin-Refurbished-nuvi-50LM-5-GPS-w-United-States-Map-Coverage-and-Lifetime-Map-Updates/20549414

Had this one for 2-3 years now. does what I want it to do, lifetime map upgrades and when the sun hits it wrong, I just kinda use my hand and shield the screen for a bit. Stressful, but I triumphed.

[DenverDave]

Check out this web site

http://www.mountguys.com/

As far as I have seen no GPS units are easily readable in direct sunlight.

Check the above web site for "gps glare control" they have soft sun shields, held on by velcro, that help alot.

I'm using a TomTom unit with the soft shield and is readable 90% of the time.

Garmin and TomTom are the two best brands.

Look for "lifetime map updates" 

Automotive GPS units are not water proof, but a quart size ziplock bag will make it water "resistant"

Battery life is a few hours, so you will have to arrange for a 12v power source for the usb adapter.

Dave

[doubletee]

[Valkpilot]

May take the bite and get a GPS for the bike...

BUT...

Daylight readable? Can you see any of these outdoors in the sun?

What works...that you have actual daylight experience with...that you'd buy again if a shark with lasers on its head took it out today?

Any that are affordable?

The wife has a $100 garmin in the car that works great...in the car...but I tried it on the bike and you can't read the screen in bright daylight. Need bigger and brighter!

Really don't want to spend the summer's gas budget on one...so...thoughts?

Anything reasonably priced will require a sunshade, but those work pretty well.  

I managed to get a new-but-discontinued Garmin 855 last year.   It accepts a micro SD card, which I loaded up with my entire music collection.  It's one of the few that has a 3.5mm audio out jack anymore, which allows me to plug it into the radio on the bike and have CB, directions, and music through the helmet headset.  I can plan routes using Microsoft Streets & Trips on the computer and download them to the GPS.

I also got a sunshade, handlebar mount, and weatherproof case.

I spent a total of about $200 for the unit, sunshade, case, and mount, all from Amazon (which will soon rule the world.)  

It works well for me.  

[Oss]

Have you seen my Fred Flintstone GPS
\
A water proof GPS holder

Inside is sheets of paper the same size as the window

If I need BOLD I print  BIG block letters

route exit # and miles from last turn and which way I turn

I will put 5 steps or so on each side of the paper
Then turn it around or go to the next one

Also the phone has a GPS if I get really lost but a little lost is fun at least for me

[Daniel Meyer]

Heh...this is generally how I operate...I tear the pages out of it for the state I'm running through and put them in my map pocket.

There are dismembered atlases ALL OVER my garage. Gotta be the remains of 10 or 15 of those things around (usually get a new one each year)

Problem is, I'm getting old and can't just glance down at the map pocket anymore...durn printing on the maps has shrunk with age. I also run at night a lot and my memory can't hold all the things like it used to (small print leaks out faster).

Have you seen my Fred Flintstone GPS
\
A water proof GPS holder

Inside is sheets of paper the same size as the window

If I need BOLD I print  BIG block letters

route exit # and miles from last turn and which way I turn

I will put 5 steps or so on each side of the paper
Then turn it around or go to the next one

Also the phone has a GPS if I get really lost but a little lost is fun at least for me

I do this too...often times writing (in sharpie) right on the map of the state I'm rocking through...got pulled over in Oklahoma one night because I apparently looked weird with an LED flashlight in my mouth...with the full-face I was having trouble shining the light on the actual map and then it flipped up and shined up in my helmet...glowing helmet face is not conducive to good night vision and the Oklahoma cops have NO sense of humor about aliens at all...I was trying to figure out where the HELL the closest fuel was...reserve sneaks up on ya if ya throttle that valk very hard...

[fudgie]

I agree with doubletee. Ol fashion maps are the way to go. I have used several GPS units and even a computer mapping program as of late and they are always wrong. Major roads are labeled diff in the GPS and are never called in that reality.

I usually study maps as a hobby. What else am I gonna do on the toilet?  ??? I'll check at all gas stops to see where I turn next. Only used them a few times on my 9 State journey last yr.

Plus if you wing it, it will make for a great story in your next book. 

[BF]

I don't think any of them work in direct sun.....even the $600 plus units.  

Just get a nice Garmin such as the Nuvi 52LM (nice BIG screen with life time updates) and fab up a sun shade for it....maybe out of a piece of dark tinted lexan or something and attach it with some velcro or a glue gun or something.  

They do make aftermarket sun shades for them.  There's usually bunches on eBay. Those are usually some type of cloth material and attach via velcro.

One tip might help some (it does for me).....turn it to the night time mode (dark screen).  The highways, street and roads show up much much better against the dark background.  

[BF]

I agree with doubletee. Ol fashion maps are the way to go. I have used several GPS units and even a computer mapping program as of late and they are always wrong. Major roads are labeled diff in the GPS and are never called in that reality.

I usually study maps as a hobby. What else am I gonna do on the toilet?  ??? I'll check at all gas stops to see where I turn next. Only used them a few times on my 9 State journey last yr.

Plus if you wing it, it will make for a great story in your next book. 

Danial is right.  Eyes get old.  Maps get hard to read.  I have to stop, put glasses on and study a map....but it's much much easier with a GPS.  With a Garmin, all I have to do is follow it......AND it's easier to read/see. 

[MarkT]

Sorry folks.  The Zumo 550 is clearly readable in direct sunlight.  It's also immersible to some mil spec, has left-hand control buttons and a touch screen designed to be used with gloves on.  If you somehow break it, they will replace it for $150.  Not bad for a unit that originally was nearly $900 but later reduced to around $600.  Also is a satellite radio receiver (though you need to buy the antennae) and an MP3 player, supports SD cards - I have an 8GB in mine and understand it can use up to 16.  Has lots of support online in several sites, and you can get lifetime data updates - with quarterly releases.  Not made anymore but I'm betting you could find one online at various prices below the MSRP.  Been using mine for years, works very well and well worth the money.  Has weather and traffic info if you get a Sirius/XM subscription.  There are better traffic solutions but that doesn't matter so much to me.  I haven't heard of a better unit that has so many functions and does them as well.  I'd really like one that has doppler radar integrated with the map, and connectivity to the internet for updates and searches would be the thing to bring this unit up to date.  Those will be the features I look for in addition to what the Zumo has, for my next GPS.

Oh forgot to mention, customizable POI's (you can find for free online), and good computer software for planning trips and analyzing/saving tracks (Mapsource) with regular updates.

[Toledo Mark]

I have a Nuvi 750 that I use.  It is not waterproof but rain will not bother it.  I have never had an issue with the map being wrong either.  It has customizable POI's so I have put in a file that has all the Honda dealers across the country.  I also have a Garmin Montana that I carry as a backup.

One little tip is I now wear safety glasses that have the little magnified lenses at the bottom.  Make seeing it much better in any light.

[Former BMW Guy]

Sorry folks.  The Zumo 550 is clearly readable in direct sunlight.  It's also immersible to some mil spec, has left-hand control buttons and a touch screen designed to be used with gloves on.  If you somehow break it, they will replace it for $150.  Not bad for a unit that originally was nearly $900 but later reduced to around $600.  Also is a satellite radio receiver (though you need to buy the antennae) and an MP3 player, supports SD cards - I have an 8GB in mine and understand it can use up to 16.  Has lots of support online in several sites, and you can get lifetime data updates - with quarterly releases.  Not made anymore but I'm betting you could find one online at various prices below the MSRP.  Been using mine for years, works very well and well worth the money.  Has weather and traffic info if you get a Sirius/XM subscription.  There are better traffic solutions but that doesn't matter so much to me.  I haven't heard of a better unit that has so many functions and does them as well.  I'd really like one that has doppler radar integrated with the map, and connectivity to the internet for updates and searches would be the thing to bring this unit up to date.  Those will be the features I look for in addition to what the Zumo has, for my next GPS.

Oh forgot to mention, customizable POI's (you can find for free online), and good computer software for planning trips and analyzing/saving tracks (Mapsource) with regular updates.

+1 on the Garmin ZUMO series. Designed for and made for Motorcycles.
I have an older Garmin 2600, also made for motorcycles and it has never let me down.
www.gpscity.com has the best prices.



JP

[Serk]

Just for posterity, I'll also add in my recommendation on a Garmin Zumo. I started with the 550, and upgraded to the 660 that I'm currently using. (Only reason I upgraded to the 660 was the 550 only does mono Bluetooth 1.0, and I switched to a Bluetooth helmet setup for music on the bike, and the 660 does high-def stereo Bluetooth 2.0...)

[doubletee]

Heh...this is generally how I operate...I tear the pages out of it for the state I'm running through and put them in my map pocket.

There are dismembered atlases ALL OVER my garage. Gotta be the remains of 10 or 15 of those things around (usually get a new one each year)

Problem is, I'm getting old and can't just glance down at the map pocket anymore...durn printing on the maps has shrunk with age. I also run at night a lot and my memory can't hold all the things like it used to (small print leaks out faster).

Have you seen my Fred Flintstone GPS
\
A water proof GPS holder

Inside is sheets of paper the same size as the window

If I need BOLD I print  BIG block letters

route exit # and miles from last turn and which way I turn

I will put 5 steps or so on each side of the paper
Then turn it around or go to the next one

Also the phone has a GPS if I get really lost but a little lost is fun at least for me

I do this too...often times writing (in sharpie) right on the map of the state I'm rocking through...got pulled over in Oklahoma one night because I apparently looked weird with an LED flashlight in my mouth...with the full-face I was having trouble shining the light on the actual map and then it flipped up and shined up in my helmet...glowing helmet face is not conducive to good night vision and the Oklahoma cops have NO sense of humor about aliens at all...I was trying to figure out where the HELL the closest fuel was...reserve sneaks up on ya if ya throttle that valk very hard...

I can't see things up close very well any more either. My advantage is having my wife on the back seat most of the time. She can read the map and tell me where to go (let the jokes begin!  ).

[MrArn]

First off, I've gotten rid of my GPS (gave it to my wife).

Here's what works for me.

Before leaving I use Google Maps combined with paper maps to plan my route or understand my possible options for the day. On my phone I've got Sygic installed ($35 for the USA). Sygic stores the maps on your phone or tablet, so it works without internet connections. Most of the time I never need any help with my route. When I do it's almost always in a city looking for an address. With the bluetooth I can hear the voice commands and don't need to see the screen.  I've found using the screen while riding to be difficult and prefer just being told when to turn.   

[sandy]

The sun shields are from GlareStomper.com. The newer garmins (660-665) have 4 gig of memory VS 2 gig on the 550. You can also install a 32 gig micro SD card for added maps or music/books.  Affordable? Not very but worth it in my opinion. $700 (665) from various sites.

[PAVALKER]

I have had a Garmin NUVI 660 for years (still available for much less than what I paid  -  http://www.rakuten.com/prod/garmin-nuvi-660-travel-assistant-garmin-n-vi-660-automobile-navigator/202883025.html?listingId=41891103)   

As someone indicated, not direct sunlight friendly.  However, it does have audio prompts and directions that you could use via Interstate Aux port (it will play MP3s as well via SD card) or even an ear bud.  Music and directions.... dats good.

There are others with different features and functions.... and it all depends on what you what out of your GPS.

I use my NUVI on my bikes and car/truck. 

[Chillerman]

My Android phone on a Ram mount connected to my Bluetooth helmet does everything I need.  Google Maps and Navigation, My Tracks, etc. There are probably a ton more apps out there. Not waterproof (unless you buy one of the fancy new phones) and the touchscreen won't work with gloves, but it works for me. Plus everyone has a smartphone anyway don't they? 

[Fudd]

I would love to have a Garmin Zumo, but for now, it's cost prohibitive.  Instead, I use a Nuvi in a water-proof soft case mount that I got off of Amazon.

The Nuvi is loud enough that most of the time I can understand the turn-by-turn instructions on its speaker.  Not even a chance of hearing it when traveling at highway speeds.  I would be fine with not being to see the screen, if I could 'hear' the instructions.

I've noticed that many of the Nuvi's are Bluetooth capable.  I don't need one that couples to my phone for me to communicate through the GPS's speaker.  Instead, I need an inexpensive GPS that will 'bluetooth' turn instructions to my headset in my helmet.

Does anyone know of a Garmin Nuvi model that will link with my Blinc or my ScalaRider Helmet Bluetooth units?

I have a freebee GPS app on my iPhone that gives turn instructions to my Blinc headset.  I use it generally as a back-up because, being free, it is hard to use on the road.  It is too easy to accidently punch-up an advertisement link.  I guess you get what you pay for, but the phone app GPS makes a fine back-up navigator.    

[PAVALKER]

I would love to have a Garmin Zumo, but for now, it's cost prohibitive.  Instead, I use a Nuvi in a water-proof soft case mount that I got off of Amazon.

The Nuvi is loud enough that most of the time I can understand the turn-by-turn instructions on its speaker.  Not even a chance of hearing it when traveling at highway speeds.  I would be fine with not being to see the screen, if I could 'hear' the instructions.

I've noticed that many of the Nuvi's are Bluetooth capable.  I don't need one that couples to my phone for me to communicate through the GPS's speaker.  Instead, I need an inexpensive GPS that will 'bluetooth' turn instructions to my headset in my helmet.

Does anyone know of a Garmin Nuvi model that will link with my Blinc or my ScalaRider Helmet Bluetooth units?

I have a freebee GPS app on my iPhone that gives turn instructions to my Blinc headset.  I use it generally as a back-up because, being free, it is hard to use on the road.  It is too easy to accidently punch-up an advertisement link.  I guess you get what you pay for, but the phone app GPS makes a fine back-up navigator.    

I believe the NUVI 660 will.  It does Blue Tooth.... but I don't.  I plug the aux jack in it or use ear buds on the other bikes.

[Daniel Meyer]

Serk has fixed me up for the time being with a good price on his used Zumo 550. Should get me into it and in my budget for the reasonable future!

Thanks again Serk!

[Stanley Steamer]

Wife got my the Nuvi 550.......seems like it's waterproof......and wasn't nearly as expensive as the old 2600 I bought way back when.....you can set the screen brightness up and down

[Fudd]

I've noticed that many of the Nuvi's are Bluetooth capable.  I don't need one that couples to my phone for me to communicate through the GPS's speaker.  
Does anyone know of a Garmin Nuvi model that will link with my Blinc or my ScalaRider Helmet Bluetooth units?
   

I believe the NUVI 660 will.  It does Blue Tooth.... but I don't.  I plug the aux jack in it or use ear buds on the other bikes.

I read the spec info on the Nuvi 660.  I think it allows you to couple with your phone to use the speaker in the GPS as a hands-free device.  That's not what I want in a Bluetooth, I want the GPS to send navigation information to my helmet.

[Serk]

Serk has fixed me up for the time being with a good price on his used Zumo 550. Should get me into it and in my budget for the reasonable future!

Thanks again Serk!

My pleasure, it wasn't doing me any good hanging onto it for sentimental reasons in a box, glad to know she'll get out and go adventuring again. (It's a she, by the way. The spousal unit christened her the BIMBO (Bitch In a Machine Barking Orders)

Enjoy it!

[steve 3054]

The latest Zumo 350 ONLY bluetooths to a headset....some of the Zumo's do to much...

[GotValk]

Garmin 760 has not let me down.

[Jess from VA]

I have been resisting the Borg (unneeded technology) for many years..... but I am going to have to break down and get one of these things as well.  Local to 300 miles I'm good, farther and I can get lost or more often miss turns.  It is getting too hard to see and read my maps and turn-by-turn written directions (and my own writing  LOL).  I've had them blow out of my fingers on the highway, and on my last trip to VOIA reunion, it rained so hard it soaked/ran the ink on my trip notes on inside of the tank bib map pocket.

Taking point-to-point shortest distance freeway trips is no problem with a few map notes.  But I really do not enjoy those particular riding miles (after 4-5 hours or so); and I'm thinking that taking the time to work out a multi state back roads (good miles) trip is going to go a lot smoother with one of these newfangled handlebar satellite mapping devices. 

I also need to rig both bikes to take the little devil.  Anybody with an interstate ever mount one to the fairing or inside the shied?  I do not want it on/near my center clamp.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Just for posterity, I'll also add in my recommendation on a Garmin Zumo. I started with the 550, and upgraded to the 660 that I'm currently using. (Only reason I upgraded to the 660 was the 550 only does mono Bluetooth 1.0, and I switched to a Bluetooth helmet setup for music on the bike, and the 660 does high-def stereo Bluetooth 2.0...)

I've got the 550, can see it in nearly any light. Display auto changes for darkness. Completely storm proof, might work while scuba diving. Made to work with left hand and gloves. As mentioned above, Bluetooth is mono so I use wired headphones for tunes which is a PIA at stops.

I've got the lifetime updates but the new US maps are too big to fit in my units memory, must be made for the new, improved version. So, I have to just download the 3/4's of the USA I think I'll use. One plus for the old 550 is it has a locking mount. One minus for the 550 is it has a locking mount. Had to buy a dremel tool in SD once so I could make a new key to get it out of the mount.

I'm sure the folks in the next motel room were amused by the "dremel sound" coming from the bikers room next door. 

I'll put a map and/or notes in the clear window of my tank bag too. But on unfamiliar interstates in thick/lethal traffic the Zumo is a potential lifesafer since it coaches me on which lane to be in before the signs (which are frequently blocked by semis) do.

[Serk]

Just for posterity, I'll also add in my recommendation on a Garmin Zumo. I started with the 550, and upgraded to the 660 that I'm currently using. (Only reason I upgraded to the 660 was the 550 only does mono Bluetooth 1.0, and I switched to a Bluetooth helmet setup for music on the bike, and the 660 does high-def stereo Bluetooth 2.0...)

I've got the 550, can see it in nearly any light. Display auto changes for darkness. Completely storm proof, might work while scuba diving. Made to work with left hand and gloves. As mentioned above, Bluetooth is mono so I use wired headphones for tunes which is a PIA at stops.

I've got the lifetime updates but the new US maps are too big to fit in my units memory, must be made for the new, improved version. So, I have to just download the 3/4's of the USA I think I'll use. One plus for the old 550 is it has a locking mount. One minus for the 550 is it has a locking mount. Had to buy a dremel tool in SD once so I could make a new key to get it out of the mount.

I'm sure the folks in the next motel room were amused by the "dremel sound" coming from the bikers room next door. 

I'll put a map and/or notes in the clear window of my tank bag too. But on unfamiliar interstates in thick/lethal traffic the Zumo is a potential lifesafer since it coaches me on which lane to be in before the signs (which are frequently blocked by semis) do.

I had a similar issue with the security key, so I bought about 1/2 dozen spares and had some in the bottom of my saddle bag, in my wife's purse, etc... They've gone up a bit since I bought 'em, but this place still has spares for $4 each:

http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-zumo-motorcycle-lock-key-tool.html

As far as the newer maps, there's a trick you can do here - You can put the map on the SD card to get newer maps setup on the 550. If you're not really technical it can be a bit tricky to figure out how, but it can be done. (You need to get a .IMG file and copy it to the SD card into SDCard:\Garmin\gmapsupp.img (The filename is off the top of my head so I might be off a hair.)

[Serk]

Hehehehe Daniel, being the geek I am I've been digging back through old pictures remembering all the interesting places I'd taken that particular GPS... That one's been to Pike's Peak, Mt. Evans, all over the southern states, but this is probably the most interesting place I took it. This light house is in Agulhas, South Africa. The extreme geographical southern tip of the continent of Africa is about 100 yards south of it.



Oh, and if you haven't reset it already, check out the maximum speed. I accidentally left it on during the flight from Joburg to Cape Town.

And to those who are arguing against a GPS on a bike in general - Standard "To each his own" disclaimers apply, but having a GPS on my bike gives me the freedom to get utterly lost. It gives me the freedom to see an interesting turn off and take it, without fear of getting horribly lost (Or running out of gas!!!) It gives me the freedom to enjoy the ride and not worry about the mundane task of keeping up with how long until the turn or exit I need to make is.

Also, since I don't have a fuel gauge, the alerting when I'm nearing my maximum range for fuel comes in REAL handy as well.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Another plus to the 550. The speed readout on the Zumo is way easier to read than the one on our bikes. In particular, at dusk and dawn.

[MarkT]

Ditto on Serk's mention you can put all of North America updates on a Zumo 550 if you put it on the SD card.  You download the update to the computer only, then load it to the Zumo.  I have a card reader/writer which is much faster than doing it while it's in the Zumo.  Of course then you have to leave the card installed so can't change it for a different music dB unless you also put the map image file on that one too.  The 550 firmware is arbitrarily limited to exactly 1000 tunes.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Thanks for the info on the SD cards and maps. When I update I'll give it a try. 

[Atl-Jerry]

I've had 3 Tom Tom's, we call them Dumb-Dumb's.  They are, in my opinion, the hugest piece of fecal matter out there.  If you find one for $.99,run!

[Daniel Meyer]

Ditto on Serk's mention you can put all of North America updates on a Zumo 550 if you put it on the SD card.  You download the update to the computer only, then load it to the Zumo.  I have a card reader/writer which is much faster than doing it while it's in the Zumo.  Of course then you have to leave the card installed so can't change it for a different music dB unless you also put the map image file on that one too.  The 550 firmware is arbitrarily limited to exactly 1000 tunes.

And I discovered the 550 WILL take an 8 gig SDHD card if you've updated the firmware. (Haven't tried larger cards).

[Fudd]

You can't always trust your GPS's guidance, no matter how much you pay for it!

[Daniel Meyer]

You can't always trust your GPS's guidance, no matter how much you pay for it!

Clearly, that is a marine GPS.

[Jess from VA]

Hey guys, would a used Garmin Streetpilot 2730 (discontinued?), loaded with North America maps, with docking cradle and ram mount be a decent deal at $230?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000BWRK2S/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all

[Michael K (Az.)]

Hey guys, would a used Garmin Streetpilot 2730 (discontinued?), loaded with North America maps, with docking cradle and ram mount be a decent deal at $230?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000BWRK2S/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all

I don't think so as long as you can get this one with lifetime maps, better graphics yada yada.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Garmin-Refurbished-nuvi-50LM-5-GPS-w-United-States-Map-Coverage-and-Lifetime-Map-Updates/20549414