Looking into a GPS

[Rickrod3]

If any of you are using one, would appreciate any tips and info you can pass along.

Planning to use it on the bike and would like to be able to upload ride routes.
Not sure how that works so if any one can explain it and what I need to do it would also be helpfull.



TIA
Rick

[DGXSER]

Rick, I have used a Magellan Maestro model for years and like it alot. I travel considerably for work, and it is my life line for getting places and finding gas, restaurants, etc.. Invaluable to me.

I am now looking at a Garmin 850 or 880 model. These are full text to speech/ voice recognition. You never have to type anything in, just push a button and speak to it. Admittedly, not as handy on a bike from the noise stand point. But very nice feature, and the prices are pretty reasonable since those are older models now.

[JeffH]

If any of you are using one, would appreciate any tips and info you can pass along.

Planning to use it on the bike and would like to be able to upload ride routes.
Rick

Mainly depends on "how" you want to use the GPS and how much money you want to spend. Garmin Zumo is built for the Bike and is water proof and shock tolerant, but costs $650. Also can upload and run "actual" routes, turn-by-turn that you build and upload.

I used a Garmin marine 276C for many years. Got it for the coast charts and uploading / running routes. Also got the USA Highways mapping software so I could Plan-Upload-Run routes on the GPS. The 276C has a very long battery life but was bulky and I used it more like a reference. I rated the 276C functionality and ease of use as A+ but it was getting obsolete.

A couple years ago the was going to try a new GPS but Zumo was $1,000 bucks. I settled on a Nuvi which was $500 at the time. Used it on 5,000 mile trip last fall from Georgia out to Zion Utah and back then on our annual Key West ride in February. #1 - It is "NOT" water proof but I do have it mounted on the handle bars. #2- The "routes" are not as good to use as the old 276C. The old Routes would upload road-by-road the way you selected them. Many of the cheaper GPS's say they run Routes, but along the way the GPS tries to override the exact roads you selected and go to the next point with Fastest Time or Shortest Distance. Just something to watch out for as you are looking at various GPS's.

Any GPS is a great tool for traveling, but if you have very specific requirements then you have to ask a lot of questions and be conversant in how some of the functions actually interface between the mapping software and the GPS algorithms. Not much but may give you another piece of the puzzle to assist your search.

Jeff

[MaximPhil]

Hi Rick,
Very useful tool. This site has a lot of information.
http://www.gpscity.ca/motorcycle-gps I recommend the RAM mount system. I have an older basic model which has limitations but is still useful
@ under $100. It's waterproof when I wrap it in a sandwich baggie
For proper route planning/running you will need to spend $$$
Garmin brand has a good reputation.
Phil

[planedick]

Another option

I bought a Magellan 1340 Roadmate at the computer store as afactory refurbished model for $69.00 and it works great on trips. It has more functions than I ever learned to use, sticks to the windshield just fine and I put a sandwich bag over it in the rain. SWMBO has a hard time finding anything and now I don't have to go with her everywhere anymore. I just program the GPS and send her on her way. LOL

[JerseyJon]

charging

Rick,

Are you thinking about mounting it on a charger? To me, that would be key. But I'm not sure how difficult it would be to wire.

[dpotter58]

i have a garmin 14 something. It is large screen and has lifetime map and traffic updates. I put it in a saddle or trunk bag and pull it out when i'm lost.
most trips I print out the route and put in the tank bag and just follow that.

Be sure to get one with lifetime updates...

[planedick]

Cigar lighter

Just put a cigar lighter on you bike fairing and plug it in there.

[Rickrod3]

Rick,

Are you thinking about mounting it on a charger? To me, that would be key. But I'm not sure how difficult it would be to wire.

I have a cigarette lighter. I just have to plug it in.

[je2wheeler]

Garmin nuvi 350

I have been using a Garmin nuvi 350 for a few years and have never been disappointed. The 350 is smallish but clearly seen when mounted to the h-bar in the space between the mounts (‘79SF). The 350 has an ear jack useful for ear phones or the AUX in a sound system. Not to mention some mp3 and audio book space.
The problem is Garmin stopped making the 350 sometime ago, however reconditioned used ones can be found on ebay around $100. The truly difficult part is finding the mount for the 350 if it didn’t come with one. When looking for a 350, make sure the mount comes with it. The mount can be hardwired in and the 350 is powered up as soon as you lock the 350 securely on, yet it can be easily removed with two fingers.
The next most difficult task is finding a 7/8” bar clamp with an 18mm ball for the 350 socket mount. I did it with a simple 7/8” bar clamp and an 18mm acrylic bead I found at a bead/jewelry shop, drilled, countersunk and screwed to the clamp. The 350 mount stays on the XS and I cover it with a sandwich bag if Monster is washed or sits out over night.
The 350 is not reported to be weather or shock resistant but the sandwich bag is deployed when needed and the 350 has never missed a beat even over some very rough roads. I am sure there are better suited systems available for us riders but this works for me.

[trbig]

It all depends on what you want from a GPS. If all you need is GPS, that's it, then you can get off cheap. I've got a basic Garmin Nuvi 200 that you can pick up refurbished off Ebay for @ $50. They'll get you anywhere you want to go. New maps are @ $80, but when I smacked a guardrail on the bike and tore mine up, I sent it back to Garmin with $59, and they sent me a new one with the most current maps. If it rains, I just stick it in my tank bag until I get out of it. It has a clear pastic cover and I can still read it.

Now, you can get a more modern one that's designed for motorcycles if you want all the gadgets, bluetooth, bells, and whistles. I know a guy that has his all wired in with his helmet microphone. He can talk into the GPS and listen to the woman griping at him "TURN AROUND!!" if he takes a wrong turn. Also, if his radar detector goes off, it overrides the GPS so he hears the alrm, and of course, he can answer his phone while riding with the bluetooth.. since we all need to talk on the phone and ride, right? lol. Also, just about any of them you can use as an MP3 player as well.

But.. honestly, GPS units, I think, are a dying breed. Just about any smart phone can be used as one as well.