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For those that haven't seen it the new iPhone that will be released next month comes complete with GPS navigation. I have yet to use a GPS on my motorcycle but have found them indispensable on business trips to cities I know little about and have researched the top brands and was pretty much set to get a Zumo 550 in the near future. Since I am an AT&T Wireless subscriber and my contract is running out in August I am considering waiting till then and getting the new iphone as it seems it will be a decent enough GPS for a bike and mounting it shouldn't be too tricky.

The iphone with two year contract is US $199! And while there's a $30 month media package required my company pays my mobile phone bill so that's not a huge issue. The absolute lowest price I have seen for a Zumo 550 is $625. I am sure the speaker on the Iphone won't be loud enough to hear while riding but a blue tooth headset should solve that problem. Since the iphone is all touch screen manipulating with gloves on should be "OK". But since I am relatively new to GPS systems is there anything I should look for in the "specs" of the GPS on the iPhone...aside from ergonomics and some features such as playing MP3s and other "bells and whistles" are GPS units pretty much the same--meaning should I expect the iphone GPS functionality and performance to be on par with that of the Zumo?

So unless I am missing something can this GPS enabled iphone save me from buying a Zumo and still be satisfied and then be able to spend that 600+ on other REALLY cool farkles!!

And with this news I wonder if the execs at Garmin are a tad worried?

Any comments / suggestions always appreciated!

It's my opinion that if you want a GPS to use while riding, then get a GPS.
I'm a super Mac geek, have an iPhone and love it, but it can't replace my Garmin even if it was a GPS.
Just like my StreetPilot has an MP3 player, but can't replace my iPod...
As much faith as I have with Apple, there's no way the GPS on an iPhone can be as good as a Garmin GPS unit.
You can't use it with gloves.
it's not water proof.
small screen
limited battery life
can't read it in the sun well
won't save tracks and waypoints
doesn't come with Mapsource software to plan your route on a PC or Mac then upload it, or download your routes and drop them in Google Earth.

might be cell tower reliant
The iPhone is a great device - I couldn't live without mine, it does a lot of different things well, but can't do each individual thing the best it can possibly be. Garmin is the world leader in GPS for a reason.

Option B

Don't pay retail, don't buy the newest model.
If this is your first GPS and you don't need Bluetooth/XM you can get the older model that is still a fabulous GPS for a motorbike.
You can buy a Garmin StreetPilot 26xx off of ebay for about $250 - from a seller in NY.
The motorcycle mount kit will cost you about $40
I bought mine as a refurb and love it....
The Streetpilot Rocks!

More info on GPS's and motorbikes:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37

Cheers!


BTW, I'll be in Central Park doing the X-Games all week, if you want to meet up send me a PM....

ChiTown wrote:BTW, I'll be in Central Park doing the X-Games all week, if you want to meet up send me a PM....

Showing my ignorance of X-games - when? NYC ain't that far from Jersey..

The X games are a sort of made for TV olympics of extreme and action sports like skateboarding, bicycle motocross and surfing and others. I think ESPN started the X-games and they have been going on since the early 90s I think...I'll stick with my R12R as my extreme sport though!

I too have drank the Mac coolaid, yet I agree with Chi, if you want a GPS, get a GPS.

( I would like to get a new IPHONE though )

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/06/0 ... y-to-roll/

deilenberger wrote:

ChiTown wrote:BTW, I'll be in Central Park doing the X-Games all week, if you want to meet up send me a PM....

Showing my ignorance of X-games - when? NYC ain't that far from Jersey..

If you want to come out, send me a PM... I'll be working at the big air half pipe...

Garmin sells a nuvi that is around $200. Its awesome. BTW, the iphone interface wont work with gloves on. Not sure if that matters to you. It needs a finger touch.

3G iPhone + TomTom + Aerostich sleeve solves the problem:

I read this

http://www.electronista.com/articles/08 ... ..gps.nav/

and got the feeling that the iPhone doesnt yet provide the true GPS solution that you might expect!

.. I'd still give my right arm for one... no, my left!