GPS

[davevagts]

Does anyone have a GPS on their bike? And if so which one do you have? I'm thinking about geting one but there are so many to chose from.

Thanks!
Dave Vagts

[MikeCam]

I have a BMW Navigator (1st Generation) that moves from car to bike. After the first load, I have never kept the map data up to date. Works well as a speedometer, clock, compass, and map. The direction finding is based on some algorithm that operates with a logic foreign to my driving style (it picks strange routes).

The BMWst.com [ http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/p ... GearAccess ] and K-bikes.com [ http://www.k-bikes.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=51 ] both have pretty good GPS sections to research.

[munchmeister]

The gang at Adventure Rider has its own section dedicated to GPS matters, http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37 but be sure to read the sticky threads at the top first, before you ask a question such as "which one should I buy..."

I have one that I bought for my first bike, an F650GS, and for using XC skiing and hiking, a Garmin Etrex Vista. Very small, handheld unit but it does the trick and I did not want something to guide me with maps as much as I wanted it to tell me where I was when I just went wandering on my F. So, that means you need to figure out what you want it for, and that will guide you to through the many options. The Vista was very, very helpful when I would stop, after going down some dirt trail or forest road, and let me know that just ahead was a main road that would get me back home. Without it, I might have just turned around and gone back, the long way. With it, I could "see" over the next hill and know there was a road there. Great for back roads. With all the old mining roads in Colorado, some over 12-13,000 feet, it is sometimes extremely important to know where you are on that road, whether you are at summit, and how far it is to get to a road or town, when weather starts to turn bad. Small as it is, however, it's screen is too small to see maps as you are riding. But stopping to look at your GPS sometimes is a good idea... get your bearings, as the saying goes. It also does not have auto route, etc.

Again, read everything you can, then figure out what you want it for. Having said that, my next GPS will be a Garmin 276C. It's large color screen is rated very highly, readible in sunlight, and it has features such as track back (which means it has tracking ability.... some don't) and autorouting. No MP3 player, but I use my IPod Nano and have a Roady XM Radio for the other stuff, and would rather learn to read weather than look at it on a screen. Besides, weather, MP3, XM are all expensive options on other GPS systems, but they are available. If you can wait, Garmin is coming out with a motorcycle specific unit, the Zumo. S'posed to be the cat's meow.

BTW, the Garmin 276C has a factory rebate available, bringing the price down $100 if you take advantage before 12/31/06.

Happy shopping.

[single650]

Garmin quest with RAM mount. brilliant and fits in your pocket to remove lowlife attention when parked

[chris]

I use my phone, SPV C500 (audiovox in the US I think) with a pocket gps and tomtom software. Bluetooth headset gives me directions. Can bar mount it or stick it in my pocket and listen. Also warns me of any upcoming speed cameras.
It's also an mp3 player

[R4R&R]

I also have the Garmin Quest using a Ram-mount. My satellite radio is to the right.

Unfortunately a GPS is one of those things that you will never know exactly which one you want until you have one to try - then you'll figure out what you should've bought.

Oh, and a GPS unit CAN'T replace maps, although it's a good enhancement.

[davevagts]

Wow R4R&R what a set up! Thank you all for your input. It really helped me out!

Thanks, dave

[davevagts]

Well I got a new GPS. I got it on ebay....it's a Garmin Nuvi 350. Garmin was trying to sell it for $750. I got it on ebay for $440. Great little GPS. Now just waiting for the bike mount to come so I can mount it.

Thanks you all for you help. Now is when I find out which one I really should of got'n;)

~dave

[davevagts]

I went out and took a few pics of the new GPS. Works great! I also just hit 500 mile!!

[R4R&R]

That thing looks sweet - nice setup. Is the Nuvi model waterproof or at least water resistant? How are you liking the R1200R? I finally sat on one last week and like the looks in person but still not sold on it yet. My bike is almost paid off and still lovin' it.

[Doug]

Dave, looks great. Isnt the nuvi awesome?

For others still looking, I just ran across this..

http://www.garmin.com/products/zumo/



Its Garmin's entry into GPS's designed for Motorcycles.

A review: http://www.gpslodge.com/archives/008088.php#more

[chris]

Looks really neat. Touch sensitive screen? Like the speedo.

[hirsty]

Zumos are just starting to come through at UK-dealers & they look really neat. You can also link it via your PC with Google Earth to see where you've been, and there's another website for sharing routes with others (for virtual running "races" and recommendations etc). The guesstimated fuel gauge seems a little gimmicky, but I'd like a play first.

I have a TomTom Rider on my R, which I'd rate as only being "okay" - sadly I'm into them for big money now, having bought European add-on maps as well, so I've got quite a wait before I can justify it as being fully-depreciated. The fact they keep dropping the RRP isn't helping!

[chris]

Ouch! The price is down to £199
now..I baulked at the original price as I have my Tomtom mobile on my smartphone which works well enough. It is annoying as hell when you dive in and buy something like that only to have them pull the rug from under you afterwards.

[davevagts]

Has anyone permanently wired their gps onto their bike? And if yes how did you do it? Did you use a 1 amp fuse?

Thanks!

[Doug]

1 amp should be fine.