GPS for my VTX

[VTX in VA]

I've been thinking of kicking out the $ for a GPS system for my VTX. Who has the best bike mounted GPS system, and the best price?

Thanks.

[SCOTT47429]

look at this site here looks good i dont know how much you want to spend but look it over http://tomtom.com/products/product.php? ... Language=4 (http://tomtom.com/products/product.php?ID=207&Language=4)

scott

[VTX in VA]

Looks good, but I don't need the audio, just a display I can look at.

[James O'Sullivan]

VTX in VA,

You might want to visit www.buydig.com (http://www.buydig.com)

I purchased the Garmin Street Pilot 2730 from them. They had the best price that I could find. You may not want all of the features of the 2730, but you may like one of the other models. I chose the 2730 for its range of features as well as the fact that it is waterproof.

www.CycleGadgets.com (http://www.CycleGadgets.com) is another site that has GPS products, but what I purchased from them was a RAM mounting system to attach the GPS to my handle bars.

Safe Riding,

Jim

[RogerBzVTX]

I've been thinking of kicking out the $ for a GPS system for my VTX. Who has the best bike mounted GPS system, and the best price?

Thanks.

give gpscity.com a look.. I love my Garmin 276C all the features I need.

Good display in ANY lighting conditions, battery backup, and expandable memory..

IMPO the best place and price for a complete package

[VTX in VA]

"Garmin Quest Autorouting GPS with RAM Motorcycle GPS Mount" is about half as much as the "GPSMAP 276C Motorcycle GPS"

Are the differences really that great?

Thanks

[RogerBzVTX]

I liked the larger display it makes it easier to see all the time, my buddy has the quest and the displays are significant in difference even though there is like a 1.6 inch difference. I also wanted expandable memory to store more maps tracks waypoints etc.. I went 256 megs and have all of the north east and NE canada loaded Which the Quest does not have Expandable mem.. the quest has 115 megabytes of internal memory only.. but enough for loading some maps and storing some tracks and waypoints.
I felt it is limited in that aspect.. and it's my buddy's dislike..

All though I do like the mount better on with the quest.. it slides in and is powered thru the mount, the 276c needs the power cable pluged in to power it and un-plugged to remove it. but that's one of my dislikes.

the quest will easily fit in the pocket where the 276c is bigger and wont fit in the front pocket.. maybe a back pocket, or vest or jacket pocket..

I also use this in my Truck, Snowmobile and of course the X

another reason I went with the 276c is it's marine grade so it will take the elements.. better than the quest IMPO..

[VTX in VA]

Thanks!

[KEVINV]

I get the honda magazine and the new thing is the Quest2 by garmin. It is made specifically for motorcycles. It runs on a battery that lasts for up to twenty hours. Have'nt seen one yet but been reading alot about it. It also comes comes preloaded with all north american maps so no downloading just turn on and go. You can check it out at garmin.com. They run about 650 to 750 depending on where you want to purchase it. This is what i am considering. The other thing is that it is small so you can take it off the bike and put it in your pocket so know one will steal it.

[VTX in VA]

Very cool, that sounds like the way to go. So, it's not available now?

[KEVINV]

Yeah they are available know. Go to www.aerostich.com (http://www.aerostich.com) they sell them for 699.00. And they have the ram mount for the handlebars at this web site also. And they have the quest motorcycle power/audio cable setup also wich is alittle pricey it is 72.00 but worth it. Honda Redrider magazine did a test on it and they purchased these items for there test from this company above. Check it out this is what i am planning on getting for the road trips. It will make things easier. I have a cobra navman for my truck and they are very handy saves your from running with a map. And takes you right to the front door.

[Guitar4Him]

The undisputed king of GPS units for motorcycles is the Garmin 2610. Currently, you can get a refurbished unit (with a 2-year warranty) from http://www.getfeetwet.com for $449.00. Look no further....this one rocks!

[batman]

I have the Quest & Quest 2. Both units are identical except for the amount of memory. I can upload the state of florida plus a little piece of Ga. in the Quest without re-loading. Quest 2 is pre-loaded with all the states & countries. Both units are waterproof and run on either your bike/car battery or it's own self contained rechargable battery. The Quest calculates a lot quicker then the 2. On it's own battery both units will go dead in about 4 hours, or less, when tracking. The Q's are small but once you get the hang of it you can find food, fuel, lodging riding the road. The unit is small enough to remove from the bike and stick it a large cell phone holder. There are a lot better and bigger units out there just depents on what you want and how much you're willing to spend. Check out the GPS Store on the net.
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/5268gps_002.jpg

[VTX in VA]

Thanks. What mounts are you using with the quest and quest 2?

[perezbeller]

I have TOM TOM's Rider. I owned the Garmin 2610 and I can tell you that the RIDER is hands down a much better investment. Many many more features and the bluetooth capability and headset are cool. Can also incorporate radar detection with the Rider via add-on antennae.

[batman]

Actually, I'm using one of the holders that came with the unit. Don't know if I'd recommend what I did (drilled two small screw holes on the back of the Kuri tach housing to attach the holder). Do it that way the holder is on for good unless you remove the screws. Beware, these things become additive, I use mine for a speedometer, odometer, compass, tripmeter and it also locks in your max speed which I'm not sure I really want to know sometimes.

[Guitar4Him]

I have TOM TOM's Rider. I owned the Garmin 2610 and I can tell you that the RIDER is hands down a much better investment. Many many more features and the bluetooth capability and headset are cool. Can also incorporate radar detection with the Rider via add-on antennae.

You're right about the word investment. Latest prices run around $900.00. That's twice what the 2610 costs. It may have some enhanced features, but I can't seem to find any information about you being able to pre-plan routes on the PC and then, load them into the TomTom. If this capability doesn't exits, then this alone would be the deal-killer for me and a lot of other bikers. When traveling, I like to plan my routes in advance and then, have the GPS guide me. Here's some examples of routes we're going to run next week at the Kickstand Lodge VTX rally:

http://kickstandlodge.com/maps/kens_routes/

[batman]

good routes Guitar. Heading up to Maggie Valley in 2 weeks just mapped the routes, thxs

[Guitar4Him]

good routes Guitar. Heading up to Maggie Valley in 2 weeks just mapped the routes, thxs

If you've never been to the "Wheels Through Time" museum be sure to check it out.

http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/

[mruiz31]

Thanks for the routes Ken. I downloaded all of them. I too have a Garmin 2610, and think it's the best. I have been to the area twice and it has some of the best riding around. I'm currently falling in love with Colorado since my son moved to Colo Springs last Summer, and I've done a little riding out there also.

[Big Wes]

I've been thinking of kicking out the $ for a GPS system for my VTX. Who has the best bike mounted GPS system, and the best price?

Thanks.

Whats the matter you gettin' lost on that Horse farm of yours? :lol: :lol: 8)

[VTX in VA]

Very cool. On of my requirements is that I can take the GPS from my VTX, to my mountain bike, to my brief case for business trips.

After looking at all of the information here it seems that the Quest 2 is the best solution. The 2610 is going to be too large to take from vehicle to business trip, or am I missing something?

Thanks all.

[Redrider33]

Ihave a Magellan Meridan Gold I bought at Walmart. I really like it and it works great. I had to order the handlebar mount for the GPS, which is perfect while your riding.

[batman]

Ya Guitar, been thru the W T T a couple of times. If I recall correctly there was a WW 1 or 2 HD with shaft drive, imagine that.

[fjr/vtx1300s]

I am a Long Distance rider and have a FJR1300 and a VTX1300. I have a set up in a tank bag for both bikes, different bags with a gps, mp3, phone and radar detector. All is powered in a tank bag which I power from a hot powerlet. The 2610 is now old hat, which I have and love. There is a 2730 which has XM radio added and a new 28XX series that is awesome. The Garmin is better for bikes cuz it has flash memory. TomTom has internal harddrive which is sensitive to vibration and has failed in the past. Most all the LD riders, Iron Butt Association, use Garmin. Waterproof. Great. If you are buying new get the new technology. But you can pick up some great deals on the 2610. 2 gig card loads all the US and most of Canada.

I need to put a mount on the bars of the VTX. I think i will go with the Ram ball mount. What size are the VTX bars? One inch? 3/4 inch? or?

[Coyote7864]

I got a Magellan Meridian Platinum for hiking a few years ago.
I should have waited for them to release the color unit,
by my unit works well and I am happy with it.
I purchased RAM mounts to mount it and my radar detector
on my bike.

I only use the Meridian on the bike when I go on long trips, and
I pull over to use it to find where I am, because I believe that
many folks, maybe most folks, are not as good as they think
they are at multi-tasking. I think when the vehicle is in motion,
the most important thing for you to do is to pay attention to
the road and the other vehicles around you and to control your
own vehicle and avoid accidents.

VTX handlebars are one inch diameter.



RAM mounts for GPS and radar detectors
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/2227mini174.jpg


Big Bike Switch assy GPS and Radar detector on RAM mounts
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/503/2227mini181.jpg


Rear view of Magellan Meridian RAM mount
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4349/4690mini205.jpg

Interior view of Magellan Meridian RAM mount
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/4349/4690mini207.jpg

[Guitar4Him]

Here's some pics of my Garmin 2610 and RAM mount:

http://home.triad.rr.com/tonemeister/pics/GPS-MyFi-1.jpg

http://home.triad.rr.com/tonemeister/pics/GPS-MyFi-2.jpg

[FletchRides]

VTX in VA,

You might want to visit www.buydig.com (http://www.buydig.com)

I purchased the Garmin Street Pilot 2730 from them. They had the best price that I could find. You may not want all of the features of the 2730, but you may like one of the other models. I chose the 2730 for its range of features as well as the fact that it is waterproof.

www.CycleGadgets.com (http://www.CycleGadgets.com) is another site that has GPS products, but what I purchased from them was a RAM mounting system to attach the GPS to my handle bars.

Safe Riding,



Jim

What he said. I have the Garmin 2610 and am very happy with it.

FletchRides

[VTXDrummer]

I currently own the Garmin V, but I'm getting ready to upgrade to the GPS 376C. I've been waiting for some reviews and found one today - http://www.angelridevideos.com/reviews/Garmin376C.html

I really like the idea of having the Doppler radar when riding. I once sat under a bridge for over an hour during a hard rain only to discover just a mile or so down the road it was dry as a bone!

I also have the RAM mounting system and was pleasantly suprised today to learn they make a locking knob to secure your GPS. I'll be getting one of those as well.

[vranswer]

Well, as usual I'm a bit different. I spent $150 and got the Magellan eXplorist 210. Screen's smaller than most mentioned in this thread, but the unit is ultra portable if you ever get into geocaching. Can sync up to a computer and upload maps to the tune of about 22MB (entire SE Texas region fits onto it).

I simply criss-crossed a pair of small flat material bungy chords on my handlebars, and stuck the eXplorist into an old Marware 4G iPod case I no longer use. The controls match up pretty close with the case's cut outs. It's a belt-clip style, so I simply yank up the bungy chords and 'clip' the case to them, right on top of my 1800R "VTX" logo. Some may not like the looks of it, but it suits me just fine and didn't cost an arm and a leg.