Thinking of buy a GPS unit.

[TexasExInMinnesota]

For those who own a GPS and have experence using one, what are the major features that I should look for when buying a GPS for my VTX1300. Which Brands and model are the best.

[Guitar4Him]

Get a Garmin 2610. It's the most popular GPS ever for bikes. There's a good reason for that popularity. Currently, the price for a refurbished one (with a 2-year warranty) is $449.00 from:

http://www.getfeetwet.com

Here's some pics:

http://home.triad.rr.com/tonemeister/pics/GPS-MyFi-1.jpg
http://home.triad.rr.com/tonemeister/pics/GPS-MyFi-2.jpg

[CasperVTX]

For those who own a GPS and have experence using one, what are the major features that I should look for when buying a GPS for my VTX1300. Which Brands and model are the best.

I bought a Garmin Rino 530. This may not be the choice for you, but I was very happy with it on a 2600 mile trip through New Mexico. More importantly, I bought the cheap Garmin mount for it and it worked great.

http://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp?sk ... 10573%2D00 (http://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp?sku=010%2D10573%2D00)

No sense in spending a bunch of money on a mount if it doesn't do any better job. I mounted it where Guitar4Him shows his in the pictures. It tilts up and down and works great in the daylight. Nighttime is different as I never looked to see if I could keep the backlight on all the time. I'd have to push a button to make it light up so I could read it. But most of my night riding is local, not out on an adventure.

Anyway, the Rino series includes a FRS/GMRS two-way radio including weather radio, but it may be more than you need or want to buy. Make sure you go with a larger memory if you travel a lot. My 54meg memory is good, but I'd still like more so I wouldn't have to load stuff each time I go on a new trip. That's if you buy the street maps which are really nice.

Side note:

I went to Omaha last week and found a pizza place with my GPS map. Searched for "pizza" and it listed the address and phone number. I ordered over the phone and clicked "go to" and it told me where to pick up the pizza. Great stuff.

You won't go wrong with a Garmin as long as you do your homework.

[netdoug]

For those who own a GPS and have experence using one, what are the major features that I should look for when buying a GPS for my VTX1300. Which Brands and model are the best.

weather resistance

large, bright display

large enough memory to upload your entire route/riding area

easy to manipulate when underway

I've gotten hooked on the Garmin units (276C+ currently). I'd look for good reports on durability, ease of use, route/waypoint planning software, and good ergonimics.

Doug

[Juan Valdez]

I have the Garmin 2610 and I love it. Just came back from a 6500 miles cross country trip and It saved my life. Used continuously. Gives you everything you need.

[meridien]

I just took the gps plunge and bought a Garmin 2610. It came with v7 of the mapping software and I gather that the release of v8 is imminent. As you've read here, the compactflash (CF) for map storage is the best choice for bikes as a lot of other models include a built-in hard drive that motorcycle vibration will trash while the CF card goes on and on.

I am trying to figure out the best mount, but I've tried it in the car and cannot wait to get a good mount worked out on the Neo.

You should check into your insurance while you're deciding how to hook it up. Many policies will only cover hard-wired accessories - if it just plugs in, it ain't covered. Don't get caught in that fine print.

[Tejas_Ranger]

Which Brands and model are the best?

All you will get when you ask a question like that are what the user of thier brand thinks. It just like the questions which bikes to buy, which oil is better, which tire to buy, what tire pressure to run.

We can only answer to what we have used. Then it's just our opinion.


a lot of other models include a built-in hard drive that motorcycle vibration will trash while the CF card goes on and on.

Some models use hard drives some use flash cards. What would you rather use? I don't know about all units that have hard drives, but if your unit has one that is made for motorcycles you shouldn't have a problem because of vibration. It was made with that in mind.

I'd recommend you go out to the GPS sites and do research and then make your mind up based on what you read for the features you want. Also, check units actually working and see how they look and feel. Just because a reviewer writes something doesn't mean you will like it once you see the unit working.


With all the above comments I have a lorance Iway 500 C. It's water proof, has a hard drive. All maps are in it and I have 20 g of storae for my own MP3's. Some have had problems with it. Some haven't. I'm one of the ones that haven't and I use mine just about everyday if not on the maps for the music I have stored on it. My unit is a few months short of being a year old and I'm very pleased with it and it's operation.


But I'd recommend that you still do your own research to find what features, how much, and anything else you an think that you want. Then match those things up to the units you check out.


Tejas

[RAlfes]

When I decided to get a GPS, I looked for a few things. It needed to mount to the motorcycle, which means there needed to be a manufacturer supported way of motorcycle mounting. That eliminates the warranty issue of misuse. It needed to be weatherproof and have voice prompting (most new ones do). For me it needed to be portable so I could use it in the car and even on my non-motorized bike. It also needed to be affordable.

What I ended up getting was the Garmin Quest II. It is pocket sized, has an optional motorcycle mount and wiring, and can be dropped in a bucket of water and still work. The drwaback is that being a more portable device it has a slightly smaller screen, but for me it is large enough and bright enough to be seen well.

I was able to get one for under $500. The reatail is $749 (I think). I liked the bigger and newer devices on the market, but I didn't want to spend the $1000 retail plus for some of them. Look for a deal on somthing that will fit your need, there are several out there and it becomes a personal choice.

My only recomendations are to get one that is weatherproof and is designed to be used on a motorcycle. Everything else is based on what features you want and how much budget you have.

//Rex

[jcctx]

A friend of mine bought a 2610 refub yesterday for $379. I also have a 2610 and love it.

[Blade]

Having used a Garmin StreetPilot III Deluxe ("SPIII") GPS on my bike for 3+ years now, here are some features or qualities I've personally found most useful or would otherwise try to ensure were present if I were purchasing a unit for the first time:

1. Large, Readable Display -- what good will it be to you if you can't discern where the turns are or have to squint; not to mention the safety aspect of taking your eyes off the road longer than necessary? Nonetheless, viewing this active map and continually having your bearings is the main purpose of a GPS, so.....

2a. "Talking" GPS-- Following the dictum that the least amount of time you have to take your eyes off the road is better, when a unit supplementally audibly gives you directions you will virtually not have to look at the screen (this presupposes you will use some type of earplug or headset); further, if you swap out your GPS into your car (and why utilize it solely for your bike...?) this is an absolute must-have.

2b. "Talking" GPS with Road Names-- My SPIII does not have this but some of the new premier models do. Instead of hearing "In 1 mile, turn right," it will give you more meaningful instructions such as, "In 1 mile, turn right at Walnut St."

3. Easily Operable WITH Gloves-- You absolutely shouldn't operate a GPS while your bike's wheels are turning, but who with a GPS has not...? If you must, it is EXTREMELY wise to use a unit that requires only one gloved-finger jab to activate a setting or menu.

4. Fast Re-Mapping -- If you take a wrong turn, or otherwise get off-route (and believe me, you will), you need to know as quickly as possible what road(s) to take to get to your destination as quickly as possibly. While all GPS units will re-map (figure out a new route based on your new location), regrettably not all of them (such as my SPIII) accomplishes this within an expeditions amount of time, 10 seconds or less (you MUST give it time to recalculate the new route after all). I would keep a keen eye open for people and/or reviews who without hesitation state that when you do go off-route that their GPS recalculated or re-mapped them back within a reasonably short amount of time so that they do not miss a second critical turn or exit.

5. Miscellaneous Features-- I would not be so concerned with a unit being weatherproof. My SPIII happens to be a unit that will allow you to immerse it in 10 feet of water, but personally, if it rains, I'm simply NOT riding the bike; if you feel the same way then don't worry about this (otherwise you can always use a baggie in an emergency). Similarly, and regarding map area, these days even the most basic unit will be able to give you enough land (say 500-1,000 miles) to tackle almost any overnight or weekend trip. If you travel cross-country a lot, then many higher-end units come with the entire US pre-loaded; otherwise this is really not anything you need to be overly concerned about.

6. Power -- On a motorcycle I would absolutely recommend you hard-wire it to your bike for a continuous unwavering power connection. All serious vehicle GPS units are powered this way (and some like mine allow additional or supplemental use of batteries), but I would unhesitatingly wave off purchasing a GPS that operated exclusively on batteries (unless you do not plan on operating it long or it does not have battery-eating features such as a color map, or a talking feature).

7. Brand/Model Recommendation -- As previously mentioned, you will normally just get users extolling the virtues of their particular unit, since only a few of us have used more than one (I've used two brands/models). HOWEVER, I would unequivocally say that you absolutely cannot go wrong with any or most models sold by GARMIN. They are totally solid, have been in the consumer GPS business for many years and have a consumer and technical support staff and resources that seem to me to be second to none. Also, you can always find great deals on a Garmin (e.g., Amazon.com). But all this is not a hard and fast rule. In the last 5 years or so there have been a plethora of new companies and models that are just as worthy and competitive and you would do yourself a great disservice not to explore unbiased 3rd-party technical and practical reviews. Beyond that I would purchase the absolute best unit you can afford. Even today my SPIII has a cornucopia of advanced features I use constantly, and the quality is such that as far as I know it will never stop operating. So, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (or at least the purchase of a "new and improved" unit within 4 years). :wink:

Best of luck, and when you finally get your model, remember to ride safe.... and GET LOST!!!!

Ex-Flagship Model of the Garmin Line, the StreetPilot III Deluxe
(pictured with an optional sunscreen)
http://static.flickr.com/16/91881640_787f067355.jpg

[OldSchool]

I recently bought the 2720 model, based upon the recommendation of some fellow riders in my local Club. Good move! It is very easy to read, even with my eyesight - just starting to wear reading glasses. Screen info seems sufficiently large for me to read without glasses.

Navigation is very easy and the unit allows me to take roads not on the offered route. The 2720 recalculates the route to my destination on the fly as I take some interesting detours (as long as you turn off the U-turn function). Maps are pre loaded and are very comprehensive. So I am not fu%$#@ing around with the computer every time I want to go somewhere.

Other issues with this model include: it has high vibration resistance, which I am told is an issue for GPS; the unit is weather resistant; and Garmin is now marketing the 2720 and 2730 as their high-end motorcycle units (2730 is the same as the 2720 but with XM radio, etc). Garmin is also marketing the Quest and Quest II as their other "motorcycle-preferred" units, along with the GPSMAP 276C (which includes preloaded marine maps (not big issue for bikes, I hope).

Hope this helps... GPS is fun to use, great for keeping track of your day-tripping, and really does keep you from getting lost - when you get adventureous. I have even discovered some new short cuts in my region - and I thought that I was fairly savy in that regard.

[VTX RUDY]

I just picked up a Garmin NUVI 350 love the size, features,ease of mounting it to windshield.

[Lax]

Here's what I've figured out while researching Garmins. It's kind of tough because the website comparison charts are not up to date with the latest models.

I believe the Americas Autoroute and the North America Navigator NT are the same map but different compression algorithms. The NAVTEQ (NT) map version is required for integration with XM NAVTRAFFIC data ($3.99/month or $9.99/month service).

The Garmin GPSMAP 376c and 378 can display NEXRAD and other weather info from XM Radio's weather service. Very cool but pricey for the service (minimum $50 set up fee and $30 per month). They do have internal batteries which the streetpilot 2610 and 27xx models do not have. The 376c requires an additional CD of maps and maybe an expansion card to match the 378 or Streetpilot 27xx series. The 376c uses highly overpriced proprietary Garmin memory cards ($190 for 512MB card) unlike the 2610 which uses CF cards that go for about $50 for a 1 GB card. The 2610 is a discontinued model.

I decided to order the Garmin 2730 from Costco. The current price is $800 and they have a good return policy. It has the entire map preloaded and POIs can be added.

I looked at the Nuvi. I love the form factor but it appears the map is limited (North America Lite) and you cannot predefine routes but only enter a destination.

[xxxrider]

Just bought the Garmin 2730 because I don't need Bluetooth capability as I probably want need my cell phone attached. I am hooking it up to a Autocom Super Pro AVI unit so I can have rider/passenger intercom, GPS, XM Radio, and possible cell phone usage if I want. Expensive but very nice with ambient noise sensor and alot of other features such as noise cancelling and priority settings.

[Berty]

I bought my GPS from Garmin about 3 years ago. It's IQue3600 and I got it because it's Garmin combine with Palm Pilot, so I also have my notes, phone numbers, etc. A GPS unit will never sell me on the quality of their map: when I'm riding I cannot be bothered to look at a 3"X5" map. I need voice, to feed into my earphone. The IQue 3600 has a few voices to chose from. I chose the British babe: when SHE yells at me for being off route, I really don't mind. The feature I like the best is that it allows me to specify what type of transport I have: bike, motorcycle, truck, bus..Sometime I like to specify 'bicycle' and it will bring me home on scenic routes, away from highway. I have it velcro'd to a very nice stand from Saeng. Love it! :) :)

[xxxrider]

I have my cellphone with me that has my phone numbers and is a PDA because it is a Samsung SCH-I730 Smart PC Phone. I don't use it unless I stop for gas as I believe cellphones are too distracting for any driver but a motorcycle rider has to pay attention all the time because there are so many crazy drivers out there not paying attention to their driving but talking on that DAMN cell phone.

I just love the Screen especially in 3D Track Up because it shows the turns of the road ahead as if you were in a helicopter 100 feet up, so that is a nice feature but I don't stay glued to the screen because you need to be watching everything around you. I have the British Babe talking to me and that is nice also. I love being able to pinpoint where you are going and then looking for a POI to target in on and then just say GOTO. Very nice apparatus especially for a bike when you are just being adventurous and not just trying to get from point A to point B as fast as you can.

[Redrider33]

I have a Magellan meridian gold and love it. It works excelent and is a lot cheaper than the other ones.