Gps

ATTS

ATTS

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The search function wont let you type in GPS only and I don't want to have to type in every brand by name so just wondering anyone have a GPS they can shed some light on. Looking to add it to my xmas list.

- Brand
- Motorcycle specific or general car one
- Price Range
- Pros and Cons of said GPS.

Thanks.
 
Different units depending on your budget.

Top of the list the Garmin Zumo 660/5:
Waterproof, glove friendly, comes with everything you need to wire to your bike battery and mount on your bike, plus car kit. Fast, some nice features, virtually perfect for motorcycling.
http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/garmin/zumo-660.html

Going for a cheaper more budget system, the only other one I would look at would be the Garmin Nuvi 550.
Waterproof, cheap. You would need to buy the motorcycling wiring and mount, but they are not that pricey.
http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/garmin/nuvi550.html
People will give you cheap Canadian tire models you can hack and all that, I prefer my stuff to work out of the box.
 
ATTS said:
The search function wont let you type in GPS only and I don't want to have to type in every brand by name so just wondering anyone have a GPS they can shed some light on. Looking to add it to my xmas list.

- Brand
- Motorcycle specific or general car one
- Price Range
- Pros and Cons of said GPS.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

When this happens (with any site) go to google.com and type in your search: ie. gtamotorcycle gps recommendation
 
kiwi said:
When this happens (with any site) go to google.com and type in your search: ie. gtamotorcycle gps recommendation
Click to expand...

did you try that? If not, try it and let me know if that's helpful for my question. If that usually works then thanks I'll try it again next time.
 
Thanks, I'll have to go check some out in person and will definately check that one out.

Anyone use anything other than Garmin?
 
Bought a cheap CTA Ndrive on sale for $39 and zipped it in the clear plastic pouch on my tank bag. Work well for me all season. Battery last around 3 hours. Need to wire it to the battery.
Also used the suction holder on my tank with no problem. Also carry a map - just in case the GPS dies.

Cheers
 
ATTS said:
Thanks, I'll have to go check some out in person and will definately check that one out.

Anyone use anything other than Garmin?
Click to expand...

I've used a few, and garmin are the best. TomTom are ****. Just get the cheaper one and wire it yourself, you can get the stuff from CT for like $5
 
ATTS said:
The search function wont let you type in GPS only and I don't want to have to type in every brand by name so just wondering anyone have a GPS they can shed some light on. Looking to add it to my xmas list.

- Brand
- Motorcycle specific or general car one
- Price Range
- Pros and Cons of said GPS.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Next time try "GPS*" and you will get tons of threads. This comes up once every 2 months


I have a Garmin Etrex Legend Hcx. Love it and would not use anything else.

Pros? waterproof, 36 hours battery life (AA), works with gloves on, works great in direct sunlight, upload and download routes, geocaching....
 
I bought a used Zumo 550. The thing is awesome. You can program in routes and call them up easy. Made for motorcycles. Has all kinds of bells and whistles. Waterproof and easy to read/view in all but the brightest glare conditions. The mount is perfect and makes it easy to remove and install when you want to take it off the bike.
 
Splash said:
Next time try "GPS*" and you will get tons of threads. This comes up once every 2 months


I have a Garmin Etrex Legend Hcx. Love it and would not use anything else.

Pros? waterproof, 36 hours battery life (AA), works with gloves on, works great in direct sunlight, upload and download routes, geocaching....
Click to expand...

The big con on that unit is the screen size. Smaller then a business card.
 
atss2006 said:
I bought a used Zumo 550. The thing is awesome. You can program in routes and call them up easy. Made for motorcycles. Has all kinds of bells and whistles. Waterproof and easy to read/view in all but the brightest glare conditions. The mount is perfect and makes it easy to remove and install when you want to take it off the bike.
Click to expand...

I had the Zumo 550 on my old '06 GS, but sold it with the bike. I have the Zumo 660 on my new GSA. I do like the features of the 660 over the 550, but the 550 felt way more sturdy, like a tank.
 
wonderings said:
The big con on that unit is the screen size. Smaller then a business card.
Click to expand...

I agree the screen is on the smaller size but it's never been a problem. Ask anyone on this site that actually have and used one and they will all tell you it's the perfect size.
 
Hey ATTS... search for "gps*". That'll get you some results.

BTW... getting lost is half the fun ;)
 
Last edited:
SLaP said:
Hey ATTS... search for "gps*". That'll get you some results.

BTW... getting lost is half the fun ;)
Click to expand...

I am looking at getting it for out of province rides. Easier than using the piece of paper on the tank and having to stop and keep switching sheets.
 
Love my Nuvi 550 and picked up a marine mount for $40 on sale. Works great rain or shine.
 
Splash said:
I agree the screen is on the smaller size but it's never been a problem. Ask anyone on this site that actually have and used one and they will all tell you it's the perfect size.
Click to expand...

well it is subjective to what you like, but when it comes to a GPS, I dont want something that small. Ultimately, what works for you is the best device on the market.
 
ATTS said:
Thanks, I'll have to go check some out in person and will definately check that one out.

Anyone use anything other than Garmin?
Click to expand...

In my job I got to talk to the guy that tests GPS's for the US military. He says the garmins are the best of the comercial units.

My unit has been discontinued (765T) but it has features such as traffic, bluetooth, mp3 playback, and fm transmitter. On the bike I don't use the fm transmitter or the special traffic antenna but in the car I use all those features (it works as a speaker phone using your stereo for your cellphone). The touch screen could be better but it works with my gloves; it would be nice if it was water proof but I haven't had any problems putting a zip lock bag over it on the bike. One other feature that would have been worth having is lifetime map updates (though if you know what you are doing you can find a way around this). It takes memory cards so you can add more maps/music.

on the bike I have the bluetooth synced to my blue tooth head set so that I can listen to music and have it pause the music and tell me the directions so i don't have to look down taking my eyes off the road.

other features are that you can hard wire a power cable into the bike, multiple routes and tracks plus it tracks your route so you can follow the bread crumbs back the way you came.

it will also keep track of mileage and fill ups
 
I got a refurb Garmin 1490T at Tigerdirect in May for $130, a ram mount and I wired it into the battery with an Eastern Beaver kit. Whole thing was about $220. Has 10 route capability and with MS Streets & Trips software on my PC ($50) and the ability to upload GPX files that riding buddies do it has proven to be very versatile this year on 3 trips totalling about 7,500km. Not waterproof, but a sandwich baggie fits it perfectly so I always have a few on hand. No problem with gloves operating it either.

A Zumo and same accessories would be almost 3 times the $220 I paid and the Garmin does a perfectly adequate job, so you don't absolutely need a MC GPS. The 1490T was at the right price point for me as I absolutely had to have uploadable route capability. 10 routes is more than enough as on the road someone always has a notebook, so I just bring my interface cable to upload the new and revised routes we do on the road.
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