Experience with GPS

[Perfj]

I consider to install a GPS on the bike.
I just wondered if you normally select a model with sound transfer to a wired headset or bluetooth headset - or will it be ok to only have the screen to look at.
What do you recommend?


I have a Sony Ericsson C702 with build in AGPS, but the battery only last for about one hour when the GPS is activated. So that is really no good.
When you are totally lost and you want to call a friend, you are out of battery :liar:

 

[Drinky]

I have a Garmin Zumo 660, its great, comes in a complete package with the stuff to mount it. You can use a BT headset, but I just use the screen.

The reason I chose the pricy 660 was the mapsource software and uploading and downloading routes you took. In europe there are LOTS of great premade routes to download for the 660.

 

[Cloggy]

I have the Garmin Zumo 550, it was the forerunner to the 660 and is totally waterproof. I use it with a bluetooth headset and its ideal. i sometimes only use the (reasonably large) screen for navigating but I think it's always handy to have spoken commands, especially in busy area's.

As Tim (Drinky) says there are plenty of sites with GPS routes (in Holland) and most are for the Garmin.

The 660 is definately the best GPS for a bike at the moment but now the 550's have been replaced you might find a second hand one for a reasonable price.

 

[Dennis in NH]

I've a Tomtom One (maybe cost less than $100; far less if used) and a Ram Mount. Great tool -- plus, you can tell your real speed vs. the inaccurate speedo.

I don't use the voice because I just want to pay attention to the road (can't hear it) and not have to unhook so much when I mount/dismount the bike. I look at the screen when riding once in a while to know how to get home. It's also good when you don't know the road that well because it can tell you if an otherwise unexpected curve is coming.

I'll look into a used Zumo 550 due to the new Zumo 660 coming out -- hopefully, I can get a good price -- at the time, the Zumos were just to darn pricey not to mention, I don't want to worry about it getting lost or stolen.

For my Tomtom, it's old and not that much functionality -- so I'm not worried if it gets stolen because then it's a good excuse to buy something new .

Dennis

 

[huxy]

The Garmin Zumos are really nice but I couldn't justify the cost (£400) when I already had a Garmin Nuvi so mounted that instead. It works fine for finding your way around, even without sound in the helmet and is much cheaper.

With the addition of a cigarette lighter socket it can also be powered from the bike easily so doesn't run out of juice.

There's some pictures at


Hux's Bike Blog: GPS... mark II

Hope that helps.

 

[texcollect]

Like Dennis I use a Tomtom one, a RAM mount and I power mine via a powerlet plug on inside of the fairing.

I use some software called TYRE (Trace Your Route Anywhere) to create routes and download them to the GPS. The only problem I have found is sometimes the routing algorithm in the Tomtom does not agree with TYRE and tries to send me down some roads I didn't want to go down, but then that's all part of the adventure.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

I was just recently in a similar situation as you. Looking for the right GPS & how to hook up power and mount.

I could not justify spending over $600 USD for a motorcycle specific GPS. I ended up purchasing a Garmin Nuvi 1200 just over $100 USD.

It came with a windshield mount using a suction cup. I also purchased the extended two year warranty for a very small price, so just in case the GPS fails for any reason due to vibration, etc. I can return it and receive a new one.

As far as the mount, I was able to utilize the suction cup and mount it onto the inside of the upper side of my windscreen. It's protected from the wind and rain as long as you are moving. It's high enough and centrally located so whenever you need to look at the GPS, your head & eyes are still up. You are not looking down, which is a huge safety issue. I've never had an issue with the unit falling off, however it may if you come across a series of huge bumps.

I used a weather resistant cigarette lighter socket for power. I actually wired the accessory directly to the battery terminal and used two small zip ties using the small holes that are used for the rubber cover that goes around the bottom of the mirrors. No drilling or glueing. Took me 5 minutes. Only issue I had was that I know have two wire running from the socket to the battery which is dangling besides my inner fairing. I will have to clean this up by possibly using some wire wrap.

Sorry no pics at this time, but maybe soon.

 

[Davey]

I've got a Tomtom Rider v2 - it's great, fully waterproof and comes with the RAM mount and a bluetooth headset. You can link your phone to it as well and make calls to points of interest located on your maps etc.

I actually tend not to use the bluetooth headset these days as I get annoyed with hearing the commands all the time. I just use the screen - I look at how far it is until the next command and thus relax or pay attention accordingly!

They are expensive though, and I've seen lots of others use cheaper, non-bike specific GPS, a RAM mount and a waterproof case instead. You can save a lot that way! I think they are great bits of kit, but think about your budget and what you want for your money.

 

[Rob2222]

I have some pictures of a Garmin GPSMap60 and a Nuvi250T (not water resistant) mounted on my FZ6. If you wanna see it: http://www.rob2222.de/fz6/mods/
BR Robert

PS: Using the waterproof GPSMap60 with optic only, its absolutely enough for me.