GPS choices

[NeilS]

Since there seems to be a bit of GPS discussion going on about now, it's time to ask again about options.

First, this seems to be a Garmin-oriented crowd. Anyone have any experience with the TomTom Rider (2)? Is it worth considering vs. a Zumo?

Second, I don't wear a headset while riding, so I don't care about spoken directions, Bluetooth, or XM radio. And I carry an iPod (soon to be iPhone), so I don't need MP3 in the GPS for off-bike music. So is there any reason to consider a Zumo 550 instead of a 450? Aside from (maybe) resale value, I can't think of one.

[OlyVR]

IIRC, the 450 does not come with a car cradle, whereas the 550 does.
So, if that is not an issue, then go for the 450.
For me the extra money that Garmin wants for the cradle made it easier for me to justify going for the 550.
I also use an ipod and have not used spoken directions on the bike, but they are nice to have in the car.

[famousperson]

I have the Zumo 550 which I now use, and will always use, strictly as a GPS (no mp3, no this, no that) without earphones. I could just as well be using the 450. If I was making the decision today between a 450 versus the Tom Tom, based on the reviews on Amazon, which is all the information I have, I would pick the Garmin.

Having said that, my impression of my Zumo is that it is a basic GPS, much like any other GPS except that it's waterproof. On a recent 1000 mile trip, I was able to compare the Zumo to a Nuvi on a turn by turn basis. As nearly as I can tell, the (software) innards are identical. You're paying extra for the waterproof case.

My son used his Nuvi wrapped in a zip-lock bag tucked under the map window of his tank bag. It may sound mickey mouse but it worked perfectly for him, as good as my Zumo did for me.

[deilenberger]

IMHO - there are people who bought Garmins and people who wish they bought a Garmin. I've actually BTDT - bought a weirdo Euro GPS for SWMBO - NaviGon. Features sounded great (text-to-speech, 3d views, lane views), but the reality is - it's harder to use so it doesn't get used. Luckily - it was cheap (and got cheaper.. seen on buy.com as a clearance item..)

I'm happy at the moment with the BMW branded and modified Navigator-III. It's more or less a cross between the Garmin 2720 (same display screen) and the 2730 (not quite the feature set as the 2730, no MP3 stuff) with Bluetooth. What makes it great for me:

- The BMW cradle with buttons for +/- (and others) - using the on screen +/- zoom control on my 2720 sucked big time. Not made for use with gloves and a quick stab at them.

- Bluetooth. I used to walk away from the 2720 yanking my head as I'd forgotten to unplug my Etymotic ear-buds. With the BT, I got a Bluetooth receiver/transmitter that is about the size/shape of a dogtag, that my ear-buds plug into, and it lives in my Roadcrafter pocket. Look mom! No wires! Works great, I get ~8 hours of GPS use from the dongle.

I believe the Zumo uses similar controls - big glove friendly ones, and has BT.. if so, it's probably a winner. The 2720 screen washes out in direct sunlight, not sure on Zumo, haven't used one. That - and the auto-light sensing for night use leaves the screen too dark for me are about the only complaints I have with the NAV-III.

[Dan-A]

Since there seems to be a bit of GPS discussion going on about now, it's time to ask again about options.

First, this seems to be a Garmin-oriented crowd. Anyone have any experience with the TomTom Rider (2)? Is it worth considering vs. a Zumo?

Second, I don't wear a headset while riding, so I don't care about spoken directions, Bluetooth, or XM radio. And I carry an iPod (soon to be iPhone), so I don't need MP3 in the GPS for off-bike music. So is there any reason to consider a Zumo 550 instead of a 450? Aside from (maybe) resale value, I can't think of one.

I bought the 60CSX for my KLR, the theory being that if I was on a dual sport ride and had to hike out for whatever reason, a battery operated handheld works for 10+ hours on 2 AA cells. I have since added the handlebar mount on the R and used it last weekend.

There are no voice commands, only visual instructions, both a graphical color display and a maneuver list. The routes can be loaded from City Navigator and downloaded to the unit. It is waterproof, cheap to move from bike to bike and a very good unit. The buttons are small however.

I am still looking to get a Zumo so I can replace an old Magellan in the truck, and have extra features on the bikes.

[kudzu]

Since there seems to be a bit of GPS discussion going on about now, it's time to ask again about options.

First, this seems to be a Garmin-oriented crowd. Anyone have any experience with the TomTom Rider (2)? Is it worth considering vs. a Zumo?

Second, I don't wear a headset while riding, so I don't care about spoken directions, Bluetooth, or XM radio. And I carry an iPod (soon to be iPhone), so I don't need MP3 in the GPS for off-bike music. So is there any reason to consider a Zumo 550 instead of a 450? Aside from (maybe) resale value, I can't think of one.

Motorcycle-Navigation.net, click here http://www.motorcycle-navigation.net/forum/, though not as active as you might wish, provides a great deal of information about all types of GPS devices and navigation issues. It's worth checking out.

[Lost Rider]

Since you don't want the extra gadgetry look into a Garmin Streepilot 2610 - you can get them cheap since they're the "old" model. maybe as low as $250 on ebay....
I've have a few GPS's and the StreetPilot is a great unit, with a nice big screen.
I just upgraded my map to the 2009, after I was routed in the wrong way because of new roads.

For a very active GPS forum look here:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37

[DrD]

I bought the 60CSX for my KLR, the theory being that if I was on a dual sport ride and had to hike out for whatever reason, a battery operated handheld works for 10+ hours on 2 AA cells. I have since added the handlebar mount on the R and used it last weekend.

If it works, how can you argue with it?

I have a Garmin eTrex Legend Cx (what a model designation) which I bought three years ago. It is for hiking, but for the amount and type of navigation I do on my bike it works OK. The buttons are difficult to manipulate with gloves on; OTOH, I get it set to what I want before I get underway. This unit will get me through another year, then I will see what the price/features landscape looks like.

[Dan-A]

I bought the 60CSX for my KLR, the theory being that if I was on a dual sport ride and had to hike out for whatever reason, a battery operated handheld works for 10+ hours on 2 AA cells. I have since added the handlebar mount on the R and used it last weekend.

If it works, how can you argue with it?

I have a Garmin eTrex Legend Cx (what a model designation) which I bought three years ago. It is for hiking, but for the amount and type of navigation I do on my bike it works OK. The buttons are difficult to manipulate with gloves on; OTOH, I get it set to what I want before I get underway. This unit will get me through another year, then I will see what the price/features landscape looks like.

Got the Zumo 550 and popped it on the bike for a ride yesterday. I used the internal battery (went dead after 4-5 hours) since I did not have time to do the wiring before the ride. The unit is much better than the 60CSX for riding as the display is bigger, brighter and easier to read, buttons are glove friendly, and the touch screen is much faster than scrolling for street name entries etc. The 3 d view is very intuative. I like the 60 CSX and will continue to use it for dirt rides on the KLR, but the Zumo is very easy to use and very easy to read.

Expensive, yes, worth it, I think so.

[ErikM]

I'll chime in here I just bought the Zumo 450 since I didn't need any of the 550's extra features. Paid $429.00 from Amazon no shipping since I'm an Amazon Prime member. I set it up woth the BMW mount, pricey but I like the positioning. NIce Item to have on the bike, go get lost then get un-lost.

[celticus]

I have the Garmin GPSmap 276C. I can't really speak of pros and cons except to say that this is a waterproof unit. I had to spend about $300 extra just to make this unit usable. I had to purchase a detailed map and a very expensive Garmin memory card. Hummm I guess I CAN speak of cons. If the wife hadn't bought me the unit in the first place all of the extras would have chapped her a bit. Oh yeah I had to purchase a cigarette lighter adapter with speaker for use in the car also. It was cheaply made and broke soon. It is now held together with super glue. It is an expensive toy that I do NOT fully appreciate yet. And it clutters up the looks of my bike.
Mark

[Echo]

You can get refurbished 2720/2730 (unbundled) units for about 250.00 or less.

My refurbished units are more reliable than my brand new ones.

[celticus]

Does that come with a detailed map?
Mark

[Echo]

The 2720/2730 comes with a detailed map.

I just noticed that "GPS for sale" website has the refurbished 2720 for 179.00

[Graf]

....just an FYI.....found zumo 550 for $460
http://www.techondigital.com/product.as ... id=zumo550

[NeilS]

....just an FYI.....found zumo 550 for $460

...and the same site has the 450 for $365. Seems too good to be true. What's the catch? Anyone know anything about these guys?

[Dan-A]

OffRoute.com

https://www.offroute.com/

They are competitively priced and you can call them and they know the products. Fred rides, so you can call him and he can help you from an Adventure Touring point of view.

[famousperson]

....just an FYI.....found zumo 550 for $460
http://www.techondigital.com/product.as ... id=zumo550

Something probably ain't right...

[AllanCook]

With all due respect, am I the only rider left on the planet who doesn't have GPS and who doesn't care about it? I guess it's cool and all, but my map-reading skills have done me just fine so far. And that's pretty far, I'm happy to say.

[famousperson]

With all due respect, am I the only rider left on the planet who doesn't have GPS and who doesn't care about it? I guess it's cool and all, but my map-reading skills have done me just fine so far. And that's pretty far, I'm happy to say.

I use maps to pick a route, get an idea of relative distances, a sense of where I am in general. I couldn't do without them. My GPS just tells me where the next turn is and how far.