Hi all
I’m sure this question has been raised before and answered many times over, but I’ve not been able to find the past-posts that have the answer…
I’ve decided to go for a SatNav for my 2007 R1200R, but am a little put off by what’s available! Firstly the BMW option is a little too expensive, the rest look fine but I’m not sure what’s good and what’s not.
Basically I think I’d like to buy one of the cheaper car SatNavs and adapt it to my bike (that way I still have the option to use it in the car should I need to). Do the car versions have mounts that can be used on a bike? Can you buy Car-to-bike mounts? Also I believe the power supply is hidden somewhere under the tank; is it easily accessible and will it fit and power any SatNav?
A friend of mine (whom is just as cheap as I am) uses a £60 el-cheapo SatNav on his Suzuki Bandit, which he charges up at home, then places under the map section of his Tank Bag to protect it from the elements. I’d like to have a bit of a neater solution myself!
Thanks in advance!
SatNav on the cheap!
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deilenberger
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Re: SatNav on the cheap!
Assuming we're talking GPS (SatNav).. there are people who bought a Garmin, and the people who wish they had. I'd suggest not trying to do this on the cheap..
I've been using GPS's in various forms for a number of years, and have come to the following conclusions:
- Using the right GPS correctly can help with safety, trying to use the wrong GPS can be unsafe.
- Where it's mounted is really important. You want it easily accessable to your left hand (since it's easier to remove it from the bars) and where you can view it with minimum eye movement from the road.
- Motorcycle specific models are actually worth the $$
- Bluetooth is a great thing
OK - details on these conclusions:
- Safe use: If the GPS causes you to become distracted, trying to read it, understand it, operate it - it is unsafe. If the GPS lets you concentrate on riding - it can enhance safety. The TTS (text to speech) models that announce each action (Turn RIGHT on XYZ street 300 feet ahead) enhance safety - you don't have to look at them. A GPS that doesn't talk to you, requires you to look at it for upcoming directions, doesn't tell you the NAME of the street ("Turn RIGHT 300 feet ahead) - causes you to become distracted and is unsafe.
- LOCATION, location, location: If you have to move your eyes significantly from your view of the road, the distraction becomes greater. It's the reason manufacturers put the instruments where they do.. I've tried GPS's on near the ends of the bars - I found they caused way too much distraction for me (I'm mono-simple-minded apparently.. a male trait..) Keep the GPS where you can EASILY glance at it. For me - that's right over the instruments. I have tried one in a map pocket, this is a very BAD idea. Aside from the head movement required to view it - the focal distance is all wrong for anyone with eyes over 50 years old.. it will be very distracting there. BAD idea IMHO.
- Motorcycle specific models: Take into account our needs. Car ones don't. Working the average touch-screen GPS with gloves on is not only frustrating - it's unsafe (remember any distraction from RIDING is basically unsafe..) I have a Garmin 2720 and a BMW-Navigator-III. I found the 2720 to be a great GPS, but not so great on the bike. I often want to zoom in/out - see local detail, then back out for the general view. Piece of cake to do on the BMW-Nav-III, it has +/- buttons. PITA and distracting on the 2720 that only does this via the touch screen. More often than not - the 2720 would misintrepret my gloved finger and think I wanted to mark a point.. requiring me to hit it several more times to get it back to just viewing where I am. ALL that time, I was distracted from what should be my primary concern - riding. ZUMO is designed around a motorcyclists needs - buttons (left side even!) and large press-on-screen prompts that respond well to gloved fingers. The difference isn't performance (the 2720 and NAV-III are basically the same) - the difference is safety when riding. Bike specific models are also waterproof, and this is important. A GPS is useless if you have to hide it away when it starts raining (which is when it's REALLY handy to have..)
- Bluetooth is great: Before I got Bluetooth (NAV-III has it as does ZUMO, and I'm not sure what other Garmin bike friendly models), I was attached to the bike by wires (I wear ear-buds, good ones Etyomotic's) that I'd forget to disconnect when walking away from the bike. OUCH. When I got the NAV-III which is bluetooth compatible, I bought a small bluetooth dongle from Jabra (the size of a dog-tag basically), and I connect my earbuds to it, and stick it in my Aerostitch pocket. It connects to my GPS from about 20' away.. no wires, no ouch.
That's my rough thoughts on GPS/bike use.. YMMV and you may be quite happy with something simpler than I am, but my tastes evolved over using them for a number of years. I originally tried using a PDA based GPS in the tank bag - BAD idea, very unsafe. Worked fine in the car, bad idea in the bike. I then bought my first Garmin (GPS-III) - which used buttons and worked well on the bike. It was a simple unit, easy to operate and read, but no voice guidance.. I graduated to the GPS-V, and eventually to a Quest (first one I owned with voice guidance, but not TTS..) On the car side - I tried a number of other brands, and found - none worked as well for me as Garmins. Went through a number of other touch-screen GPSs (2610, 2720) and finally got the BMW-NAV-III. I'm happy with the NAV-III, but I am waiting for the ZUMO to become 2nd generation so I can consider getting it. I usually try for 2nd-generation stuff - that's when there are deals on them. Refurbished by Garmin units are also excellent, and they stand behind them. Garmin service in general is wonderful - often repairing units well out of warranty for no-charge.
I've been using GPS's in various forms for a number of years, and have come to the following conclusions:
- Using the right GPS correctly can help with safety, trying to use the wrong GPS can be unsafe.
- Where it's mounted is really important. You want it easily accessable to your left hand (since it's easier to remove it from the bars) and where you can view it with minimum eye movement from the road.
- Motorcycle specific models are actually worth the $$
- Bluetooth is a great thing
OK - details on these conclusions:
- Safe use: If the GPS causes you to become distracted, trying to read it, understand it, operate it - it is unsafe. If the GPS lets you concentrate on riding - it can enhance safety. The TTS (text to speech) models that announce each action (Turn RIGHT on XYZ street 300 feet ahead) enhance safety - you don't have to look at them. A GPS that doesn't talk to you, requires you to look at it for upcoming directions, doesn't tell you the NAME of the street ("Turn RIGHT 300 feet ahead) - causes you to become distracted and is unsafe.
- LOCATION, location, location: If you have to move your eyes significantly from your view of the road, the distraction becomes greater. It's the reason manufacturers put the instruments where they do.. I've tried GPS's on near the ends of the bars - I found they caused way too much distraction for me (I'm mono-simple-minded apparently.. a male trait..) Keep the GPS where you can EASILY glance at it. For me - that's right over the instruments. I have tried one in a map pocket, this is a very BAD idea. Aside from the head movement required to view it - the focal distance is all wrong for anyone with eyes over 50 years old.. it will be very distracting there. BAD idea IMHO.
- Motorcycle specific models: Take into account our needs. Car ones don't. Working the average touch-screen GPS with gloves on is not only frustrating - it's unsafe (remember any distraction from RIDING is basically unsafe..) I have a Garmin 2720 and a BMW-Navigator-III. I found the 2720 to be a great GPS, but not so great on the bike. I often want to zoom in/out - see local detail, then back out for the general view. Piece of cake to do on the BMW-Nav-III, it has +/- buttons. PITA and distracting on the 2720 that only does this via the touch screen. More often than not - the 2720 would misintrepret my gloved finger and think I wanted to mark a point.. requiring me to hit it several more times to get it back to just viewing where I am. ALL that time, I was distracted from what should be my primary concern - riding. ZUMO is designed around a motorcyclists needs - buttons (left side even!) and large press-on-screen prompts that respond well to gloved fingers. The difference isn't performance (the 2720 and NAV-III are basically the same) - the difference is safety when riding. Bike specific models are also waterproof, and this is important. A GPS is useless if you have to hide it away when it starts raining (which is when it's REALLY handy to have..)
- Bluetooth is great: Before I got Bluetooth (NAV-III has it as does ZUMO, and I'm not sure what other Garmin bike friendly models), I was attached to the bike by wires (I wear ear-buds, good ones Etyomotic's) that I'd forget to disconnect when walking away from the bike. OUCH. When I got the NAV-III which is bluetooth compatible, I bought a small bluetooth dongle from Jabra (the size of a dog-tag basically), and I connect my earbuds to it, and stick it in my Aerostitch pocket. It connects to my GPS from about 20' away.. no wires, no ouch.
That's my rough thoughts on GPS/bike use.. YMMV and you may be quite happy with something simpler than I am, but my tastes evolved over using them for a number of years. I originally tried using a PDA based GPS in the tank bag - BAD idea, very unsafe. Worked fine in the car, bad idea in the bike. I then bought my first Garmin (GPS-III) - which used buttons and worked well on the bike. It was a simple unit, easy to operate and read, but no voice guidance.. I graduated to the GPS-V, and eventually to a Quest (first one I owned with voice guidance, but not TTS..) On the car side - I tried a number of other brands, and found - none worked as well for me as Garmins. Went through a number of other touch-screen GPSs (2610, 2720) and finally got the BMW-NAV-III. I'm happy with the NAV-III, but I am waiting for the ZUMO to become 2nd generation so I can consider getting it. I usually try for 2nd-generation stuff - that's when there are deals on them. Refurbished by Garmin units are also excellent, and they stand behind them. Garmin service in general is wonderful - often repairing units well out of warranty for no-charge.
Don Eilenberger - NJ Shore
2012 R1200R - I love this bike!
2012 R1200R - I love this bike!
Re: SatNav on the cheap!
I've been working with GPS since before the constellation was complete and I have to second the opinion on Garmin - you'll eventually end up there, so why not simplify life and start there. Deilenberger got it right...
1. Motorcycles get wet (in my world). Automotive units don't like water. Motorcycle units are designed to continue working when rain is hitting the unit horizontally at 100mph.
2. Minor distractions in a car are (sometimes) acceptable; on a bike they can be disaster. When you've only got time for a glance and your fingers are covered in gloves, the units built for cars are going to be a challenge to use.
3. RAM makes mounts for locating GPS units on the bars. You want the unit where you can see it without having to make large head movements. Just because you can make a unit fit on the bars, however, doesn't mean it's a good choice for this application.
http://www.ram-mount.com
4. Don't try to program the unit on the run. Enter/program your destination address while stopped. The insurance savings alone will pay for the unit...
5. You want color, you want maps and you want text large enough to read easily.
BMW's prices are difficult to justify, but the Zumo550 isn't cheap, either. Maybe the Zumo450 would make you happy. I use a somewhat less expensive approach.
Taking a line from the AMEX commercial, I don't leave home without GPS although I don't always use it. Today, I have a Garmin GPS60CSX (around USD $360), but the GPS60CX is available for less than $300 and only gives up the electronic compass and altimeter (I'm a geek). Both are waterproof, but I mount mine in a plastic baggie just to be sure. My GPS60CSX is mounted on the left bar when I can see it easily, and at night, I have it programmed to turn on the backlight whenever a turn is coming up so I just ride and it will 'alert' me with a lighted map when it needs to warn me of an off ramp/turn/etc.
The '60CSX does not have bluetooth (a negative) and does not use a touch screen (a positive). The screen is color and is probably the smallest screen that is still useable in this application. The buttons are small, but big enough for me to hit with my gloved hand without having to focus on that task. The batteries (two AA) actually do last me about 18 hours (less at night), so I don't even have my unit hooked up to the bike's power. I take if off the bike and put it in my bag when I travel, hiking and in the car, too.
I really don't know of a way to go with SATNAV on a motorcycle for any less money than this. It works for me, but as deilenberger said, YMMV.
Regards
roman
1. Motorcycles get wet (in my world). Automotive units don't like water. Motorcycle units are designed to continue working when rain is hitting the unit horizontally at 100mph.
2. Minor distractions in a car are (sometimes) acceptable; on a bike they can be disaster. When you've only got time for a glance and your fingers are covered in gloves, the units built for cars are going to be a challenge to use.
3. RAM makes mounts for locating GPS units on the bars. You want the unit where you can see it without having to make large head movements. Just because you can make a unit fit on the bars, however, doesn't mean it's a good choice for this application.
http://www.ram-mount.com
4. Don't try to program the unit on the run. Enter/program your destination address while stopped. The insurance savings alone will pay for the unit...
5. You want color, you want maps and you want text large enough to read easily.
BMW's prices are difficult to justify, but the Zumo550 isn't cheap, either. Maybe the Zumo450 would make you happy. I use a somewhat less expensive approach.
Taking a line from the AMEX commercial, I don't leave home without GPS although I don't always use it. Today, I have a Garmin GPS60CSX (around USD $360), but the GPS60CX is available for less than $300 and only gives up the electronic compass and altimeter (I'm a geek). Both are waterproof, but I mount mine in a plastic baggie just to be sure. My GPS60CSX is mounted on the left bar when I can see it easily, and at night, I have it programmed to turn on the backlight whenever a turn is coming up so I just ride and it will 'alert' me with a lighted map when it needs to warn me of an off ramp/turn/etc.
The '60CSX does not have bluetooth (a negative) and does not use a touch screen (a positive). The screen is color and is probably the smallest screen that is still useable in this application. The buttons are small, but big enough for me to hit with my gloved hand without having to focus on that task. The batteries (two AA) actually do last me about 18 hours (less at night), so I don't even have my unit hooked up to the bike's power. I take if off the bike and put it in my bag when I travel, hiking and in the car, too.
I really don't know of a way to go with SATNAV on a motorcycle for any less money than this. It works for me, but as deilenberger said, YMMV.
Regards
roman
Re: SatNav on the cheap!
I wish I could sell you my water proof Garmin but as is was a Christmas gift from my wife I can't.
Mark
Mark
What is happening to my skin?
Where is that protection that I needed?
Air can hurt you too
Where is that protection that I needed?
Air can hurt you too
Re: SatNav on the cheap!
I use a 60CSX too. On my KLR it is hooked to the bikes power with a touratech mount that locks (expensive). The screen stays lit when external power is applied. On the R I just use the RAM mount(cheap), but don't leave it cause it is easy to remove by the wrong person. The unit has many more GPS features than the Zumo I just bought but have yet to install. The other nice feature, especially if you are dual sporting, is 10 hours on 2 alkalines. Comes in handy if you have to hike out.romanr wrote:Today, I have a Garmin GPS60CSX (around USD $360), but the GPS60CX is available for less than $300 and only gives up the electronic compass and altimeter (I'm a geek). Both are waterproof, but I mount mine in a plastic baggie just to be sure. My GPS60CSX is mounted on the left bar when I can see it easily, and at night, I have it programmed to turn on the backlight whenever a turn is coming up so I just ride and it will 'alert' me with a lighted map when it needs to warn me of an off ramp/turn/etc.
The '60CSX does not have bluetooth (a negative) and does not use a touch screen (a positive). The screen is color and is probably the smallest screen that is still useable in this application. The buttons are small, but big enough for me to hit with my gloved hand without having to focus on that task. The batteries (two AA) actually do last me about 18 hours (less at night), so I don't even have my unit hooked up to the bike's power. I take if off the bike and put it in my bag when I travel, hiking and in the car, too.
I really don't know of a way to go with SATNAV on a motorcycle for any less money than this. It works for me, but as deilenberger said, YMMV.
Regards
roman
The Zumo has other nice features such as a bright large touch screen and the ability to add MP3 and XM, plus Blue Tooth but from a pure GPS perspective I like the 60CSX better.
The other thing to consider in comparing the price, the Zumo came complete with a car and motorcycle mount, case and the entire country preloaded and a copy of city navigator.
The 60CSX while cheaper to buy came only with base maps, and I still had to buy the mounts, case, maps and power cords.