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My understanding of this unit is that, because of the limited memory, the Garmin Quest can store only a relatively small map area. For example there is, apparently, only enough memory for either north or southern Germany. I realise that multiple pre-planned routes can be stored and that's fine, but what if one wants to tour around, say, Europe without having any pre-planned destinations? As I undertsand it, one would need access to a computer en-route in order to download different map sections from the CD. Everything about the Quest appeals to me - especially the price - apart from the aforementioned perceived limitations. I've read that the Quest 2 is superior in this regard, but more expensive of course. Any Quest owners - or anyone else for that matter - have a view on this?

cruiser

Cruiser I have the Quest, and you're correct...115MB is the memory size. For me it isn't an issue since I can fit several US States in the unit at one time. I have the North America and the European mapset; I just checked and all of Germany would be about 358MB...I think the Quest 2 comes with an additional 140MB (?) so even that might not cut it if you want to load all of Germany. The Q2 is indeed more expensive, the cheapest I've seen it for is about $424 USD. I paid $299 for my Quest about 1.5 years ago. At the $424 price point (or whatever it sells for in Europe) you are probably better off with another unit unless you typically travel with your laptop (I do).

Thanks for the reply Tony. Could you please let me know if it's possible to select map areas from the CD by dragging a box over a given map? - if you understand what I mean ...or does the software dictate which map areas are available for download? I haven't been able to determine this - for me, important - information from any other source.

Thanks in advance, cruiser (Mike)

cruiser wrote:Thanks for the reply Tony. Could you please let me know if it's possible to select map areas from the CD by dragging a box over a given map? - if you understand what I mean ...or does the software dictate which map areas are available for download? I haven't been able to determine this - for me, important - information from any other source.

Thanks in advance, cruiser (Mike)

I have a Quest 2, and Tony is correct in saying that the European version has more RAM (243MB usable rather than 115MB for the US version).

With the software you can select and de-select specific regions of countries - for example, within the UK there are several regions so when I travelled to France last year I selected only the most southern UK region (to guide me easily to the ferry port), and only those of France to which I intended to travel. You don't have to have map data for an entire country (or countries), only the regions of each that you need.

Saying that, if you are going to travel around a fairly large area I think you would find that the Quest's memory is maybe too small to contain all of the regions you would likely need.

Overall, I am really pleased with my Quest 2. So far, none of my trips in Europe have covered such a big area that the memory has been a problem. But definitely, if you plan to visit a couple of countries and travel far, you must consider it.

aghogg... thanks for the added information - very useful.
Just to clear up one point of apparent confusion - I've just discovered that the UK version of the Quest (not the Quest 2) has extra memory, making 243 Mb of useable ram. Check out the spec under the following link - not a bad deal I think...

http://www.gpsw.co.uk/details/prod2337.html

cruiser

cruiser wrote:aghogg... thanks for the added information - very useful.
Just to clear up one point of apparent confusion - I've just discovered that the UK version of the Quest (not the Quest 2) has extra memory, making 243 Mb of useable ram. Check out the spec under the following link - not a bad deal I think.

http://www.gpsw.co.uk/details/prod2337.html

cruiser

Actually, you are correct - and that is the unit I have, not the Quest 2. Sorry, I was confused

That is indeed a good price, I bought mine around a year ago and it was about 50% more than that. I have a RAM mount on my handlebars and a Quest cradle powered from the BMW auxiliary power socket, it works very very well.

The only downside really is that their MapSource software is, at best, what I would call 'functional'. It certainly isn't elegant, but at least it works. Also, as a Mac user I'm still waiting for their OSX version (supposedly due this year) but as I change my maps so infrequently, I don't mind using the Windows version when I need to.

Cruiser

I too have the Quest and quite like it, for the price but you will obviously need a GPS that has an expandable memory. If you are planning a tour of Europe, not just Germany then I would suggest you get a unit that can accept pre-programmed cards. Unfortunately, it won't be cheap.

BTW Like your avatar, too bad it wasn't a Boeing though!

Thanks for your suggestions Max Continuous. I've almost decided that the Quest will be ok for me after all, especially as the European version comes with more memory. The only other reservation I have now is regarding the display... I've been used to the 3D display option on the TomTom 300 in our car which I find much better than the non-3D display - I wonder if the Quest's non-3D display is superior to TomTom's.

Max Continuous wrote:BTW Like your avatar, too bad it wasn't a Boeing though!

...blame my employer!

On second thoughts, why am I advertising for them?, especially since I'm looking for a new - part time - job ...sort of semi-retirement - need more time to ride!

Hi Cruiser

I haven't had any issue with the graphics on the Quest but I also haven't had the benefit of anything that was 3D either. I guess it is what you are used to. The big selling point for me on the Quest was the fact that it was waterproof and fits nicely in my coat pocket when I am off the bike. I have mine wired into the bikes' electrical system but the Lithium Ion battery will last 12 hours on a charge if you don't leave the backlight on. The 12vlt harness, should you opt for it, also has an audio jack for voice prompts if you prefer that. If you don't need the expandable memory, it is good value for the money but will never be expandable.

When I am not riding my 1150, I am flying this thing around. Not nearly as nice as a Boeing or Bus. Spends most of its' time in the hangar getting fixed.

Can the Garmin Quest be mounted together with the QPAC power supply unit by some means other than the RAM mount? I would like to mount the unit and QPAC as close to the bars as possible. The RAM mount appears too high and cumbersome.

Cruiser

There is a good review for just that question.

http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.p ... highlight=


I have also mounted mine closer to the bar by laying the three inch RAM arm almost horizontal rather than vertical. I will try to post some pics for you later today.

Max continuous... thanks for the additional info. I look forward to seeing your photos later, before - finally - placing my order.

BTW would I be correct in guessing that your username refers to engine power settings for your other 'twin-cylinder'?

Hi Cruiser

Yes the Max Continuous handle is a play on words with regard to a power setting one only needs when the s***t hits the fan. Only guys like yourself usually get it.

I took some photos of the Quest sitting in its' cradle. I had the same concerns you did with regard to it sitting too proud and possibly obstructing my view of the instruments and idiot lights. I simply used the recommended cradle with power adapter, stainless u-bolt with ball, diamond back with ball and the three inch arm available from RAM. ( you could use an arm as small as 1.25 inchces ) I then mounted it along the horizontal axis, parallel to the handle bars. There is an infinite number of adjustments available to get it just right for you.

You can click on the images to get a better look, notice the audio jack in pic 1






These are the part numbers for the items that make up my mount.

RAM-B-231 Stainless U-Bolt
RAM-B-238 Diamond Base
RAP-B-201 3 inch arm
RAM-HOL-GA15 Cradle
RAM-QPAC1 Optional power supply.

Some suppliers may bundle those parts into a "package deal" for you. If you opt out of the power supply, you will get a full day on a charge.

Hope that helps.

I too have the Quest and am generally pleased with it. My real complaint is the mapping software, which uses street names, rather than numbers. In my neck of the woods (SE PA) the same road changes names frequently, often from one town to the next. Nearly all paper maps and atlases use the PA state route number. This makes things pretty confusing at times.

My setup is almost exactly the same as Max Continuous uses with the 3" arm horizontal and parallel to the handlebars. I'm pretty happy with the arrangement. As shown in his pictures, the mounted unit blocks a little of the max range of the speedo and a little of the min range of the tach. A pretty decent trade off.

One slight difference is the power supply - my wire harness terminates in a BMW plug and I use the accessory outlet. I route the the wire harness under the tank and secure it to some of the existing wires with a couple of those velcro computer ties. This way, I can easily unplug and remove the cradle and arm and take them with me if I need to when parked.

I have a Quest that I've been using for the past few years and while it's been great, I'm ready to move 'up'. I found a killer deal on the Garmin 2720 and ordered one. Next I need to get a mount for it.

This means I'll be selling my quest and Garmin cradle soon if anyone is interested. This is the powered cradle, which includes the audio adapter.

I used the short RAM arm: It doesn't put the unit up in my face.

Thanks for the invaluable help and information, everyone.

Max Continuous - a special thanks to you for taking the effort to photograph your set-up for me... I wish you many happy hours riding and flying... with the sincere hope that you only ever have to use Max Continuous in the ERJ-190 simulator!

Cheers Cruiser

Have the best of fun touring Europe on the Roadster!