GPS and Maps

[Steve do]

Hey!! I'm going to brain overload, ( it doesn't take much ). Who makes a good GPS that doesn't cost a arm and leg. I see a lot of them out there, some pretty cheap and some you would have to hock the house. I've never used one and not familiar with the features, so any help would be appreciated, Thanks !!

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Steve in my car I have a Tom Tom XL340 (4.3" viewing screen). Real simple to learn and use, (psst even my wife can understand it)! I can't bring my self to pay the money they want for a "motorcycle" GPS so when we've gone anywhere that I needed it, we just take it along. Plugs into any 12v outlet to charge (or USB), mine cost me about $60 but I think you can find them for less.
They are all similar, don't get me wrong some have more options and fancier do-dads but the primary goal is to get from Point A to B and hopefully back to A once again.
Look for one that offers lifetime map updates!

[doug of so fla]

Depends on what you want and how much you want to spend. The best and most choices is Garmin, The ones that are motorcycle specific are $300.00 to $900.00, But you do not need to go that route.. But you do want to get at least a 5" screen. You can get one for a car and that will work on most M/c"s that do not vibrate a lot. Anywhere from $90.00 to $300.00 They all have more features than you will need. You can find a older model and just make sure it is upgraded, new or used for a good price. I think the best is the 2790 (I think that is the #) is wireless & voice activated with a 7" screen but it is $300.00 with mount and everthing. Make sure you order the LM models ( life time maps free updates) Other wise it will be obsolete in a week. Go to http://www.garmin.com and you can shop till you drop. I have a 1450 older model but works great bought used cheap!! Carry a plastic bag with you in case of rain. MC ones are waterproof. You want one that shows posted MPH in area you are driving. Great feature!!!!, most have that.

[Terros]

My last couple of gps's have been Magellan Roadmate, 5" screen refurbished.
They come in original box, full warranty at quite a discount. Very easy to use also.
Bob

[Lance McCaw]

I have a Garmin Nuvi 50LM. Works perfect for the bike or car. Got a ram mount for the handlebars. I love it.

[Tat2demon]

I put a phone mount on the bike and use that.

[Steve do]

Thanks everyone, there is enough stuff out there to boggle the old brain. Maybe at the rally in NC, there will be some you can actually get a good look at. I just hate to buy something off the internet when you really don't know what you are getting into. Thanks Again.

[debron]

I generally do a Google search for reviews on products I'm interested in buying. Most turn out to be on Amazon though some are on the seller's sites. You can also find reviews on the companies selling the products.

[SgtSlag]

Steve, visit a local store that carries GPS machines to get an idea. Ask the salesman to suggest a unit for your biking needs. It won't cost anything but your time. You do not have to buy what they are selling, but it will go a long way on giving you some idea of what they are, how they work, what they can/cannot do. You can always pick which features/functions you want, then look online for models that offer your desired options, and order/purchase from there.

As an aside, we have a TomTom One, Ver. 3, which is probably seven years old, now. I recently did an Internet search to see what it is worth today: around $17 (paid around $200? values drop like a rock, apparently). It meets our needs, and we can update the firmware (free, did it last week), and the maps (around $100-$200!!! almost cheaper to buy new...).

Be sure to ask/research how much a map upgrade will cost -- you will want to upgrade the map every 2-3 years, so find out how much they charge for that, as it may be a better option to buy a new unit, instead! Learn what countries you will get maps for: USA will obviously be included, but if you drive in Canada, or Mexico, you may want to see what it will cost to get maps for them, as well.

Remember, a GPS is not infallible. We took ours along on a Lake Superior Circle Tour. I updated the map (free updates provided by users, not the company) the night before we left, and when we pulled it out to look for an alternate route around a construction zone in the Twin Cities area, we discovered the update had installed a map of Guam...

The US map was gone, and we were 150 miles from home. Good thing we were carrying paper maps, as well! Never used it again, until months later, after we restored our old US map, of course. Even with the latest map installed, you may find it is far from perfect. Plan for the worst, hope for the best. Cheers!

[Terros]

Yea, you do need to not totally depend on the gps. Had we looked at the map we could have saved a 45 minute out of our way. Also, picking shortest distance could put you on a dirt road, or new dead end.
In general, no problems and they are great. If you travel us and Canada the gps can give you mph or kph and miles and kilometres.
Bob

[1700Guy]

For the best bang for the buck. And a GPS that always updates itself at no cost. I use my phone I have a Samsung Galaxy 3 It has a great GPS I have used a phone holder and have mounted it on my bike and it has a phone jack on my 1700 it plugs into my sound system and also has music. Check it out I feel it is the best way to go and alot cheeper.

Duane

[Highway Rider]

When it comes to using a gps vs phone or other gps's there are several thing to consider. Things like how easy is it to see the screen in bright sun light gps's made for motorcycles have much better screen for this. Another thing to consider is it water proof and how well do the handle vibration and shock, not many phone do. Also is the screen glove friendly can you tap on the screen and navigate with gloves on most phones you cant. how many points of interest can you up load and when trip planning i can have all my stops planned and be able to show them as a whole trip.

These are only a few differences between using a phone vs gps there are many more. Not that a phone would work for many people, it all comes down to how it is going to be used. I see a gps as a tool for specific uses, it's like comparing apples to oranges each it's own

I use maps when i want to see the whole thing and manly use them for planning and the enter the destinations into the gps. I will also use google maps for planning also. Along with a couple
of other programs and apps.

[debron]

I used my phone (Galaxy S4) as a GPS on four trips over the course of a week then received a text warning me that I'd used 75% of my 2 gig data plan! No more phone GPS for me though I did like that my phone tells me if my destination is on the left or right side of the road/street and my Tom-Tom GPS does not.

[VoyKimmer]

I use 2 GPS's. A Garmin GpsMap 62st that I purchased quite a few years ago and a Garmin Zumo 660. I don't carry any maps and they get me to where I want to go but both are expensive. A lot on the Adventure rider site use the Garmin Zumo 550 which you can no longer get. The new favorite is the Garmin Montana. If you purchase a Gamin get the lifetime Maps updates. If you are frugal I think the Nuvi works just fine but put it away if it starts raining. Its not waterproof like the motorcycle specific GPS's. Also a map or a printout out of google maps always works.

[usmalenurse]

I use the Garmin Nuvi 550 and it works great. It is "supposed" to be waterproof but if I'm riding in a lot of rain, I still put a zip lock bag over it...just in case. I just wanted one that I could download routes from my computer into and it fit the bill for me. The M/C specific ones were just too pricey for me. Think the 550 is now discontinued but can still find refurbished ones...
It can also be used with gloves on and I went with a Ram mount..

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Here's a deal that's good today only 4/16/14 (but they do come up fairly often)!
Magellan RoadMate 4.7" GPS w/ Free Lifetime Traffic & Map Updates, AAA Tourbook & POIs (Refurbished). $44.99 free shipping
http://1sale.com/electronics/other/mage ... dmate-gps/
Magellan RoadMate 3045-LM 4.7” GPS and Charger
Warranty: 90 Day

[Terros]

Looks like my 3030. And don't let the refurbished bother you! it has a full warranty usually. I have had to refurb sand both worked great.
Bob

[Steve do]

I ordered the one below, got the 2 year warranty, it was $75 total, I figured I could learn about them and get a better unit later if I wanted to, and not spend a fortune. It comes with a good mount, 12v connector, the sun shade, and a 7" screen, most of the things you fellows where talking about, I will supply the plastic bag for rain. Half of the things it has I don't understand, OH well!!!! Thanks for the help, everyone here is always willing to help. I look at this site morning and night.



http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-7-Car-GPS-N ... 63208#rwid

[Okie34]

I've been looking around and since my old Tom Tom bit the dust, I'm looking for a "programmable" GPS. This would be one where I will plan the route, then load that route to the GPS as a series of waypoints.

Anyone with any recommendations?

-- JD

[debron]

I've been looking around and since my old Tom Tom bit the dust, I'm looking for a "programmable" GPS. This would be one where I will plan the route, then load that route to the GPS as a series of waypoints.

Anyone with any recommendations?

-- JD

There is a third-party free program called "Tyre" that I use to map my routes. It uses Google Maps or Google Earth (your choice) and I've found it much more flexible and accommodating for computing complex routes than my Tom-Tom. It then saves your route to Tom-Tom and Garmin GPS units. Using this program I can plan routes via back roads I could never get my Tom-Tom use!