Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: h2smokin on July 14, 2013, 02:47:51 PM
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Anyone use both befor? Just curious how they compare. Leaning toward a 5 inch model but the smaller ones quite a bit cheaper. Thanks for opinions
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I'm curious: Why do so many motorcyclists use Garmin GPS? I've just been using my smartphone. What is the advantage of having another device to worry about?
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We don't all have smart phones.
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So does your reply mean that the Garmin does not offer anything over a smartphone?
Of course then the Garmin would be useful for those who do not want to pay monthly for the data plan, but if someone already had a smart phone, it would make the Garmin obsolete.
Or is there a benefit to Garmin that I'm missing?
I didn't realize that so many people had expensive motorcycles but didn't have a smartphone.
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I use a low end garmin 1490 or something like that. Cost less than 2 bills iirc. I have a dumb phone cause if I had a smart phone it would just do dumb things. That bike specific gps unit have a lot of bells and whistles but other than being waterproof I don't know if there is an advantage if you already own a smart phone.
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So does your reply mean that the Garmin does not offer anything over a smartphone?
Of course then the Garmin would be useful for those who do not want to pay monthly for the data plan, but if someone already had a smart phone, it would make the Garmin obsolete.
Or is there a benefit to Garmin that I'm missing?
I didn't realize that so many people had expensive motorcycles but didn't have a smartphone.
Does smart phone gps work in remote areas with no cell coverage? ??? :-\
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Does smart phone gps work in remote areas with no cell coverage? ??? :-\
Yes, it can
Google maps allows you to download "offline maps" so you can view a map even if you aren't connected to the internet.
https://support.google.com/gmm/answer/2650218?hl=en (https://support.google.com/gmm/answer/2650218?hl=en)
There are other applications, as well. For example, TomTom has apps for iOS devices and they store the maps on your device instead of relying on a data connection.
http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/products/car-navigation/tomtom-navigation-for-iphone-ipad/navigation-app/ (http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/products/car-navigation/tomtom-navigation-for-iphone-ipad/navigation-app/)
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You bring up some excellent points I think, and 'hit the nail on the head' regarding the smart phone cost.
I do not have a smart phone and would not consider getting one to use primarily as a navigation device due to the ongoing costs ("the Plan" as they call it). Now as a lot of people (most people?) today seem to have a smart phone anyway, your point becomes a lot more valid. Still, it is not a perfect or even the best solution to navigation duties on a motorcycle IMO.
The first major problem is that the screens of virtually everything made today, with the exception of motorcycle GPS's, are not bright enough to view comfortably or well in direct sunlight. Sure it may be good enough but a true motorcycle GPS has a bright, high contrast screen that is just about impossible to replace; and I have been trying to replace them for years.
The other two main duties of a GPS on my bike are to provide audio (music, audio books, spoken directions) and a phone interface. Obviously the cell phone being used as a navigation device, mounted in front of the rider somehow, would function as a phone too but I do not know if it would be as good or easy to use as a motorcycle GPS. The display shows the caller ID and big icons for Answer and Ignore and these are easy to see while riding down the road. As far as audio, I suspect a smart phone could be coupled into a comm. system on a motorcycle easy enough.
Two more issues are weatherproofing and charging; the dedicated motorcycle GPS addresses both very well. They are weatherproof and can simply be ignored and left in place in a driving rain. A smart phone would have to be removed, covered with something like a plastic bag, or put into some type of weatherproof case, these last two decrease the already marginal visibility even more. Finally, if one rides for a long time, and some of us do, a mounted GPS will continue to function and remain fully charged as long as the bike runs. Not sure what it would take to charge a smart phone underway although of course I believe that could be done fine. But the charging connection would not be waterproof, unless the entire unit was mounted in a weatherproof enclosure to begin with and that is usually a big pain to install / remove from the bike when getting on / off the bike and wanting to take your phone with you.
Another thought that probably does not apply to most people but some of us really count on our GPS's while riding and the best way to ensure success is to carry two. I carry two GPS's when traveling reasonably locally, and three when traveling long distances. That is just not practical with smart phones for the obvious reason, cost.
All of that said, motorcycle GPS's are tremendously expensive for what they provide. Unfortunately they are about the only way to get what they provide, mostly that bright, high- contrast screen.
Brian
So does your reply mean that the Garmin does not offer anything over a smartphone?
Of course then the Garmin would be useful for those who do not want to pay monthly for the data plan, but if someone already had a smart phone, it would make the Garmin obsolete.
Or is there a benefit to Garmin that I'm missing?
I didn't realize that so many people had expensive motorcycles but didn't have a smartphone.
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Yes, it can
Google maps allows you to download "offline maps" so you can view a map even if you aren't connected to the internet.
That's cool, I didn't know that.
As for me I have the Zumo 660 and like all the extra features and things about it and how easy it is to use while riding with the big glove friendly anti glare waterproof touch screen to scroll through my tunes and phone address book to make a call etc. Not necessary I know, but I like it. :)
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You'd like it even better if you did not have it set to display black text on a black background just to keep in synch. with your bike's theme....
;D
Brian
That's cool, I didn't know that.
As for me I have the Zumo 660 and like all the extra features and things about it and how easy it is to use while riding with the big glove friendly anti glare waterproof touch screen to scroll through my tunes and phone address book to make a call etc. Not necessary I know, but I like it. :)
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Son of a gun, I thought he was sporting the green outfit today..
Oh, and about the GPS screen size, I like to see the map at a glance, and since I'm not gettin' younger,
my eyes are starting to crap out, and I'm using reading glasses to see my frickin' smart phone,
so I'd appreciate it if you would get off my damn back about it!!
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You'd like it even better if you did not have it set to display black text on a black background just to keep in synch. with your bike's theme....
;D
Brian
;D ;D ;D
If I could only get it to do GREEN text for the current bodywork would be nice Brian... 8) :thumbs: :cool: :chugbeer:
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I have a Garmin.
- It is waterproof. My phone is not.
- It has a touch screen that has buttons large enough for me to use with gloves. My phone does not.
- It doesn't require a data plan. My phone doesn't have one.
- It handles routing, waypoints, location info. My phone doesn't, at least at the level of my GPS. (route importing, works across the entire US, ... Google maps only imports a VERY limited area for off-line use.)
- I can read the screen on my GPS. I can't on my phone nearly as easily.
I'm sure there's more, but that's just off the top of my head.
It's a personal decision, just like the color of your bike/gear, or even the choice of your ride. There is no "right" answer.
Jeff
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- its better , imho , to be EITHER lost or incommunicado
compared to
lost AND incommunicado
.
- hence my phone is dry & happy in my riding pants , and the garmin is out there in the elements to tell me where to go.
- that and if I crashed , I want the phone to be near
.
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Or is there a benefit to Garmin that I'm missing?
How about:
* Smartphones have capacitive screens that is not compatible with gloves.
* Smartphones are not weatherproof.
* Smartphones are not designed to be vibrated constantly.
* Smartphones are more expensive and a lot more sensitive to theft .
* Typically smartphones need a constant data connection to display location/maps or another app or a lot of downloading, or whatever.
* Smartphones don't mount as well.
You are assuming that just because someone is using a Garmin, they don't have a smart phone... that would not be a good assumption.
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So does your reply mean that the Garmin does not offer anything over a smartphone?
Of course then the Garmin would be useful for those who do not want to pay monthly for the data plan, but if someone already had a smart phone, it would make the Garmin obsolete.
Or is there a benefit to Garmin that I'm missing?
I didn't realize that so many people had expensive motorcycles but didn't have a smartphone.
For me it is a matter of choosing the best item for the task. Others have pointed out the benefits to using a standalone GPS over a phone so I wont rehash those, but I will counter your last sentence. I have an expensive bike and don't have to save a few dollars by trying to make my phone function as a GPS. I can just buy a dedicated GPS and by done with it.
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For me it is a matter of choosing the best item for the task. Others have pointed out the benefits to using a standalone GPS over a phone so I wont rehash those, but I will counter your last sentence. I have an expensive bike and don't have to save a few dollars by trying to make my phone function as a GPS. I can just buy a dedicated GPS and by done with it.
Everyone can have their own opinion. Personally, I looked at the personal GPS boxes and thought that their features couldn't compete with a smartphone. (My main complaint is the need to sync the GPS with a computer to get updates, if they're available, at all).
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How about:
* Smartphones have capacitive screens that is not compatible with gloves.
* Smartphones are not weatherproof.
* Smartphones are not designed to be vibrated constantly.
* Smartphones are more expensive and a lot more sensitive to theft .
* Typically smartphones need a constant data connection to display location/maps or another app or a lot of downloading, or whatever.
* Smartphones don't mount as well.
You are assuming that just because someone is using a Garmin, they don't have a smart phone... that would not be a good assumption.
Meh.
I have "normal" leather gloves (Icon Twenty-Niner) and they work with my iPhone 5 without any issue.
Most smartphones are not weatherproof, but that's changing. Check out the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active. Milspec water and dust resistent.
Vibration is a moot point. Everyone carries their phone on their motorcycle, so whether you use it for navigation or not does not change the fact that they've proven reliable under vibration.
GPS is left on the motorcycle -- a juicy target for theft. Phone comes with me, so it wont get stolen unless I leave it somewhere (my fault, and affects anything -- not just a phone/gps) or if I'm mugged, in which case, that doesn't help the gps either.
I've already provided two solutions to the "data" problem.
Smartphones mount okay from what I've seen. Same as GPS.
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We don't all have smart phones.
My phone isn't smart either. I've only just started using a non-mc GPS instead of index cards and large print maps. One day, you can be sure, though, that I will get a MC only GPS, but for now the non-mc one works fine for me.
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I have "normal" leather gloves (Icon Twenty-Niner) and they work with my iPhone 5 without any issue.
I have never had any riding gloves that would work on a capacitive screen.
Vibration is a moot point. Everyone carries their phone on their motorcycle, so whether you use it for navigation or not does not change the fact that they've proven reliable under vibration.
No, there is a world of difference between being hard mounted to the bike and being on a squishy "bag of mostly water" or some other isolated place.
GPS is left on the motorcycle -- a juicy target for theft.
You don't have to leave it. And even if you did, a GPS isn't worth much anymore. Far, far less than a phone (typically, hopefully that will change when the companies get around to bricking stolen phones.) #1 crime right now is phone theft.
Smartphones mount okay from what I've seen. Same as GPS.
Not that I have seen. Most mounts look like some semi-generic, large, freaky clamp thing.
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How about:
* Smartphones have capacitive screens that is not compatible with gloves.
* Smartphones are not weatherproof.
* Smartphones are not designed to be vibrated constantly.
* Smartphones are more expensive and a lot more sensitive to theft .
* Typically smartphones need a constant data connection to display location/maps or another app or a lot of downloading, or whatever.
* Smartphones don't mount as well.
I use an iPhone 4 in a Lifeproof case (fully weather proof), Techmount, and Navigon App (by Garmin), synced with my Sena 10.
The Lifeproof case is water tight to one metre for 30 minutes. Techmount sells a Lifeproof specific cradle to attached to their mounts (part number MOTOCLIP for 4/4S, MOTOCLIP5 for 5). The Navigon App allows you to download data for just the States/Provinces or other areas you want if low on memory. That way you still have full GPS even if have no cell signal. Granted the gloves are an issue, but I generally just pull over if need to make modifications on the GPS device. I'm not much of a multi-tasker when riding. :P When I pull over, I just take phone out of cradle and carry w/ me as usual.
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I have 2 smart phones.. Samsung Galaxy and Iphone 4s.
I also have a Zumo 550 with XM radio.
Smartphones cannot be seen on the sun ..period. Great in your pocket but I do have them mounted on my handle bars. They dont like being shaken. They dont like water. Touch screen is difficult. They dont play XM radio.
Zumo, perfect, no one will steal it. Plays XM, easy to download all my routes from Google Maps, does Speed cams and red light cams and many other POIS.
Do I use the smart phones.. sure. but I depend on the Garmin.
FYI- other Garmins for cars not made for motorcycle are also hard to see in sunlight.
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There are other applications, as well. For example, TomTom has apps for iOS devices and they store the maps on your device instead of relying on a data connection.
Thanks for the link you provided. I had been wondering about GPS apps for my new smartphone. I went to TomTom's site and the reviews that were there left me less than impressed. I think that I will save for a bike-specific unit based on these reviews along with the important reasons listed above.
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I have a 550... have had it since they came out in 2005(?). So it will always be used instead of my iPhone. The 550 is made for a MC... waterproof... plays tunes... tethers to my phone for calls if needed.
Tom Tom's are very popular overseas... and they brought you the first iteration of iPhone maps. :o
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I have the Zumo 660 and an iPhone 5. I think the Zumo is great for route sharing and planning routes on the PC/Mac before you hit the road. If I was just using the GPS to get from point a to b like you would use a smart phone I would miss so e of the best rides I have taken.
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So, like Brain I have 3 GPS capable devices, unlike Brian, one of those is my govt. tracking device, AKA "Smart phone". On my last trip to CO I was using my Garmin Montana, unknown to me was the fact that the mapset loaded was NOT routable and I needed to get back to my daughters house and I had no clue as to how to tget there... My second GPS is my Garmin ETrex30, not user friendly for eyes that need cheaters to read. Last, but not least, the cell phone. Got me back. The issue? Not glove friendly and no dedicated mount to keep it within eyeball reach. Otterbox and Ram do make a weather resistant case, which I will be ordering soon and I know quite a few who use this with success, but generally speaking it is too stream music to their helmet and/or to monitor incoming calls, helpfull for the busy buisness guy (who is smart enough to pull over for the conversation).
So, my choices? Zumo 550, bluetooth, MP3 player, and XM capable for the long trips. On the ADV bike I have the Garmin Montana 600, it has multi layers so I can have the street maps overlayed with Topos overlayed with satelite imagery from the Birdseye supscription. The Etrex is soley as backup, small, Glonass and WAAS reception so it is far more acurate and much more likely to keep a signal when in wooded areas, which is especially nice on the dirtbike when I'm checking out new to me trails.
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I didn't realize that so many people had expensive motorcycles but didn't have a smartphone.
Not having smartphone doesn't imply that it is because of the cost. Luckily I can afford one, I just don't want one. They bring about zero advantages in my life and quite some disadvantages. My old (read 1,5 years "old") Nokia holds its charge for a week, and does one of the best things a phone can do: let me talk to people that are not around me at the time. I (and this is very personal) don't need anything else from a device that has to be as small as possible. It's so much so, that sometimes I get old (again, read 1 year) smartphones for free from friends and give them to my sister, who gives them to their children to play Angry Birds, so they shut up for 2 hours in a row. Now THAT'S useful.
Regarding the advantages of a navigation device (a GPS is just a part of it) over a smartphone, enough has been said, me thinks.
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^^^^^
:thumbs:
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give them to my sister, who gives them to their children to play Angry Birds, so they shut up for 2 hours in a row. Now THAT'S useful.
Just my $0.02:
This is discouraged. Even when not on an active "plan" cell phones retain the ability to dial 911. Many emergency service dispatch organizations have a policy that responders must be dispatched to the location of a call if they cannot verbally confirm with the caller that there is not an emergency. Consequently, if a child inadvertently makes an emergency call (which on a smart phone is sometimes as easy as pressing a single button -- you don't necessarily have to dial 911) they may trigger emergency vehicles to come to their location. In addition to embarrassment and cost to the average tax payer, this occupies the time of emergency responders who may now be delayed in getting to a real emergency.
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Might be different in Argentina. ;)
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Just my $0.02:
This is discouraged. Even when not on an active "plan" cell phones retain the ability to dial 911. Many emergency service dispatch organizations have a policy that responders must be dispatched to the location of a call if they cannot verbally confirm with the caller that there is not an emergency. Consequently, if a child inadvertently makes an emergency call (which on a smart phone is sometimes as easy as pressing a single button -- you don't necessarily have to dial 911) they may trigger emergency vehicles to come to their location. In addition to embarrassment and cost to the average tax payer, this occupies the time of emergency responders who may now be delayed in getting to a real emergency.
911 may not be a factor where he lives... 8)
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Not having smartphone doesn't imply that it is because of the cost. Luckily I can afford one, I just don't want one. They bring about zero advantages in my life and quite some disadvantages. My old (read 1,5 years "old") Nokia holds its charge for a week, and does one of the best things a phone can do: let me talk to people that are not around me at the time. I (and this is very personal) don't need anything else from a device that has to be as small as possible. It's so much so, that sometimes I get old (again, read 1 year) smartphones for free from friends and give them to my sister, who gives them to their children to play Angry Birds, so they shut up for 2 hours in a row. Now THAT'S useful.
Regarding the advantages of a navigation device (a GPS is just a part of it) over a smartphone, enough has been said, me thinks.
:thumbs: :thumbs:
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911 may not be a factor where he lives... 8)
Argentina has a "911" and also a "103", according to my Argentinian friend. Although he was unsure if phones in Argentina had the same requirement as the FCC imposes in the US (must be able to dial emergency number even if suspended or not activated).
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Might be different in Argentina. ;)
? He rides in Germany, I believe.
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Just going by his country flag.
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So I guess I'm in England then..? ;)
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The flag? The armor? Thought it was France.
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:yikes:
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Just kidding. Hey, I hear the wise men are going to turn the water off in Prince Geo. county during the heat wave. Is that your area?
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I'm in a more Kingly area of Va. I don't deal with a mere prince.....
King George!
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:hail: to the
KingQueen?
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Harumph!
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Just my $0.02:
This is discouraged. Even when not on an active "plan" cell phones retain the ability to dial 911. Many emergency service dispatch organizations have a policy that responders must be dispatched to the location of a call if they cannot verbally confirm with the caller that there is not an emergency. Consequently, if a child inadvertently makes an emergency call (which on a smart phone is sometimes as easy as pressing a single button -- you don't necessarily have to dial 911) they may trigger emergency vehicles to come to their location. In addition to embarrassment and cost to the average tax payer, this occupies the time of emergency responders who may now be delayed in getting to a real emergency.
It takes several steps to exit Angry Birds to be able to get back to the phone in order to accidentally make a call. But that isn't really my point. I just want to pass on that not once in the last 26+ years that I have been an "emergency responder" have I answered a 911 call to find out it was a 2 year old playing Angry Birds.
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ok, apparently some background info wouldn't hurt, although it has nothing to do with the thread. Yes, I reside in Germany, and my sister with the two kids live in Argentina. And yes, we have 911 and the lot. But those two little devils know more about using a phone (including how, when and why to call for an emergency) than most IT-hotline customer service executive representatives associates in Bangladesh :o
@Jim: I was sure you came from Denmark... ah, right, that was red with white cross ;D
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Again.... :yikes:
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So I guess I'm in England then..? ;)
The Knight in the avatar looks like a Templar knight, the Cross of St George is a bit different
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Could be. I've found references to English knights similar to what my avatar looks like which is why I like it. Course swinging the sword is nifty as well. There were Templar knights in England. Were they English? I don't know. I do know that I'm not French.
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;D
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Quick question, just how did a seasoned moderator go from GPSs to Templar Knights? Must be a French thing :o
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Quick question, just how did a seasoned moderator go from GPSs to Templar Knights? Must be a French thing :o
Absolutely not French. That is a sword he's waving, not a white flag.
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Excellent point!
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I just want to pass on that not once in the last 26+ years that I have been an "emergency responder" have I answered a 911 call to find out it was a 2 year old playing Angry Birds.
Yes, but it has only been in the past few years that children would have smartphones in their hands with non-disablable 911 calling onboard...
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non-disablable? I can't even pronounce that. You sure that's a word...the disablable part...? ;D
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non-disablable? I can't even pronounce that. You sure that's a word...the disablable part...? ;D
Yeah, that is a wordyturd for sure :)
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I had the same question as the 2nd poster. Why bother with a motorcycle gps? I already have a smartphone and will download an offline mapping program.
CoPilot GPS is a cheap, GREAT offline map program for smart phones.
That being said.....
Smartphone screens won't respond if you have gloves on.
Smartphone screens SUCK when in direct sunlight.
Used my smartphone on my last trip and while it worked ok visibility on bright sunny days was bad. When it started raining I had to improvise a cover to keep it dry.
A good quality motorcycle specific gps is worth the cost IMO.
I skimmed quickly through all pages, not a single person answered the OP's question lol.
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Situation normal.
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Compare features of the 4.3 and 5 you're lookng at. Whichever has the better features at a better price point, buy it. The screen sizes isn't that much different. Be aware that bluetooth capability doesn't necessarily mean headset compatible.
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I did a 4500 mile solo trip out west in 2011 and a 2500 mile trip with friends to Deals Gap and Barber with a DroidX as my GPS. In 2012, I bought a Zumo 220 ($400) motorcycle specific GPS. It doesn't do music or cell phone, it does link to my Sena but I don't link it, I just look at it. I then did a 6500 mile solo trip from Peoria to Glacier to Seattle, then down 101 to LA to home. In my opinion, having done both, the Zumo was the best money I have ever spent. Way better on the bike, way better off the bike, I use Garmin sw to make the routes, download them to the GPS and bang, when I get up in the morning, I just pick the route for that day and follow it. Yes, I planned every day of all the trips. I changed them some on the fly but that's another post topic entirely so let's avoid that.
Zumo does gloves, vibration and rain and is MADE specifically for navigation. Once one I was coming up to a turn using the DroidX, a text popped up and blocked my directions. I was riding down the interstate in the rain and in seconds, I had to stand up, sit on my glove, pull out a bare hand, make the text go away and put my glove back on. Yes, I realize a configuration option on my phone would have solved that problem. Didn't really matter at that moment in time. I know what I like and I have done about 6 trips since, some solo and some leading groups as large as 8 (which sucks in another whole way but ...). I know which I like and that's what I do. If you want to do something else, hey, knock yourself out. I would just prefer not to hear I am doing it wrong.
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I'm curious: Why do so many motorcyclists use Garmin GPS? I've just been using my smartphone. What is the advantage of having another device to worry about?
Word. I still tote my old Garmin in case of emergency, but its NEVER used anymore. Google maps are light years ahead. Google maps are updated daily with detours and measure time off real time traffic and such. Garmin is old technology worthy of the junk pile. Anyone wants to debate that try searching for anything on a Garmin then try it on the google search on a google map hehehehe. Then try and listen to pandora on the garmin as you travel (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/icon10.gif) (http://s80.photobucket.com/user/stevewfl/media/icon10.gif.html)
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Word. I still tote my old Garmin in case of emergency, but its NEVER used anymore. Google maps are light years ahead. Google maps are updated daily with detours and measure time off real time traffic and such. Garmin is old technology worthy of the junk pile. Anyone wants to debate that try searching for anything on a Garmin then try it on the google search on a google map hehehehe. Then try and listen to pandora on the garmin as you travel (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/icon10.gif) (http://s80.photobucket.com/user/stevewfl/media/icon10.gif.html)
+1
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Word. I still tote my old Garmin in case of emergency, but its NEVER used anymore. Google maps are light years ahead. Google maps are updated daily with detours and measure time off real time traffic and such. Garmin is old technology worthy of the junk pile. Anyone wants to debate that try searching for anything on a Garmin then try it on the google search on a google map hehehehe. Then try and listen to pandora on the garmin as you travel (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/icon10.gif) (http://s80.photobucket.com/user/stevewfl/media/icon10.gif.html)
And ALL of that assumes you have an active data connection. And the moment you don't, you might be screwed. Roads simply don't change THAT MUCH that it is such a huge deal that it is not "live". And I have no interest in listening to pandora... I have an SD card in my Garmin with countless thousands of songs it plays for me... completely uninterrupted, and at perfect fidelity. About the only thing it doesn't do I could use would be live traffic. And if I need to know that, I just check my Google Maps on my EVO LTE before I start the bike.
There are some advantages to using a phone... but that doesn't negate all the other previously mentioned advantages of a Zumo. And it certainly doesn't make it worthy of the junk pile.
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I love my Zumo, the only thing I wish I could do on it while riding that I currently cant is send texts... :-\
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And ALL of that assumes you have an active data connection. And the moment you don't, you might be screwed. Roads simply don't change THAT MUCH that it is such a huge deal that it is not "live". And I have no interest in listening to pandora... I have an SD card in my Garmin with countless thousands of songs it plays for me... completely uninterrupted, and at perfect fidelity. About the only thing it doesn't do I could use would be live traffic. And if I need to know that, I just check my Google Maps on my EVO LTE before I start the bike.
There are some advantages to using a phone... but that doesn't negate all the other previously mentioned advantages of a Zumo. And it certainly doesn't make it worthy of the junk pile.
+1
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Funny how this thread changed directions:) Well I ended up with a Garmin 3590 with a 5 inch screen and lifetime maps and traffic. I could have gone with a cheaper model but I like the screen and it's glass so its clearer than the plastic ones and there's more Pixels? which makes the screen cleaner as well. I just don't want to use my phone for a gps. I have a note2 with an even bigger screen than this but I will just link it to the gps. Put some music on an sd card and I should be good to go. Heading to the Bay area from Tucson then into the Sierras and who knows where then in about 3 weeks. I think this should work fine for what I need. Thanks for all the input
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Each has their strengths and weaknesses. The phrase "Let those who ride decide" applies here, but not in the traditional sense. When I was trying to blast through Dallas traffic in heavy traffic in rain, being able to use the 'old tech' Garmin with gloves in rain helped a lot. And I can still do Pandora from my phone to my Sena.
If you're happy with the way you do it, that's good. I lead a lot of rides (this year, it was 3k miles to Austin and back to see the MotoGP and ride Hill Country) and I make routes, then export and email to others who download to their GPS also, so everybody has the route and turns don't surprise people. I also did a ride from Peoria to Arkansas, 4 days, 1700 miles of twisty bits, same deal, lay out the routes in advance, export the files and send to everybody so they can load. Works well.
I will say that the software that came with my Zumo 220 (Mapsource) is clunky in some ways, but works well in others. I set a bunch of waypoints at specific locations, then link them all with a route, so we go exactly where I want to go, down the good roads and not the more direct route Google maps does. If there was a slicker way to use Google maps so make a file importable into my GPS, I might be up for that. Although sometimes Google maps gets confused and I end up with purple route lines in wacky places. In the Garmin software, I just delete the waypoint and route info and go from there. But the Mapsource has limitations, I'm sure its database is out of date but has been fine, never gotten a bum steer in 10k miles of touring with it. But I am open to slicker/easier/mo better ways of doing things.
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I am using the Galaxy S4, With the Waze app, I will be ordering the Lifeproof waterproof case for my phone. I wouldn't change the phone for a GPS unit. I have everything I need, GPS, music, phone, emails, SMS and everything controlled over Assistant application, so everything can be controlled over voice (bluetooth headset)
Love it
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I'm not old but pushing 50 and I don't think I'm alone when I confess that I can't see the damn screen on anything less than a 7 inch GPS. Now I haven't mounted a GPS on my bike yet but I can't imagine being able to use anything but my 7 inch.
I can't be alone. My eyes are 20/15 but I cant see close up for crap. I dont need glasses to drive and i just use cheap dollar store throw aways for reading ....and typing this.
C'mon guys what's the secret ?? How do you read your GPS ? Bifocals ??
And,,,do you think I can fit a 7 inch GPS between the bars ?
Dan
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You are suffering from 'long arm' disease- that is where you need longer arms to get the restaurant menu farther and farther away or you cannot read it. One day your arms just are not long enough anymore.
As we age, the lens in our eyes thickens and hardens (easy boys!). The muscles that stretch that lens cannot get it as thin as they could when were young and our lenses pliable. So the short focus, which is when a thin lens is required, gets more and more out of focus. Watch little kids- they can look at stuff almost touching their noses.
There is no fix other than additional lenses (glasses, contact lenses, welding mask inserts, whatever) or a new lens. When you are old enough to have to have the cataracts removed, have the doctor put in a 'close' lens in one eye and marvel at how much better you can focus on things close to your eyes.
A welding insert may work in your helmet visor, fastened to the bottom. You would have to cut one up but they are inexpensive enough. Other than that or eyeglasses, there is no way out of it that I know of.
I am currently using a Zumo 550 and walking the fine line between 'it is too far away to see' and 'it is too close to focus'. And yes, I am wearing a pair of cheap drug store glasses as I type this. From what I hear, it don't get better as we get older either.... :-(
Brian
I'm not old but pushing 50 and I don't think I'm alone when I confess that I can't see the damn screen on anything less than a 7 inch GPS. Now I haven't mounted a GPS on my bike yet but I can't imagine being able to use anything but my 7 inch.
I can't be alone. My eyes are 20/15 but I cant see close up for crap. I dont need glasses to drive and i just use cheap dollar store throw aways for reading ....and typing this.
C'mon guys what's the secret ?? How do you read your GPS ? Bifocals ??
And,,,do you think I can fit a 7 inch GPS between the bars ?
Dan
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I'm not old but pushing 50 and I don't think I'm alone when I confess that I can't see the damn screen on anything less than a 7 inch GPS. Now I haven't mounted a GPS on my bike yet but I can't imagine being able to use anything but my 7 inch.
I can't be alone. My eyes are 20/15 but I cant see close up for crap.
Unfortunately it happens to all of us. I am 44 and over the last two years starting to go through this and just got bifocals. I don't wear glasses while driving but, like you, I am having increasing difficulty with small text. I am OK with my Zumo 450, but barely. I can tell it is going to be a problem eventually.
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I've tried wearing a single contact lense in my right eye alone while I run. That way I can read my running GPS. Believe it or not I don't run in circles with a single lense in. It seems my right eye becomes dominant when I look at my wrist GPS and it relaxes and my left eye is dominant throughout the run and nothing appears out of focus as if looking up wearing reading glasses.
However, I do find that if I'm gone for a long run,,,in the 2 to 3 hour range, my eyes are a bit sore afterwards. Probably the strain of not knowing which way to focus, or my eyes performing Chameleon like duties haha
I don't think this would be an option on a multi week trip.
I wonder if there are lenses that can be attached to the visor near an outer corner. Or is that what you mean by a welding helmet lense. I don't know what you mean.
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A couple things I'll add to the original topic. I've had a Garmin 550 since I first got the bike in '09 and it's worked great. I've used it in torrential rain and it's never given me a hiccup. Being able to download routes it nice, though I wish Garmin would develop simpler, more intuitive software for doing this. Anyone else think Basecamp is much harder to use than it needs to be? Someone said they downloaded routes directly from Google; how does that work (and does it with the 550)?
I do have my phone paired to my Sena for radio streaming and last trip I decided to put my phone in the clear map pocket of my tankbag so I could see the caller ID and decide if I wanted to answer an incoming call. When I stopped for lunch and took out my phone, the face was so hot (from sitting in the sun) that I almost couldn't touch it. That can't be good for the phone and I sure wouldn't want to subject my phone to that on a regular basis.
Like others, my phone does not function when I'm wearing riding gloves.
I also have a questions for those who have a lot of Garmin experience. I would love to eventually upgrade my 550 to a newer model. I'd like to have lifetime map updates and a larger screen. I'm using the cradle that came with the unit and the power supply is hardwired to the bike. Does anyone know if the plug that fits the 550 cradle is the same on newer models? In other words, if I get a new unit can I just replace the cradle or will I have to re-run the power wire?