It is not coming recommended by one of the original thoroughly put through the ringer beta testers on ADVriders, he said to stick with the Montana or whatever else works for ya, hope you have good luck with it though. I have 2 old Garmin 2720's, and I will use them until they die.Yep, been in dialogue with him (I am SOP Dirt-Rider on the ADV forum) If my primary use was routing I would be concerned, really concerned. So far I plug in address and it works, but I haven't built a route to suffer as those that do. Tracks, tracks, and more tracks. Working perfect in that regard.
As an alternative, you can use any of the older TomTom GPS available on ebay for about $15 to $25. There are several style handle bar and ball mounts for around $5. The older TomTom units had a Windows file format so they are easy to modify. I have a TomTom One xls (paid $20). I have cloned the latest TomTom Rider operating system and the latest set of North American Maps (USA, Canada, Mexico, including Alaska). It has a mini USB charging port (bought a 12vdc charger cable for $5). I also got the water proof case (again about $5), and they have integrated blue tooth. The whole set cost about $35. I have two (second one was $15), just in case something happens to the first I have a back up. They work fine, and the latest operating system locks onto satellites fast, and with the Rider version you have one touch hot keys, bike specific routes (twistes), trip stats, and return same route option.
I've been reading through the threads researching a purchase of a GPS. I use a Magellan 7" in my truck. Mainly because....well approaching 50 my eyes aren't what they used to be and I can see what I need to see without having to put on my dollar store cheaters. Yes I'm still in denial I guess.
My question is this: I want a GPS unit at least a 6" unit and is prefer a 7". I've recently purchased a set of Sena Smh10's I have an iPhone 5s that I was intending to use for music. In my research I'm finding that a lot of GPS units won't pair/Bluetooth with the new 5s. So I'm guessing a better way to go for music will be a GPS unit that will play music. I'm new here but already I respect and appreciate the vast experience and expertise I've found.
Does anyone has suggestions for an inexpensive GPS that will work for me. I can't spend the $$ on a dedicated M/C unit.
AND... With the Murphs risers and wedges the 7" won't fit between the bars now so I'm considering either a left handle bar ram mount or even in a map pouch of a tank bag.
Thanks for your input everyone
Dan
One of the problems with auto GPS's is that they no longer support MP3[...]The other problem with automotive units is that they are usually not readable in sunlight[...]
I am having the identical problem with GPS and other instruments as my near- vision is also becoming quite blurry
Other than the Zumo units, do any of these Garmin gps pair to the Sena SM10?If you have the Sena SMH10 you could consider getting a Sena SR10 and use an audio cable for the GPS audio out port to the SR10 and you would have audio turn by turn in your helmet. I use it w my Zumo but primarily got the SR-10 to link the radar detector audio alerts straight to my helmet speakers of the Sena SMH10. With this set up you get phone Bluetooth, music from the smartphone, GPS turn by turn and radar detector alerts.
And the remaining problems are that if they use a capacitive touchscreen, that won't work with motorcycle gloves, they rarely have any hard buttons, they are not weatherproof, they don't include appropriate mounts, and they are not as shock/vibration resistant.
That is happening to me too now, hence bifocals. But I do not wear glasses on the bike, so seeing the small screen is becoming more difficult all the time.
http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-big-screen-magnifier-ram-mag-1u.html
A good write up on the Monterra.
http://globeriders.com/article_pages/article06_gps/article06_monterra.shtml
It seems there are some routing issues, although I have as of yet to have an issue. I have a 320 mile trip tomorrow so I will give it a shot to see how it does. Great for tracks, so far two woods/trail rides and it displays accurate tracks.
If you are really bored, read up from intitial "rumor" to release.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=898282
I'm liking it so far, minor issues, but much better reception than my Montana gets and far easier to use (so far anyway).
On the focus issue: welder's lenses in the bottom of the visor of your helmet. Cheap (less than $10), fairly easy (you would have to glue / tape it (them if you cut it in half to blend in with the visor better)) to install. If someone really wanted to go nuts, that person could make a small mount to hold the lens in place but allow it to be removed for easy cleaning.