Author Topic: M/C or car GPS?? (Read 18602 times)

wally_games · « **on:** November 14, 2011, 11:41:53 AM »

Ok, I'm going to pull the trigger on a GPS (Christmas present from my wife) and I'm wondering how many are using M/C GPS units and how many are using automobile units. I'd like a M/C version, but at several times the price, are they really worth the extra expense. (I do limited riding in the rain and Zip-Lock bags are cheap, LOL. Besides, the Concours has pretty good protection where it would be mounted.)

If I knew how, I'd set up a poll to track the outcome.

gnuse · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2011, 12:30:02 PM »

I think you have answered your own question. I think this because I have just been through the same process. I spent a lot of time looking and after thinking about my riding and needs, I went with a Garmin 2300LM. That unit can be bought for less than $130 these days and the free map thing is worth at least $60. Of course I don't "need" Bluetooth, I never listen to that woman tell me where to turn as she sometimes gets it wrong, and the displays are all about the same except for size. If you think m/c vs auto is expensive, check out the aviation units..... DAMHIK!

RedBombardier · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2011, 12:33:28 PM »

Quote from: gnuse on November 14, 2011, 12:30:02 PM

I think you have answered your own question. I think this because I have just been through the same process. I spent a lot of time looking and after thinking about my riding and needs, I went with a Garmin 2300LM. That unit can be bought for less than $130 these days and the free map thing is worth at least $60. Of course I don't "need" Bluetooth, I never listen to that woman tell me where to turn as she sometimes gets it wrong, and the displays are all about the same except for size. If you think m/c vs auto is expensive, check out the aviation units..... DAMHIK!

What he said. MC GPS units are not worth the money. Absolute ripoff.

556ALPHA · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2011, 12:50:20 PM »

I have an older Garmin 2720 which is a motorcycle unit. It has buttons for some functions and touch screen for others. I have a Garmin 765T as a backup and it works great as well. My answer would depend on a lot of variables. Do you always wear gloves? Is the $400.00 extra dollars for a mc unit in your budget or would it be a hardship? You can find a Zumo 550 on occasion for around $400-450 and it is a good motorcycle GPS. Then again if you have $700 laying around then buy the latest and the greatest. All depends on needs vs wants vs finances.

Rhino · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2011, 12:53:00 PM »

I've used a Magellan Crossover on both my C14 and my DR650 as well as my ATV's for years. I've never used a MC specific unit so I couldn't say if it is worth 3X more but sure doesn't seem like it. I used my Magellan for about 4 years before I left it out in the rain one too many times. Maybe that would be a reason for the MC specific unit but if I can get 4 years out of auto units for 1/3rd the price, it's a no brainer for me.

556ALPHA · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2011, 01:27:42 PM »

http://forum.cog-online.org/index.php/topic,30417.0.html

Check this out...

Jeremy Mitchell · « **Reply #6 on:** November 14, 2011, 01:42:59 PM »

Another option you can think about is using your cell phone with a good nav app. I have been using the Navigon app on my phone for the past three or four months and I loved it compared to a dedicated gps since I only have to sync one device with my Sena bluetooth and I have music, phone, and gps all in one. It doesn't rely on data or cell signal for the maps since it stores all 50 states plus Canda and Puerto Rico directly to the phone. Best $40 I have ever spent.

jayke · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2011, 02:12:54 PM »

I'm a Garmin Mapsource fan. Buy a Garmin that you can import routes into and you'll ride on roads that you'd never see other wise. I lay out loops from home on mine all the time.

A GPS will just get you from A to B without getting lost. When you can plan your own route, it turns the trip into your own adventure.

You need a GPS that has spoken directions with street names. Either Bluetooth or a wired connection to helmet speakers. Because of glare, you can't always read the screen.

roadie · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2011, 02:16:55 PM »

I've lost so many units jerry-rigging them to stay on my bike. What did work was the aquabox on my mad-max Vstrom but didn't want to go that route on my Connie...Definitely don't like the higher price for MC units, so found a used TomTom Rider 2 on Craigslist...complete setup with cradles for car/bike cost me $300 shipped. I put her on a Techmount between the handbars, and looks pretty slick. I don't use the bluetooth option, just watch the map...Keep my bluetooth headset synced to my iphone for radio/mp3/phone calls. I know you can daisy-chain sync them, but not feeling it. I might go the route Jeremy suggest, but thinking I'd like a shockproof/waterproof iphone case to mount on my techmount, plus hardwired power versus going to the utility plug.

wally_games · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2011, 06:53:57 PM »

I'd love to just use my iPhone, but the only apps I've seen have North up and I really want Forward to be up. I like being able to see the layout of the road just ahead. A bigger screen would be nicer too.

Jeremy Mitchell · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2011, 07:04:20 PM »

Quote from: wally_games on November 14, 2011, 06:53:57 PM

I'd love to just use my iPhone, but the only apps I've seen have North up and I really want Forward to be up. I like being able to see the layout of the road just ahead. A bigger screen would be nicer too.

Navigon has forward up, I was concerned about that as well. It also doesn't matter which way you have your phone turned, my only complaint is routing options are kind of limited but I have found a pretty good way to ride the roads that I want if you would be interested in hearing about that. It also has a Google search function built into it that is very handy.

FYI: Navigon is a very respected company that is based in Germany. I used one of their units that a friend of mine owned while I was there and it worked as good or possibly even better than a TomTom or Garmin.

Rick Hall · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2011, 07:16:54 PM »

Quote from: gnuse on November 14, 2011, 12:30:02 PM

... If you think m/c vs auto is expensive, check out the aviation units..... DAMHIK!

Yabut, 430/530/G1000 have this spiffy "nearest" button on them

Can you imagine the marketing possibilities if Garmin could do the same on M/C GPS's? Like for a Gold wing: "nearest DQ/Crispy-Cream", for a Duc "nearest tire/fuel/chiropractor", for a Hardley "nearest place to buy a pin/patch/beer", and for the Connie "nearest twisty road".

Just plug in your brand of motor-scooter, have all the info you need a finger press away.

Rick

PS, Nice RV

GVmerle · « **Reply #12 on:** November 14, 2011, 07:41:11 PM »

I am using a Garmin 550 Zumo and am very happy with it. I was just a little reluctant to mount a non-m/c gps on the bike.

lather · « **Reply #13 on:** November 14, 2011, 07:55:12 PM »

The Garmin Nuvi 500 and 550 are both waterproof. less than 300.

jjsC6 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 14, 2011, 08:15:47 PM »

Quote from: jayke on November 14, 2011, 02:12:54 PM

I'm a Garmin Mapsource fan. Buy a Garmin that you can import routes into and you'll ride on roads that you'd never see other wise. I lay out loops from home on mine all the time.

A GPS will just get you from A to B without getting lost. When you can plan your own route, it turns the trip into your own adventure.

You need a GPS that has spoken directions with street names. Either Bluetooth or a wired connection to helmet speakers. Because of glare, you can't always read the screen.

I've used both a motorcycle and now a car GPS. I am not wired for sound, but I do load maps. I very seldom miss a turn, and very seldom can I not read the display. I don't think there is a perfect system for everyone, but this works well for me. Like someone mentioned above, I keep some zip lock baggies and rubber bands on my bike for rain.

lather · « **Reply #15 on:** November 14, 2011, 08:31:30 PM »

I wouldn't call myself a Mapsource fan but I have not found anything better for making routes and I have tried many. Making routes with the unit is a joke. By the way I have heard Garmin will be phasing out Mapsource in favor of Basecamp. I have tried Basecamp and it looks like it is only for hikers. AS the name inplies..
I can always mage to read my Nuvi screen but I DO wish it had an audio jack. I can only hear the speaker at speeds below 20 mph. I am planning to install my own audio jack.

Quote from: jayke on November 14, 2011, 02:12:54 PM

I'm a Garmin Mapsource fan. Buy a Garmin that you can import routes into and you'll ride on roads that you'd never see other wise. I lay out loops from home on mine all the time.

A GPS will just get you from A to B without getting lost. When you can plan your own route, it turns the trip into your own adventure.

You need a GPS that has spoken directions with street names. Either Bluetooth or a wired connection to helmet speakers. Because of glare, you can't always read the screen.

Hayeshfc · « **Reply #16 on:** November 14, 2011, 08:48:15 PM »

Have used a zumo 550 for several years and now a zumo 665 for a few months. The screen is set up well for a m/c use with gloves, but they can be changed for auto mode easily - I just took the 665 off the bike and out it in my explorer for a recent trip. Being able to stream music to your helmet via Bluetooth and with the 665 get siruis radio and weather radar has been a huge improvement to the riding experience.

ZG · « **Reply #17 on:** November 14, 2011, 10:00:35 PM »

I have a Garmin 765T, got it new off ebay for about $150 (going off memory)...

Blue tooth directions to my Scala G4, built in mp3 that plays in stereo, a very solid unit and I've had zero problems with it or using it with both summer and winter gloves, best $150 I've ever spent for a gps, have had it for about a year now.

Khrome · « **Reply #18 on:** November 14, 2011, 10:09:36 PM »

Picked up the new Garmin 3490LMT and I really like it.

OCK913 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 14, 2011, 10:45:40 PM »

I had a Zumo 550 on my FJR and have been using a Nuvi 765T on my C14. It seemed the Zumo was easier to read in the direct sunlight, but it could just be the mounting/viewing angle is different on the Connie. Other than that, they work pretty much the same. In fact, I just purchased a second 765T (refurbished) from NewEgg. Since it is a dicontinued model, I want to have a back up in case the first one ever goes dead. The headphone jack is a major factor for me. I use the bluetooth from time to time, but for music, the headphone jack is louder and better clarity.

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Author Topic: M/C or car GPS?? (Read 18602 times)