Looking for G.P.S. Info.

[Johnny Y]

Hi everyone, I'm studying GPS & how to hook it up on my Nomad. last year I took 2 trips & at the end of a couple 12 or 13 hour days I started making wrong turns. I have a Sound of chrome stereo but it is not Bluetooth capable. I'm thinking I could install a 3 m.m. jack on a GPS. What I'm looking for is advice on what units people are happy with & how to hook it into my bike power. Thanks.

[JD Hog]

I have the Garmin Zumo 660 and it wires into the sound system with a cable harness that is provided. That being said I don't use the prompts to the audio very often but it is very easy to turn them on and off when desired.

[Sabre-t]

If you don't want a motorcycle GPS, you can get a 12v to usb converter like - https://www.amazon.com/Inverter-Regulator-Converter-Camcorder-HitCar/dp/B06Y4CHT5L/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1496195513&sr=8-9&keywords=12v+usb+cable - and wire it into the auxiliary plugs behind the radio. Some of those already have audio jacks.

For motorcycle GPSs, you can wire them in the same, but they have a custom mount to power the unit. I don't know if Zumos have audio jacks, but TomTom's don't. I'm sure you could add one, but you would be risking the weather/water resistance by doing so. If you wear a 3/4 to full helmet, you could get a bluetooth headset and a motorcycle gps and just listen to the GPS thru the helmet and still use your stereo for music.

I have a TomTom Rider 400 with the powered mount. I like that it automatically goes to sleep when I turn the ignition key off (with a 10 second delay so you can cancel the sleep mode if you need to). It doesn't use any bike power in that state. I think Zumos do the same thing. I don't use the bike stereo often, though. I connect the phone for music, and the GPS to my headset.

[Huddleston]

I have the Zumo 660lm, which is now discontinued, but some are still available. The lm means lifetime maps. It does have an audio jack. However, with the Garmin harness, I have mine wired into an amplifier and speakers. I have loaded my favorite mp3's into the Garmin, and it works great. The Garmin instructions play through the speakers and interrupts the music when it needs to tell you to turn. I couldn't ride far without mine.

[Lumberjack]

You (I) still get lost (wrong direction) using 2 GPS's on my bike. Don't trust technology entirely and use your own judgement.

[gmer140]

I 2 am looking 4 gps add on. Dont want 2 spend 2 spend that much 4 a new unit tho. I have an older maggelan but battery is shot and has only tiny screen. I would like it 2 have audio jack, i presume 2 get Bluetooth unit major $? Any suggestions?

[Huddleston]

Originally Posted by gmer140

I 2 am looking 4 gps add on. Dont want 2 spend 2 spend that much 4 a new unit tho. I have an older maggelan but battery is shot and has only tiny screen. I would like it 2 have audio jack, i presume 2 get Bluetooth unit major $? Any suggestions?

Check ebay. They have some waterproof, Bluetooth units for about 120.00

[Johnny Y]

Originally Posted by gmer140

I 2 am looking 4 gps add on. Dont want 2 spend 2 spend that much 4 a new unit tho. I have an older maggelan but battery is shot and has only tiny screen. I would like it 2 have audio jack, i presume 2 get Bluetooth unit major $? Any suggestions?

I'm seeing a lot of refurbished units on Amazon. Waterproof GPS start at $200.00. I'm seeing Bluetooth under $100.00. I have a windshield bag that would protect it from all but a really bad down pour. They do have waterproof bags for around $40.00. I'm thinking it would be better to wire it to the bikes power rather than have to worry about battery life. But rather than run it to the bikes battery, can I wire it to one of the accessories hook ups in the headlight ?

[nomadtom69]

with any gps it is best to have a paper map of the state you are in some times the gps will send you into not so nice areas . once you put your route in check it against a paper one or one you can put program on a laptop (delorme street atlas is one)

[tonik]

Originally Posted by nomadtom69

with any gps it is best to have a paper map of the state you are in some times the gps will send you into not so nice areas . once you put your route in check it against a paper one or one you can put program on a laptop (delorme street atlas is one)

Been there done that, got the picture.

[alwhite00]

I use my phone mounted on the handlebars. My stereo is bluetooth compatable but have not tried it.

[JD Hog]

This is a road used a lot in summer and fall but when the snow starts falling it is closed down. At least they warn you before you have gone too far.

[schoeney]

Originally Posted by tonik

Been there done that, got the picture.

Me too. On the South side of Chicago at dusk....ughhh.

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[Sabre-t]

Originally Posted by nomadtom69

with any gps it is best to have a paper map of the state you are in some times the gps will send you into not so nice areas . once you put your route in check it against a paper one or one you can put program on a laptop (delorme street atlas is one)

Or get a GPS that has or works with a mapping utility (I'm really starting to like MyRouteApp) so you can build the route on a PC or laptop and download it to the GPS. With the TomTom Rider 400, you can create a route with MyRouteApp and it will calculate using the TomTom 400 algorithm to build a route. You can also download your plan as a track (as opposed to a route) which forces the Rider to follow the software route even more exactly.

[Kawalski Rider]

Originally Posted by nomadtom69

with any gps it is best to have a paper map of the state you are in some times the gps will send you into not so nice areas . once you put your route in check it against a paper one or one you can put program on a laptop (delorme street atlas is one)

I couldn't agree more... Beside how are you going to gather the gang around to plot n plan, when all you have to look at is this little screen. ALWAYS have a road atlas handy for a backup and planning.

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