Which GPS?

fireman68 · 11-13-2009, 01:03 PM

Not sure which forum to put this in, but I'm looking for input on a good GPS system to use on my bike. I want to be able to create routes and load on it. Oh yeah, it would be an extra bonus if it didn't cost 5 or 6 hundred dollars. Any suggestions?
Thanks

**Top Cat** · 11-13-2009, 03:18 PM

I like my Garmin Zumo 550 but it is $600+.
I don't like the Mapsource program that comes with it to down load trips. It is a pain in the ass to use.
So I guess this is of no help to you but at least I upped my post count by 1.

cactusjack · 11-13-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman68

Not sure which forum to put this in, but I'm looking for input on a good GPS system to use on my bike. I want to be able to create routes and load on it. Oh yeah, it would be an extra bonus if it didn't cost 5 or 6 hundred dollars. Any suggestions?
Thanks

Didn't someone just ask this a week ago?

Anyway, If you don't want to spend 5 or 6 bills on a GPS, I recommend the Garmin Nuvi series. I have a Nuvi 550, and it is waterproof (that's a +), I know you can use HD's Trip Planner website to download maps to it (another +), and I've heard (but not tried) Google Maps. Mine cost me ~$250 (another +), and the touch screen works just great with gloves. Get a RAM mount to mount it on your handlebars, and you are good to go.

It doesn't have all the bells and whistles that the Zumo does, which was okay with me because I wouldn't use most of them anyway. Here's a photo of mine (in my messy garage):

Yellow Jacket · 11-14-2009, 04:42 PM

Check out this thread which started Oct. 27th. Bunch of info about the GPS.

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/v...ic.php?t=13200

skeeter · 11-14-2009, 07:20 PM

your car looks nice and warm CJ. Is it cold at night?

cactusjack · 11-15-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeter

your car looks nice and warm CJ. Is it cold at night?

Oh there's no car in that garage. It's my third garage, and only the bike lives there (along with boxes of my wife's junk)

. The blanket is what I lay the saddlebags or tank on when I remove them. It's just draped over the trailer I tow with the bike.

kpmhspirit · 11-15-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman68

Not sure which forum to put this in, but I'm looking for input on a good GPS system to use on my bike. I want to be able to create routes and load on it. Oh yeah, it would be an extra bonus if it didn't cost 5 or 6 hundred dollars. Any suggestions?
Thanks

I just bought the Nuvi 550 and am very happy with it. It's waterproof as well which is good. Once you figure out the quirks of Mapsource, it's actually fairly easy to create routes. They are easily downloaded to the unit. I got it at Amazon.com for around $250 plus the power cable and mount components from Ram for about $75.

A couple of things about this unit:

You'll have to buy a USB cable to connect to a computer but check the ones you've already got for cell phones, cameras, etc. I found a couple that actually fit and I didn't really need to buy another.

You can get optional traffic alerts by buying another power cable

It does not have a headphone jack or bluetooth so you won't hear directions on the bike but the screen is easy to read provided the sun is not shining directly on it. Also, it's not a music player.

Unless you want to look at pictures, don't bother with the optional SD card. I don't think it can detect maps on the extra SD card. The unit comes with about 2 MB of memory (on an internal SD card, I think). The programs take about 1.3 MB which leaves plenty of space for maps. You can delete all the unnecessary language/voice files and icon files, creating even more space.

You're limited to about 200 way points on a map despite what the specs say (500) but that's plenty for a day's route. If you create a map with too many, go back and delete some intermediate way points as long as you still keep the same route.

Overall, it's a great unit and does what I want without frills.

Just my 2 cents.

Pete

fireman68 · 11-19-2009, 06:59 AM

Sorry for the repeat post! I tried to do a search, but couldn't search for 3 letter topics.
I appreciate the input. I have been looking at the Garmin nuvi 550 and it sounds like for the price, that is the way I will probably go.
Thanks again. As usual lots of great information on these forums!

Yellow Jacket · 11-19-2009, 03:55 PM

No problem fireman. To put it in a polite way, the search function leaves much to be desired.

**Top Cat** · 11-25-2009, 03:58 PM

Your such a polite gentelman Jellow Jacket.
I would just say as I have many times before, The search feature SUCKS! :)

**Cajunrider** · 11-25-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

I like my Garmin Zumo 550 but it is $600+.
I don't like the Mapsource program that comes with it to down load trips. It is a pain in the ass to use.
So I guess this is of no help to you but at least I upped my post count by 1.

Didn't you say you are cheap? ???

**Top Cat** · 11-26-2009, 11:53 AM

[quote=Cajunrider ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "Top Cat (TC) ":5e9ary39

I like my Garmin Zumo 550 but it is $600+.
I don't like the Mapsource program that comes with it to down load trips. It is a pain in the ass to use.
So I guess this is of no help to you but at least I upped my post count by 1.

Didn't you say you are cheap? ???

[/quote:5e9ary39]

That was in a post about dialup Cajun

I'm cheap when it comes to some things. I will put up with a slow computer but when it comes to motorcycling I believe in getting the best you can afford. That's why I ride a Nomad ;)

doublel · 11-26-2009, 12:25 PM

I noticed the Nuvi 550 on amazon for $199. I bet you could get it real cheap if you get out at 4:00am at a black Friday sale :) I think this will be my Christmas present.

**Cajunrider** · 11-26-2009, 01:10 PM

[quote=Top Cat (TC) ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "Cajunrider ":7q1mnsbm

Didn't you say you are cheap? ???

That was in a post about dialup Cajun

I'm cheap when it comes to some things. I will put up with a slow computer but when it comes to motorcycling I believe in getting the best you can afford. That's why I ride a Nomad ;)[/quote:7q1mnsbm]

Me too TC, that's why I ride on a CT. ;)

**Top Cat** · 11-26-2009, 04:28 PM

I'm still waiting for the long term evaluation on that Cajun.

It does make sense as far as mileage goes, I'm still going to harass you darksiders though.
I figure if I can afford a $600+ GPS I can afford a MC tire every 12,000 miles.

11-13-2009, 01:03 PM	#1
fireman68 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 103	Which GPS? Not sure which forum to put this in, but I'm looking for input on a good GPS system to use on my bike. I want to be able to create routes and load on it. Oh yeah, it would be an extra bonus if it didn't cost 5 or 6 hundred dollars. Any suggestions? Thanks __________________ 2003 1500 Nomad FI Cuckster's single plate Vance & Hines duals Dobeck TFI Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

11-13-2009, 03:18 PM	#2
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Which GPS? I like my Garmin Zumo 550 but it is $600+. I don't like the Mapsource program that comes with it to down load trips. It is a pain in the ass to use. So I guess this is of no help to you but at least I upped my post count by 1. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
	0

11-14-2009, 04:42 PM	#4
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	Which GPS? Check out this thread which started Oct. 27th. Bunch of info about the GPS. http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/v...ic.php?t=13200 __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
	0

11-14-2009, 07:20 PM	#5
skeeter Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kerrville Tx Posts: 1,713	Which GPS? your car looks nice and warm CJ. Is it cold at night? __________________ Robert(skeeter)Dozier 07 Red&Titanium Nomad 81 Suzuki 850GL KawaNow pre# Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

11-19-2009, 06:59 AM	#8
fireman68 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 103	Which GPS? Sorry for the repeat post! I tried to do a search, but couldn't search for 3 letter topics. I appreciate the input. I have been looking at the Garmin nuvi 550 and it sounds like for the price, that is the way I will probably go. Thanks again. As usual lots of great information on these forums! __________________ 2003 1500 Nomad FI Cuckster's single plate Vance & Hines duals Dobeck TFI
	0

11-19-2009, 03:55 PM	#9
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	Which GPS? No problem fireman. To put it in a polite way, the search function leaves much to be desired. __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
	0

11-25-2009, 03:58 PM	#10
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Which GPS? Your such a polite gentelman Jellow Jacket. I would just say as I have many times before, The search feature SUCKS! :) __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
	0

11-26-2009, 12:25 PM	#13
doublel Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 102	Which GPS? I noticed the Nuvi 550 on amazon for $199. I bet you could get it real cheap if you get out at 4:00am at a black Friday sale :) I think this will be my Christmas present.
	0

11-26-2009, 04:28 PM	#15
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Which GPS? I'm still waiting for the long term evaluation on that Cajun. It does make sense as far as mileage goes, I'm still going to harass you darksiders though. I figure if I can afford a $600+ GPS I can afford a MC tire every 12,000 miles. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
	0

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