What GPS and why

[Abe]

This topic is for dedicated GPS units not mobile phones (been done).

Have a Garmin Quest and she has died, so looking for another dedicated GPS, with similar functions and weather protection.

So, what GPS have you got and are you happy with it??

Cheers
Dave

[Biggles]

The Garmin Zumo 660 is hard to beat, but expensive.
Its touch screen is glove friendly and there is only one external button.  It will store lots of music, links to your phone through Bluetooth and to your intercom through a single cable that also picks up the bike power.  I use a Touratech mount which is also not cheap, but is key locked and very quick to lock-in / remove.  It also has a "book" section where yo can load audio books when you get sick of music.

[saaz]

I have the Zumo 660.  Comes with car and bike mounts/power leads etc.  Not the cheapest by a long way, but it works.  I integrate it into my autocom system for navigation instructions and bluetoothed to the mobile so can also use that through the autocom.

I have used car GPS units and they can work, you just have to look after the weather proofing.

The 660 has the usual problems with mapping, instructions etc - never come across a gps that does not have something that it does wrong every now and again.

[alans1100]

Currently running a Mio Moov 300 http://www.mio.com/au/products-car-navigation-moov300-overview.htm which we bought for the car 5 years ago. Updated the maps about two years ago. Outdated model but still good enough for the bike. Storing favourite routes including waypoints etc is one of the functions I use a lot. With the recent install of my dash shelf the GPS now sits there and I can hear the spoken directions quite clearly.

It was a mid range unit when we bought it so no bluetooth etc which is fine for me as I don't need the phone etc while on the move.

Would prefer a bike dedicated GPS like http://www.strike.com.au/products/GPS/Strike-Genius-Motorcycle-GPS_11 but that'll have to wait.

[laurie]

I generally use Hema maps and a leisurely cup of coffee to help me figure out which way to go.........
Laurie

[Biggles]

The Strike is good buying at $499.  Their basic mount is $38.50 but you'd need some additional RAM mounts I think.  It looks the goods, being designed for m/cs.  The plus it has over the Zumo 660 is its anti glare shield.  At certain sun angles the Zumo screen is very hard to decipher.

[Biggles]

I generally use Hema maps and a leisurely cup of coffee to help me figure out which way to go.........
Laurie

I forget what I saw on a map 5 minutes after I get on the bike.   

[saaz]

The strike seems to get good reports.  The Zumo has it minus points, as its mapping and speed alerts are nowhere near as good or up to date as the navig8r I was using.  It also does some strange instructions through country towns sometimes, so as with any gps always look at the screen to see what it is trying to do or just follow the road signs to where you want to go.


I have found the Zumo screen to be far better than the car units I was using before.  I always carry paper maps of some sort as they are a better way to do the overall ride plan or to do a reality check on what the GPS might think is ok.  I will often just use the GPS as a rolling roadmap and follow road signs to places for a while, then let it give some instructions in some places if needed.  It is handy to give distance to arrival, estimated time etc etc, but not on all rides.

[StinkyPete]

I use a Garmin Quest, which is at least 10 years old.   I chose it because it was waterproof and had all the functions that I needed.   I'm still using it because it is waterproof, and has all the functions I need, and still works.    Every now and again, however, I strike a new road and the unit thinks I riding through the scrub.  She goes beserk and smoke comes out the little chimney, just like my original navigator who sit in the front passenger seat.   

[Tackleberry]

I'm another Zumo 660 user. 

Good Points: 
- weather proof for bikes 
- regular updated maps (which come lifetime free at purchase) 
- bluetooth comms system if you want 
- integrates into comms system without hiccups (eg Starcom1 & Autocom etc)
- Ram Mounts included with purchase 
- good brand so plenty of support (including a Zumo Forum hosted by Garmin) 
- easy to use and generally pretty intuitive in controls 
- plenty of accessories and replacement parts available because its a common unit 
- can be wired direct to bike for power supply in cradle provided in box 

Bad Points: 
- not cheap start up 
- some known minor issues (easily fixed) 
- can be difficult to read screen in bright sunlight 

I know some people will think of more points to add to the bad, however mine has now done around 90 000km since new in Aug 2010 and still going strong.  I have a cradle on the ST11 home bike & FJR13 work bike that the unit swaps between.  Used to find addresses in a hurry at work, spends days on the road for home, and I ride in rain, hail or NQ hot weather, so it doesn't get babied.  Bought an anti-glare screen protector for it, and generally don't have to many issues. 

The other two riders in our office have been supplied the Strike GPS, because I provided my own, and one doesn't use it, and the other says his is only good for playing music into his helmet.  Neither of them have a great deal of experience with GPS' so whether that would make a difference I don't know, but for now I am more than happy to recommend the Zumo 660 as a capable device.  There is a new model out now, but you can still get the 660. 

[Sean]

Currently running a Navman MY85XLT. It is not waterproof, however I have purchased an Aquabox from Johnny Appleseed that is waterproof and with the mounting arms and case I got out of it for about $100 plus the GPS on sale for $200. I use the GPS in the car and swap it to the bike when I go for a long ride. 5 inch screen is great and the aquabox has a rubber membrane on the front that allows you to use the controls uninterupted. This ends up cheaper than the dedicated bike GPS devices and has the versatility of being able to mount in the car as well.

Just a different option.

Sean
 

[Whizz]

I have used a TomTom 4GC01 and it is not the best thing I have ever used (I nearly said CRAP, but thought that might be a little strong). The unit is quite small so my lousy eyesight doesn't see it too well and the audio is somewhat quiet and distorted via Bluetooth alone. The worst thing about it is the 'novel' it will only allow you to make a course from one place to another without adding particular places. To make a course that goes from one specific place to another, then to another, then to another would require three separate courses...a pain in the lower part of the anatomy if ever I heard of one!! The reason I got it was because I had a real cheap deal on it at the time...what a mistake that was!!

[West Aussie Glen]

I have a Zumo 350. Generally happy with it but the instructions are not as clear as my old navman. Also the maps seem to have a few mistakes and a lot of the speed limits are missing and some incorrect. What I do like is Base Camp (free software by Garmin)which allows you to plan trips on your laptop, turn by turn. When downloaded to the GPS if you have planned more than 29 poins it will divide the trip into separate sections. There are some tricks to using Base Camp which I am still learning.

[saaz]

The Zumo 660 comes with both bike and car mounts.  I use it in the car just as much or more than on the bike.  It is a bit bulkier and heavier than car units though due to the construction needed to go on the bike.

Has anyone use the TomTom as they always come up well in comparisons?

[tj189]

From memory the Strike was a very similar version to one that may have been released by aldi ?????? as one of the go cruise models???

[saaz]

I think so.  Just more expensive.

[Marcus]

Tom Tom. Bike edition. Works fine

[Yorkie]

I updated to Zumo 660 after the 310 which had insufficient memory for updates, am totally happy with the capability to do pretty much everything I need. map updates with all brands are a third party issue and applies to all brands. I believe TomTom will basically go into sleep mode if you miss a turn, whereas Garmin will recalculate.

[Marcus]

I updated to Zumo 660 after the 310 which had insufficient memory for updates, am totally happy with the capability to do pretty much everything I need. map updates with all brands are a third party issue and applies to all brands. I believe TomTom will basically go into sleep mode if you miss a turn, whereas Garmin will recalculate.

No Tom Tom wakes up and goes to sleep as it should. Never missed a turn so far

[tj189]

I am currently using one of these
http://www.holux.com/JCore/en/products/products_content.jsp?pno=410
why;  dustproof, waterproof and I can run IGO Primo software on it 

[royst1100]

been running the zumo 550 for several years but when it gives up the zumo 660 will be next

[Carsten]

I have a Garmin Zumo 550.  Doesnt have a huge waypoint memory so some of the trip is lost. Probably my fault for not deleting some old maps.  What really pisses me off is paying top dollar and being expected to pay for map updates.  Luckily someone always manages to find a cheap map update.  Still a good unit when riding.

[Tipsy]

  py

There is only one thing that can beat the Garmin Zumo 660
is a .........................................................................................
...........................................bugger inside wheel if a prime mover....  ..........
 
Tipsy

[saaz]

The zumo is quite tough. It can survive falling off the bike, but not being run over, eh Tipsy 

py

There is only one thing that can beat the Garmin Zumo 660
is a .........................................................................................
...........................................bugger inside wheel if a prime mover....  ..........
 
Tipsy

[Tipsy]

  py

well that remains to be seen actually
 I ordered  a replacement screen (twice) and it is now in the hands of HarieG.
so it now remains to be seen.

Tipsy