GPS Recomendations

[StinkyPete]

My 12 year old Garmin Quest GPS has reached the end of it's useful life, as it has become unreliable and resets itself, and locks up, usually at a very bad time.  I'm looking for suggestions for a replacement, preferably with the ability to store and play a bunch of MP3s, to save me from carting an iPod around, and thus minimising the number of things I need to plug myself into before launching.

[Abe]

Hi Peter,

My Quest does the same thing also.  So after Ballarat I purchased a Garmin 390LM, from Johnny Appleseed, price  will update post tonight when I get home.

Appleseed matched a cheaper price that I found.  You can talk to them on line which is very helpful.

Trying to learn "basecamp" software, which Garmin are using now.

[ST2UP]

Hi Peter,

My Quest does the same thing also.  So after Ballarat I purchased a Garmin 390LM, from Johnny Appleseed, price  will update post tonight when I get home.

Appleseed matched a cheaper price that I found.  You can talk to them on line which is very helpful.

Trying to learn "basecamp" software, which Garmin are using now.

  

[saaz]

The 390 does not have an MP3 player if that is one key feature. The superseded Garmin 660 does, and I think there is a new model coming out that does as well (a 590 or some such) as I have seen it referred to overseas.

[Chatty]

I just use my Galaxy S4, plugged into my comms system.  Comes with Navigon navigation and lifetime free map upgrades.

I sit the phone in my tank bag so I can see it through the clear plastic and it's easy to unplug and take off the bike.  Going to change the accessory plug to a USB outlet as has been seen on these pages recently - I figure that gets rid of the need for the USB adaptor.

Can't really program it or play with the buttons on the run, but I have never felt the need to and I worry about spending more time looking at the screen than at the road.

[StinkyPete]

My Quest does the same thing also.......

I wonder if it was a built in redundancy.    After ten years I will shut down and try not to work, ever again.

[tj189]

I am still having great success with this one

http://www.holux.com/JCore/en/products/products_content.jsp?pno=410

[saaz]

It took me a bit over 30 years to do the same thing!

My Quest does the same thing also.......

I wonder if it was a built in redundancy.    After ten years I will shut down and try not to work, ever again.

[Biggles]

It took me a bit over 30 years to do the same thing!

My Quest does the same thing also.......

I wonder if it was a built in redundancy.    After ten years I will shut down and try not to work, ever again.

I'm heading down the same path.  Took me 40 years, but the shut-downs are becoming more frequent and long lasting.

I love my Garmin 660, in its Touratech lockable cradle with MP3s, lots of custom routes and waypoints.  Hopefully the newer versions will be better, but I can't see how.  Not the cheapest on the market, but mine has been going solidly for over 2 years.

[Me_3]

I just use my iphone.. I paid up for the tom-tom software as it has offline maps. Has the music player, gps instructions to the headset over the music, and phone calls as well.

Just a ram mount on the handlebars, USB socket mounted to the bike on the fairing. I just carry a few zip-lock bags in the side pocket just in case it gets too wet and I want directions..

[ST2UP]

I just use my iphone.. I paid up for the tom-tom software as it has offline maps. Has the music player, gps instructions to the headset over the music, and phone calls as well.

Just a ram mount on the handlebars, USB socket mounted to the bike on the fairing. I just carry a few zip-lock bags in the side pocket just in case it gets too wet and I want directions..

+1....but have the iPhone in a Lifeproof waterproof case, in addition to Tom Tom I have Hema or Mud Maps ticking away in the background, these have alsorts of POI's that pop up as you pass through the country side 

[Couch]

I have my iPhone protected within a "Biologic" waterproof case that's attached to my left handlebar, the phone's connected up to the bike's battery via a USB cable that's powered from within my tankbag. I have "Metroview" downloaded to the phone and use that for GPS, also use the phone for music, downloaded through iTunes, & phone calls (of course) via bluetooth to my Sena..........all works like a charm!!

[Abe]

Just an update of my new  Zumo 390LM, well it had a brain Fa*t (corrupt file came through "Base Camp", please use Garmin web updater) when I placed it into the bike cradle ready for tomorrows FR29.

Rang Johnny Appleseed and spoke to James, well James tried numerous fault finding remedies, but to no avail.

But what a bloody helpful bloke, nothing was a problem, getting a new Zumo tomorrow, that's service for you. 

[Aussieboy]

My Garmin 550 has been used and abused for about 5 years. Recently the rubber around the power button perished and the rubber button fell off. I super glued it back in and put some silicone over it to hopefully waterproof it. I gave Garmin a call 1800 235 822 and they advised me that I could send the unit back to them and they would replace it with a fully refurbished 550 for $199. When I can afford to be without it for a couple of weeks I am going to take up this offer. Might be worth a call if you have a unit you really like to see what they can do.