GPS Recommendations

[winston66]

Winston66,

I am thinking about acquiring a GPS. so that I don't get lost on my planned trip around the paddock next year.
 Has anyone got any suggestions re. make and model.
I don't want to have to take out a loan for this one so I am hoping that there are some units that have a proven record and that will perform ok. but will still be in a reasonable price bracket that I can justify.

 Cheers, winston66

[Biggles]

Probably more than you want to spend, but the Garmin Zumo 660 is very popular with experienced riders.
I have about 1000 tunes loaded in mine and it is integrated with the Starcom system which feeds all the sound to the helmet.
There's good support for TomToms too.
If you want the economy version of the Garmin you can buy one of the Nuvi series for under $200 and put it in a waterproof case, of which there are some quite good ones available.

[Yorkie]

I agree the Zumo 660 is a great unit however it is no longer in production although still available with lifetime map updates.
I believe the replacement unit does not have mp3 if you want it for music.

[alans1100]

I still use my car GPS which is good enough for now.

If I went for a dedicated hard wired bike GPS then I'd probably go for the Strike for around the $400 mark

Either way my phone is GPS capable and I have the SYGIC GPS app which is as good as if not better than most low end GPS mapping software.

[tj189]

There are a number of solutions out there, our search facility will give you plenty to read about, here is one example
http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=1814.msg17419#msg17419

I still have the TomTom Rider (latest one, thanks to doing trials with it), still does not totally fit in with what I need.  I have generally stuck with Win CE devices that allow loading of software that suits me.  Currently using Igo Primo 2.4 for the software.  Tom Tom and Zumo hardware does not allow (from memory) you to put your own software on them.

[DaleMcLean]

Have to agree with Biggles and Yorkie
Zumo 660 hands down  canbe had for under $600
Water and petrol proof, works with gloves easy as, can do music and phone relay too, stereo Bluetooth out and/or cable.
Package contains bike AND car mounts and power supplies.
Easily integrated to any comms system or BT headset or simply plug in a cabled headset  .

Car type GPS dont have outputs to listen to in the helmet nor they great at coping with the knocks/vibration/weather on a bike

[StinkyPete]

Here's a retailer selling the Garmin Zumo 660 for $539  including delivery.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Garmin-Zumo-660-Motorcycle-GPS-Navigator-/261232449239?pt=AU_Electronics_GPS&hash=item3cd2aad6d7

[Williamson]

I've been using an 'in-car' Navman (seen them for $200.00) the children gave me for Chistmas back in 2008, adapted the windscreen mount with a motorcycle mirror bracket, wired-in twin plug socket (charges 'phone and Navman concurrently), later purchased a $15.00 storm cover from Aldi.

Riden wit in for over 50,000km, lots of that on all sorts of rough, sealed and gravel roads and all sorts of weather (QLD storms), left it out in the rain one night, no problems in nearly five years.

Used with sense and care, even a budget GPS unit can be adequate.

The Navman has Bluetooth, can connect to BT intercom.  But I don't use that function as the intercom can only connect to one unit at a time, and I prefer to have the intercom connected to my 'phone. 

Cannot work it with glove on.

[ST2UP]

Winston do you carry a smart phone now ?? could be an option to get an Navigation app.......


 

[saaz]

I have used cheaper car GPS units on the bike, and they might do what you want for not a lot of money.  Just get the right mount.

At the time I was beta testing maps and alternative GPS software, so used the bike time to also test it out. But as far as longer term bike used the garmin 660 wins hands down for readability, build quality, waterproof, use with gloves on.  I have been in bad weather with car units and could not see the screen due to the rain, and going through unknown parts of Sydney on voice instruction alone was not great fun.  But the unit survivrd!

The 660 still has its faults as do every gps I have used.  As TJ mentions, I would love it if I could use the garmin hardware with other maps and software (when I was beta testing I could expect monthly updates incorporating comments (garmin does really seem to care) and the rural mapping of addresses was far more accurate.  The garmin hardware is what makes it best for me, as I know of other maps and software that could easily do the job.

I also use the 660 in the car as it comes with car and bike kits, and it doubles as a car and bike hands free for use with the mobile.

[STutter]

I've currently got the 660 and it's been fantastic. I've even taken it to Greece and Italy and while it struggled a little with pronounciation, it was very helpful. I've been through serious ran and it's still been ticking over without a hassle. I'll be taking it on my trip around Oz in a few weeks.

I managed to pick it up as an ex-demo for $300 via ebay.com (US) and it came with heaps of accessories, just no box!

[johnnyYTED]

 
I'm using my Navman I got on catch of the day cheap,$119 a few months back. It has bluetooth and I use it in my car also for the bluetooth. it does what I need it to do.