Gps, Shmeeee-ps

[Mark G]

Finally, after pestering everyone here last year and then dropping it, and then obsessing again a few weeks ago, I bought a GPS unit, thinking it would solve the upside down map issue with SWMBO.

I freaking HATE the thing!!!! I've spent HOURS trying to figure out how to make a route with the PC software, more hours and hours trying to figure out how to make the stupid GPS unit do ANYTHING, and finally got the "simulator" up on the screen. Best I could do, so I mounted it and now ride around with the simulated screen on, so people will think I'm, like, totally hip and technogroovy.

I'm dying to get the nice lady inside it to say something to me, like "turn right," and know it's correct, unlike the nice lady who rides along behind me, who, when she says "turn right," there's at least a 50%, usually more like a 100%, chance I should turn "left." However, I hadda get the GPS because I asked, one time too many, "are you holding the map UPSIDE DOWN? Honey?"

So, if there's ever a GPS seminar, I'm there...the manual is worthless "turn power on." Great, I'm in Taiwan, according to the unit. No further instruction available.

[kurt]

You need a lesson. Typically when it tells you to turn the wrong way, you have selected a waypoint that is a few feet to the right or left of the intersection. Usually because the zoom is too far out. Have you figured out the routing trick whereby you select a beginning and end point then calculate? If you want to change the route, use the arrow tool, click on the segment you want to move and it will turn yellow. Click a second time and a black line from the two closest waypoints will appear. Drag it onto the preferred route the recalculate again. Repeat as needed.

Read this:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210758&highlight=arrow

[Chirpy]

I think he's saying SWMBO says "turn right" when she means "the other right". I don't think the GPS is working at all..

[kurt]

Which model did you get?

[Tourmeister]

I felt the same way when I got my first GPS. There is a short learning curve. Then all of a sudden it will click. Ask Kurt... He's had almost as many GPS's as he's had bikes :lol2:

[Eltee]

Mark, try going to the mfgr's website and finding the full instructions usually will be a pdf file for downloading. Just about everything comes with only a 'quick start guide'. Hey, I found that my hand held calculator skills didn't help much when I was sprung into the new electronic world of computers. I am a 'functional puter user' no thanks to the so called easy help stuff cause they seem to have a different language than me.
So tell us about that gps model you have. Have you gotten it to guide you to the nearest good ride and locate a pie place? :rider: Neal

[jhansen]

I felt the same way when I got my first GPS. There is a short learning curve. Then all of a sudden it will click. Ask Kurt... He's had almost as many GPS's as he's had bikes :lol2:

I didn't think that there were that many models!!:giveup:

[Beach]

Regional tech days for GPS users? Man, I could so use that. :doh:
I am in also the same shape, except SWMBO isn't involved. I bought a Garmin Legend eTrex to see if I'd like the GPS thingie. So far it's set in a drawer and I figured out, let's see.....yep, that's about right, absolutely nothing with it yet.

[Tourmeister]

I had the Etrex Legend as well for my first GPS. Mine too sat in a drawer forever. It was just to slow to redraw the screen while panning the pointer across the map. That, and it was painfully slow to transfer map data over the serial cable... I was MUCH happier with my 60CS and the USB transfer!!

[Squeaky]

A GPS tech session wouldn't be a bad idea, but if we could do it online it would be even better! Any chance we can do a chat with viewable screens or something?

[Eulogite]

I can feeyul your pain. Get with somebody that will explain how to make your GPS useful in plain English. I had the same experience, but I don't think anybody whose ever ridden a route they programmed would go back to paper maps alone. No way.

[Beach]

A GPS tech session wouldn't be a bad idea, but if we could do it online it would be even better! Any chance we can do a chat with viewable screens or something?

Squeaky,

That's a great idea! Do we have someone who is capable of putting together something? If not viewable screens, perhaps a PowerPoint presentation that we could access and chat?

[Tracker]

Which model did you get?
I thought you were asking about SWMBO. :lol2:

[Squeaky]

If not viewable screens, perhaps a PowerPoint presentation that we could access and chat?

That's not a bad idea. What version of Mapsource is most often used?

[Gilk51]

I had the Etrex Legend as well for my first GPS. Mine too sat in a drawer forever. It was just to slow to redraw the screen while panning the pointer across the map. That, and it was painfully slow to transfer map data over the serial cable...
I have had the Etrex Legend Cx for about 6 months now. It sounds to be much improved over its namesake - it uses the USB connection, a micro-SD card, and seems to draw pretty quickly. I have enjoyed it and it was a life saver in San Antonio back in January.

I had previous experience with flight planning software (PFPS/CFPS/FalconView) at work, so working the Garmin MapSource was not much of a problem.

An interactive help session would be beneficial, I think. Especially if folks could have the software running, GPS connected, and a chat window open to ask questions...

[kurt]

Perhaps something like Whoa put together for the safety course. Bring a laptop loaded with Mapsource, have a lecture, then a lab.

[Cagiva 549]

The first thing I learned on my GPS was how to turn the sound off , I have problums with a woman telling me where to go , your never lost on a motorcycle anyway , your just scouting new trails .

Sunday while breaking in my new dirt bike HardyBaker and I were on a trail coming down off the side of the Talamena pkw that turned into one of the nastyest trails I have ever ridden . While stopped at one of the few spots where there was room for two bikes to rest without falling over our thoughts were how much furthur does this go and I sure hope we dont have to go back up it . I rememberd I had stuck my GPS in my pocket before we left , no mounts on the new bike . I turned it on and a road appered a few hundred yards ahead of us . After reflecting back on that moment it was probly the most profound moment the GPS has played in my life up to this point . SEYA

[Beach]

I have had the Etrex Legend Cx for about 6 months now. It sounds to be much improved over its namesake - it uses the USB connection, a micro-SD card, and seems to draw pretty quickly. I have enjoyed it and it was a life saver in San Antonio back in January.

I had previous experience with flight planning software (PFPS/CFPS/FalconView) at work, so working the Garmin MapSource was not much of a problem.

An interactive help session would be beneficial, I think. Especially if folks could have the software running, GPS connected, and a chat window open to ask questions...

Mine is the eTrex Legend C, which has the fixed memory, USB connection and came with the Trip & Waypoint Manager CD. I think the base maps are Americas Recreational, IICR

[CBAT]

Ask Kurt... He's had almost as many GPS's as he's had bikes :lol2:
That's funny. I don't care who you are, that's funny. :lol2:

[Mark G]

Oh, great, now Rebecca wants to have an ONLINE lesson for dolts who can't figure out how to turn their gps units on. THAT'S gonna work out well for me!!!

Kurt, I got the Garmin 376c. Thinking the nexrad function would be useful. Then I remembered, after I'd installed it on the bike, that my cell phone will show me regional radar.:doh:

I live in central Austin, right near MoPac and Bee Cave Road. I have a big deck. With chairs. If we can find a teacher, I volunteer my deck for this Sunday morning? That'll leave the afternoon for putting the units to use?

Powerpoint? What's that, if you turn the voice prompts off (like I can get them on) there's some sort of new pointer that appears? There's nothing like that on my simulated screen.

[Chirpy]

Uh-huh. Easter Sunday? Lotsa luck running that past the SOs.

PowerPoint. As in Microsoft. As in inferior to Keynote.

[Mark G]

Uh-huh. Easter Sunday? Lotsa luck running that past the SOs.

PowerPoint. As in Microsoft. As in inferior to Keynote.

Oh. I din't think of that. Well, if there's a quorum and a teacher, Saturday works, but I'll need an answer pretty quickly, as I have a tentative trip to see the giant dragline outside Elgin planned...with car guys. It's as big as a giant building. Yes, I am a nerd.

[Beach]

Gotta work Sunday, plus some of us need the GPS training first so we could find your place.....;-)

[STrider]

An interactive help session would be beneficial, I think. Especially if folks could have the software running, GPS connected, and a chat window open to ask questions...


Oh, great, now Rebecca wants to have an ONLINE lesson for dolts who can't figure out how to turn their gps units on. THAT'S gonna work out well for me!!!


I was thinking that folks who could do all that stuff Chuck says at once (among whom I am not) could probably work a GPS.

[Mark G]

Gotta work Sunday, plus some of us need the GPS training first so we could find your place.....;-)

Chicken? Egg? Chicken? Egg?

I can provide analog navigation information.

[Tourmeister]

Those draglines are pretty cool if you are talking of the ones at the Alcoa Aluminum mines between Elgin and Lexington. I see them every time I ride out to Austin. There is some fun DS riding to be had right around that mine too :trust:

[Tx Rider]

That model GPS isn't really hard to run, it just has so many features, and so little documentation, if your not a natural gadget nut willing to spend the time your better off with a coach.

Once you get that, it'll run itself.

[Adan]

Just FYI,

The BMWDFW group (http://www.bmwdfw.org/) usually hosts a GPS Tech session at least once a year. The current activities calendar does not show one right now, but you may want to keep an eye out for one.

For me, simply having a bird's-eye view of the road ahead (i.e. intersections, curves, etc.) is one of the most useful things about having a GPS on the bike. Getting the routing and other features to work is just an added bonus :lol2:

Getting lost on a ride is half the fun :rider:

[WoodButcher]

Oh. I din't think of that. Well, if there's a quorum and a teacher, Saturday works, but I'll need an answer pretty quickly, as I have a tentative trip to see the giant dragline outside Elgin planned...with car guys. It's as big as a giant building. Yes, I am a nerd.

I'm pretty sure I'm free on Saturday...and can be the teacher. I've got a couple of GPS's and several software packages that I use with them. Any chance you have high speed internet so we can do a little google earth tracklog viewing?

[kurt]

Sunday is Easter, but I can do it before lunch (usually defined as 2:00 by the in-laws).

[sailgunner]

If the 376 is like my 276 then the easiest way I have found is to create waypoints at the start and end of where you want the route to be . call up the route page, click on new route, then add the start and end waypoints, have it get directions and you are off! If you want extra stops or to go to extra places create the waypoints and add them in the route and recalculate the route.
There are ways to add extra stops and via points but that is the simplest way I know without sitting down and going over it with you hands on. Hope that starts you going. ask something specific and I'll go to the Garmin website and down load the manual to try to tell you how to do it or get on the phone & work you thru it.

[Tx Rider]

So, if there's ever a GPS seminar, I'm there...the manual is worthless "turn power on." Great, I'm in Taiwan, according to the unit. No further instruction available.

By the way, my 276 said it was in china too, turn it on and leave it sit for a while, outside where it can get good satellite reception. It will in a little while figure out exactly where it's at.

Seems it's set up for the satellites on that side of the world, and it needs to "time out" looking for them then it'll see the ones here and lock on. So just turn it on and set it out with a clear view of the sky.

After that you can use the "find" function to find any address, and the "go to" function to route there.

Making routes on the PC or on the GPS is a bit more complicated.

[d2mini]

Zumo 550. So so so easy.
Only thing that would make it easier is if they would finally come out with a Mac version of the software. Bastages. :evil:

[Jodetex]

Mark,
The silver Goldwing is running great. I'm already putting "stuff" on it, so maybe a GPS will be in my future also. When we left NB Tuesday morning we ran into a rain storm of Biblical proportions. The weather band radio in my helmet intercom let me know just how bad it was going to be about 10 minutes before we found the rain.
I put the Voyager up for sale on this forum today. Guess I will need to change my Avatar when I get a good picture of the Goldwing. Jimmy

[Beach]

So how did the GPS class go?

Was anyone able to put it together and attend? If so, how about a report?

[Beach]

Oh yeah, hey Squeaky,

what about the on-line class for the Houston area (and of course anyone else that's interested) members? Any news on finding someone that could put something together?

[Beach]

I got this email this afternoon, don't know if it's of any help to anyone or not, but here it is -

GPS World Supply has secured a small quantity of Garmin Automotive GPS StreetPilot c330's and c340's at a great deal.

StreetPilot c330 - $259.99 (Preloaded North America Maps, Touch Screen, Voice, Turn-by-Turn)

StreetPilot c340 - $289.99 (Preloaded North America Maps, Touch Screen, Voice w/ Street Names, Turn-by-Turn)

These units are newly overhauled by Garmin to new specifications. Full One-Year Warranty and same accessories as new.

First come, first served.

Order toll-free at 800-906-6600 (M-F from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM CT) or online 24/7 at http://www.gpsworldsupply.com

Thank you.

GPS WORLD SUPPLY
3N060 Powis Road
West Chicago, IL 60185

800-906-6600
630-584-3557

email: info@gpsworldsuppply.com

http://www.gpsworldsupply.com

[hcope1]

Oh, great, now Rebecca wants to have an ONLINE lesson for dolts who can't figure out how to turn their gps units on. THAT'S gonna work out well for me!!!

Kurt, I got the Garmin 376c. Thinking the nexrad function would be useful. Then I remembered, after I'd installed it on the bike, that my cell phone will show me regional radar.:doh:

I live in central Austin, right near MoPac and Bee Cave Road. I have a big deck. With chairs. If we can find a teacher, I volunteer my deck for this Sunday morning? That'll leave the afternoon for putting the units to use?

Powerpoint? What's that, if you turn the voice prompts off (like I can get them on) there's some sort of new pointer that appears? There's nothing like that on my simulated screen.


Big deck? Yeah, right. I have the 376C and love it. First question: Does it still show you in China? They all start off like that. If so, email me and I'll walk U thru it

[Texas T]

I got this email this afternoon, don't know if it's of any help to anyone or not, but here it is -

GPS World Supply has secured a small quantity of Garmin Automotive GPS StreetPilot c330's and c340's at a great deal.

StreetPilot c330 - $259.99 (Preloaded North America Maps, Touch Screen, Voice, Turn-by-Turn) Just to show how much the prices are dropping, I bought one of these at work today for $128. It certainly doesn't have all the bells and whistles but I took it out to the car, fired it up, keyed in the address to go to and I was on my way in less than 15 min without ever cracking open the manual (booklet). It will suffice for my foreseeable needs.

[Squeaky]

It will suffice for my foreseeable needs.

But does it tell you where to find parts to reassemble a Connie? :zen:

[Maintainer]

Personally I'm am still very surprised by the amount of bikers that run around with no navigation system or radar detectors. Talk about living in the stone age and leaving yourself vulnerable. Modern units are very user friendly and worth their weight in gold for so many things when in unfamiliar areas. I've ridden across the U.S. and never looked at a map or had any problems locating facilities etc. Old dog new trick thing I guess.:shrug: :ponder:

[Texas T]

Arrgggh.....

We need a smilie that shows an arrow straight through the heart. :mrgreen:

Wanna share work horror stories for this week?
I've had 7 investigations this week; 4 on Monday, 1 on Tue, 2 on Wed. The alarm went off at 0130 this morning and I was in my first store at 0345; got home at 1530 and am heading for bed right now. Monday was an 18 hour day; Tue was only 10; Wed was 16.

Free time?

What's that?

:-P

[Squeaky]

Free time?

What's that?

:-P

It's the holiday season - you're in for a few more weeks of this (and more). Hopefully it'll settle down after the new year and you can start thinking about getting back on two wheels again. ;-)

[Chirpy]

Personally I'm am still very surprised by the amount of bikers that run around with no navigation system or radar detectors. Talk about living in the stone age and leaving yourself vulnerable. Modern units are very user friendly and worth their weight in gold for so many things when in unfamiliar areas. I've ridden across the U.S. and never looked at a map or had any problems locating facilities etc. Old dog new trick thing I guess.:shrug: :ponder:

I'd bet most of the bikers that run around without that crap are in the technology field, and riding motorcycles are a way to get away from a plugged in permanently wired technology dependent existence.

I've never had a problem finding anything I needed, and I don't have problems reading a map. But I most assuredly hate computers, an unfortunate byproduct of 20+ years dealing with them professionally. One reason I love my carb'd bike, and pretend I don't know that both bikes have a LAN for all their electronics.

The one thing that might drive me towards one is waypointing (I think that's what it's called) a route so I can ride it again. That might be the "magic bullet" that will get me to buy one.

I was ready to buy one once, then my buddy stuffed his GL1800 into a left turning Vette and his solidly mounted GPS took out 3 ribs. Never had a map hurt me yet, so it just enabled me to put it off a little longer.

As far as the radar detector, I just assume every convenience store will have a microwave oven, I don't need it confirmed. Most of the Polizei in the Hill Country they are using laser, and I have yet to see anything that will read laser back blast through and around hillsides. Unless you speed on Interstates I think the days of the radar detector are more or less done.

[Texfire]

I understand the group that use a bike to get away from connectivity. I have a Zumo 450 but I use it for planned rides and calculating my way back home after I've been wandering. I actually rarely have it on the map screen and never use it for turn by turn directions. It's used as a visual reminder of how far I've driven since the last fill up, and as a second speedo. I could have gotten the 550, but couldn't imagine a time I would desire being able to use my bluetooth phone while riding, much less when it would be a good idea.

[Squeaky]

You know, before I got a GPS of my own I always thought the people who used them were just too lazy to use maps, too connected to get away from the gadgets, etc. - but now that I've had one for a while it just seems so natural to use it. I was without it for a month or two and was reaaaaaly bad at finding things. I've even gotten used to popping it into the cradle in the car just to see the ETA for my office - then I know if I have time to stop for food/drink before work or if it'll have me running late.

[Chirpy]

You need a machine to give you an ETA of a route you drive every work day?

Without it you can't find your way around?

It seems as if you've become a little dependent. That's one thing I've noticed about folks who get them. That's what I fear, amongst other things. Like batteries dying!!

Most of the time I don't even have a map anymore. TxDOT puts the name of the next small town and the name of the next large town every so often. That's enough for me, but again, motorcycles are my escape from technology. Like Nicky says, at the end of the day it all comes down to the guy twisting a throttle.

[kurt]

I don't turn mine on or have in the cradle unless I'm using it on a trip or ride of some sort. Most of the time it lives in the office or pannier. When I do use it, it is much handier than a map and incorporates a MP3 player that replaced my iPOD. I don't own a car cradle for it yet, but I'm sure I will. Rhonda isn't "all that" as a navigator. :-P

[Maintainer]

I'd bet most of the bikers that run around without that crap are in the technology field, and riding motorcycles are a way to get away from a plugged in permanently wired technology dependent existence.


Now this makes sense: That could very well be the explanation.



I was ready to buy one once, then my buddy stuffed his GL1800 into a left turning Vette and his solidly mounted GPS took out 3 ribs. Never had a map hurt me yet, so it just enabled me to put it off a little longer.

Well, mines a builtin model (no ugly mounts)with the voice prompts integrated into my headset, not a problem.
As far as the radar detector, I just assume every convenience store will have a microwave oven, I don't need it confirmed. Most of the Polizei in the Hill Country they are using laser, and I have yet to see anything that will read laser back blast through and around hillsides. Unless you speed on Interstates I think the days of the radar detector are more or less done.

Ha, ha, ha. No, not even close, thats the cheap oldschool junk. "Quality" detection equipment (not cut rate Walmart crap)is now available but pricey which detects laser bursts and thru GPS technology has all but eliminated false signals. You definitely get what you pay for here. Pay for it or for regular tickets and insurance hikes, your choice. Pays for itself a ten times over for me. But for guys that are happy to never eclipse the limit, it would be useless.


As usual, to each his own. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink.:lol2:

[FJR Bandit]

If there has not been a tech day on the GPS, how about a lesson during the end of year pie run? I'm sure that there will be some free time between check-in and dinner for this.

[GregH]

As far as the radar detector, I just assume every convenience store will have a microwave oven, I don't need it confirmed.
That was a good one. :mrgreen:

[Tx Rider]

I use a GPS just so I can wander all day where I've never beenn before and know where I am. I used to carry a map and use it but the GPS is just more convenient, and tells me where gas stations are. :)

As for a detector, I ran one for years and decided they are useless to me. I've had one ticket for 70 in a 55 on the talahina byway or whatever in the last 20 years. The detector wouldn't have saved me that one, and it didn't save me from any others.

Just ride smart and sensibly and it's not hard to avoid tickets.