GPS for motorcycles?

[japako]

Originally Posted by kurt

I've been following the Zumo 350. It costs more than a 660, and has far less to offer. This seems to be Garmin's game plan as of late. I wish another manufacturer would give them a serious run for the money.

I had a Lowrance Iway 600 and it gave Garmin a run. The only problem was the hard drive. Other than that it was a very good gps, for the time. I wish they would have continued and upgraded the model but they jumped out of the pool.

[japako]

Originally Posted by pub610

Vibration will probably kill your phone. I've lost count of how many XM radios I've run through as a result of vibration... and it's not as if I spend a lot of time off road. If you value your phone, go with a gps designed for bikes.

I had xm radios and the only ones that gave me a problem, are the ones with a powered cradle.
I use my phone on my bike and have not had a problem. Also dropped it a few times.

[japako]

I don't understand the outrageous cost on the Garmin gps made for bikes, and I refuse to pay it.

I have the 1490lmt and it is a good gps for traveling on the road. Has not let me down yet.
I would like to have better blue tooth but I have a good phone for that, and will soon upgrade to an even better phone.

If you have a blue tooth head set that has an aux imput, you can make a dongle for the 1490 and run a wire between the two.

As far a getting wet, put a baggy over it and keep on riding. Where have I heard a phrase like that before?

[FJRMike]

been using a Garmin Nuvi 770 on the bike for several years and it works great. Holds ten routes I make up using Microsoft Streets & Trips.

Not waterproof but a ziploc baggie slipped over it and you are good to go in pouring rain as I have done too many times.

When I think of spending $600 for a Zumo motorcycle specific GPS I always consider how many tanks of gas that would get me down the road and I get over the urge pretty quickly!

[Hood Ornament]

Originally Posted by ceddec

I like that Zumo 350LM form factor. I'll probably have to wait 4-5 years to afford one though.

+1, looks real promising. Looks like they finally realized what a fiasco powered cradles are and have done away with the crappy things for this new ZUMO

[Hood Ornament]

Originally Posted by Mad Mac

One rider I know puts an inexpensive auto gps under the clear map cover on his tank bag. Should work for a smart phone too. The bag would dampen vibration. He just used it to glance at and dispensed with the turn by turn audio, but bluetooth or earbuds could probably be used as well.

It will overheat the phone. I tried doing that with my first GPS as well and it would shut off when the temps got above 80.

[Hood Ornament]

Originally Posted by kurt

I've been following the Zumo 350. It costs more than a 660, and has far less to offer. This seems to be Garmin's game plan as of late. I wish another manufacturer would give them a serious run for the money.

Funny, I thought the exact same thing about the 660 compared to my 550. I'm guessing the 350 is going to use the new screen that's found in the Montana which from all reports is actually viewable in direct sunlight unlike the 660 or 550. If that's the case then I'll be picking one up to replace my 550. Heck, getting rid of the cradle is a huge upgrade IMO.

[Waco]

Originally Posted by japako

I don't understand the outrageous cost on the Garmin gps made for bikes, and I refuse to pay it.
...
As far a getting wet, put a baggy over it and keep on riding. Where have I heard a phrase like that before?

It's supposed to tolerate vibration better too.

[Hood Ornament]

Hmmm guess I was wrong about the 350 not using a cradle for power, it does, but it seems a lot more robust and a heck of a lot cheaper then the 550/660 cradles.

[vrocrider]

Originally Posted by Moose

Nuvi 500 or 550

Just picked a 550 up for the bike - waterproof spec

pre-loaded nt - 500 has nt and topo

removable internal battery - with mini usb for onbike charging

240 delivered with added kydex cradle (used a SWMototek mount from twisted throttle)

Where did you get this for $240?
Thanks.