GPS for motorcycles?

[GIXXERKELLY]

I'm looking for recommedations for a GPS for my motorcycle.

[kurt]

How much money do you have? What do you want to do and how easy do you want it to be? You can have it all for $600 in the Zumo 660 or you can spend $150 and use work arounds with a Nuvi 1450 to create routes. It all depends o your budget.

[Manfred]

I like a waterproof GPS 'cause I don't get off the road if I run into rain. I have an old, big Garmin 2720 that costs less than $100 and works fine.

[GIXXERKELLY]

Definetly want something that is waterproof. Bluetooth so I can hear the turn by turn direction through my headset. Display needs to be a decent size. As far as budget goes, I don't want to spend a lot of money if I don't have to but, I am a beliver in crying once.

[Texas T]

Garmin 660 or if you want built in capability for XM, Weather, Traffic go to the 665. I wish I had popped for the 665 instead of my 660 so that I could have had the XM.

[kurt]

I recommend the Zumo 660. It does all that, includes the map program for your computer ($80), a second cradle for your car ($75), all the mounting hardware ($20).

[Manfred]

You can get a cheap Garmin that ain't waterproof and buy one of these:

Amazon.com: Motorcycle / Bike WATERPROOF Handlebar Mount for Garmin Nuvi 200 200W 205 205W 250 250W 255 255W 265WT 500 550 750 755T 760 765T 770 775T 780 785T 850 855 860 880 885T GPS: Electronics

Amazon.com: Motorcycle / Bike WATERPROOF Handlebar Mount for Garmin Nuvi 200 200W 205 205W 250 250W 255 255W 265WT 500 550 750 755T 760 765T 770 775T 780 785T 850 855 860 880 885T GPS: Electronics

Or, a reasonably priced waterproof Garmin like this: http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-n%C3%BC...waterproof+gps

[kurt]

As additional proof, I recently bought a Nuvi 1490 LMT for $129. I spent $24 on a hardwired cord, $25 on a RAM cradle and mount, $80 on Basecamp and still don't have a waterproof GPS, no bluetooth and no MP3. I can't directly download routes either. So, for $275 or so I have a GPS that has a fraction of the functionality.

[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)

[philipbarrett]

I have a Garmin 220 and so far have been very happy.

[Manfred]

I just double checked my set up, as I had read some folks losing PC to Garmin map transfer function when they "upgraded" to Win 7. My Win 7 PC talks my old Garmin just fine

[Meriden]

Having learned on marine chart plotters I'm very disappointed with my Zumo 550.

There is no way to turn off the touch screen when riding so you can't clean the screen of dust without marking a waypoint.

The blue tooth is uber flakey.

Only one shot at the pin code without rebooting. That is difficult with gloves.

The boot sequence interferes with login. For instance you may be half way through the pin and have it announce that it found your phone or helmet headset. That complicates the login.

I can go on and on.

[ceddec]

Originally Posted by Meriden

Having learned on marine chart plotters I'm very disappointed with my Zumo 550.

There is no way to turn off the touch screen when riding so you can't clean the screen of dust without marking a waypoint.

The blue tooth is uber flakey.

Only one shot at the pin code without rebooting. That is difficult with gloves.

The boot sequence interferes with login. For instance you may be half way through the pin and have it announce that it found your phone or helmet headset. That complicates the login.

I can go on and on.

I have a 550 and have no idea what you are talking about here. Right about not turning off the touch screen but not an issue if you just hit the back button. Never had a problem with bluetooth but I do have a dongle for stereo so that may change things. I think I entered a PIN when I first got it but never since I can remember. Why do you have to enter a PIN so often?

[Meriden]

I recall that it is a little more complicated than hitting the back button. There needs to be a dedicated button to toggle the touchscreen. When riding off road or dirt roads the rider does not need to spend time looking at the screen trying to determine how to back out of a sequence initiates by wiping the screen.

Do you mean a cable to your headset? How do you use a dongle (essentially an electronic key) with your Zumo?

The Zumo prompts for the pin everytime I'm not in my home location.

[ceddec]

[quote=Meriden;1027238]I recall that it is a little more complicated than hitting the back button. There needs to be a dedicated button to toggle the touchscreen. When riding off road or dirt roads the rider does not need to spend time looking at the screen trying to determine how to back out of a sequence initiates by wiping the screen.

I had to back and see if I spelled correctly. The dongle is something like this

Amazon.com: Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Music Transmitter adds Bluetooth Ability to any Non-Bluetooth Audio Source: MP3 Players & Accessories

Amazon.com: Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Music Transmitter adds Bluetooth Ability to any Non-Bluetooth Audio Source: MP3 Players & Accessories

which I plug into the earphone 3.5 inch output on the 550 velcroed to my handlebar and it transmits via blue tooth to my helmet gadgets. I'm not using the 550 bluetooth to the headset. This isn't the one I have but close enough.

Are we talking about a Zumo 550? I never enter a PIN except when I moved my Garmin’s stuff to a new laptop. Maybe it’s a setting I didn't check off, I don't know.

[Meriden]

So you have a secondary bluetooth transmitter to solve some of the bluetooth problems. Does it work with the phone feature. That is what I need bluetooth to do.

[Texas T]

Originally Posted by Meriden

The Zumo prompts for the pin everytime I'm not in my home location.

That's a security setting you can disable if you so choose. At least I can on my 660.

[Hood Ornament]

Originally Posted by Meriden

The Zumo prompts for the pin everytime I'm not in my home location.

You can turn that silly feature off. As for off road, I wouldn't use ANY touch screen GPS. Right tool for the right job.

[ceddec]

Originally Posted by Meriden

So you have a secondary bluetooth transmitter to solve some of the bluetooth problems. Does it work with the phone feature. That is what I need bluetooth to do.

Sorry, I have no idea as I'm using only as a bluetooth wireless transmitter. Mine is several years old. It handles the mp3 songs and the nice but vindictive lady's voice from the Garmin. Bluetooth today is way ahead of my gadgets. I'm the wrong guy to ask.

I am following this thread though as I'm probably due for an update in the not too distant future.

[pub610]

I never leave home without my zumo 550. Bluetooths my phone and Lady GarGar PLUS all you can ask of global positioning system. Tens of thousands of miles from Maine toCalifornia -- no issue.