Gps
#11
OK, remember ya gets what ya pay for....you bought a HD because you wanted the best, now you want a cheap GPS....just saying.
I have a Zumo 550 for the bike, but use a Garmin Nuvi 780 in the car.
The 780 is a nice unit, bluetooth, MP3's, etc...but not waterproof...and can't say for sure about vibrations etc....I know several riders use the Nuvi line of GPS without issues....
check eBay, craigslist in your area etc....several retailers online sell refurb units with warranty....
it's you call, but I wouldn't anything on the bike except the Zumo line...either 550, 660 or the new 665...you can pick up a used ZUMO 450 cheap, but they a not bluetooth, no XM, and don't come with a car mount ( can be bought)...
go to the Garmin web site and you can do a comparison, side by side on features....
good luck with whatever you go with...
I have a Zumo 550 for the bike, but use a Garmin Nuvi 780 in the car.
The 780 is a nice unit, bluetooth, MP3's, etc...but not waterproof...and can't say for sure about vibrations etc....I know several riders use the Nuvi line of GPS without issues....
check eBay, craigslist in your area etc....several retailers online sell refurb units with warranty....
it's you call, but I wouldn't anything on the bike except the Zumo line...either 550, 660 or the new 665...you can pick up a used ZUMO 450 cheap, but they a not bluetooth, no XM, and don't come with a car mount ( can be bought)...
go to the Garmin web site and you can do a comparison, side by side on features....
good luck with whatever you go with...
#13
I did the same thing several years ago, just wanted a cheap one, bought a tomtom, worked fine not waterproof so when it rained i had to put it in a ziplock bag and worried about getting it ruined, last year I ended up buying the zumo 660 from my local HD dealer, had a gift certificate, 25% off and so on. Best money spent, I can sit and plan a route on the computer and download it into gps, a lot of cheaper models can't do this, but the thing I really liked the most was last summer I rode to the east coast by myself and while out there my bike started riding funny so i hit the gps and found the nearest HD dealer and headed straight there, it comes with all the dealers loaded into it. I guess what I'm getting at is if you think you might upgrade you might as well buy the right one the first time. just my experience.
#15
I like the 760 for several reasons.
1) It is under $180, and you get a LOT of GPS for that price.
2) Multi-Destination Routing -- You can set several waypoints and plan the entire trip. It is easy to use and can make travelling from one point to the next very convenient; especially if you're going to be making several stops in a busy city.
3) Hands-Free Calling -- You don't use this much on the bike, but it is nice to be able to link up to your cell phone (assuming you have Bluetooth capability on the phone).
4) Integrated FM Traffic Receiver -- I only used this during the trial period, but if I lived in a major city I might consider getting the service full time.
5) MP3 player -- This is a GREAT feature. I load several MP3 files on my SD cards and I'm set for a long trip. I can get multiple audio books on one 4GB SD card. I think I have 1200 songs on another card. The MP3 player on the Nuvi works really well, both through a Bluetooth headset or through the aux port on my Limited's HK radio system.
6) Portability between car and bike -- I use the system in my wife's car when we're on the road together as well. The included car mount system is perfect.
7) Anit-theft system -- Program in your PIN and the system uses "Garmin Lock" to help prevent thieves from using the devise after they steal it. I don't know how effective the system is (I've never had it stolen or used a stolen system), but it is nice to have either way.
8) Car Finder -- When you park in a huge parking lot (like at a stadium or a large shopping mall) you can use this feature to locate your car. The Nuvi will remember where you parked and then direct you there when you return. This is another feature I haven't used, but I guess if you need a GPS you may be the type that also forgets where you parked.
I know some of the folks on here are die-hard Zumo fans, and that's great ... if you can afford $600 for a GPS. Even when you can afford it, why? The Nuvi does all that I need, for 1/3 of the price (or less). It's also been pretty bomb proof, so far. I've used it on a Heritage and now two touring bikes. Both of the touring bikes shake like $10 hookers in Reno, so they're not easy on GPS systems. So far, though, I've not had any problem with the little Nuvi being able to hold up to the use on a bike.
I'm guessing the guys who spend $600+ on a Zumo have a point about the Nuvi not being waterproof, but then again I'm not a big fan of riding around in the rain looking at my GPS anyway. So I just store it in the Tourpak when not in use, and I'm careful about when I use it in foul weather. Frankly, the last thing I want to do is try to ride in a rain storm while trying to look at a 4" GPS screen and dodging dumb drivers who are talking on the cell phones while they are trying to avoid mud puddles.
Last edited by doc_cj; 04-15-2010 at 02:26 AM.
#17
I didn't spend a lot of $$ on my gps. On Black friday, I went to Best Buy and bought a Garmin 255WT for $125 and a ram mount from mountguys for $35 I also bought a visor on EBay for $15. I was concerned about glare but it really hasn't been an issue with either sunglasses or overcast days. It's not waterproof but a plastic baggy will work just fine. I would suggest one in wide screen design tho as it is easier to see/read IMO...
#18
Wife bought a Tom Tom rider for me for christmas. Never had much use for a GPS until this last summer when we almost ran out of gas on the western prairies. I like having the ability to locate services such as gas food and lodging while traveling. Tom Tom Rider 2 is also portable from car to bike and has a mount that also contains a speaker. I'm sure there are plenty to choose from and I'm not familiar with the others mentioned here. Probably would have bought a Zumo if I would have been making the choice.
#19