GPS Help

[yamaha fj rider]

I have been looking at putting a GPS on the bike. There are so may choices. I could use some help. After doing a search, it seems like Garmin customer service is top notch. Please give me some input on features and suggested models. Anything you think would be pertinent. Thank you all for your advise and input.

Kurt

[Steve_in_Florida]

I'll be watching this thread with interest.

This luddite still uses maps hastily scrawled on napkins. In crayon.

Steve

[Zwartie]

I've been using a GPS since 2008 and what was once considered a "nice to have" has become a "must have" for me. Wouldn't do a bike trip without it! And Garmin's customer service is indeed top notch: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=12657.msg125957#msg125957

Zwartie

[movenon]

Hi Kurt    I just use a 7 inch automotive nuvi 2555 LMT Garmin.  But if I was going to buy another one it would have Bluetooth so I could pipe it into my helmet. E bay has some inexpensive receivers.  Quality probably isn't the best but good enough for  "Bitchen Betty"  

Most of the time I don't need a GPS but when I do (in a strange city or on a back road in a strange location, like at a rally) it works great !  The GPS's do a LOT more than just navigate you.  I use a Ram ball mount and a Ram bracket for the GPS that works good.

For some with smart phones you probably have some of the same features?  I have no experience on that issue as my phone is an old dumb flip phone with no data plan. .  Flip phones, carburetors, dial indicators, no cup holder and all that stuff.

George

[krusty]

A few years ago I fitted a GPS that I bought from Alsi. It was so hard to program and set up that I almost never bothered using it. It went with the bike when it was stolen and I don't miss it.
We used Garmin Nuvis in our cars and we (missus and I) each have a Garmin Etrex 20 handheld unit. The new Garmins have Bluetooth. So easy to get (free) maps for them.

[FJmonkey]

Here are some posted solutions...

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=7393.msg65961#msg65961

[Firehawk068]

I don't always use GPS, but when I do I prefer Garmin..........

I am using the Zumo 550.



I like it alot, and before I bought it I wasn't sure if I even needed one. I find myself using it all the time.
It includes 2 cradles. (a motorcycle specific one, and a car/windshield mount one) so you can take it in any vehicle also.

It uses the standard RAM ball mounts. A bunch of people like to mount them to the steering stem nut, but I used the clamp that comes with it to mount it here.



It has a touch-screen for function, but it also has a row of buttons on the left that alow you to scroll the menus with gloves on (super handy)



It has built-in Bluetooth (I have my phone synched to it, and it lets me know when I have an incoming call) I don't have a bluetooth headset so I can't answer calls, but if I feel the need I just pull over and call the person back.
It has an SD card slot, so I load it up with a bunch of MP3s that I like, and I plug my helmet in via the headphone jack on the side of the cradle. Sometimes I like music when I ride.
You can also load extra maps and pictures on the SD card, and access them from the menus.
When you program in a destination, you can listen to your music, and it will pause your playlist to give you the turn directions, then continue on with your tunes.
It also gives you other useful (or useless) information like altitude and compass headings.
One of the features that I like and use all the time, is when it's in the motorcycle cradle, you can set your fuel distance. It will give you a visual and audible warning when you have reached a certain mileage (like say, 170 miles) to remind you to look for a fuel stop.
It is also completely weather-proof, so you can use it in the rain also.

I bought mine used on Ebay, and a couple months after I got it the screen went dead. Garmin's customer service is probably the best in the business!  
They exchanged the complete unit for a small fee, and even transferred my lifetime map upgrades.  A year later, the internal battery and charger quit so they exchanged it for me again free of charge.

These units are a little on the pricey side, but they have a bunch of features that make them very motorcycle-friendly.
It also makes for a nicely accurate speedometer.............A feature that the FJ (and most motorcycles in general) seemed to come without.

[aviationfred]

I have resisted the GPS navigation for awhile. Like George, a paper map has always served me well.

On my vacation to the sunny warm southeast over the holidays, I gave in and decided to use the navigation app that came on my phone. My phone is a Nokia 1320 and uses Windows 8.1 and has a 6"x3" screen. It is larger than some of the Garmin units. The Here Drive+ app works like a champ. It does not have all the bells and whistles on the display as the Garmin has, but it got me to my destination just fine.

The Here Drive+ app disables the screen from timing out and going black. Because of that, it does use alot of the battery power. I do have a charging port wired on the bike, so that was not an issue. I wear ear plugs with speakers and I listen to music while riding. The Here Drive+ automatically cuts in to tell you when you get close to turn or destination.

I find it a great option to a full blown GPS unit.

Fred

[The General]

My Garmin Zumu is the most used accessory I have. For all the reasons mentioned so far.

It travels in airline "carry on luggage" and simply plugs into the hire car cigarette lighter. Garmin include a number of cradles incl the suction cup, simple inside screen set up.

I use the speedo all the time and have found all cars I`ve driven, to have inaccurate speedos....I`m overtaking traffic legally most of the time. (It`s only a trap when entering descending tunnels cause it stays lit up on say 60klm/hr when your speed may have increased to 80!....apparently no satellite connection in tunnels  ...best to keep car lights on when entering tunnels so the other speedo becomes obvious.))

A handy feature is asking it to indicate the nearest fuel station. It pops up 5 on the side of the screen with an arrow attached to all of their distances identified. (Sometimes it pays to head back on your tracks....another scroll down and another 5 shown for fuel planning...real handy outback or on some long expressways)

When on the dirtbike it will give a breadcrumb trail when requested. (for when ya lost in the bush.)

It synchs with my communications, music etc. (Some CB radios can be connected via Bluetooth also)

Owned this one 4 years exposure to all weathers...never a prob. (mates have had many probs with the cheap ones.

Today the cost is a bit questionable given the features on mobile phones, but I would still buy one if this was stolen.

Also consider temperatures in cars. The better quality ones seem to survive when you leave them exposed through forgetfulness.

Will also bring up Town features, Entertainment and takeaway eateries. (I use the macdonalds search a lot on long trips.) 

[ribbert]

I've done just about everything to my bike, engine, wheels, suspension, brakes, communication, etc. The one thing that has probably added the most enjoyment to riding though is GPS.  It has opened up a whole new world of places to ride. Not so much destinations but ways of getting their. It has turned every ride into more of an adventure.

I have discovered more fantastic riding in the last 4 years than I did in the previous 40.

Sitting down the night before a ride and playing with google maps to plan a trip is one of the favourite activities. Once decided on, put the relative info into the GPS and next morning just hit go and you're off.

I always have mine muted, can't stand the verbal instructions, spoils whatever I am enjoying while riding. I am well in the habit of looking at when needed and just make a mental note of an upcoming turn (it will always display distance to the next turn)

In theory, paper maps do the job but in practice they suck, particularly on a bike (at night, in the rain and cold) I always have one tucked away somewhere on the bike anyway should I need a big picture view for some reason. I don't recall ever referring to it though.

How much benefit you get from one depends largely on the sort of riding you do. I never start my bike for less than a 500km ride and actively look for new ways to get to old places, I love previously un ridden roads and as most of my rides start and finish at home, this forces me (no great hardship really) to explore. I very rarely use it in the car though because most trips are to known places and the drive is not for fun, I just want to get there.

Because the idea of a map is not something new, the GPS just a new way of doing it, I can understand why some shun the idea as unnecessary. After all, "paper maps have served me well" just like the horse and buggy did in it's day but then a better way of doing the same thing came along. Seems hard to imagine now, but there was resistance to motor vehicles replacing horses, even after they had become reliable and well developed.

I also had good experience with Garmin service. My screen died after 150,000kms and many years of permanent service (never off the bike) They quoted me a price for a new screen which turned out to be no longer available so gave me a whole new unit in the box, complete with accessories, for the quoted cost of the screen replacement.

A lot of people don't realise Garmin is a global avionics company, below is an example of their core business.



Producing a motorbike GPS should be a no brainer if this is your main business.

Noel

[yamaha fj rider]

Thank you all for your input. This has been very helpful. What I diced to do was to order a Garmin Nuvi. Finding a super deal on amazon. It's not a motorcycle specific model but it has all the features I want and was only $139.00 delivered. The plan is to put it in the map pouch of my tank bag for the first few trips and see how that works. Once I see how that works then I will stay with that or order a mount and case for the GPS. The mount and case is about $20.00. I want to be able to use it on both bikes. This may mean two mounts. It's not needed immediately so taking time to figure out the the best answer for me is what I am going to do. I also have thirty days to return it if it's not what I want. I will post pictures when it gets here.

Winter seems to be making a comeback in Utah. Fifty to sixty five for the last six weeks. Buy a new bike, cold and snow in the mountains. Not in the valleys thankfully. I took the demo bike three quarters of the way up Big Cottonwood Canyon during my test ride, it got a foot and a half of snow over the weekend.

Kurt

[Pat Conlon]

Strange surroundings in BFE, night time, tired/sore from riding all day, red fuel light glowing on your dash.....

The ability to find the closest gas station = priceless.

Period.

[movenon]

Thank you all for your input. This has been very helpful. What I diced to do was to order a Garmin Nuvi. Finding a super deal on amazon. It's not a motorcycle specific model but it has all the features I want and was only $139.00 delivered. The plan is to put it in the map pouch of my tank bag for the first few trips and see how that works. Once I see how that works then I will stay with that or order a mount and case for the GPS. The mount and case is about $20.00. I want to be able to use it on both bikes. This may mean two mounts. It's not needed immediately so taking time to figure out the the best answer for me is what I am going to do. I also have thirty days to return it if it's not what I want. I will post pictures when it gets here.

Winter seems to be making a comeback in Utah. Fifty to sixty five for the last six weeks. Buy a new bike, cold and snow in the mountains. Not in the valleys thankfully. I took the demo bike three quarters of the way up Big Cottonwood Canyon during my test ride, it got a foot and a half of snow over the weekend.

Kurt

Check out the Ram mounts as time go's by. They are inexpensive and have all configurations of mounts.  I use the Ram ball mount on the road and when it rains etc. I put the GPS in my map compartment on the tank bag.  You will probably find out the other features in the unit are what you will use to most especially in a strange location. Locating food places, fuel, stores etc. .  They are pretty feature rich.

Weather the same here... Heading South this Thursday then got the weather report so I am upping the trip to skirt snow. Means snow at your location Friday ...  

[krusty]

Thank you all for your input. This has been very helpful. What I diced to do was to order a Garmin Nuvi. Finding a super deal on amazon. It's not a motorcycle specific model but it has all the features I want and was only $139.00 delivered. The plan is to put it in the map pouch of my tank bag for the first few trips and see how that works. Once I see how that works then I will stay with that or order a mount and case for the GPS. The mount and case is about $20.00. I want to be able to use it on both bikes. This may mean two mounts. It's not needed immediately so taking time to figure out the the best answer for me is what I am going to do. I also have thirty days to return it if it's not what I want. I will post pictures when it gets here.

Winter seems to be making a comeback in Utah. Fifty to sixty five for the last six weeks. Buy a new bike, cold and snow in the mountains. Not in the valleys thankfully. I took the demo bike three quarters of the way up Big Cottonwood Canyon during my test ride, it got a foot and a half of snow over the weekend.

Kurt

Unless your Nuvi has a very large and bright screen its going to be very hard, if not impossible to see in a tank bag clear pocket. Just too much light and reflection, I've tried it. But, if you have bluetooth, and all you need is spoken directions, then it would work fine. We have two Nuvis and have used them in the open, hand held, and often have to hold a the thing near vertical with a hand over the top to shade the screen. Would be worse in tank bag with plastic over it. Sorry if that's not what you want to hear. A car GPS can be used successfully, weather permitting, wife had one on her 250 Ninja, a little Navman, mounted almost vertically with a little stick-on shade attached over it to keep sun off. Was real handy on that bike as the speedo was over 10kph optomistic.

[Capn Ron]

Strange surroundings in BFE, night time, tired/sore from riding all day, red fuel light glowing on your dash.....

The ability to find the closest gas station = priceless.

Period.

On a long stretch north of Lake Superior, I filled up in Wawa, Ontario and had some lunch.  I spent a bit of effort topping off the tank as best as I could knowing that towns were few and far-between on Canadian highway 17 heading west.

At about the 170 mile mark it was now dark and still raining...a bit of panic set in for the fuel situation.  I looked up the nearest gas station in the nav app on my iPhone and it looked like Nipigon, ON was my only option.  Having an app that doesn't require a cell signal for points of interest has saved me in many remote areas.  Doing some quick math, that would be 225 miles on a single tank of fuel...  I backed the speed down a bit to add some range, but started gaining in altitude.  Watching the fuel gauge was nerve-wracking as it dropped below the E mark a half an hour earlier.

With about 15 miles to go, I spotted an unattended fuel station about 1/4 mile down a side road.  It was an odd sight...a single pump under a small overhang with a fluorescent light and not a building or person in sight.  I had a quick decision to make...I may not have enough fuel to get to Nipigon...but this mirage of a station might not deliver fuel either.  Burning the extra 1/2 mile of fuel to find out was a risk and I thought again of having to walk that extra distance in the dark...in the rain...in my riding gear, but what choice did I have?  I pulled up to the pump...stuck a credit card into the slot, put the nozzle into my tank and prayed that gasoline would come out.  The moment fuel started flowing was the happiest I had been in the last couple of hours!  I probably would have made it to the next town, but who knows.  I was happy to not have to find out the hard way.

The ability to find fuel...when and where you need it is the difference of a great day of riding and getting to a warm hotel...or walking miles in the rain on a lonely stretch of highway in the dark.