GPS Help

[Zwartie]

My Garmin GPS units do that as well without the need to be connected to the cellular network. I believe just about every GPS has that feature - something about knowing exactly where it is on the planet and what time it is.

Oh...and because it's a *smart* phone, the app knows when sunset is each day for wherever you are and automatically goes into "night mode" accordingly.  Freakin' magic I tell ya!   

[Capn Ron]

My Garmin GPS units do that as well without the need to be connected to the cellular network. I believe just about every GPS has that feature - something about knowing exactly where it is on the planet and what time it is.

Oh...and because it's a *smart* phone, the app knows when sunset is each day for wherever you are and automatically goes into "night mode" accordingly.  Freakin' magic I tell ya!   

Yep...just a cool thing, huh?  Right about the time I'm thinking the screen is a bit bright, it switches.   

[Firehawk068]

You KNOW you will end up off-road with me on the FJ again...it's just gonna happen!   

I am aware of this, and I accept it...........


My Zumo dims at sunset also.

[Charlie-brm]

Well did OP pick out a unit yet? This thread sure has drawn a lot of comments, so why not me?

I've been using GPS on motorcycles since at least 2007. The most useful advice I can start with is to think about how you, as the individual you are, are going to interact with this doo-hickey while you're riding, or even at the side of the road. All the features are cool but if you get frustrated trying to input and get the results you want in short order, it starts to look more like an expensive brick on a RAM mount.
Checklist:

• Is the screen responding with gloves on? The kind of gloves you already like to use? Fewer consumer GPS screens are pressure sensitive to cut costs. They depend on making a conductive connection to your skin or gloves adapted to compensate for that necessity.
• Does it acknowledge your choices on the first push of your fingers or are you screwing around pressing longer or harder than necessary?
• Do you have to keep your eye on the screen (and off the road) longer than safe to be sure it responded? Visual/Audible clues.

All the above are factors in favour of some dedicated real buttons instead of on screen "buttons" à la Zumo, or my old baby that died last year - a StreetPilot 2720 - friggin' loved that GPS but very big and heavy by today's standards.

• Does it have a robust and secure power connector? Or maybe you do runs short enough to go with built in battery power. Micro/Mini USB jacks suck at remaining in place and eventually the internal connections on a phone or GPS get loosened up and break down from frequent handling, jostling the unit while the USB cable is inserted, etc.
• Check the auto zoom feature. Some of them drive me nuts the way they keep changing zoom range on their own at the worst times just when I get the map the way I want it.

Going with a cheap non water resistant unit - is it going to overheat in a sealed bag?

Features you pretty much have to look for in the specs. model by model and of course add cost:
Can you plan custom routes on your desktop and download them to the GPS vai the USB cable or microSD?
Bluetooth - really only helpful if you have a helmet headset with Bluetooth for 3 functions I know of:
Voice announcements and clicks from the GPS, playing music from the GPS, using the GPS as a dial pad for a Bluetooth paired smartphone.

So if I had the dinero I'd look at a Zumo and there are knockoffs with the physical buttons, etc.
Hang out at some bike meets and be a PITA politely inquiring about the units you see mounted. Geek types that ended up with something they still like to use will be happy to demonstrate.

Right now I'm screwing around with a Chinese thingy called the Chinavision Rage which runs a Windows CE operating system. I like to dabble with systems and kill useless time reading forums on how to actually get this device hacked  to be half decent. I would not recommend it as a first unit unless you like reading third party instructions because it comes with no GPS software and no instructions. Otherwise lots of stuff it WILL EVENTUALLY do because it's basically a waterproof Windows mobile computer. I have two versions of iGO installed with custom routes, save routes, multiple user profiles, book reader, MP3 player, photo gallery, calculator, bluetooth, shrouded housing . . but still a work in progress.

[ribbert]

Charlie, I have also been using GPS for a similar time and while mine will store photos and music etc I very quickly learned that all those things are much better on a phone. I enjoyed it much more once I limited myself to it's basic function, navigation.

You make some very good points about things and features to look for. While the Zumo can be used with a gloved hand (any glove) and the alpha pad doubled in size to allow for gloved finger use, it is a PIA. Easier to just pull your glove off.
On that point, I rarely experience your frustration at using it on the run. Once the route is set for one or multiple day rides I rarely touch it and I have never found an occasion to need the zoom function.

They are not a planning tool and I do all that on google maps beforehand. If a major deviation is needed mid ride/trip I have a paper map buried somewhere in my bag. Once again though, I can't remember when I last referred to it. Just deviate down any road and the GPS will still take you to your destination.

I carry one of these in my tank bag and use it like a stylus, much easier than fingers. It's one of those retractable pencil erasers. You get it right first time every time.



You haven't had a Zumo and would like one, I have one and won't be replacing it. It does everything claimed exceedingly well but so do my much cheaper car Garmins. The only advantage I see to the Zumo is it's waterproof, which I'm not fussed about,(mine rarely gets more than a few drops on it when stationary) and you can read the screen in full sun (I'll get a shroud). These are great features but I'm not sure they're worth a $600 to $700 (Aus) premium. 

When I bought it I got all excited and replaced the card with a big one, loaded it up with photos and music etc, never used any of it, the smart phone does it all so much better.
Yesterday I bought a new phone, 64gb, 13 megapixel camera, 5.5"screen, 120 fps slow motion, half the thickness of an iPhone etc, next week? who knows what will hit the market. Phones are at the forefront of this technology, GPS's have no need to compete with them on peripheral functions and why carry two devices that overlap to that extent.

I do use the bluetooth. I am always connected to my phone and headset although I never listen to verbal instructions, I have that function muted, this is a great feature of GPS units.

If mounted in a hard wired shoe, connection integrity is not an issue.

I fully understand (and admire) the fun your having mucking around and improving stuff, electronics have left me behind  but for me, I'm happy to just have it navigate.

Noel

[yamaha fj rider]

Well did OP pick out a unit yet? This thread sure has drawn a lot of comments, so why not me?

Yes I did buy one. Garmin nuvi, it's a car model with all the features and was only $139.00 delivered. It is normally a $300 plus dollar model, a super deal on amazon. I could not see spending $700.00 plus dollars for a motorcycle model. This might be a mistake but I can return it if it doesn't work out. The handle bar mount I ordered ($9.00) should be here today. Hoping to test it out Sunday. After trying it out I will post an update with pictures.

Thank you all for your input.

Kurt

[aussiefj]

Well did OP pick out a unit yet? This thread sure has drawn a lot of comments, so why not me?

Yes I did buy one. Garmin nuvi, it's a car model with all the features and was only $139.00 delivered. It is normally a $300 plus dollar model, a super deal on amazon. I could not see spending $700.00 plus dollars for a motorcycle model. This might be a mistake but I can return it if it doesn't work out. The handle bar mount I ordered ($9.00) should be here today. Hoping to test it out Sunday. After trying it out I will post an update with pictures.

Thank you all for your input.

Kurt

Hi Kurt, I've got a Garmin nuvi 3490, I bought if for the car originally but bought the 3490 because it had bluetooth with the idea I could use it on the bike as well, I have a Sena bluetooth headset. Tried to set it up today and although it will recognise the Sena it seems the bluetooth is only for a phone connection and will receive but not transmit so directions can't be heard through the headset.

Which model did you get and did it work ok? or does anyone else know of a way around this.

John.

[Charlie-brm]

Hiya John. As a Sena owner for quite a while now, I would say to go about your issues - start with the Sena unit to look for answers, not the GPS. There are some very knowledgeable Sena users out there who know in what order to pair up all kinds of combinations of devices. I'm going to assume you have a newer Sena with the capability of firmware upgrades. Mine is first generation so until I make some more scratch - $$$ - I'm stuck in the bluetooth stone age.

[aussiefj]

Hi Charlie, have upgraded firmware and tried every which way to connect them, but it seems the Nuvi 3490 doesn't transmit blue-tooth only receives it. There is no output socket either for headphones so I can't use a blue-tooth transmitter.

John

[ribbert]

Hi Charlie, have upgraded firmware and tried every which way to connect them, but it seems the Nuvi 3490 doesn't transmit blue-tooth only receives it. There is no output socket either for headphones so I can't use a blue-tooth transmitter.

John

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest it is operator error. I've had GPS for years and was one of the first with bluetooth intercom. I bought a Scala Q2 when they first came out and when they could barely give them away.

I have come across many people over the years who swear and curse at them, their problems have always been in setting them up, without exception.

I never heard of one-way blue tooth!

Get on the net, read some forums, re read the instructions etc. I'm sure you can get on top of it.

Having the two units paired and working properly with phone, speed camera alerts, intercom, music, whatever you want in what ever order you want is great. I believe that model is capable of voice commands for address inputs too.

Stick with it.

Noel

[FJmonkey]

Cnet posted a review for the Nuvi 3490. It sure looks like you should have two way communication with it.

http://www.cnet.com/products/garmin-nuvi-prestige/

[aussiefj]

I've emailed Garmin support just waiting on a reply.

John

[FeralRdr]

I've emailed Garmin support just waiting on a reply.

John

I just found this on Garmin's website, and it seems the problem is that most Nuvi's don't support Bluetooth headsets.  I appears that they rely on the devices built in speaker and microphone which is not really feasible for motorcycle applications.


http://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/simpleCase.htm?caseId={04794b50-0c83-11dd-dc9c-000000000000}&kbName=garmin

Is there a list of compatible Bluetooth headsets for my Garmin device?

...

03/05/2015

Garmin strives to maintain Bluetooth compatibility with the most popular motorcycle and truck headsets on the market. Currently, as long as the headset supports the hands-free profile and has a Bluetooth version of 1.1 or higher, it should be compatible, although it cannot be guaranteed.

Below is a list of Garmin devices that can be paired with a Bluetooth headset:

    dezl 770
    nuvi 765T
    nuvi 775T
    nuvi 785T
    zumo 2201
    zumo 3501
    zumo 390
    zumo 500
    zumo 550
    zumo 590
    zumo 660
    zumo 665

The dezl 770 has been tested and verified to work with the following:

    Blue Tiger Deluxe
    Blue Parrott B250-XT+
    M55 headsets
    Parrott CK3000 Evolution
    Voyager Pro HD

The zumo 390 must be paired with a headset or helmet and a phone. The following headsets have been tested and verified to work with the zumo 390:

    BMW System 6 (Software version 2.5 or higher)
    Cardo Scala G4
    Cardo Scala Q2 Multiset Pro
    Cardo Scala G9 PowerSet
    Cardo Scala TeamSet Pro
    Cardo Scala Q2 Pro
    Interphone Blueant F4
    Midland BT2-S
    Nolan
    Nolan N-Com B4
    Plantronics M55
    Sena SMH105
    Schuberth SRC

The zumo 590 can be paired with two wireless headsets at a time. Only one headset can receive navigation prompts and phone calls. Both headsets can be used for multimedia audio. The following headsets have been tested and verified to work with the zumo 590:

    BMW System 6 (Software version 2.5 or higher)
    Cardo Scala G4
    Cardo Scala Q2 Multiset Pro
    Cardo Scala G9 PowerSet
    Cardo Scala TeamSet Pro
    Cardo Scala Q2 Pro
    Interphone Blueant F4
    Midland BT2-S
    Nolan
    Nolan N-Com B4
    Plantronics M55
    Sena SMH105
    Schuberth SRC


¹The zumo 220 and zumo 350 do not have the ability to pair to a Bluetooth-enabled phone and will only pair to a Bluetooth headset or helmet.

This is something that we should remember when the topic of GPS devices comes up.  I never realized (until I saw the above list) that most Garmin devices don't support Bluetooth headsets.  I'm still a proponent of standalone GPS units myself, but for some folks this would definitely be a deal breaker.

[aussiefj]

So it would seem not all bluetooth is created equal.

John

[MOTOMYSZOR]

I just designed  and installed two holders for my GPS - 5" Garmin. I don't know yet which one will stay on bike.
one is above dash and one is connected to handlebar screw.

General view:



Lower holder:



Lower holder- side:



That what I used for create this monster:



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