Recommend GPSs?

[robscomputer]

Any GPS is recommend for a motorcycle? I'm looking at one before my riding trip up north. Either the Garmin V or a eTrex Vista. This would be used on my SV so I'm working with limited space.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[GAMBLER]

I'd like to check it out too. But, I have had some fun times getting lost.:laughing

 

[Trident]

I have the Magellan Gold (I'm pretty sure that's what it's called), I bought it specifically because it's a little smaller than some of the others, makes it easy to mount on a bike. Especially if you have tubular bars. I got the RAM mounting kit from RKA, it's one of the best peices of equipment I have ever bought.

And I agree with Gambler, sometimes it IS fun getting lost but you can just shut off the GPS if you don't want to know where you're going! I've found that there are alot of roads that you see going off a main road and you don't try them because you'd at least like to have some idea of where the road ends up. With the GPS, you just move the cursor arrow along the road you're thinking about and voila, you can see where it will take you! I highly recommend them, I've tried more roads that I probably wouldn't have tried otherwise because of the GPS.

 

[Focker]

Have you seen the new iQue from Garmin? It is a PDA and a GPS in one. Uses a SD memory card so you can fill with all the map info you want.
http://www.garmin.com/products/iQue3600/

 

[6th Gear]

I have the Garmin 5 It is so cool, you can load the maps in it you need, with directions. and is small enough to fit in your pocket. I use it in my truck and when I ride!!! It is great!

 

[robscomputer]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I really like the Garmin V but hear some of the uploading is very slow. Any comments on this?

Rob

 

[6th Gear]

It usally takes me 45 min to down load 18 megs of map info into the unit. 18m is a lot. I can get all of the Bay Area and Sacramento

 

[Raghu]

It doesn't have the "find route" option (I heard a firmware update would include that).

You sure about that? That's one thing that has prevented me from buying one; being a TCG, I don't want to dish out $500 for the garmins...but love the auto-route feature.

If I know you are going to be at a meet, I'll make sure to bring the unit with and you can check it out.

If you are planning to be @ a SJ/Freakmont meet, PM me. I also would like to see what features your GPS unit offers (I had to rewrite that sentence twice before it didn't sound like "I want to check out your unit" - sigh!).

 

[Sidewalk]

I am a cheap bastard, so I have the standard eTrex. And to be honest, I love the little thing. Sure the mapping would be cool, but just plotting in where you want to go (using Microsoft Streets and Trips) works great for me.

 

[spdt509]

I am a cheap bastard, so I have the standard eTrex. And to be honest, I love the little thing. Sure the mapping would be cool, but just plotting in where you want to go (using Microsoft Streets and Trips) works great for me.

no,buying a standard e-trax isn't cheap,buying a dial compass,
that's cheap...haha
-i have the e-trex vista and it works great.but i need to juice it
from the socket on the bike while on the move soon,eats up the
batteries too fast....

 

[bsd43]

Have you seen the new iQue from Garmin? It is a PDA and a GPS in one. Uses a SD memory card so you can fill with all the map info you want.
http://www.garmin.com/products/iQue3600/

I think the limited battery life would make this a non-viable option... Having the option to plug in whatever Energizer you can find is a plus while on the road...

 

[harring10]

Ique 3600

Actually, the ticket to the ique is a little ingenuity. I picked up the auto kit which has a cigarette lighter adapter/charger.

I mounted this 'car kit' just below my key - so it is clearly in site.

You might notice to the left that I have mine on a Goldwing so weather and vibration is slightly less of a concern - but check this - it's also an MP3 player.

So, you wire up an AC adapter (very cheap and easy to do), secure the mount wherever is convenient to you, plug into your headphones and POOF! You be GPSing.

It's great, it has built in voice prompts (you know... "turn left in 300 feet") all the while you're jamming to your mp3's. It automatically re-routes (all the typical GPS goodies).

I'd patent the set up if I could - it works really really well.

Kev -

 

[Sidewalk]

no,buying a standard e-trax isn't cheap,buying a dial compass,
that's cheap...haha

Yeah, but it only tells you magnetic north. At least the GPS will say "Hey dude, you walked right past it only 100 feet to your right!"

Okay, it won't really say that, but...