Bought a new GPS for the Bike

[Paul]

After doing quite a bit of internet reading on the VTX, milage, speedo accuracy, GPS, yadda yadda, I decided to look into a GPS unit for the bike, or a cheap unit I could take with me on the bike rather.

I was down to 2 that were on sale at Target, one for $200 the other $250. Didn't need anything fancy, just something to assure me that there is a gas station ahead (if you know what I mean). Thought I'd just keep it handy in a pouch, and pull it out as I needed.

So naturally I do a little research on my choices, to ensure I get the best unit for my buck! After several hours of self debate, and what I really wanted...I spent $564 for a Garmin Zumo 450. So much for keeping it cheap.

So far I love this thing. It is built for the Motorcycle. Water proof (not resistatant. apparantly you can submerge this thing for a half an hour and it will be fine). Left handed controls, bright screen to be seen in the daylight. Amongst the features that are for the motorcyclist only, my favorite is a setting to go off once you have traveled a predetermined number of miles. A gas icon will appear. Hit the Icon and it will tell you where the nearest gas station is from your present position! Ahhhh a little more peace of mind!

I like to take long weekend/week trips on the bike. Most often I do not know the areas and am at a loss for gas station frequency and ride a little on the paranoid side. Out here in the desert, you can easily find yourself stranded if you are not careful.

On a speedo accuracy note. It seems my speedometer reads between 2-3 MPH on the fast side. I thought it was much worse.

I'm planning a trip from Vegas to Tahoe and back in mid July. I can hardly wait, especially with my new little gadget!

I need to post some photos of the bike, and will be sure to include shots showing how the GPS rides (for anyone that may give a s... hoot).

[G I FEELGOOD]

I have been taking my Garmin Street Map with me when I travel unknown routes. It mounts easy and runs for 6 to 8 hours on battery.
I put it back in the car and charge it when I get home...
I sure feel better having it along !
You make a super choice and I hope you enjoy it..

[shreveportSS]

I have had GPSs in my vehicles for years and feel naked without one. Still haven't put one on the bike though.

[Paul]

I have been taking my Garmin Street Map with me when I travel unknown routes. It mounts easy and runs for 6 to 8 hours on battery.
I put it back in the car and charge it when I get home...
I sure feel better having it along !
You make a super choice and I hope you enjoy it..


I was originally worried about the reported battery life on the unit I bought, but found out it came with a "hot wire" cord for the Motorcycle, and a handlebar mount to boot!

[shreveportSS]

I see best buy wants $800 for one, Where'd you get it for <$600? I'm looking too.

[Paul]

I see best buy wants $800 for one, Where'd you get it for <$600? I'm looking too.

Online at GPScity.com. They have an office in Las Vegas, or just out of vegas...I picked mine up. I think you can get a great price at Sams Club, maybe even Costco.

[shreveportSS]

Thanks

[eman]

I have one on my BlackBerry, but kind of hard to use while on the bike....unless the wife is along with me. ;)

[shreveportSS]

Yeah, my HP Ipaq PDA has one, but not the same as the Iways I have.

[maddevildog]

have pics of it mounted?

[KYVTX1300]

Why did you choose the Zumo over the TomTom Rider? Do you need to use a Bluetooth headset with the Zumo to make navigation easier? I was considering the TomTom because it came with the helmet Bluetooth headset, but I liked that the Zumo came with the adaptor to use in a car or motorcycle, it is additional on the TomTom.

[Paul]

Why did you choose the Zumo over the TomTom Rider? Do you need to use a Bluetooth headset with the Zumo to make navigation easier? I was considering the TomTom because it came with the helmet Bluetooth headset, but I liked that the Zumo came with the adaptor to use in a car or motorcycle, it is additional on the TomTom.

I got the 450. It has no Blue tooth etc. Its about $200 less than the 550 with BT. The Zumo only comes with the motorcycle mount and power cord. I had to pay extra for the suction cup car mount and cig lighter power cord. The TomTom was only water resistant, and all the reviews I read like the Zumo better in almost every case.

[Paul]

Here is the unit mounted.

[Shutterbug]

I have a Mio C310X I bought on Ebay for $185. They now have a new model, the C220 which sells for $179 I believe at Circuit City. I use velcro on a cell phone holder, and it didn't blow off at all going to Bikeweek in Daytona.

[Big-X]

I have a Zumo 550 and love it. I picked the Zumpo over the Tom Tom for a few reason....

The Tom Tom is not water proof....on our last ride that would have realy been put to the test!!

The Tom Tom comes with a BT headset, but all reveiws say it's a POS and worthless.

The Zumo comes with a car mount and has a built in speakerphone which works GREAT!

A few other things but I'm very happy with my Zumo.

[bluesky]

question.....can you hear the direction/advisories, etc. without having to wear an earplug???? also, the mount itself, is it cheap plastic or chrome or???

[BadX]

I picked up a Magellan a couple months ago and love it..the wife gets offended by Suzy but thats okay because no matter where I go Suzy is there and usually the wife isn't...yes Suzy and I have a special realtionship but its all good.

[Big-X]

question.....can you hear the direction/advisories, etc. without having to wear an earplug???? also, the mount itself, is it cheap plastic or chrome or???


Speaking for the 550 I would have to wear a earplug or headset to hear it on the bike since there is no speakerphone, in the car that adapter has the speaker. The mount is rubber coated and is very heavy duty.

[bluesky]

if headphone needed to hear it......wonder, if there is a way to put somekind of splitter so you can listen to ipod and when there's an "announcement"/gps you can hear that????? hmmmmmm any ideas

[KYVTX1300]

The 550 supports Bluetooth and MP3s. Does it allow you to use a bluetooth headset and listen to tunes and get the turn by turn anouncements at the same time?

[Big-X]

I'll test those questions tomorrow and let you know. ;)

[Paul]

I just figured out the other day, the 550 comes with a motorcycle and a car mount! the 450 comes with only the MC mount. For $100 you can get the the car mount extra. So the overall difference of $100.00 between the 450 and the 550 (if you buy the car mount with the 450) is you get bluetooth with the 550.

Bottom line: If bluetooth is not important to you (so you can dial your phone from the GPS in the car instead of on the phone) then you can save $100.00 buying the 450. If you don't use for your car, then you save $200.00

[bluesky]

i've never used one,so this might sound a bit dumb. on the 450, does it flash or something to draw your attention for turns, gas, etc. i'm old school. use a paper map, wet finger in the wind. but planning trip from ca to wa. especially for gas, thought it might be a good idea, but $$$$s is it worth it. does it show points of interest?? i think i asked before, but if there's a speaker....can u hear it. (half helmet).

[Paul]

i've never used one,so this might sound a bit dumb. on the 450, does it flash or something to draw your attention for turns, gas, etc. i'm old school. use a paper map, wet finger in the wind. but planning trip from ca to wa. especially for gas, thought it might be a good idea, but $$$$s is it worth it. does it show points of interest?? i think i asked before, but if there's a speaker....can u hear it. (half helmet).

It displays a map with a "motorcycle" icon to indicate your position. The map is either overhead view or a 3D view, looking over the driver's shoulder. This way you can see upcoming roads. Plus there is bright and large text at the top that tells you what you can not hear. I have't tried it, but there is an earphone plug, that I suspect will allow me to hear if I put earphone on. Or for those that have intercom helments, you may be able to plug in.

I bought it for gas security, but you get the other features too. Points of intereste, restraunts (by type of food if yo like), hotels and entertainment. My fave feature is the fuel icon that appears when I hit about 110 miles. I press the icon, and it will give the options to the nearest gas stations. Press my choice, and the GPS will direct me to the station.

[bluesky]

thanks,now to save some $$$. convinced me.

[Big-X]

well....I misread that and didn't understand the question...I don't have a bluetooth headset yet so I cannot say for sure if it will play all of the things at once.

About the car mount it is very nice, I really like it. The bluetooth works perfect and the speaker phone is clear and no problems. Here is a good websire for the Zumo's: http://www.zumoforums.com/zumo/

[240 spoke]

I picked up a Magellan a couple months ago and love it..the wife gets offended by Suzy but thats okay because no matter where I go Suzy is there and usually the wife isn't...yes Suzy and I have a special realtionship but its all good.

Hey MR BADX your kinda wierd kinda ya know.....I bet you shave your head...


See ya wierd O

[bluesky]

another ??? supposedly can put jpegs on 450. ? is this: can you upload Directly from your dig cam to 450 or must first cam-pc-450. (again, it's for my trip to wa from ca. hate to lug laptop) would be nice to take pics along the way and in the evening load into 450, then cam is clean for next day. now that i think about it....the 450 has enough memory for "x" amount of pics?? if not, i guess easier to just buy more cards for the cam.

[DillDawg]

i've never used one,so this might sound a bit dumb. on the 450, does it flash or something to draw your attention for turns, gas, etc. i'm old school. use a paper map, wet finger in the wind. but planning trip from ca to wa. especially for gas, thought it might be a good idea, but $$$$s is it worth it. does it show points of interest?? i think i asked before, but if there's a speaker....can u hear it. (half helmet).Yeah - I have always just used paper maps. Price has dropped so far on a good GPS's that I gave one a shot. (Garmin 2610 now at $235)
I can hook up earplugs to it but never felt the need. The route is drawn out and tells you the time until next turn...then it zooms in. Haven't missed a turn yet. I really like the find gas / food. Mine was a refurb but Garmin upgraded the maps to the latest @ no charge.
The Zumo is really nice...but for the amount of time its on the bike, the 2610 is good enough for me. If you were a full time user GPS nut - go for a nicer one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0000AN4EG/ref=dp_olp_0/002-7588269-4000810?ie=UTF8&qid=1182866844&sr=8-1&condition=all

[Goldsmith]

DD, thanks for that info. I really want one andwas concerned about being able to see it or hear it in some way. The Bluetooth ones are significantly more and that is why I have not goten one. We'll, that and I am cheap!

[DillDawg]

DD, thanks for that info. I really want one andwas concerned about being able to see it or hear it in some way. The Bluetooth ones are significantly more and that is why I have not goten one. We'll, that and I am cheap!
Sometimes I throw it in the car...and to be honest - the spoken directions are kind of annoying anyways.

"in .3 miles...bear right"
"in .2 miles...bear right"
"in .1 miles...bear right"
"in 300 feet..bear right"


STFU already....sheesh.
I can't imagine having that in my ear..... :bleh:

[Goldsmith]

Point taken DD, I would probably be yelling at it to STFU as well. Was not sure of how visable the screen is as far as detail being shown. Thanks again for the info.

[NeonVTX]

I'm planning a trip from Vegas to Tahoe and back in mid July. I can hardly wait, especially with my new little gadget!
OT: I be heading to Reno on the 27th if you end up going at the end of the month.

[Paul]

OT: I be heading to Reno on the 27th if you end up going at the end of the month.

Yeah, I'll be back at work by then. I surely miss my younger days when I was able to take longer trips. My longest being a 5 week casual trip that started in Miami, Fl and ended in Michigan.

[BG-Pete]

yes Suzy and I have a special relationship but its all good.

Sounds like me and my Gladys.