New GPS Models from Garmin

[RIDEMYST]

Looks like Garmin will have a couple of new units coming the Spring.....along with their usual hefty price tag! -JEP-
http://www.mobilitytechzone.com/lte/news/2016/02/16/8317063.htm

 

[WenWa]

I'm going through the process now between the 395 and 595. $300 extra for an additional .7 inches of screen. No good user reviews yet since they're just hitting the market now. I could spring for the 595, but I wonder if would be too big for off-road use. A lot of rattling and jouncing for such a big device hanging on my Madstad bracket. Decisions decisions

 

[regulator]

With the continuous improvement of phone GPS apps, I wonder if Garmin will remain viable in the market with their current pricing structure.

 

[Bryce]

With the continuous improvement of phone GPS apps, I wonder if Garmin will remain viable in the market with their current pricing structure.

I've given up on using a standalone GPS. I used to use my Samsung Galaxy S4 active but I upgraded back in December to an S6 active. Osmand+ and co-pilot do everything I need as far as getting me where I need to go. The S6 active even has a USB port that's waterproof on it without a cover so I can keep it charged up. It's always locked on to at least 14 or 15 satellites. The screen works fine and sunlight if I turn up the screen brightness all the way

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[pnelson]

One thing to keep in mind regarding screen size is resolution. You might think a higher resolution would be better and that the GPS would be easier to read. Sometimes it means that they pack in more data and the actual size of the text is smaller, making it harder to read the text.

One reason I went with a Nuvi 2595 is that is has a 5" screen but relativity low resolution. That means the text is big and easy to see when I'm not wearing my glasses. Funny, some years ago this was never a problem. I guess they just don' t make GPS text the way they used to. I have the same problem with my watch. <grin>

Here'a a cool site that will let you compare different GPS models side by side.
https://www.gpscity.com/compare

;-) Paul

 

[Checkswrecks]

I had a Montana for about 4 years and could use it pretty well. Like most Garmin products, I found it over-priced and with a horrible user interface, but it worked well enough so I lived with the cost and aggravation. I lost the Montana a couple of weeks ago from its' rugged mount for the first time ever, even though I was habitual in making sure the mount clamped tight.

I've replaced it with a well used Samsung Galaxy S5 that is used exclusively offline. I was going to trade the S5 in for a $54 credit when I upgraded to the S7, so basically I got an Android GPS with a bigger screen for that price. The bike has a RAM Cross-Mount to hold it, and while the Cross mount has never given an issue, it now has a velcro strap as back-up. It's not perfect, as I need to run it on the internal battery in rain and in direct sunlight it could use a shade, so I just hold my hand over it when I need to. Whoopee. Those have been my biggest issues so far.

I got the S5 when they came out a couple of years ago and since last summer have been playing with different offline software. Like Bryce I ended up with OSMand+ and in one of the display modes, it is very high resolution. I find while I can re-size or move the display with one finger using buttons like a Garmin, the touch screen face to interface for everything else is MUCH MUCH faster and more intuitive. It will play music, podcasts, and even hotspot from the S7 if I want to see weather. I can adjust almost anything the way that I want it, not how a committee at Garmin tells me to do it.

So the bottom line is F* Garmin with their Holier-than-thou customer service, miserable interface, Base Camp, and extortion prices. They haven't kept up and like others, I have no intention of going back.

 

[regulator]

Agree with your Garmin sentiments Checks and believe the motorcycle market will continue to move away from them.

I had success with a small piece of Velcro between the back of the phone and the round part of the Ram mount FWIW.

 

[Bryce]

Agree with your Garmin sentiments Checks and believe the motorcycle market will continue to move away from them.

I had success with a small piece of Velcro between the back of the phone and the round part of the Ram mount FWIW.

Good idea on the Velcro.

There is no reason that the Zumo's should cost so much more than the Nuvi's with similar features. Ya, they are waterproof, but that's not worth the premium they are asking.. neither are features like curvy roads. Garmin got me with the crappy Oregon series and they won't get me again.

 

[WenWa]

So you guys have brought up smartphones that I've never considered before. I've been doing some research which leads to me to a couple questions.

1) How does vibration affect the phone's long term durability.

2) Do I buy a used/refurbished S5 or s6 active, no SIM card, load up apps, mount and go? Or do I need cell service? I use an iPhone 5s currently and don't necessarily want to upgrade it just to use as a GPS (but maybe I should when iPhone 7 comes out)

3) I like the Garmin dashboard that shows metrics like my speed, altitude, street speed limit. Is this possible using a smartphone?

I probably have more questions, but any insights are helpful, thx.

 

[Bryce]

1) How does vibration affect the phone's long term durability.
My S4 active is sill going strong after 8 months on the bars of my Super Tenere... it still works fine, but the S6 active is just better and I upgraded. If I'm going on a ride where I have a higher probability of loosing my phone (fall soff or smashed, etc), I'll go back to the S4 active on the Bars, but the S6 active is normally on my bars.

2) Do I buy a used/refurbished S5 or s6 active, no SIM card, load up apps, mount and go? Or do I need cell service? I use an iPhone 5s currently and don't necessarily want to upgrade it just to use as a GPS (but maybe I should when iPhone 7 comes out)
no cell service is needed, but you do need WiFi to get the apps and install the maps.

3) I like the Garmin dashboard that shows metrics like my speed, altitude, street speed limit. Is this possible using a smartphone?
Yes, but depends on the app. I use Osmand+, Locus and CoPilot apps and I think they all do speed limit and posted limit (I know Osmand+ is always telling me I'm exceeding the speed limit in my BT headset). Not 100% sure they will all do altitude, but it's available to your phone

 

[Checkswrecks]

1) How does vibration affect the phone's long term durability.

My S5 has been in an Otterbox Defender case, which is a lot of vibration damping rubber. Been on the bikes since the model was introduced a couple of years ago. The weak link is the charging port in the rain, even though the phone itself is water-resistant.


2) Do I buy a used/refurbished S5 or s6 active, no SIM card, load up apps, mount and go? Or do I need cell service?

The S5 is now wifi-only with the SIM gone (no cell), and of course it has the built-in GPS. I have the maps on a 64Gb micro-SD card. Downloading GPX and such is much easier than with the Montana, as the S5 only needs to access wifi at home, McDonald's, or anywhere else.

I use an iPhone 5s currently and don't necessarily want to upgrade it just to use as a GPS (but maybe I should when iPhone 7 comes out)

Pick up a used phone off Craigslist (better may be a Galaxy Tab for the bigger screen) or something like this brand new phone for $20 at BestBuy:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/boost-mobile-zte-speed-4g-no-contract-cell-phone-black/2178004.p?id=1219531560050&skuId=2178004


Add OSMAnd+ (http://osmand.net) and a memory card and you are in business. Oh - and a mount for the bike.


I could be using my new S7 rather than having two devices but am less concerned this way if I drop the KTM and something hard goes through the phone. I originally kept the S5 because my son and I tend to need a back-up phone, as we are hard on them.

3) I like the Garmin dashboard that shows metrics like my speed, altitude, street speed limit. Is this possible using a smartphone?

OSMAnd+ is similar to Garmin as shown here in landscape mode. I use mine in Portrait to get a longer view of the road ahead and in mph. You select what you want to display, much like the Garmin. It can show altitude, speed limits, and speed cameras.

 

[WenWa]

Thx for the quick, knowledgeable replies. I'm going to hold off on a zumo and research the smartphone path. A lot of $$$ to be saved. ::008::

 

[Checkswrecks]

The only downside I've found is that a lot of the smartphone screens lose visibility in the sun. The s5 set on high contrast does pretty well, but there are still times I'll shade it with my hand.