What GPS do you use and why?

[Madhatter]

really, gps is a way cool technology , and i think i want one.... garmin seems to be top of the game, its just the price thats hard deal with.... and the previous post was an attempt at some humor... but if you would have crashed on that dead end in the mountains , think of the nice fire your paper map could have kindled...

 

[Bushyar15]

Yeah while leaves can be a substitute for TP, Pine needles probably don't work so well!

I too felt they were expensive and anyone with half a brain can read a map. Thing is there are places you can get to off-road where unless you have some way to know your current location, a map isn't going to help. Even with a topo map and a compass, you'd still have to know how to use it (Triangulation) and have to be able to accurately identify natural landmarks.

Watch for used units on craigslists… Could save a few bucks that way….

really, gps is a way cool technology , and i think i want one.... garmin seems to be top of the game, its just the price thats hard deal with.... and the previous post was an attempt at some humor... but if you would have crashed on that dead end in the mountains , think of the nice fire your paper map could have kindled...

 

[Vanderwho]

I use the basic, non-waterproof Nuvi I got my wife for Christmas a few years back. ::013::

Chances are, if I'm heading into rain, I'm going to have to stop and close up jacket vents, anyway, so throwing a plastic bag over the Nuvi is a piece of cake. Served me very well on the 3,767-mile, 5-day MERA rally I rode last summer on my '12 DL1000. Planned my route in Streets & Trips, loaded the waypoints into the Nuvi, stuffed a list of bonus locations (waypoints) into the map case atop my tankbag... voila.

Would love to have Bluetooth, but the price of my current solution is just sooo right...

 

[Checkswrecks]

always use paper maps, no batteries, cant break it.... thought about buying a gps, lots of money, looks cool mounted on bike... ive always been a map guy, reading a map though for some is a challenge.... so i see why people buy them, and you put in your destination and you go, very fast and simple.... lots of great features, where to buy gas etc. but when nature calls and you forgot the TP, try using your gps....

I love to plan on paper, fly with a paper sectional map on my lap, and have a map in the tank bag. But I've destroyed so many in the rain that it's the paper map I no longer rely on. I have a Montana and put up with the Garmin OS and their non-intuitive cumbersome software because it works.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I want to try using my Galaxy s5 phone for GPS instead of buying another motorcycle specific GPS. I have been trying my Tom-tom car GPS in an Aquabox and that's not working well for me. Too big, too much glare and a pain having to open and close the box to turn it on and off. Has anyone been using their Galaxy or iPhone that can point me toward a solid mount/holder? I have a Madstat windshield bracket and want to mount it on the crossbar.

Like a few others here, I have a RAM Cross-mount, and will occasionally use my S5. My son does too.

The GPS in it is basic and works, you just need to remember to first load maps for when the cell phone signal is not available.

The other thing is that it chews through the battery and you do NOT want to use the charger in the rain. When the charge port is open, the phone is not waterproof and neither is the USB plug in the cigarette socket. We killed one of our s5 phones to learn this, so it was an expensive lesson.

 

[martin_nj]

Zumo 550 leftover from my FJR - I still use it because it won't die.... Damn thing is a tank!

I'll get the Montana if it ever kicks the bucket.

 

[crashmonkey85]

I'm looking too. I recently lost my 60csx this year snowmobiling. I used this unit on my Honda 650XRL which I just sold to purchase the Super T. I also have a 2015 KTM 500XC-W which I will want a GPS for. It would be nice to have a unit I can switch back and forth between the KTM and Super T. So far I am thinking the Montana 600. I also was thinking of going the cheap route with and old Nuvi 250W I already have with the GPS Kevin waterproofing and another cheaper unit (GPSMAP78) which allows tracks, route and waypoints. The motorcycle specific units are so expensive and seem to be geared more for on road so I'm not sure if they are the best choice for switching over to the KTM or for backcountry on the Super T.

 

[crashmonkey85]

GPS Choice and Mounting

I am new here and new to adventure bikes, although I have many years riding off road. I am currently in the market for a GPS (Garmin) to be primarily used on my new Super T for touring as well as some backcountry (gravel) excursions. I might also like this unit to be used on my KTM 500 XC-W for dual sport riding.

My GPS thoughts are as follows:
1) Montana 600 to run on both machines
2) Zumo 390LM
3) Zumo 660LM
4) Old Nuvi 250W waterproofed and GPSMAP78 or Etrex20 or Oregon

I need to learn how each of these devices utilize power cables for reliability against moisture and vibration.

I need to learn about mounting options on the Super T. It looks like there are some simple RAM mount options over the crossbar area utilizing an accessory mounting bar. I also see the Tourtech locking mounts for near the windscreen. Can anyone tell me the differences and how they are used with different types of units? How does each setup receive power?

 

[pnelson]

Re: GPS Choice and Mounting

I have a Garmin 2595 and a Garmin 78. I think it's the perfect combo at a price that beats what you'd pay for a Montana. You can get a Garmin certified refurbished (with warranty) 2595LMT for $105. I don't use the Bluetooth features as I hate the voice reminders and have my Sena connected to my phone for music instead. If you don't need Bluetooth, you can get the 2555 which may cost less. The 25xx series has a big 5" screen and is easy to read, even with my old eyes.

Amazon Garmin 2595s >> http://amzn.to/1JuP4jb
Amazon Garmin 78 >> http://amzn.to/1ITLz7Q

The Garmin 78 is perfect for use with tracks and off-road routes that you can download from various web sites. It also has a feature to create a track of your current ride so you can see where you've been when you get home.

I mounted both using ram mounts on the handlebar and they are situated so that the Tenere's dash is right in the middle. I find it much easier to use the gps units when they are close as opposed to mounted farther forward at the windshield. It's actually very convenient to have both going at the same time as the 78 has configurable information screens (pages) that give you the option to display all kinds of things like speed, trip meter, elevation, distance to destination, ETA, etc...

Here's a post with a little more info on selecting a GPS. There are lots of good forum posts on this site and ADVRider too.
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?143193-nuvi2689lmt-any-reviews-or-people-using-this-on-their-bike&p=1821488&highlight=#post1821488

 

[justbob]

Zumo 550 leftover from my FJR - I still use it because it won't die.... Damn thing is a tank!

I'll get the Montana if it ever kicks the bucket.

A common problem with the Zumo 550 with extended use is that the rubber cracks around the buttons and then the buttons fall off, rendering the unit useless and Garmin no longer supports them.
Use some type of product to help keep the rubber soft and pliable to help extend the life.
Examine yours very closely or you wont even notice the cracks developing until its too late.

 

[caillou]

I sold my R100GS with my 9 years old Zumo 550 which never let me down (except the bug when passing the polar arctic circle when the GPS goes to night mode, I thought the screen died).
So I bought a new Zumo 390LM. Expensive (actually VERY expensive) but I hope it will give me the same amount of good service as my 550. And I love the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor System): simple and efficient.
I also have a craddle for my iPhone in a lifeproof case. Sometimes, it will find what my Zumo does not, and traffic information seems to be more accurate.

 

[caillou]

Re: GPS Choice and Mounting

Maybe you should have a look here: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=14352.0

 

[Bushyar15]

Re: GPS Choice and Mounting

The powered mounting cradles offered by Garmin work well in all weather conditions. I've not had issues in the rain or lots of dust with either my Montana 600 or my Zumo 550.

I use a Eastern Beaver PC-8 to power both units.

I use this to mount my Montana; http://www.twistedthrottle.com/sw-motech-vibration-damped-quick-release-gps-holder-yamaha-xt1200z-super-tenere-10 Works great and puts the Montana at the right distance from me on my '13 model.

For the Zumo 550 I use the ram mount and its mounted to the handle bar in the center….

So far vibration even off-road has not been an issue….

I am new here and new to adventure bikes, although I have many years riding off road. I am currently in the market for a GPS (Garmin) to be primarily used on my new Super T for touring as well as some backcountry (gravel) excursions. I might also like this unit to be used on my KTM 500 XC-W for dual sport riding.

My GPS thoughts are as follows:
1) Montana 600 to run on both machines
2) Zumo 390LM
3) Zumo 660LM
4) Old Nuvi 250W waterproofed and GPSMAP78 or Etrex20 or Oregon

I need to learn how each of these devices utilize power cables for reliability against moisture and vibration.

I need to learn about mounting options on the Super T. It looks like there are some simple RAM mount options over the crossbar area utilizing an accessory mounting bar. I also see the Tourtech locking mounts for near the windscreen. Can anyone tell me the differences and how they are used with different types of units? How does each setup receive power?

 

[AVGeek]

I have the Montana 600, and use it with my ST, my truck and my quad. I tend to use the trip computer screen the most, as I prefer to see the data, rather than the map. I've setup 3 different profiles (Auto, Dual Sport and ATV) and have both City Navigator and the topo maps. I used an RKA In Charge tankbag, so I could mount the GPS close (and still have space for a Ham HT, when I finally get around to buying it and setting it up as an APRS system), plus it made for a good way of mounting and wiring the SR10 adapter for the Sena, as well as making it easy to remove for security purposes.

 

[offcamber]

Re: GPS Choice and Mounting

I run a Garmin Zumo 590 on a RAM mount mounted to the left side of the handlebars. I had a Montana 650 Mounted in the same place. For me its a quick glance to see the screen and its close enough to hit a button underway. I haven't been a fan of mounting over the gauges. I found it hard to reach in that location, YMMV. I take my GPS off the bike when I am not in eyesight of it, so no locking mount.

The Montana is a good all around unit. Load the topo maps its perfect for off-road, load the City Nav maps and it will navigate like a Nuvi.. ..Draw back is no Bluetooth, so if you want directions streamed to your Bluetooth headset you'll need a third party device like a Sena SR10.
I still use my Montana on my KLR, for hiking and boating. On the S10 I use the 590.....connects with my headset and phone and will stream music, give me traffic and weather radar. However all that comes at a hefty price.....

 

[lotecredneck]

A common problem with the Zumo 550 with extended use is that the rubber cracks around the buttons and then the buttons fall off, rendering the unit useless and Garmin no longer supports them.
Use some type of product to help keep the rubber soft and pliable to help extend the life.
Examine yours very closely or you wont even notice the cracks developing until its too late.

These guys can fix the buttons and all other problems with the Zumo and other Garmin GPS units. I just had a Zumo 550 repaired by them with the button fix, new lcd/digitizer and battery for $78 shipped back to me! And it only took a couple of days...

http://www.palmdr.com/cart/garmin-zumo-450-and-550-repair-service-p-141.html

~Tony

 

[Anywhere]

This may have already been mentioned, but I just use my standard car Garmin with this :

http://www.amazon.com/ChargerCity%C2%AE-Exclusive-Motorcycle-ChargerCity-Replacement/dp/B00JAULSTI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432229340&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+gps+mount


Im too cheap to buy a motorcycle specific, and as long as I know where I am roughly going (cities) it gets the job done!

 

[doc187]

590 on the touratec mount wired with an eastern beaver fuse block

 

[Juan]

Garmin Zumo 590LM on a Madstad bracket wired to the aux lights socket (+switched).

 

[Bushyar15]

::025:: It took me a second to realize the picture was upside down. I was thinking thats awfully low and doesn't seem to make sense to be mounted that low….

590 on the touratec mount wired with an eastern beaver fuse block