A Few Questions on GPS Units

[dannyd]

Do a search for Garmin 2610.

+1 on the 2610.

 

[Rick_W]

Oh, and text to speech (speak street names) is worth its virtual weight in gold to me.

While I may not like the talking bit, the one thing that keeps me continually shying away from the GPSMAP 276C is that it does not do street names.

Non of the GPSMAP series do. :angry:

My personal preference is also for non-touch screens like the marine GPSMAP series, but I really depend on the street names.

 

[Jo Kremsreiter]

I added a mount to the black plastic area just forward of the left handlebar. I took the plastic piece off and layed up 3 layers of Fiberglass to stiffen the area picking up most of the screw holes and plastic pins. With all the curves and catching the mounts it came out stiff enough to keep from shaking or vibration. My first GPS was a Garmin 76CSx, I just bought the Nuvi 755.. Haven't tried the new GPS on the Bike yet because it has been to cold. I have pictures but I cant figure out how to post them.

 

[SPORT]

I'd welcome any suggestions.

Jon T,

Haven't read all responses yet, so if it's a repeat, just ignore.

I have a Garmin Nuvi 780 (It's been seen for less than $300 @ Best buy) and am fairly pleased with it as it will do almost everything a ZUMO will do (ie, Bluetooth, Via way points, text to speech, MP3, MSN Direct, and the like). I bought a RAM mount with a 3" extension, which was originally attached to the left handle bar, but have since relocated it to the steering nut by drilling the nut and installing a RAM ball. Here is a link to steeringnut/ball as a single unit. Tech-Mount is another alternative, albiet more pricey. Either way, I am pleased with the configuration. Moreover, there is always a modified sandwich bag and tie wrap kept in the tank bag for incliment weather. It has never failed me and works flawlessly.

You would not be wrong in thinking it's a poor-boys mod, but I am pleased with it all.

Hope this helps...

Sport

 

[Fred W]

Started out using my car GPS on the bike. A Garmin Streetpilot 550. Has (almost) all the features of a Zumo. Text to speech. Bluetooth phone. Audio output and microphone jacks. Internal battery. But it is not waterproof, so carried around some baggies.

The single biggest reason that I wanted to upgrade is that you cannot upload (preplanned) routes into this, or most other automobile GPSes. You can use the "Where to" buttons and have the GPS auto route you, but it will either be the fastest way (super slab) or the shortest distance way (nasty goat paths, or trips through ghettos). Unfortunately, there is no way to have it send you the most scenic route. Yes, you can then enter intermediate destinations to route you the way you want to go, but that is a serious PITA and you can't save your route once you have it all set up.

For that reason, I picked up a Garmin Streetpilot 2820, and this past fall upgraded that to a Zumo 550.

 

[TheRepairMan]

I added a mount to the black plastic area just forward of the left handlebar. I took the plastic piece off and layed up 3 layers of Fiberglass to stiffen the area picking up most of the screw holes and plastic pins. With all the curves and catching the mounts it came out stiff enough to keep from shaking or vibration. My first GPS was a Garmin 76CSx, I just bought the Nuvi 755.. Haven't tried the new GPS on the Bike yet because it has been to cold. [SIZE=10pt] I have pictures but I cant figure out how to post them.[/SIZE]

Hey Jo,

posting pictures ... https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=5589

-Roger-

 

[jjsC6]

Update to my earlier post - I ordered a NUVI 760 on-line from Walmart last night for $218!

 

[TheRepairMan]

Update to my earlier post - I ordered a NUVI 760 on-line from Walmart last night for $218!

[SIZE=10pt]That's a GREAT deal on the 760, and I assume that's like mine, a new unit, not a refurb. It has a lot of high end features, some of which aren't even mentioned on Garmin's web site, like a real time speed limit display on most major roadways. [/SIZE]

I really like the large screen, the SD card slot for pics and MP3s, and an FM Transmitter to enable you to listen to music or spoken directions through your on board FM stereo, plus it has blue tooth, and much more. I also noticed this unit has a much brighter screen display than the earlier 200 series Nuvi's I had owned. This one is a keeper.

The maps were out of date when I got the unit but easy enough to fix if you go to Garmin's web site and load the latest maps and updates. That first one is free, and took a long time to load, but it all looks and works perfectly now.

I took it on a trip into Atlanta in January and the only time I got turned around was when I failed to trust it. My bad. It re-routed me quickly and got me to my destination and back very well. Now, if they would just build in a radar detector.

-Roger-

 

[ShawnKing]

Now, if they would just build in a radar detector.[/size]

I'm surprised someone hasn't but, on the bike, Garmin says placement is a big issue.

 

[bikesniffer]

I have a Tom Tom Rider...it's a piece of shit. Plus, once the one year warranty is out on any tomtom unit, the Tom Tom people tell you they can't help you. That's right, when any Tom Tom gps unit's original warranty expires, there is no solution for fixing a defective unit from Tom Tom. What kind of business plan is that? What kind of customer no-service is that? My TomTom rider would not turn on after about 13 months...yes that's right...one month out of warranty and it quit. TomTom rep said she was so sorry, but there was nothing TomTom could do. What a crock! I think there may be some vendor out there trying to repair defective tomtoms, but he is in Europe and screw that. Do yourself a favor and forget TomTom. I even changed the internal battery...no go. That's $500 up a wild hogs ass. My wife bought it for me for Christmas...or you can bet I would never have owned a tomtom product. Makes me mad every time I think about it.
I've owned a few versions of Garmin units, and they are all very good...not perfect...but very good. I don't like having to load certain grids into the units from the MapSource disk to get street detail. That's mostly a function of the older units that suffered from limited internal memory. Newer units with the SD cards dont have those limitations....finally.

Garmin customer service, as evidenced by some of the postings, is excellent. Currently on my fjr, I use the Garmin Nuvi 760. It has ALL the features I need and want (blue tooth to helmet instructions was a must have). So what if it ain't waterproof? My Escort 9500i detector ain't neither...so that's why I carry plastic zip lock bags for the 5% of the time I might get caught in the wet stuff. I rigged my own home brew mount for the 760. Industrial grade velcro, sold in a box at Home Depot, holds my radar and gps device and it AIN'T comin' off...trust me. Also makes for fast removal from the bike in the evenings. Yes, the Zumo 550 is certainly the shit when it comes to motorcycle gps units, but there are very viable much less expensive alternatives. Put the money you save in farkles or riding gear, you will realize a much better return on your investment.

just read about your TomTom grief...

if you want to send the unit to me I can bring for repair and then send it back to you...more than happy to help a fellow feejer rider PM me if you want to take me up on it..

Alfredo

 

[jjsC6]

Update to my earlier post - I ordered a NUVI 760 on-line from Walmart last night for $218!

[SIZE=10pt]That's a GREAT deal on the 760, and I assume that's like mine, a new unit, not a refurb. It has a lot of high end features, some of which aren't even mentioned on Garmin's web site, like a real time speed limit display on most major roadways. [/SIZE]

I really like the large screen, the SD card slot for pics and MP3s, and an FM Transmitter to enable you to listen to music or spoken directions through your on board FM stereo, plus it has blue tooth, and much more. I also noticed this unit has a much brighter screen display than the earlier 200 series Nuvi's I had owned. This one is a keeper.

The maps were out of date when I got the unit but easy enough to fix if you go to Garmin's web site and load the latest maps and updates. That first one is free, and took a long time to load, but it all looks and works perfectly now.

I took it on a trip into Atlanta in January and the only time I got turned around was when I failed to trust it. My bad. It re-routed me quickly and got me to my destination and back very well. Now, if they would just build in a radar detector.

-Roger-

Yes, it's a new unit. I got it today, along with a Ram Mount adapter. Already mounted on the FJR and ready to go.

thanks for the comments on it's features.

 

[FJRMGM]

glad to hear you got the Nuvi 760.

I have the Nuvi 770 model for all the reasons you bought the 760 - but have not mounted it on the bike yet - what did you use to wire it up to the battery?

 

[Flylooper]

Speaking of GPS, I am just wondering where everyone has their GPS mounted. I have a few ideas. But I am always open to suggestions.
Actually i will start another thread to keep from threadjacking this one. back on topic. Sorry

I have dash shelf, so I've got my GPS on a Garmin mount, my Radar detector, and one of those 5-way temp/tim/batt/black ice/stop watches velocro'd to it.