Topic: GPS suggestions???

[bert96]

 I would like to buy a gps,but i have no idea which one is the best.I would like to have the widest screen available for my money,i don't need bluethoot or mp3 reader,or DVD player just the basic GPS.

Any suggestions

[Tim.]

I like the TomTom models as they have good interfaces with your PC for updates etc. and I like the interface better than Garmin.  Garmin also has good features, especially when selecting where you want to navigate to.  Garmin asks for the street first, then the city.  TomTom asks for the city first.  Here in Toronto, there are lots of areas identified as cities, and it's tough to know sometimes where one starts and stops, and which one your address is going to be in.  Asking me for the street first, and then narrowing down my choice of possible cities would help sometimes.

I would skip any 'motorcycle' specific model.  They're very expensive.  Buy a thin model like the TomTom XL 330.  It's a widescreen and is very thin.  I used one in my tank bag, in the clear top part of the bag.  I installed a simple 12v accessory plug-in under my seat, connected directly to the battery.  Ran the TomTom car charger from there to the tank bag.

I used mine on my trip from Toronto to Deals Gap last fall and it came in very handy from time to time when we weren't 100% sure where we were going.

Also, I had a Gisteq Phototrackr Lite GPS logger which I used to geo-tag my photos from the trip.  It allows you to make a website like this:  www.dotheton.com/trip

Hope that helps a bit.  You can't really hear or use the GPS while riding - more of a compact roadmap reference.  We did set destinations and then head out, and the GPS kept us on track, but mostly just as an occasional reference.

[Steve F]

I have the GARMIN Nuvi 360, (which isn't available anymore) and I like it.  I built a USB power supply for it to operate from while on the bike, and had a little trouble finding a suitable plug with a 90* bend in it so I could put it under the clear window on my tank bag.  The newer NUVI models have much wider screens than mine, and I wish now that I had waited a while before buyin mine.  Oh well, you never know what's on the horizon.  I also like that I can plug in an earphone, and wear it under the helmet for turn-by-turn navigation without having to look at the screen.  Programming destinations is a breeze if you know the address, otherwise, you can program intersections within a city.  As with all newer GPS units, software upgrades are available from the GARMIN website, and the unit just plugs into your computer.  Comes with software CD, cables, cig lighter plug and windshield mount too.

[bert96]

I did some research and i found a Magellan  Roadmate 1412 with a screen of 4.3'' for $79.99 CA !!!! new,not refurbish!!

What do you think? it's look like a good deal!?

[myhondas]

The garmin and tom tom's are ok but i would stay away from the magellan. Their reputation for reliability and their customer service ain't on the positive side.

ray#?

[bert96]

 What is ray#?

[myhondas]

been using that since fasterspider on VJMOG forum is ray#1 and I just carried it over to this forum.... corp. pilot and have been using gps's since the early 90's. I have 5 or 6 right now both air/land/sea type.

ray#?