GPS opinions

[BASS-TREBLE]

After a GPS that I can use on the bike.

Are these units actually usable on the road? Like they dont tell you to ride over this mountain on a walking trail to get to your destination? http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4aa354b701b254da273fc0a87f3b06fd/Product/View/D9053

I have searched but I'm not keen on spending $1000 on a GPS.

Cheers

[p.dath]

After a GPS that I can use on the bike.

Are these units actually usable on the road? Like they dont tell you to ride over this mountain on a walking trail to get to your destination? http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4aa354b701b254da273fc0a87f3b06fd/Product/View/D9053

I have searched but I'm not keen on spending $1000 on a GPS.

Cheers

You need something that is loaded with road maps. Those units are typically used for trekking.

They can record where you have been, and tell you how to get back. Or you can ask how to get to a particular spot, and it gives you a bearing and distance [useless for on road use].

[BASS-TREBLE]

You need something that is loaded with road maps. Those units are typically used for trekking.

They can record where you have been, and tell you how to get back. Or you can ask how to get to a particular spot, and it gives you a bearing and distance [useless for on road use].

Just what I thought.
Another thought, does anyone know of waterproof/splashproof cases for in car units? I'm on the net looking atm but someone might know something.

[boman]

Just what I thought.
Another thought, does anyone know of waterproof/splashproof cases for in car units? I'm on the net looking atm but someone might know something.

Yea, there is a water proof box called the aqua box. Distributed by Ram solutions. I have got one, I put my Tom Tom into it and hardwired it to the battery via a switch. Got caught in torrential rain between Rotorua and Whaktane last year. It is waterproof.

[Naki Rat]

I purchased a Garmin recently but opted for a car based one rather than the Garmin Zumo (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=135&ra=true) that is motorcycle focussed. Someone on KB (Hitcher I think) highly recommended the Zumo and based on the quality of my Garmin Nuvi I would say he was spot on :cool:

And there are Garmin map downloads on Torrent :2thumbsup

[Meanie]

Garmin Zomo 550 Nothing better on the market for bikes IMO

[snodpete]

I have the Garmin GPSMap60csx - purchased from here (http://www.triginstruments.co.nz/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=714) for a better price than Mr Smith...

You can download maps FREE! from here (http://www.gwprojects.org/forum/index.php?sid=8ab2c7c5912ef949e9930a9101a25a7f) and they do all the 'Turn left in 300m' stuff just like 'real' car ones... Garmin GPS seem to be best catered for in the Open Source map world.

In addition to all that, the 60CSX has a real altimeter/barometer, compass and can record tracks for those offroad moments (my main reason for choosing it). The RAM handlebar mount is awesome too! Gee, I should get commission for this...:cool:

[Rockbuddy]

Garmin Zomo 550 Nothing better on the market for bikes IMO

yep you cant go past the zumo550 best gps for bikes and also you get a base mount for the car as well

[MacD]

After a GPS that I can use on the bike.

Are these units actually usable on the road? Like they dont tell you to ride over this mountain on a walking trail to get to your destination? http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4aa354b701b254da273fc0a87f3b06fd/Product/View/D9053

I have searched but I'm not keen on spending $1000 on a GPS.

Cheers

The Garmin mapping handhelds can use topographical, marine and auto-routing road maps. The best thing about Garmin GPS is that there is a open-source NZ road map available for them.

See: http://nzopengps.org/

If you want all the bells and whistles, get a Garmin Zumo. If you're after a multipurpose waterproof handheld take a look at the mapping handhelds:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145

I have used a Garmin Legend HCx for a couple of years on my bike. I just put it in the map pocket of my tankbag.

There are a couple of threads on Garmin units in the Adventure forum.

[hutchy52]

I have a Chinese made one from e-bay, cost about $70 NZ.

Uses iGO software and they will give you any maps you want when they ship them, also you can find them on the net yourself.

Have only used it in the car so far, works fine. Maybe just chuck some clear shrink wrap on it for the bike, if it needs it, haven't got it very wet yet.

[marty]

here's a thought. just go and ride. if you're heading into the sun in the afternoon, youre heading north, west or north west. if it's behind you in the afternoon, your heading east, south, or south east.

if there's lots of traffic, you're probably in auckland. if there's nothing, you're likely somewhere else.

[Hoon]

They can record where you have been, and tell you how to get back. Or you can ask how to get to a particular spot, and it gives you a bearing and distance [useless for on road use].

Wrong...as already mentioned the Garmin 60csx GPS's use the same Garmin road maps that the Zumo does. Yes they are primarily a handheld GPS but also do road duties just fine so you actually get two in one.

If you are after a rugged road GPS that you can also use as a handheld then get a Garmin 60csx. If you want a vehicle/road only then get a Zumo which has a bigger better touch screen.

[Hitcher]

I have searched but I'm not keen on spending $1000 on a GPS.
In that case buy a tank bag with a clear plastic pocket on top that you can stick a map in. Seriously.

[LBD]

In that case buy a tank bag with a clear plastic pocket on top that you can stick a map in. Seriously.

Works for me in NZ, small compass helps as well for those no sun moments....but tell me to go to 14 Westerbingel Straat in Groningen NL and I could not imagine doing it without a GPS...

[marty]

Works for me in NZ, small compass helps as well for those no sun moments....but tell me to go to 14 Westerbingel Straat in Groningen NL and I could not imagine doing it without a GPS...
it's only about 1/2k from the Groningen Railway station. Shouldn't be too hard to find :)

[pritch]

My Zumo arrived on Friday. I fitted it to the bike and used as a speedo on Saturday and then yesterday spent hours downloading the required software and maps (dial-up) and installing them.

There were stages where I was tempted to start banging my head on the desk but I got there in the end. The results look encouraging.

Guess I had better get it wired to the bike because the quoted four hour battery life would likely see me running out of battery just as I would be starting to look for the address I was heading for...

[pritch]

I'd also like to say thanks to those who offered useful information when I asked my similar question recently.

Oh! and the OP is going to get his arse infracted for posting in the wrong forum. As irrational as it may seem to some, GPS units apparently are not considered bike gear. There speaks the voice of sad experience...

[ynot slow]

For easy use I recall givi doing a gps clear cover tank type bag overseas though.

[LBD]

My Zumo arrived on Friday. I fitted it to the bike and used as a speedo on Saturday and then yesterday spent hours downloading the required software and maps (dial-up) and installing them.

...

Can I ask where from and $?

[pritch]

Can I ask where from and $?

You may ask but I can't answer because I honestly don't know the name of the supplier. The price was $963.63 plus freight.

My brother does purchasing for his Company and they buy a lot of electronic gear and he got it from one of his suppliers, there was a slight discount. I mainly used him because I was happier firing him off that amount of money rather than someone I didn't know.

That wasn't much cheaper than some of the best options on my thread:

http://www.notebookcity.co.nz/product/garmin-gps-zumo-550-motorcycle-navigation-bluetooth-nz-new

There was a price of just under $1000 on Pricespy but there is also
http://www.challengermotors.co.nz/ at about $1100 where you might stand a chance of getting some after sales service if needed.

[johannvr]

Burnsco Marine sells the Garmin GPSMap60Cx (same as the CSx, but without the altimeter) for $ 549.

Works well for me, in the car / bike and boat. Roadmaps downloadable as mentioned above, but unforunately there's a cost to the Marine Bluechart maps and I'm also not aware of any freeware Topo maps for it.

[Swoop]

it's only about 1/2k from the Groningen Railway station. Shouldn't be too hard to find :)
You have to be careful of that northern hemisphere sun, though. It dosen't play ball like in the southern hemisphere...:whistle:

[YellowDog]

So long as you msake sure you get the most up-to-date map scheme, it doesn't really matter which one you get.

Velcro stickons are important and being waterproof is an advantage.

I stick mine in my tank bag and just rely on the bluetooth instructions.

Initaially my biggest mistake was to rely on the graphics as being an accurate indication of the corner depths and angle.

Don't do this, it's dangerous!

[NOD]

I USE A GARMIN 310/360 ON MY GS 1200 FOR 20,000 KM WITH NO PROBLEMS AND ONLY WHEN IT RAINS HEAVY DO I PUT IT IN MY RAIN JACKET AS THE WINDSCREEN PROTECTS NICELY. NO PROBLEM ON GRAVEL EXCEPT TILTS SLIGHTLY FROM VIBRATION AND AT $600.00 I think it's good value

[Jizah]

So long as you msake sure you get the most up-to-date map scheme, it doesn't really matter which one you get.


The installed maps will only last so long though. And with some companies charging $199 for updated maps, finding a brand such as Garmin that lets you use open source maps is a very good idea.

[Moki]

Apparently the Garmin 60csx is good and the Zumo 550 is the bee's knees...

[Padmei]

Another one happy with the 60csx:niceone: Has got me home many times and thats just from the dairy...

[MarkH]

Just what I thought.
Another thought, does anyone know of waterproof/splashproof cases for in car units? I'm on the net looking atm but someone might know something.

I have a car GPS (but no car) and I use a plastic bag and a twist tie if I need to use it in the wet. I can click on it pretty well with gloves on and I run a lead from its headphone socket to my helmet.

Mine is something like this one: http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/en/product/D7953

I didn't actually choose the unit - it was a 4th place prize in a poker tournament. But it works quite well on the scoot.

[whowhatwhere]

If you're willing to buy from the UK I can highly reccommend the Navigo from eBuyer: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159765 A good compact sturdy unit.

Mine is great I'll be bringing it back with me when I return to NZ. My bike is naked so I have put a GPS bicycle handlebar mount below the speedo, and attached the back plate from the sat nav to this. Slots straight on. If you go the thepctailor and register you'll have access to loads of info on how to load Tom Tom software onto the Navigo (an easy process, mine was done in 20 mins). Also has a headphone port which a lot of sat navs don't seem to have.

About £50 for the sat nav, so say $125 to $150 NZ? I'm not sure how much Tom Tom / Garmin are in NZ at the mo ..

Have a squiz here: http://www.gbbikers.co.uk/gbb/index.php?topic=39101.msg499887#msg499887