GPS advice

[Disco Dan]

Yes... another GPS thread.

I have finally got myself into a position where I can afford to buy a GPS unit for my bike. Soon I will be able to go touring without my fear of getting lost!

I have had a browse through some websites and found the Navman S30 ?

http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/47886dfb00889368273fc0a87f33073f/Product/View/D4246

Anyone got one of these? Are they any good?

Can someone give me some recommendations?

[MVnut]

We use GPS in Europe n it's great, but NZ is only tiny........how do ya get lost

[Disco Dan]

I cant think of anyone needing one of these things more than me!!!

It has taken me flipping long enough to get myself sorted so I can buy one.

Now I want to make sure I dont waste my money and get a dud.. ...or worse get a GPS that actually GETS me lost!!!!!! :rofl:

[99TLS]

We use GPS in Europe n it's great, but NZ is only tiny........how do ya get lost

totally agreed with you, save the hundreds of $$ and buy a map for $10 or ever better get them for free at AA

[breakaway]

I just took dad's one out on a ride today, worked well.

Anyone know that site which sells proper mounts though?

[Disco Dan]

yikes... the Navman S30 only has 3.5 hour battery life :gob: how can that be any help???!!!!

[MVnut]

We use a Tomtom in Europe. No experience with the others sorry.:cool:

[Sketchy_Racer]

Learn to read a map you git

:bleh:

[johan]

Garmin Zumo is made for the bike. Weather proof, big buttons so you can poke it with gloves on.
I use a garmin nuvi 310 that I bought in Europe. It's small, fits in my pocket, I take it out if a want to see my exact position, closest gas station etc. I downloaded a free NZ map to my nuvi, works great. (it only came preloaded with europe map).

I bought it to help me find my way thought Europe, and then mostly used it through the big cities like Prague or Berlin. Awesome assistant!

[Disco Dan]

Garmin Zumo is made for the bike. Weather proof, big buttons so you can poke it with gloves on.
I use a garmin nuvi 310 that I bought in Europe. It's small, fits in my pocket, I take it out if a want to see my exact position, closest gas station etc. I downloaded a free NZ map to my nuvi, works great. (it only came preloaded with europe map).

I bought it to help me find my way thought Europe, and then mostly used it through the big cities like Prague or Berlin. Awesome assistant!

Cheers had a look at that model, but a bit expensive - looking around the $500 mark.

[cold comfort]

Can't quite see the use on the bike myself (having to use the "senile eye crutches" these days for reading). Don't tend to get lost at home. BUT purchased a Garmin 60 CSx for aviation primarily but it will do road,marine and bush as well. A great tool for unfamiliar big cities and this ones a gem

[sinned]

TomTom make a GPS for bikes. Saw one in Harvey Norman Brisbane for $999A.
It looked like a good unit - water resistant, robust and set up for mc.

[Wasp27]

Yes... another GPS thread.

I have finally got myself into a position where I can afford to buy a GPS unit for my bike. Soon I will be able to go touring without my fear of getting lost!

I have had a browse through some websites and found the Navman S30 ?

http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/47886dfb00889368273fc0a87f33073f/Product/View/D4246

Anyone got one of these? Are they any good?

Can someone give me some recommendations?

Just make sure it's of better quality than their marine gear..IMO they are rubbish when compared to most other brands...you will never regret buying quality gear ,especially electronics:msn-wink:

[TimeOut]

Just make sure it's of better quality than their marine gear..IMO they are rubbish when compared to most other brands...you will never regret buying quality gear ,especially electronics:msn-wink:

+1 for that I bought my son a Navman for Christmas 06 after three attempts at fixing it they replaced it with a Uniden 8350 good unit no problems.
I have since bought one and was looking at mounting it on my bike for a trip around the North Island.

[Taz]

I use a garmin Etrex venture CX with a handlebar mount and power lead attached to the battery. Cost was < $500 from tony at kiwigps. He trades on trade me also. This price included a 512mb sd card loaded with the latest map set. The Etrex is waterproof so you don't need to put it away when the rain starts. screen is small but perfectly readable. Extremely up to date mapping is available from here (http://gwprojects.org/forum/index.php) free of charge and is updated constantly. They only do these maps for the Garmins.

My GPS has given me the confidence to try those out of the way back roads and has led me to some great places off the beaten track. Get one they are really worth it.

I was able to input the entire route of the last Rusty Nuts grand challenge which made navigation a breeze.

Kiwigps http://www.finda.co.nz/business/listing/3xc/kiwigps/

If price was not a issue then the garmin Zumo 550 would be the one to get.

[Disco Dan]

Well I settled for the Navman S50 - great bit of kit, and the guys at glenfield DSE gave me a pretty good deal lowering the price!

The mount seems to sucker on to my tank ok and is pretty strong but not sure how it would fair in practice and long trips. Would feel better with a better mount!! Will have to get my tool box out....

Already tried chatting up the hot sounding bird that keeps talking to me... :wacko:

Anyone else use the suckerey mounty thingy on their tank?????

Options peeps!

[Ixion]

Do NOT rely on the sucker thingy! DAMHIK

Use a cable tie or similar as a safety retainer to catch it when it comes off. It will!

[Taz]

Is it waterproof?

[Disco Dan]

Do NOT rely on the sucker thingy! DAMHIK

Use a cable tie or similar as a safety retainer to catch it when it comes off. It will!

*humpf*

Good to know!! Thank you!

Was just about to give it a 'test run' up the road!!! :gob:

looking at removing the rubber sucker and drilling holes in the mount to cable tie it to something?

[Ixion]

I left the sucker there, but ran a cable tie through a convenient hole to secure the device. They WILL come loose, but so long as it's not going to fall on the road it's not a big deal. Just don't want to see it bouncing off down the road!

[P38]

Santa left me a Garmin Zumo 550 for christmas this year.

Yeah Santa :niceone:

All I can say about this GPS is Bloody Awsome piece of kit!!!!

If ya want a GPS and can afford one, then this get one you wont be dissapointed.

Touch screen, simple to use, 2D & 3D maps can be scrolled and zoomed
Plays MP3's and runs my phone all through bluetooth (or a wire if you choose).
Text to speech gives accurate instructions and directions well before you need them and keeps you updated on things like distance to go, fuel remaining, current speed etc.
Connects to five sattelites and can give you accuracy of less than 3 meters.

The mapsource software for your PC is so easy to use, makes planning a trip a ten minute job. Works out all your fuel stops, accomidation, food etc.

Came with ram mounts for both Car and Bike and can be used on and off road as well as hand held (4hr battery life hand held), Recharges from either mount or from the wall charger supplied in the kit.
Car mount has audio in and out so you can listen to directions and use it for a hands free phone link, does voice calling too.

Kinda expensive but seeings santa paid I'm not grumbling.

Don't give too much thought to those Naysayers here who are obviously stuck somewhere way back there in the past.

Maps are ok but sooooooooooooooo last century. :bleh:

Time to move on!!!

GPS on a bike rocks.

End of story!:apint:

[crashe]

Its really no use for Dan to own a map book....... (he has one anyway) as he still manages to get lost.

Both Gremlin and I, discovered this one evening, with complete written instructions on how to find his lecture room at Auckland University.....

Dan had already spent 2 or was that 3 hours roaming the Auckland City streets just trying to find the university...... and he gave up and went home and come onto KB looking for help.

So Gemlin and I both went out to meet and help Dan on his wee adventure.
I meet Dan up at Westgate and escorted him to Symonds St.... Gremlin meets us there.

After some chit chat we set off with Dan leading us the way.
Dan read out the first instruction, in that he was to cross the road...... from there it all went downhill once over the road..... wrong door aye Dan...... oh yep it is written down to go down a flight of steps...

Dan tends to skip over what is written and miss out all the vital bits of information that is required.....

Best giggle that Gremlin and I had in ages on that night. A good night thou.





Dan, I really hope this GPS system is the answer for you........ and that you don't get lost.

[bikerboy011]

I think i need one off those too!! hmmm how much would a good gps cost?? $400

[Disco Dan]

Its really no use for Dan to own a map book....... (he has one anyway) as he still manages to get lost.

Cursed with maps!!!


Dan, I really hope this GPS system is the answer for you........ and that you don't get lost.

So do I !

...now on my little test runs I started 'disobeying' it and there was no "*female voice* eeeehhh no, go that way its quicker.." ...it just re-adjusted the route and told me where to go next!!

I think we are going to be best friends!!!!! :wari::wari::wari:

Rigged up the car charger to the battery so it does not run low on power after 5 minutes!!

[Disco Dan]

off for a pootle....

....must remember to look at road. :laugh:

[Jorja]

My dad got a GPS for his van for christmas, he has been raving about it ever since. His one is the Tommy I think and it talks to him and says if he has missed the road he needs.

Am rather jealous as I hate having to read maps at the lights to find where I am going.

[crashe]

off for a pootle....

....must remember to look at road. :laugh:

Good luck.....

So what was your destination...........

We want to know how you got on.........

[Kittyhawk]

Why not buy a cage?

[Disco Dan]

Good luck.....

So what was your destination...........

We want to know how you got on.........

Shelly beach...

took me 8 minutes. hehe

[crashe]

Shelly beach...

took me 8 minutes. hehe


Yeah but you knew how to get there already......
That is kinda cheating a little....... :bash:

[Disco Dan]

Yeah but you knew how to get there already......
That is kinda cheating a little....... :bash:

nope did not know this way there!!! took me the shortest route!!

I have been taking about 20 minutes to get there!!! Now its only 8 minutes!!!

[crashe]

nope did not know this way there!!! took me the shortest route!!

I have been taking about 20 minutes to get there!!! Now its only 8 minutes!!!

Oh ok...... so it works then........ you didn't get lost..






WOHOOOOOOOOOOOO !

[Disco Dan]

I would highly recommend this unit to anyone, great price and fantastic features.

A little creepy but im stoked with this device!!!

[scrubs]

Hands down - I highly reccomend the 60CSX I am using it to get round NZ at the moment with the free open source maps. Fantastic battery life. Best
reception out of all mentioned, rugged and waterproof can also be used for hiking etc.. it's the dogs doo daa's

[Disco Dan]

Oh good god... it thinks im in europe somewhere.... looks like im stuck on my driveway for a while... :rofl:

[Qkchk]

Garmin Zumo is made for the bike. Weather proof, big buttons so you can poke it with gloves on.

Have heard nothing but good about these... Wont get much change from $1500. Couple for sale on TARDME (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=all&searchString=zumo&searchRegion=100&type=Search). When we eventually get one (maybe this year..?) this GPS would be my 1st choice. Its bluetooth so can run through the Blueant Interphones (http://www.blueant.com.au/interphone-motorbike-helmet-kit.htm)(there is a write up on these in here).

[Ixion]

Oh good god... it thinks im in europe somewhere.... looks like im stuck on my driveway for a while... :rofl:

Sigh. Let me guess. You went out to go down to the corner shop, right. And the GPS said "turn left". And you turned right.

Didn't all the water give you a clue that you weren't on your way to the corner shop?