Motorcycle GPS?

[Hitcher]

For those who came in late, Mrs H and I are off to the USA and Canada in a few weeks for a motorcycle excursion.

After poring over maps, etc, I have started to think that the purchase of a GPS could be a good idea.

What I think I need is something with:

a decent-sized display
functional and intuitive controls that can be operated by gloved fingers
weather protection
the ability to upload maps of the USA and Canada (and New Zealand too)
Bluetooth connectivity so that Doris can talk to me
A 12V adapter so that the unit can be powered by the bike.


Does such a thing exist?

If the answer is "yes", where could such a device be procured?

[jrandom]

I'd say you need a TomTom RIDER.

Ingram Micro are listed as the NZ distributors for TomTom, so give them a call and ask how best to purchase one (including the maps you require, etc).

[sAsLEX]

I'd say you need a TomTom RIDER.



And here is me thinking you would be promoting a Navman product........


Tom Tom are the most popular in the UK, with car GPS units referred to as Tom Toms in colloquial language

[jrandom]

And here is me thinking you would be promoting a Navman product........

Navman's moribund. I can't in good conscience advise anyone to purchase a Navman road GPS unit these days.


car GPS units referred to as Tom Toms in colloquial language

Ah, the true test of market dominance. Xerox and Hoover taught us to embrace it.

A few of my old friends from Navman are over in the Netherlands working for TomTom now. To the winner go the spoils...

[NighthawkNZ]

The two I would suggest would be the Garmin Zumo and then maybe the Garmin Quest II. Zumo being the ultimate MC GPS

[Blackbird]

Garmin are the most popular GPS in the States. The guys have mentioned good brands which are automotive specific with big screens, some of them touch sensitive. The Garmin Zumo, Quest or Street Pilot are their current automotive range.

However, I went for the Garmin GPS Map 76Cx which is smaller for the specific reason that we can easily stick it in a pocket when legging it round an overseas city on foot. Fitness for purpose and all that. Screen is still fine on a car or bike, but not as good as the bigger ones of course.

Amusingly, a friend uses his for finding his rental car in mega-malls in the USA when he's over there. Just marks his car as a waypoint, buggers off inside the mall and bingo, no worries about finding it among 10000 cars on the way out!

[Nasty]

We did a bit of research on this one Hitch and the following is our experience:

We bought a tomtom. It would not find our address which was built around 30 years ago. We couldn't update the maps .. we took it back. Just couldn't be bothered.

So did more research. We have decided that if and when we repeat the experience it would be with the Garmin Zumo for motorbikes. You can use with gloves etc and they seem a bit better. But they cost a few bucks.

[alanzs]

As mentioned above, Garmin are the most popular GPS in the US, I know. I had a Garmin and they have maps for everywhere you'd ever want to go, and places you won't want to go too. You may want to consider getting a radar detector as well. I'm not sure if you can upload NZ maps on it, but the GPS I had, I sold prior to coming here. There are a few huge retail stores that would sell them: Best Buys, Fry's Electronics, to name just a few. Fry's electronics is the best electronics store I have ever seen, in the world. You may want to look at their website. Their prices are stunningly low.

http://shop4.frys.com/


You'll have a blast, no doubt, as the place is huge and the roads are loooong. There are even places with no speed limits, due to their vast emptiness.

If you need any ideas, suggestion, information, feel free to pm me. I'm originally from Lost Angeles and have travelled all over the States... I can also hook you up with people there if you need anything, for accessories, dinner, etc., depending on where you are going.
Cheers....

[Disco Dan]

Have not used others, but I have to recommend the Navman S series...

Big screen, pairs with your cell phone via bluetooth - has a built in speaker, so phone in pocket/bag and it can import your phones contacts and allows you to browse your phone book, and then make and receive calls. All with gloves still on as the on screen buttons are very big.

The tomtoms not only sound geay but screens are smaller.

I can then put a bluetooth headset on my ear, use the large screen of the navman to scroll through my phone book or just make use of the headsets built in voice dialing... all while i'm riding.

maps can be downloaded for free if you know where to look ;) and uploaded via usb on your pc.

It comes with a usb cable for uploading and downloading routes and maps - there is software with it.

Also it comes with a 12v car charger.

Only downside I have found is the battery life - but if you fit a cig lighter socket under your seat like mine, you wont have any probs.

You can set it to either MPH or KPH and it displays your speed, eta and time etc all on screen without hindering the view of the map. I have found the speed display to be accurate to within a couple of kmph too which is handy if your only mounting point happens to cover your speedo.

Then if you buy the waterproof pda case from RAM its waterproof too.

<img src="http://gps-club.ru/images/navman/navman-2.jpg"

<img src="http://www.crambo.es/img/imgNavman/alta/S90/s90_banda.jpg"

[P38]

I've got a Garmin Zumo 550.

These are absolutely the best Motorcycle GPS units you can get.

I've teamed it up with a Nolan N-com N102 fitted with the Basic and Bluetooth kit.

Works flawlessly.

Best gaget I ever owned.

Ticks all the boxes you mention plus a ton more.

Check it out at http://www.zumoforums.com/

You can buy one from dicksmith powerhouse or order one from any of their stores.

or
This guy on Trademe.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/GPS/Boating/auction-157926390.htm

$1280 is a good price too.

Order it with the North American Maps if you go this route, cheaper to buy the NZ maps at a laterdate.
His shop is in Napier sells mostly stuff for aeroplanes

[jrandom]

Ah, the usual chorus of everyone recommending the one they bought.

Has anyone in this thread actually used more than one brand of road navigation GPS?

[ArcherWC]

I have used the Garmin and Navman, and for bike use, definatly the Garmin Zumo is the way to go

[Hitcher]

Then if you buy the waterproof pda case from RAM its waterproof too.

How does one work the GPS's controls if it's in a box?

[P38]

Ah, the usual chorus of everyone recommending the one they bought.

Has anyone in this thread actually used more than one brand of road navigation GPS?

More to the point have you?

Maybe you'd like to share your thoughts.

or Maybe Not!

[limbimtimwim]

I quite like my TomTom One. It is easy to use and generally behaves in a sensible manner. It tells me the phone numbers for stuff (Like a camping ground 80km away) and how far it is to the next servo. On the Auckland motorway it helpfully puts the exit number you want in top left of the screen as well as regular directions on the screen. The built in battery lasts maybe.. An hour and a half if is left on..? I've set mine to speak in an Irish female voice, which is quite sexy in my opinion.

I'll turn whatever way you want honey in 300 metres. Pity I can't hear you in my helmet dear.

I found such a device is best combined with a regular paper map. I take a look at the paper map in the morning and think about where I'd like to go. I then loaded the same destination into the tomtom. So later in the day I could just pull it out any old time, switch it on, twiddle my thumbs for a minute while it got a lock to see if I was still on the rightish road after I got distracted with a crappy detour. Much quicker than finding the right page in a book.

And I can say I am slightly un-biased, since mummykins won said device and gave it to me.

[jrandom]

More to the point have you?

Er... yes. Yes, I have. You might say I have a certain amount of background in the matter, given that I wrote a fair chunk of the software that runs on the Navman devices.


Maybe you'd like to share your thoughts.

See my recommendation for the TomTom, above.

However, that was driven purely by my preference for TomTom's general functionality and user interface. Matters of industrial design and whatnot also come into play, so I'd say that Google is Hitcher's friend (http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&q=zumo+versus+tomtom&btnG=Google+Search&meta=)...

[Horse]

Er... yes. Yes, I have. You might say I have a certain amount of background in the matter, given that I wrote a fair chunk of the software that runs on the Navman devices.

Really? Any way to change the auto-zoom thresholds on my ICN630 so that it zooms out one step at about 60km/h instead of the current 50km/h. Really annoying around town.

(BTW I'm 99% sure the answer to the question is "no" but thought it would be amusing to ask! :) ).

[P38]

Er... yes. Yes, I have. You might say I have a certain amount of background in the matter, given that I wrote a fair chunk of the software that runs on the Navman devices.



See my recommendation for the TomTom, above.

However, that was driven purely by my preference for TomTom's general functionality and user interface. Matters of industrial design and whatnot also come into play, so I'd say that Google is Hitcher's friend (http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&q=zumo+versus+tomtom&btnG=Google+Search&meta=)...

Well then you should have known Garmin Zumo ticks all the boxes mentioned by Hitcher plus more.

Tom Tom rider does not.

and a Navman is not suitable for a Motorcycle

Even if you did write some of the code.

[jrandom]

Well then you should have known Garmin Zumo ticks all the boxes mentioned by Hitcher plus more.

Tom Tom rider does not.

Which boxes doesn't the TomTom tick?

:confused:

(Seriously - I mean, I did double-check the specs before posting.)


a Navman is not suitable for a Motorcycle

A. I already said that, y'know. Heck, IMHO, they're not even suitable for cars. Sniff.

B. However, Disco Dan seems to be proving you wrong.

[jrandom]

Really? Any way to change the auto-zoom thresholds on my ICN630 so that it zooms out one step at about 60km/h instead of the current 50km/h.

Absolutely. Find someone who still works at Navman and bribe them to go in on a weekend and spend several hours hacking up and building you a custom version of the iCN630 software that works that way. That is, if the iCN630 source code is still hanging around. I wouldn't be surprised if it's vanished in the mists of time.

:crazy:

[Disco Dan]

B. However, Disco Dan seems to be proving you wrong.

*ahem*

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1377928&postcount=24

[P38]

Which boxes doesn't the TomTom tick?

:confused:

(Seriously - I mean, I did double-check the specs before posting.)



A. I already said that, y'know. Heck, IMHO, they're not even suitable for cars. Sniff.

B. However, Disco Dan seems to be proving you wrong.

Yeah well someone has to be at the end of the bell curve.

Might as well be Disco Dan.

[alanzs]

It's possible to buy a gps in the US, at Frys for example, and then return it afterwards if for some reason you don't like it. Unlike here, the return policies in the US are geared towards consumers. Saying you don't like it, or you changed your mind is a perfectly good reason to return it. In the US, the consumer is king... :msn-wink:

[Zapf]

Hi Hitcher!

I have the Garmin GPS60csx and recently bought a Zumo550 due to a friend's recommendation as well. They are both very good.

The Zumo550 comes with bike and car mount. And I think it has a SD card slot where you can buy additional maps for it.

Cheers
Zapf

[NordieBoy]

Money no object...
Zumo 550.

[NZsarge]

I can't offer any opinion based on the use of one but i'd agree, Meanie has the Garmin Zumo on his Concours, very very nice.
I was impressed from what I saw of it.

[Hitcher]

OK. Time on the phone this morning has revealed that a TomTom Rider cannot be sourced in New Zealand. Ingram Micro only do three in-car models.

Who stocks the Garmin Zumo 550? I know that Duck Smuth doesn't.

[jrandom]

Who stocks the Garmin Zumo 550?

Google is still (http://www.mapworld.co.nz/zumo.html) your friend.

[Blackbird]

OK. Time on the phone this morning has revealed that a TomTom Rider cannot be sourced in New Zealand. Ingram Micro only do three in-car models.

Who stocks the Garmin Zumo 550? I know that Duck Smuth doesn't.

Don't go to the stores, you'll pay well over the odds. I dealt with these people for my Garmin and got excellent service: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/GPS/Boating/auction-157926390.htm?p=1

[Hitcher]

Google is still (http://www.mapworld.co.nz/zumo.html) your friend.

$1645! Gahh! Thud.

[jrandom]

$1645! Gahh! Thud.

Why don't you just order a unit at the best retail price you can find in the USA and pick it up when you get there?

[Hitcher]

Why don't you just order a unit at the best retail price you can find in the USA and pick it up when you get there?

That is a thought. I have engaged in dialogue with Logicalchoice and I can hear them sharpening their pencil. I shall let you know how that pans out, but I am expecting some considerable favourable movement (now that my nose has stopped bleeding).

[imdying]

Why don't you just order a unit at the best retail price you can find in the USA and pick it up when you get there?

Have it delivered to your hotel... once you get into Fry's Electrical, you won't get out without all sorts of gadgets :S

[Swoop]

Duty Free shop?
You have 17 hours to play with it on the way to the land of the "Burger".
Imagine the fun to be had, annoying the pilot with navigation suggestions.

[Griffin]

Well just to buck the trend of recommending the one I bought - I absolutely DO NOT recommend the NavMan brand. I bought one a year ago and have had alsorts of issues with it :brick: to be fair I havent ever used it on my bike but I wouldnt really want to... definitely check out the other two major brands (TomTom and Garmin) I havent heard anything great about the Uniden model either btw.

[alanzs]

Have it delivered to your hotel... once you get into Fry's Electrical, you won't get out without all sorts of gadgets :S

Fry's is THE candy store if you like electronic stuff. They have more things than you can imagine. They make it VERY easy to spend your money... Have fun! Remember, gas is now $4.34US a gallon, so it's a tad cheaper than here, but that's the highest it's ever been in the US. :spanking:

[alanzs]

That is a thought. I have engaged in dialogue with Logicalchoice and I can hear them sharpening their pencil. I shall let you know how that pans out, but I am expecting some considerable favourable movement (now that my nose has stopped bleeding).

If you don't mind me asking, where are you flying into as your point of entry?

[Hitcher]

If you don't mind me asking, where are you flying into as your point of entry?

Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles California.

If I do decide to procure, I'm not going to take pot luck as to what duty free stores may or not have in stock. I'd prefer to have some certainty in that regard, rather than relying on chocolate-coated macadamias to navigate North America with.

[Grub]

How does one work the GPS's controls if it's in a box?

I'm sure you've found this out since posting that but they are designed to be used with gloves and waterproofing is guaranteed, much like marine instruments. Of course I'm biased, but I think P38 has the perfect solution when he's teamed the garmin up with the Nolan N102 ... which I believe you have purchased for the trip?


$1645! Gahh! Thud.

Someone quoted the guy on tardme is selling them for $1280. I'm usually uncommonly tight-arsed when it comes to paying for stuff ... but in this case, I believe that you really get value from this unit

[RantyDave]

Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles California.
LAX is fucking horrible. Don't plan on doing anything at LAX other than leaving as fast as possible.

Out of interest, does it look cheaper to buy here and then obtain US maps, or to buy there then obtain NZ maps. I suspect the latter.

Dave

[xgnr]

Ah, the usual chorus of everyone recommending the one they bought.

Has anyone in this thread actually used more than one brand of road navigation GPS?

yep, had a Navman and now use a Garmin Zumo 550

Pricey but very robust and functional. Comes with car kit as well. RAM mounts are great quality.

If you are in auckland and want to have a play send me a PM and you are welcome to borrow for a try out.

Cheers

Stu

[Hitcher]

Delivery of a Garmin zumo 550, loaded with USA/Canada and NZ maps is expected next Thursday.

[vifferman]

Delivery of a Garmin zumo 550, loaded with USA/Canada and NZ maps is expected next Thursday.
Wow, Mr Hitcher!
You must be toldlessly wealthy....:blank:
The vifferbabe wants me to purchase a GPS unit for the Nederlands part of our Urpeen tour, but between the troglodytes that keep our bank balance low, our TV carking it, my cellular telephone carking it, #1's car overheating, #2 being unemployed, #3 being an alien (one of those blue-grey, long-limbed skinny ones), my bike battery dying, and the incessant bills for various parts of our vacation, there's not really any money available for a GPS.
Or any of the above.
Despite the vifferbabe being a Counter of Beanz.
Wait... :confused: ... that should be because the vifferbabe is a Counter of Beanz. Obviously (or perhaps not), we have Mechanic's Car Syndrome infesting our accounts...

[Hitcher]

Wow, Mr Hitcher!
You must be toldlessly wealthy...

Toldlessly poor. But there's little difference between obscene-amount-of-debt and obscene-amount-of-debt + GPS. Isn't there? Or have I fallen victim to what the Bloody Labour Gummint has been telling me about prudent financial planning?

[P38]

Delivery of a Garmin zumo 550, loaded with USA/Canada and NZ maps is expected next Thursday.

You wont be regretting that purchase Hitcher.

The Garmin Zumo 550 I purchase has functioned flawlessly from the moment it came outta the box.

Best gaget I ever bought.

[sinned]

$1645! Gahh! Thud.
Price is relative. If you were already prepared to spend $800 on something that doesn't work well the incremental cost for a Zumo is just another *$800. That is how I justify buying the best.

[xgnr]

Make sure you invest in a big Mutha SD Card (it can use the High capacity cards) so you can take all your MP3's with you.

Max 1000 songs at the moment tho' this is sure to change in later firmware updates. Maybe your maps are on the SD card tho' so if so you can just copy music onto the Zumo itself.

(Hint... when you get it make sure you go to the Garmin site and get latest update)

A really useful user forum is at www.zumoforums.com

Enjoy... most accurate speedo you can get lol

[alanzs]

Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles California.

If I do decide to procure, I'm not going to take pot luck as to what duty free stores may or not have in stock. I'd prefer to have some certainty in that regard, rather than relying on chocolate-coated macadamias to navigate North America with.

Are you buying a bike there? Or shipping one over?
FYI, liability insurance is required by law. Also, don't forget medical insurance. My son broke his arm a couple years ago snowboarding at Squaw Valley, Nevada and it cost $60, 000 USD. He had surgery and was in hospital overnight.
If you don't have the money to pay, you will not get treated, unless you are unconscious. The first thing they ask you is for your insurance information or your credit card, which they will call to verify prior to treating you. Sad, but very, very true. NO JOKE. They have a little crisis with health insurance in the US these days...
If you get a chance, go on a Sunday to the Rock Store in the Santa Monica mountains. There are generally a couple hundred bikes there. A great place to hang out. The mountains there are known as the Santa Monica Alps, as there are hundreds of miles of twisty, awesome roads. A radar detector is also a helpful item. A speeding ticket can easily cost you $300.
The weather should be fantastic for riding this time of year.
Where are you planning on riding to?

[Hitcher]

I'll start another thread about this, but here's a taster...

13-14 July, Los Angeles California
15-July, Morro Bay California
16-17 July, San Francisco California
18-July, Eureka California
19-July, Bend Oregon
20-July, Astoria Oregon
21-22 July, Victoria British Columbia
23-July, Vancouver British Columbia
24-July, Whistler British Columbia
25-July, Kamloops British Columbia
26-July, Jasper Alberta
27-28 July, Banff Alberta
29-July, Whitefish Montana
30-July, Dillon Montana
31-July, Jackson Wyoming
1-August, Red Lodge Montana
2-August, Gillette Wyoming
3-6 August, Sturgis South Dakota
7-August, Fort Collins Colorado
8-August, Idaho Springs Colorado
9-10 August, Buena Vista Colorado
11-August, Moab Utah
12-August, Durango Colorado
13-August, Torrey Utah
14-August, Kanab Utah
15-August, Grand Canyon Arizona
16-August, Jerome Arizona
17-August, Laughlin Nevada
18-20 August, Las Vegas Nevada
21-August, Bishop California
22-August, Fresno California
23-August, Morro Bay California
24-25 August, Los Angeles California

[Snakeman]

I have a couple of mates that use Tom Toms made for motorcycling and they keep finding all the dirt roads, including forestry trails, even when there are good sealed roads to travel on.
Another couple of mates have the Garmin that was made for motorcycles and they are great.... a few more dollars and definitely much better, but why waste the chance to get yourself lost and have a better adventure ?
:spudbn:

[Quasievil]

Sheesh Hitcher me ole mate, IM GOB SMACKED by the crapola advise some of my fellow members have given you on this subject !

Here is the scoop mate listen up

the best G.P.S system is the Quasievil, its a greatest brand you will find anywhere for a major excursion in Canada and the USA look at the list of benefits



Understands KIWI (the only system in the world that speaks it fluently)
It can negotiate with hostile forces (army trained)
it can re fuel you bike for you
It can give your wife a soothing back rub after a hard day on the bike, And it can look up the yellow pages for a worthy back rubber for you
Comes with its own motorcycle
It can hunt burgers and buy beer (at your cost)
Can fix Motorcycle and replace tyres
can read a map in all conditions
Can erect tents
It can cook (qualified chef)
it can clean (Wife showed me once)
So dont go buying a electronic piece of crap that will let you down in the first rain shower, stick to something Biological and get a QUASIEVIL

Thats what ya need mate, shall I pack my suitcase now:woohoo: ???

[alanzs]

WOW!!!! Great itenerary. Anticipate and prepare for 40+ degrees heat when getting into Utah, Arizona and Nevada. You have planned well, in that most of the places you are going are only a few hours from each other.

Also, in Montana there is no official speed limit in many places; it's very vast and wide open.

If you are a member of the AA here, you can go to the AAA in the US and they will give you free maps, guide books, help you with registering your bike (if you are buying one or shipping one, as going to the Department of Motor Vehicles - the dreaded DMV, can literally take 7-8 hours to get your bike registered) and cheaper insurance.

You are going to be seeing some of the most beautiful places on earth! Have fun and keep us posted. :lol:

[alanzs]

Quasi, I'll take one! :niceone:

[Hitcher]

Quasi, I'll take one!

May I suggest a test ride before you buy.

[alanzs]

May I suggest a test ride before you buy.

I didn't want to seem pushy so I didn't ask at first, but now that you mention it, YES, I'd like to test ride one first. Can I return it if I don't like it after a while? :lol:

[XP@]

Quasi is right, Electronic GPS are a load of toad fish.

I bought a Garmin GPS5 water proof and all that. Worked wonderfully during the weeks running up to the Southern Cross. I spent hours planning my route, uploading waypoints and stuff.

Well, not even 10 mins in to the ride it turns its self off. Percussion therapy makes it work again. A few mins later and off again. I stop. A friendly Southern X rider pulls over i say it ok, toy problems, he rides on. 10 mins later GPS still dead I set off. Here comes the good bit (for me) ... I pass the guy 5 mins later he was stopped collecting a speeding ticket ...

This was a case of silver lining for me, but it came at a cost, the gps only started working when I got back home.

When they are working they are great for telling you where you have been but not really that good for telling you where you are going...

My fave was heading up north on the piecock road as I arrived at the look out I was told to "Turn right on to SH1 Now!" when I did not opt for the 200m vertical drop it got all shitty at me!

There again asking the nice GPS to get me back from Taupo, and avoid the major roads took 2 days and I found some amazing gravel!

The final nail in the coffin for the GPS would be the splurge of verbal you get from Lee R when he sees it on your bike...

[skelstar]

the best G.P.S system is the Quasievil
I'm sure its a good system, but you'd have to put up with it starting each direction by going "ummmm" ...

[vifferman]

Mr Hitcher - take a set of earplugs for "Fresno, California". I dunno what you're planning to do there, but we overnighted there in December 2006. It seems to be nothing other than a giant railway shunting yard, with trains coming through every half hour or so. Dunno how many crossings there are, but as I lay awake in the early hours, I counted one engine honking at 28 rail crossings. :blank:
The highlight for us was seeing two skwirrrrlz playing in a garden and running up and down a tree as we sat at traffic lights. Otherwise, it was a big mistake staying there.

[Badcat]

Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles California.

.

there's a frys on sepulveda - about 5 mins from the airport - about $8 in a cab.
i go there whenever i'm waiting for a connecting flight out of LAX.
http://shop3.frys.com/isp/manhattanbeach.html

yeah - just buy one retail in the USA.
they will have EVERYTHING, and often have better deals than they advertise.

ken

[Badcat]

oh - and stay away from:

KRISPY KREMES.

you HAVE been warned.


k

[SPman]

I'd prefer to have some certainty in that regard, rather than relying on chocolate-coated macadamias to navigate North America with.
At least when you're stopped, out of gas, at 2am in the middle of nowhere, with the coyotes howling and the wierdos circling in, you'd have something to eat..........:sweatdrop

[mstriumph]

hey
wierdos need love [and chocolate macadamias] too, you know :laugh:

[Dodger]

$1645! Gahh! Thud.

Hows this?

Garmin Zumo 550 GPS (http://www.gpsdiscount.com/products/index.html?p=989) - US$736.74 inc shipping (NZ$960.71ish)


Mate of mine has brought from them in the past with no worrys. (you may have to pay import duty on it, but still cheaper in the long run)

:)

[P38]

Hows this?

Garmin Zumo 550 GPS (http://www.gpsdiscount.com/products/index.html?p=989) - US$736.74 inc shipping (NZ$960.71ish)


Mate of mine has brought from them in the past with no worrys. (you may have to pay import duty on it, but still cheaper in the long run)

:)

Yep thats a good deal alright

Under $1100 including GST and the North American maps.

[Dodger]

Yep thats a good deal alright

Under $1100 including GST and the North American maps.


They also have the 450 version for US$603 inc shipping

[sefer]

I've have recommended a garmin too. If no one has mentioned it yet, be sure to check out the free NZ GPS project and see if you can use it on your unit. It's updated pretty often, and personally I find it better than the (overpriced, and pay to update) garmin maps.

[shafty]

Good choice Hitcher; I have a Garmin, not the top of the range one you have (I now wish I just spent the dosh, but am very happy still). We used ours for a month in Oz @ Xmas and it paid for itself - they SO make traversing foreign roads easy.

I spent 3 months strolling the USA a wee while ago (GL1500/Escapade trailer) and loved it as you Guys will.

My 2c worth:

- We used www.koa.com - awesome 5 star campgrounds
- If exploring Route 66, aim to include Seligman - http://www.route66giftshop.com/angel.html - we met Angel, - look for my business card on his shop wall
- We gassed up in Interstate service areas - the theory being, if we wandered in to an undesirable area by mistake at the next city - we could at least "boot it". We did have to do this once.
- You MAY need a "gas hog" for some CA gas stations (Is that right Allansz?) - a gas nozzle adapter for bikes. If you do - PM me and I'll send you mine gratus

(As if you wouldn't, but....) ENJOY!

[NordieBoy]

If no one has mentioned it yet, be sure to check out the free NZ GPS project and see if you can use it on your unit.

But not so good in the US.

[P38]

Good choice Hitcher; I have a Garmin, not the top of the range one you have (I now wish I just spent the dosh, but am very happy still). We used ours for a month in Oz @ Xmas and it paid for itself - they SO make traversing foreign roads easy.

I spent 3 months strolling the USA a wee while ago (GL1500/Escapade trailer) and loved it as you Guys will.

My 2c worth:

- We used www.koa.com - awesome 5 star campgrounds
- If exploring Route 66, aim to include Seligman - http://www.route66giftshop.com/angel.html - we met Angel, - look for my business card on his shop wall
- We gassed up in Interstate service areas - the theory being, if we wandered in to an undesirable area by mistake at the next city - we could at least "boot it". We did have to do this once.
- You MAY need a "gas hog" for some CA gas stations (Is that right Allansz?) - a gas nozzle adapter for bikes. If you do - PM me and I'll send you mine gratus

(As if you wouldn't, but....) ENJOY!

Shafty

Maybe you could help me out here.

I've been looking for some Aussi Maps.

Which one/s did you use in your Garmin?

[chrispy121]

get a black berry they have GPs and maps for the us + voda have just released a gps app for NZ

[sefer]

But not so good in the US.

But great if like me (and by the sounds of it Hitcher) you brought your unit in the US and got US maps with it as the standard. Sure beats forking out for NZ maps too once your back home :)

[Meanie]

Garmen Zumo 550 is the best for bikes at the moment IMO A little expensive but you get what you pay for and if your touring the states your gonna need something that works

edit Just read right through, good choice Hitcher you wont be dissapointed
The only thing thats happened to mine was it freezed and wouldnt do nothing. Read the instructions for this you just gotta push two buttons at once and it reboots. Best you know this before you head over to the states without your instruction book
Enjoy mate you lucky bugger Me and Mrs are gonna do something similar when the kids have left home

[denill]

Wow, Mr Hitcher!
You must be toldlessly wealthy....:blank:
The vifferbabe wants me to purchase a GPS unit for the Nederlands part of our Urpeen tour, but between the troglodytes that keep our bank balance low, our TV carking it, my cellular telephone carking it, #1's car overheating, #2 being unemployed, #3 being an alien (one of those blue-grey, long-limbed skinny ones), my bike battery dying, and the incessant bills for various parts of our vacation, there's not really any money available for a GPS.
Or any of the above.
Despite the vifferbabe being a Counter of Beanz.
Wait... :confused: ... that should be because the vifferbabe is a Counter of Beanz. Obviously (or perhaps not), we have Mechanic's Car Syndrome infesting our accounts...


FWIW After a bit of experience with a TomTom (in Oz, by bike) and after negotiating France for a couple of weeks (by car) without GPS, and manned with detailed Michelin Maps blown up to include our route. - I say, buy something..... Even if it's not top of the line!!!!! It would be 100% beter than no GPS.......

I will stay home if I have to negotiate a strange country sans GPS.

[mjvduc]

my 2 cents


I had a tomtom but my gadget was a bit slow if I was doing above 140km/h and the cover for Italy wasn't to good either:crybaby: the battery was only good for 3-4hrs (back light off), so you can't really use it without external power source:mad:

as I do a lots of hiking and cycling as well, I purchased a garmin 60csx:banana: top stuff, waterproof, easy to handle, cheep, ........compare to the rest. it runs on 2 AA batteries or rechargeables, between 10 to 16hrs:lol: you can have it just tapped to the tank, in your rucksack or even in your jacket........you could also scan maps and use it for hiking.........

have fun

mjvduc

I bought the unit last month in the states for less than 320USD with 128SD card and US base map.

[alanzs]

- You MAY need a "gas hog" for some CA gas stations (Is that right Allansz?) - a gas nozzle adapter for bikes. If you do - PM me and I'll send you mine gratus

(As if you wouldn't, but....) ENJOY!

Yes, the gas nozzles in many parts of the states California for sure) have an emission control "sleeve" on it that makes it really a hassle to fill up a bike. You have to pull the large plastic/metal sleeve back, and it will click the gas flow off if you don't do it right. Not a big deal, but the "gas hog" clip(it is a clip?) will help.

[xgnr]

edit
The only thing thats happened to mine was it freezed and wouldnt do nothing. Read the instructions for this you just gotta push two buttons at once and it reboots. Best you know this before you head over to the states without your instruction book


Just another little note, This happened to me once and I had to remove the battery. Needs a tiny allan key so maybe pack one of these.

[denill]

Anyone here who can help?

Contemplating driving (Not riding, bugger) from Paris - Austria - Croatia - Serbia - Romania.
As I said, this still in the contemplative stage and just the first step in planning is - are maps available for GPS for that route?? If so what system? TomTom?

If the answer is no, it is unlikely to happen.

[vifferman]

Contemplating driving (Not riding, bugger) from Paris - Austria - Croatia - Serbia - Romania.
As I said, this still in the contemplative stage and just the first step in planning is - are maps available for GPS for that route?? If so what system? TomTom?
Did you try googling this? Like "tom tom maps", or "garmin maps", or whatever?
Tom tom have maps for Eastern and Western Urp, so that's a possibility for you.

[Grub]

Anyone here who can help?

Contemplating driving (Not riding, bugger) from Paris - Austria - Croatia - Serbia - Romania.
As I said, this still in the contemplative stage and just the first step in planning is - are maps available for GPS for that route?? If so what system? TomTom?

If the answer is no, it is unlikely to happen.

If you read this whole thread, the discussion about what system for what circumstances is comprehensive. There's some great discussion and experiences here. Since nobody has discussed travelling where you are planning, all you need to do is go to those manufacturers websites to get the stories on the maps ....

[Hitcher]

I now have a Garmin zumo 550, complete with USA/Canada and New Zealand maps on board. The kit that comes with this is impressive: full cabling, a windscreen mounting bracket for a car AND a motorcycle mounting bracket, RAM mounting kit for that (with two bar mounting options that should work on most bikes), comprehensive user guide on CD, and the USA/Canada detailed city maps also on CD.

I went for a drive the other night after it was delivered. The zumo works pretty much straight out of the box. I still need to do a few customisations this weekend, but it's very impressive. I won't be able to do the Bluetoothing until I get to Los Angeles, as our intercoms have been shipped with the bike. I must say that the route Doris chose for me to get home from Johnsonville was "interesting" but effective.

Good service and very sharp pricing from www.logicalchoice.co.nz at Taradale, of all places.

[denill]

Did you try googling this? Like "tom tom maps", or "garmin maps", or whatever?
Tom tom have maps for Eastern and Western Urp, so that's a possibility for you.

Thanks. TomTom came up with:

With more than 75,000 km of new road coverage and 15,000 new POI, the Eastern Europe map continues to improve. Detailed door-to-door navigation is offered throughout the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Plus limited coverage of Croatia, GBP 39.95.

No coverage for Romania but that is better than I expected and within 12 mths they just may cover Romania?

Will poke around other manufacturers and see what coverage there is there.

Cheers
Bill

[sefer]

I went for a drive the other night after it was delivered. The zumo works pretty much straight out of the box. I still need to do a few customisations this weekend, but it's very impressive. I won't be able to do the Bluetoothing until I get to Los Angeles, as our intercoms have been shipped with the bike. I must say that the route Doris chose for me to get home from Johnsonville was "interesting" but effective.


Sounds like a good buy.

Yeah I find the same thing with mine regarding where it actually takes you. Flip through Fastest route and Shortest route a few times when your around areas you know and see where it takes you, and stick with the best one. Shortest route can be funny, as it's often a way you'd never think was shorter than your usual way. Fastest route will most likely always be best in the states though (though decide if you want to use toll roads and check that option or not).

[Meanie]

I must say that the route Doris chose for me to get home from Johnsonville was "interesting" but effective.

.


Yep doris has taken me on a couple of intersesting routes too but still got me there

[Nordy]

bit late but I have tried navman and felt it was a bit meh. I have two garmin units, one for exercise (Garmin Forerunner 405) and one for my mountain biking (Garmin GPSMap 60Cx) and I love both. Planning to get a Zumo 550 before the end of the year (and will get it from Tony in chch (savages on tardme) "Tony Savage at KiwiGPS" <KiwiGPS[@]paradise.net.nz> who has done me proud on the last two I have bought.)

I have been using the free maps and a topo map i bought off a dude in chch. Both work awesomely, especially teh free autorouting maps. The only reason I will get the Zumo is to get the voice navigation as trying to read directions while driving is fricken distracting :P and probably as bad as texting while driving.