GPS systems?

[thommo77]

Any recommendations on a good GPS for bikes? Ive heard Garmin are the best.
Would be grateful of any advice on brands, models, features, prices etc.
I'd like a good all-round one - nothing too trashy, nothing too expensive.
Also, how do you guys mount them to your bikes?
Cheers.

[Gremlin]

I have a garmin zumo 550, one of the more expensive on the market, but its marketed towards motorcyclists, because its more rugged and waterproof to 1m (IP7 code or something like that).

It will set you back $1200 odd, but will come with ram solutions mounting gear as part of the package (car and bike) that should allow you to mount it, and hardwire kit for installing into the bike (and cigarette lighter for car). Thinking about it, its probably not that expensive when you think how much all the mounting hardware costs alone.

If you get a Garmin, you can then head over to www.nzopengps.org which is a volunteer group that has created free maps for NZ, and they are updated every 7-14 days (as opposed to Garmin's $100+ map that is updated each year).

[CrazyFrog]

Any recommendations on a good GPS for bikes? Ive heard Garmin are the best.
Would be grateful of any advice on brands, models, features, prices etc.
I'd like a good all-round one - nothing too trashy, nothing too expensive.
Also, how do you guys mount them to your bikes?
Cheers.

Garmin e-Trex Legend HCX is compact, easy to use, waterproof, and has custom bike mounts available to buy off the shelf. Runs on 2 AA batteries, seem to last all day. The Garmin Map60 CSX are also good, but more expensive.
Logical Choice electronics in Hawkes Bay seem to have the best prices around. Approx $430 incl NZ maps. PM me if you want to have a go with mine.

[Transalper]

Zumo 550 would probably be the go if you can afford it, love to try one of them out myself.
I went for the cheaper Legend HCx and because I use it on foot a lot I think it was a good choice for me (ideally I might have both).
RAM mounting system costs about $135, Garmin Legend HCx or maybe something like the Garmin MAP60CSx.

Zumo goes for about 4 hours when disconnected from external power supply. Legend goes for about 24 hours or so.
Of course backlights etc eat in to those figures a little bit.

Lot's of discussion already exists in these forums on this topic.

[NordieBoy]

I think the eTrex Legend HCx is a good starter GPSd.
Nice and small, easy to mount and easy to sell if/when you upgrade.

[BM-GS]

Have used a Navman (I used to work for them) in the clear map-pocket of a tankbag and that worked well (though you have multiple reflections to look through). That way it's out of the weather and not too visible at stops.

The antenna on these units was "pointing" along the road to the front, rather than the more conventional looking-at-the-sky position, but that makes a only few metres difference to a decent GPS receiver chipset. If you're doing a lot of in-town work you might want to make sure the chipset is SiRFstar3 (at least SiRF), cos most of the other ones are less reliable when the skyscrapers get in the way of the satellite-view, reflections, etc. Some GPSs have the antena pointing out of the back of the unit at an angle, cos they'll "always" be put in a windscreen, upright. This would mean that it's looking at the ground when lying in a tankbag, possibly at something which screws up the reception.

Check what the screens are like. If using the GPS in the tankbag, I turned up the sound high enough to hear that it was bleating, then took a look at what it was saying in Next Turn mode. On a bike you don't have the advantage of putting the GPS somewhere dark enough to see the screen clearly when it's sunny.

Never be tempted to fiddle when riding, you'll die...

Specific models will have advantages in extra bells & whistles, updated maps, web linking things, MP3 players, speed trap positions, etc, etc. If you're looking for a constant use thingy, someone (TomTom, I think) made a bike-specific one with big buttons for gloved use.

On a Buy NZ Made note, Navman still have their software development group in NZ.

[NordieBoy]

If you're looking for a constant use thingy, someone (TomTom, I think) made a bike-specific one with big buttons for gloved use.

Garmin Zumo.

[Balrog]

Just make sure you can load the open source maps.
You can on most of the Garmin models, but I think some of the others do not.

end result is out of date map data.

I have a Garmin 60CSX and its been great.
I bought it because it was strong, had a big colour screen, was water proof and had very good signal reception.

But its on the expensive side.

[TLDV8]

Garmin Zumo 550/AU$1250.

Where are we Zumo?,beats me but there is a road over there.

They have some nice features but the maps are not all that (here anyway)
I got a email form Garmin saying,update for US$100,but how good is the update detail wise,only money will tell.

I would think for NZ,most riding could be done with a low end hand held Garmin.



You have received an infraction at Kiwi Biker forums
Dear TLDV8,

You have received an infraction at Kiwi Biker forums.

Reason: Ignoring Forum Netiquette
-------
Please resize ... and let me know when you have and I will reverse the infraction.

Site rules are 640*480.

Regards
-------

This infraction is worth 2 point(s) and may result in restricted access until it expires. Serious infractions will never expire.



There is nothing in the images section of the FAQ relating to pixel size,the picture in question was hardly over large but is now removed,if it was any smaller it would not show the detail of the Zumo GPS screen.


To include an image that is not uploaded as an attachment and is located on another website, you can do so by copying the full URL to the image, (not the page on which the image is located), and either pressing the 'Insert Image' icon or by typing before the URL and after it, ensuring that you do not have any spaces before or after the URL of the image. You can insert pictures from your albums (?) in this way too.


Feel free to leave the petty infraction in place so i know how lame the Admin really is :laugh:
Can i ask ,if you are not motorcycle or mechanically inclined,PM first.

>

[Hitcher]

A Garmin Zumo 550 comes with a motorcycle and a car mounting kit. NZ maps are available though the Open Source Map Project. There is no better GPS product for motorbikes. Buy one. www.logicalchoice.co.nz

[Balrog]

Just one more note.
As you've posted in Adventure/Dual purpose bikes I assume you're going to want to go off road as well.
In that case you'll also need to buy some topo maps as the open source ones only deal with the roading system.

Just some more $$$$ to add to the total cost.

[NordieBoy]

Just one more note.
As you've posted in Adventure/Dual purpose bikes I assume you're going to want to go off road as well.
In that case you'll also need to buy some topo maps as the open source ones only deal with the roading system.

Just some more $$$$ to add to the total cost.

I downloaded the free NZ topo maps referenced off the OpenGPS NZ site.

[P38]

I got a Garmin Zumo 550 from Santa last Xmas and they are Bloody Awesome.

Have used it heaps in both NZ and Oz and it has never let me down yet.

I have paired mine up with a Nolan N-102 fitted with the Basic and Bluetooth kits for hands free mobile calls both incoming and outgoing, and with a 4gig SD card loaded I have every album I own converted to MP3 for my listening pleasure when out riding.

Yes the Maps are pricey.
I paid $279nz for the Aussi 2008nt maps in September but we drove through rush hour traffic in Melbourne without, one wrong turn, one near miss,one driver flipping us the finger or more importantly one in house argument, thats gotta be money well spent.

Well worth the extra $$$$.

[Gremlin]

If you're looking for a constant use thingy, someone (TomTom, I think) made a bike-specific one with big buttons for gloved use.


Garmin Zumo.
Tom Tom have released something, but yes, the zumo is one for motorcyclists. It has 5 physical buttons, all the same size, 4 on the left, one on the right (power on/off only) all can be used with thick winter gloves. It also detects what mount it is plugged into, and alters the screen layout for some things, due to the glove factor (most noticeable for inputting addresses).

Yes, forgot about the features. MP3, bluetooth (neither of which I use), can name roads for turns (my sound is off, never hear it) etc. Open source gps project can only be used with garmin, not other manufacturers I believe.

Re accuracy, there is quite a bit wrong in City Navigator maps, quite out of date, roads that don't exist, or do, and not shown on map, roads that should go through, but there is a field that says it doesn't etc. You get to contribute to the open source project, and correct all that, so you generally have very accurate maps (and I find it fantastic motivation to cover as many roads as possible - and the most obscure - to find any possible inaccuracies that I can report back). Also, I have noticed the eta estimates are generally very accurate for most of my riding.

[98tls]

Garmin Zumo 550/AU$1250.

Where are we Zumo?,beats me but there is a road over there.

They have some nice features but the maps are not all that (here anyway)
I got a email form Garmin saying,update for US$100,but how good is the update detail wise,only money will tell.

I would think for NZ,most riding could be done with a low end hand held Garmin.



There is nothing in the images section of the FAQ relating to pixel size,the picture in question was hardly over large but is now removed,if it was any smaller it would not show the detail of the Zumo GPS screen.



Feel free to leave the petty infraction in place so i know how lame the Admin really is :laugh:
Can i ask ,if you are not motorcycle or mechanically inclined,PM first.

> Unless its off the shelf these fuckers would have no idea Les,consider youself infracted.

[Eddieb]

I downloaded the free NZ topo maps referenced off the OpenGPS NZ site.

How did you install them? I couldn't get IMG2GPS to work, it kept failing.

[Hoon]

The free NZTopo maps are...........well you get what you pay for :)

The NZ Topo maps were barely (if at all) helpful, not enough detail or contour lines to give you an accurate description of the ground.

I'm using the Topo4GPS maps and they are great - almost as much detail as the paper Topo maps.

[young1]

So if I go and buy a Zumo in New Zealand. What do I then need to do (buy, download etc) to get it working once it is installed on the bike?

[Hitcher]

So if I go and buy a Zumo in New Zealand. What do I then need to do (buy, download etc) to get it working once it is installed on the bike?

It should have New Zealand maps preloaded. All you have to do is hit the on button once its mount is wired into your bike. You'll have to select a time zone and a couple of other preferences. It really is that simple.

[young1]

It should have New Zealand maps preloaded. All you have to do is hit the on button once its mount is wired into your bike. You'll have to select a time zone and a couple of other preferences. It really is that simple.

And if I went overseas you just buy the maps for that country?

Anyone have an idea on the costs of maps, eg if I went to Italy?

[Gremlin]

And if I went overseas you just buy the maps for that country?

Anyone have an idea on the costs of maps, eg if I went to Italy?
correct, you just buy the maps for that country, then load them via the mapsource software.

Re cost, no clue...

[Finn]

You don't really need a GPS system for NZ. I've got a built-in one in the car and used it a couple of times in the beginning but the novelty wore off.

Basically in NZ, if you reach water and still can't find your destination, you've gone too far.

[Gremlin]

You don't really need a GPS system for NZ. I've got a built-in one in the car and used it a couple of times in the beginning but the novelty wore off.
The novelty of holding a map in front of your headlight in the middle of the night, with it raining also wears off real quick. GPS (provided you didn't fuck up when entering the route) just keeps guiding you, no stopping.

Very handy for long distance riding on roads you have barely been on, or middle of the night stuff when gas is few and far between, and you may or may not have much to spare, etc.

Depends on your need tho... it was brilliant on the grand challenge, making finding the obscure turn offs a piece of cake.

[Hitcher]

And if I went overseas you just buy the maps for that country?

Anyone have an idea on the costs of maps, eg if I went to Italy?

www.garmin.com

[young1]

I understand that the Zumo is approx $1600.00 in NZ. However the distributor is changing from 1.1.09 to the Australian distributor so prices are may come down.

The web site link, earlier in these posts, to another supplier - I wonder if they are parallel importers as theirs are much cheaper. With parallel importers do you run the risk having issues trying to get them fixed?

[Gremlin]

I do know that Challenger Motors deals with Australia and their Garmin staff, and his price is $1249 or something, and reasonably certain he is not a parallel importer.

Re risk... depends from importer to importer doesn't it? Not sure what Garmin's policy is, with that kind of cost in the equipment, I made sure I bought from someone who was fully legit etc.

[Balrog]

Ouch,
You can get a 60CSX + all the maptoaster topo maps for pc and gps for under that.

60CSX $577 (http://www.triginstruments.co.nz/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=60csx&osCsid=aa3c5955a5ab06cabeaa6b71e67d2ea2&x=0&y=0)

MapToaster ( all maps of nz + gps topo maps $450 ) (http://www.maptoaster.com/maptoaster-topo-nz/wheretobuy.html)

[Transalper]

Or for the person on a tighter budget (like me) the Legend for $440 (http://www.triginstruments.co.nz/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1074&osCsid=aa3c5955a5ab06cabeaa6b71e67d2ea2) and GT Maps $150 (http://www.gtmaps.co.nz/) (the Gary Turner Topos).
I went and added $136 for a RAM mount (http://www.ramsolutions.co.nz/) too of course.

I see the Zumo550 at map world (http://www.mapworld.co.nz/zumo.html) prices is also $1250.

[timg]

I see the Zumo550 at map world (http://www.mapworld.co.nz/zumo.html) prices is also $1250. $1182 if you haggle a wee bit ;)

[Jantar]

I have just upgraded from a Legend to a Legend HCx. It cost US$161 on Ebay, and included the Garmin Mapsource software which then allowed me to upload the open source New Zealand maps.

here is an example from the same dealer I bought my from. http://cgi.ebay.com/GARMIN-ETREX-LEGEND-HCX-BUNDLE-HANDHELD-GPS-RECEIVER_W0QQitemZ390016388135QQcmdZViewItemQQptZG PS_Devices?hash=item390016388135&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

The supplier was excellent to deal with, and the unit clips onto the handlebars with a cycle mount available from Dick Smith.

[Padmei]

I have just upgraded from a Legend to a Legend HCx. It cost US$161 on Ebay, and included the Garmin Mapsource software which then allowed me to upload the open source New Zealand maps.

here is an example from the same dealer I bought my from. http://cgi.ebay.com/GARMIN-ETREX-LEGEND-HCX-BUNDLE-HANDHELD-GPS-RECEIVER_W0QQitemZ390016388135QQcmdZViewItemQQptZG PS_Devices?hash=item390016388135&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

The supplier was excellent to deal with, and the unit clips onto the handlebars with a cycle mount available from Dick Smith.

Hey Jantar I take it you read the fine print about them being returned stock.

So is it as easy as getting one over here then download the NZ maps?

Damn these would have been such good value about a year ago when the dollar was good<_<

[Jantar]

Yes, they do sell reconditioned/returned units, and also new ones. I paid slightly more and got a new unit and it is now registered with Garmin.

Yes, I have loaded the new Zealand maps onit, and tested it extensively over the weekend at the South Island KB rally.

[cooneyr]

......included the Garmin Mapsource software which then allowed me to upload the open source New Zealand maps......

It is really easy to obtain the Garmin Mapsource software and get it running on your computer even if you don't have an original installation CD. Garmin give you everything you need in the Mapsource update download. I've done if a few times now on new work computers etc when I've not had my original CD available.

1. Download MapSource software updater from Garmin.
2. Change the extension from .exe to .zip.
3. Extract the zip file.
4. From the extracted files, run MAIN.msi.
5. Then, run Setup.exe.
6. Garmin MapSource now installed.

Similar instructions are available from here (http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/01/31/download-garmin-mapsource-for-free-and-install-without-media/) or here (http://www.webtlk.com/2008/02/04/download-garmin-mapsource-for-free/) but they are a little less clear.

Cheers R

[Padmei]

Yes, they do sell reconditioned/returned units, and also new ones. I paid slightly more and got a new unit and it is now registered with Garmin.

Yes, I have loaded the new Zealand maps onit, and tested it extensively over the weekend at the South Island KB rally.

cool thanks. I will look into them when the financial crisis (xmas) is over.

[young1]

A quick search online on New Zealand vendors found that the Zumo can be had for various prices from $1,011.38, $1,085.00 and $1,236.37. That is looking a bit better.

mike

[thommo77]

Thanks for all the advice, guys.
Looks like Ive got plenty to go on. It's not so much the main roads/highways - more like forestry roads etc in the back of beyond. Cheers.

[Gremlin]

It's not so much the main roads/highways - more like forestry roads etc in the back of beyond. Cheers.
Then you'll definitely want the garmin, so you can run open source maps. There are a lot of paper roads, ie, they are said to exist on the map, but don't. And if the open source map is not accurate, you can add the corrections through the forum, and they will be included in the next release :2thumbsup

[NordieBoy]

Thanks for all the advice, guys.
Looks like Ive got plenty to go on. It's not so much the main roads/highways - more like forestry roads etc in the back of beyond. Cheers.

I'm slowly getting my Adventure Mapset together of non-mapped roads :D