GPS users, your assistance please?

[Devil]

Shop around and you'll find you can buy a zumo with change from $1,100.

Check pricespy, can get it for under $1000 now (just).

[The Pastor]

Depends if you get a handheld one or not, handhelds require more use - screen turning off, small buttons, small screen, harder to use

incar ones are better as they have a bigger screen with typically larger easy to use buttons - but are often not waterproof.

Also have to think about vibrations etc, might not be an issuse, but my radar dector has come out of its ram holder from vibrations / wind

[cowboyz]

i havemy handheld mounted just in front of me and use it just fine.

[vifferman]

..concentrate on driving.

that doesnt sound like an auckland driver.

No.
But being a motorcyclist most of the time, I'm probably atypical.
Plus I don't actually think of myself as a D'Aucklander. While I currently live here, I've also lived in Rotorua, Canberra, Rotorua, Hamilton, Christchurch, and Tauranga.
Given the choice, I'd probably live somewhere else, like Central Otago.

[pritch]

No.
I'd probably live somewhere else, like Central Otago.

I'd like to live maybe half the year in Otago. Not this half though!

[Gremlin]

I have a Garmin Zumo550, and use the NZ open source maps (link already provided).

From the official importer, Challenger Motors, it will set you back a smidgen over $1100 inc GST, its a not a parallel import etc. Remember that part of the cost of the Zumo package is the mounting hardware. Ram solutions for both car and bike, hardwire kit for bike, cigarette lighter charger for car, plus AC power cord, usb transfer cable etc.

Open source maps would be one of the most accurate in NZ, and if you do find an error, point it out, and it gets fixed. Updated mapset normally available every week. Huge POI database courtesy of www.zenbu.co.nz. Maps can only be used with Garmin GPS.

My Zumo would have clocked up over 15,000 km, no issues, bouncing down plenty of rough roads (and into one ditch ) and through thunderstorms. Rugged it certainly is.

What do I use it for? Well, pretty much anything. Basic navigation for long rides, going to strange places easily, long touring, and also tracking corrections and changes to the mapset (I go out of my way to find errors, to make the mapsets more accurate )

It doesn't do 1 second track logs (only really handy for tracking road accuracy) but touch screen is pretty easy to use, and can be used with gloves. Plays MP3's (chuck a sd card in, I know it will support at least 4GB) bluetooth to helmets and phones etc.

[slofox]

my radar dector has come out of its ram holder from vibrations / wind

Lay off the beans in the diet then...

[Hoon]

I have a Garmin 60Cx. Primarily purchased for tramping/hiking type activities so it was a pleasant surprise to discover it also did road autorouting stuff with the free OpenGPS maps.
Comes in very handy as a handheld especially when doing the tourist thing overseas - sitting in a bus/train at night and knowing exactly where you are and which stop to get off - also being able to tell taxi drivers which streets to take
I always take it with me when I go out of town even when I'm not driving, so handy to find food/atm/fuel places instead of looking up and down the street.

If you are only needing in/on vehicle GPS then get the bigger screen Zumo type GPS's. If you fancy some mobile action as well then get a handheld (smaller screen but). Eventually I want to upgrade to a PDA type camera/phone/GPS/computer/media player all in one gizmo.

[Devil]

I have a Garmin Zumo550, and use the NZ open source maps (link already provided).

From the official importer, Challenger Motors, it will set you back a smidgen over $1100 inc GST, its a not a parallel import etc. Remember that part of the cost of the Zumo package is the mounting hardware. Ram solutions for both car and bike, hardwire kit for bike, cigarette lighter charger for car, plus AC power cord, usb transfer cable etc.

http://www.notebookcity.co.nz/produc...uetooth-nz-new

Says "NZ New" and 12 month warranty... comes with mounts n shite...

Hrm, she'd kill me.

[pritch]

I Eventually I want to upgrade to a PDA type camera/phone/GPS/computer/media player all in one gizmo.

I've just become aware of those and did think that I might be able to kill two birds etc, but the phone/PDA items I've seen so far don't seem robust or waterproof enough for bike use.

There are reviews of multi purpose GPS receivers which comment that in some respects the item would be better if it was less "jack of all trades"...

I'm still undecided whether to buy a less expensive item and make do, or go the whole hog and get a Zumo. The price of the Zumo is looking a lot better here than what I'd seen previously.

So thanks guys there is some good info in this thread, I had only previously seen ads for the expensive Topo(?) maps and was unaware of the open source downloads.

[NordieBoy]

My old greyscale eTrex Legend did about 70,000km on the dash of the Nordie and then the DR until I sold it to FredOnTour and he finally killed it. Once you smear vasaline around the battery inc the ends, vibration isn't an issue.

I love my Quest and will pick up a spare when I can get one cheap.

NZOpenGPS maps and free Topo maps too.

[xgnr]

A quick look indicates that there is a wide range of prices, from very inexpensive up to the Zumo at about $1500.

The Zumo might look OK on a GS BMW or an ST1300 Honda but...

I

Pricey but an excellent product.

I know where you can get these for $1000 including GST (NZ Maps etc an Auckland outlet, legit reseller) PM me if you want the contact details. Its only two sets of tyres (ouch)

Cheers

Stu

ps I have no financial or other interest in this, just helping out ok

[pjpnz]

I use a Tomtom One. Took to Aussie for two weeks on a FJR. Brilliant for navigating motorway system and city streets. Strongly recommned mounting backets from RAM soluitions in NZ. Great company!

When in Oz, I found a map (old technology!) best for setting routes and getting the 'big picture'...but GPS great for getting through town and cities; and deciding which was to turn 200 km form anywhere.

[Crisis management]

I use a Zumo as well and can't fault it, ride with it in any conditions and use it with winter gloves no problem, given my need for reading glasses now (I hate old age..) it has big enough print to be usable without ferreting about trying to find glasses.
It's bloody robust too, I have taken my crash testing seriously and haven't managed to stop it yet.
Have a look at some and see the differences, at the end of the day your needs may be quite different to mine.