Garmin GPS for motor bikes

[Trials Rider]

Hi All

Does anybody run GPS on the bike, if so what brand and model, and does it have optional mapping ie fresh maps, Topo etc

Cheers Paul

[chasio]

I'm new to it but the answer is definitely a big yes.

You state Garmin and that is the only make for which you'll find free autorouting maps for NZ.

Based on my recent research, most folk seem to use the 60cx/csx (or chipset-identical 76cx/csx).

Both the latter are discontinued (replaced by 62 and 78 series) so are available for about NZ$320 ex USA if you're into that sort of thing. (See link above for details).

For a bigger display with touchscreen, the Nuvi 500 has followers (and was recently available at a good price from Trig Instruments in Welly) and Zumo models add bluetooth. The 550 is the Zumo of choice, as I recall. Bloody good option for gadget freaks as it'll link to radar detectors, phones and plays music etc.

I went with a 76cx as I also tramp and kayak, but for bike/car only use the Nuvi/Zumo models look the bizzo if you have the pockets for it.

HTH - Chasio

Edit - forgot to mention that if I had the money I'd have gone for a 78s for my purposes.

[steve_t]

Welcome to KB. It's been recently discussed. Have a look via the search function

[That looks like fun]

Hi All

Does anybody run GPS on the bike, if so what brand and model, and does it have optional mapping ie fresh maps, Topo etc

Cheers Paul

Tried Fresh maps when I first got my Garmin 60CX. Worst investment I ever made Didn't research enough first. You cant Auto Route with Fresh Maps and they don't load into Map Source. So even though they are good maps you cant plan very well with them. Went back to the Dealer who was less than no help at all
(Still with no research ) Tried to write NZ-Open maps to Garmin and ended up overwriting the Fresh-maps
Contacted Agent again and they were very helpful. Offered to rewrite my Fresh
Maps .................... for a fee
As a monument to lack of research I have framed that chip and look at it when on impulse I say "should be goodo mate"
Now I use NZ-Open GPS auto-routing and topo maps. They work bloody well

[YellowDog]

I prefer TomTom software and functionality

[Waihou Thumper]

Welcome to KB. It's been recently discussed. Have a look via the search function

you are right. Been done to death mate.....Really look at the search function... Welcome to Kiwibiker.....

[dino3310]

i just follow everyone else

[banditrider]

Tried Fresh maps when I first got my Garmin 60CX. Worst investment I ever made Didn't research enough first. You cant Auto Route with Fresh Maps and they don't load into Map Source. So even though they are good maps you cant plan very well with them. Went back to the Dealer who was less than no help at all
(Still with no research ) Tried to write NZ-Open maps to Garmin and ended up overwriting the Fresh-maps
Contacted Agent again and they were very helpful. Offered to rewrite my Fresh
Maps .................... for a fee
As a monument to lack of research I have framed that chip and look at it when on impulse I say "should be goodo mate"
Now I use NZ-Open GPS auto-routing and topo maps. They work bloody well

Not sure why you had issues with updating your maps but when downloading from Garmin you do have to make a selection so that they are also updated in Mapsource as well as on the device. Made this mistake twice and ended up downloading the Maps 3 times to get it to work...

[Trials Rider]

Hi Again

Yes I did try the search option but couldnt find much, I currently run a Garmin 765 with fresh maps for 4WDing and it s great, I was looking at the option of a water proof bike unit I could use my fresh maps in.

Will have another search around the forum or if any of you have the link I would appreciate it and I will stop asking dumb questions

Cheers Paul

[steve_t]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/se...archid=3389194

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/se...archid=3389199

[cromagnon]

Yea the search function doesnt work too well sometimes, using google to search is better, ie add "kiwibiker" to your google search. You might have missed a couple of links eariler in one of the replies. Here is the most recent discussion about which gps is best: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...x-as-first-GPS
and here is the link to the free auto-routing maps that most people use: http://www.nzopengps.org/

[Blackbird]

My Garmin 76 Cx is waterproof as I use it out on the boat too. See: http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2011/...ally-need.html. Had it for 4 years and have just switched to Open Source maps which work well for road use.

[timg]

I use the Garmin Zumo. It's made for motorbike use and waterproof etc. Comes with M/C and car mounting systems. Can blue tooth with phone and earphones. I travel a lot for work and take it with me & just plug it into the rental car at the airport. Can also use it with topo maps as a hand held for tramping/hunting. I'm not too flash with technology but seem to get on with the zumo ok. Get's my thumbs up.

[JATZ]

You coulda had a look at my setup but there wasn't much to see, most of it was at home.
I use a 76cx with open gps maps (cause they're free ) and mapsource for all my gps requirements, also use a bit of stuff from cooneyR's website.
Very easy to use, even for a numpty like me

BTW... your more than welcome to stick some pics of last w/end up in the jatz thread

[Transalper]

Just got back from around 4500km tour up to the top of the NI and back home to CHCH.
I used the new GPS Map62s on the DR650.

It generally done me well.
Only thing about the hand helds I would have liked would have been when in the citys like Wellington and worse Auckland I would like the bluetooth to helmet speaker Lane Assist instructions which some other bigger units like the Zumo (IIRC) can give if they have suitable maps installed.
Out of the big Citys away from the spagetti junctions the mapping handhelds do fine... also especially on foot when the longer lasting batterys and small size are a bonus.