GPS Navigation/intercom/radio

[HEsch]

I am keen to get a gps unit, and something that can at least play radio (or bluetooth to my phone, though I don't currently have much music on it).
I'm also likely to get some type of intercom in the future, so it would be great if the gps was compatible.

Suggestions? I've just got bogged down in internet research and confused myself. The most important thing is the GPS. I don't need spoken directions (turn the stupid voice off in my car gps anyway, the only sound it makes is "you are going too fast" haha!). What kind of information do I need to determine before narrowing down my choices?

[russd7]

never had the need to buy a gps, only place i use anything like that is auckland otherwise the rest of the country is easy to navigate, never been lost tho i have occasionally taken the scenic route.

as for music while riding i use a bluetooth helmet set to my phone, have the midlands one currently, wouldn't buy it again i think i would go sena

[Gremlin]

In terms of GPS, I always recommend Garmin because of the open source maps available for NZ (they're only Garmin compatible), far more accurate than OEM maps, and if you do spot an issue, then tell them, and the new version corrects it (usually released every 1-2 weeks). However, using the open source maps you do lose lane guidance and speed limits from the Garmin maps - however, when I did use the Garmin maps on a new GPS for a couple of days the speed advisory was pretty inaccurate.

I'm not aware of any GPS that has radio built in. It uses different hardware, and personally, I'd rather each device sticks to what it does, most of the multi devices fuck something up. Motorcycle specific GPS have more functional multi-way bluetooth than car ones as well as being waterproof, so bluetooth in GPS is an easy option. Most of those GPS can also take a memory card which you can load with music (I prefer this to getting music from mobile). Also stuff like Pandora is an option.

In terms of intercom, if you want to connect mobile and GPS and hear them, then yeah, you need an intercom system. Mobile and GPS can be paired with comms system, or I pair mobile to GPS and GPS to helmet. Brand specific like Nolan and Schuberth exist, but I recommend Sena comm systems. The latest (and somewhat expensive) is the 20S and that does have radio built in.

[Jeff Sichoe]

I just run this little fucker

http://motozone.nz/oxford-aqua-dry-phone-2

and chuck my phone on GPS if I want it, or just run my headphones down to it for music etc.

seems to work ok, a little budget (it's no ram mount) but it was only $50 smackers so will do the job for a few months.

[HEsch]

Thanks Gremlin - I meant to say, I need/want to get a GPS unit as well as a device for radio, not something that does both.

Sounds like a Garmin GPS and (eventually) a Sena intercom will be the way to go. I have family in the US/Europe so should be able to look out for specials while people are travelling, given I'm not in a hurry. I'm just in that "ooh! new things!" phase of owning a bike... bought the bike, and the safety gear and now I get to look at all the toys

[Gremlin]

I'm in IT... the desire for toys doesn't stop

[iYRe]

I'm in IT and I cant afford all the toys I want :s

[Swoop]

There does seem to be a trend to use cellphones more than dedicated gps units and those are getting harder to find in shops and definately can't find gps units at the airport duty free now.

In Europe last year, I used a Tomtom unit and totally loved it! Lane guidance, speed camera warnings, average speed camera point-to-point speeds among a few other "desirable" features.

Finding something similar back here was a nightmare. The girl at Jb Hi Fi said younger people can't survive without using maps on their phones and laughed when her uncle "unfolded a big piece of paper & somehow understood where they were and where to go next!" from it.

I bet that didn't require charging up or syncing with satellites...

[granstar]

What was wrong with stopping at a pub and asking directions to the next one

[Moi]

What was wrong with stopping at a pub and asking directions to the next one

That means talking to people...

[HEsch]

That means talking to people...

Nooooooooo! Can't be too social now, can we...
I can read a map. I usually stick GPS on in the car for speed more than directions (I turn the voice off so I have to look at it if I want to know what it's doing). I am new to Auckland so I don't really know my way around - getting better the more I drive, but I hate being stuck in traffic so usually on the bus

[husaberg]

I am keen to get a gps unit, and something that can at least play radio (or bluetooth to my phone, though I don't currently have much music on it).
I'm also likely to get some type of intercom in the future, so it would be great if the gps was compatible.

Suggestions? I've just got bogged down in internet research and confused myself. The most important thing is the GPS. I don't need spoken directions (turn the stupid voice off in my car gps anyway, the only sound it makes is "you are going too fast" haha!). What kind of information do I need to determine before narrowing down my choices?

Why not just use the GPS function on your phone?