Advice wanted on GPS purchase

[Naki Rat]

We're looking at buying a car/bike GPS unit in the next few months and advice from those who have used various brands would be appreciated.

Consumer tested 6 units in April '08 but as their tests tend often to be too heavily biased by price (in my opinion) I would like some real life experience tests on performance.

Our requirment is for a GPS that has NZ and Australian info onboard, or easily able to be loaded.
Warnings of local speed limits, schools and fixed speed cameras seems like a great idea.
Data issues resulting in nonsense directions should be minimal.
Australian use will be in rental car so portability essential.
Power via vehicle with back-up battery preferred.
Suitable for bike use.

[Hitcher]

Garmin zumo 550. Don't even bother looking at anything else.

[vifferman]

I've used both a Navman and a Tomtom (current unit) in the car and on the bike. The Tomtom will do most of what you want, except that it's not rated as waterproof (probably only splash resistant), and the on-board Li battery lasts only an hour, unless you turn on power-saving options. (The water-resistance doesn't worry me, as I'll just stick it in my tank bag in 'inclement' weather).
The only issue I've had with it (apart from screen-mounted GPS units being illegal in California when I was using it there ) is that the screen needed to be bigger to show which lane I was supposed to be in (like larger/dearer Tomtom models do). However, the audible instructions (nagging?) from both the Tomtom and the wife were such that I had not the slightest chance of deviating from the intended course...

Whatever you buy, when using it on the bike make sure the mount doesn't allow it to wobble too much. I attached both GPS units to the underside of the windscreen on the VFR, and the extra weight/flexibility of the Navman made it wiggle alarmingly. IIRC, it eventually fell off. All kinds of mounts are available on TardMe, or you could buy a ram mount if you have Wiggliness Issues.

[Hitcher]

I should have added that this has been discussed at length on previous occasions and to do a site search for GPS.

[vifferman]

I should have added that this has been discussed at length on previous occasions and to do a site search for GPS.

Yes, that would be a good idea.
So, are you going to add that?

[jrandom]

Yes, that would be a good idea.
So, are you going to add that?

Let's do a poll and vote on whether he should.

[Hitcher]

Yes, that would be a good idea.
So, are you going to add that?

No. I've now decided I can't be fagged.

[vifferman]

Let's do a poll and vote on whether he should.

That's too much bother (especially given his antipathy to faggots). Let's first have a poll on whether we should do your poll, and if that comes out overwhelmingly in the affirmative, then we'll do your poll.
Unless of course, Hitcher's antifaggotism is contagious...

[Naki Rat]

I should have added that this has been discussed at length on previous occasions and to do a site search for GPS.

Done. Previous search was for just 'GPS' which brought up 2,500 results . 'GPS units' search did the trick - just 65 and plenty of good info

Note to self - Search is your friend, but only if you ask it the right question

[98tls]

May pay to pm TLDV8 hes over in Aussie at the moment working and recently bought one to put on his DR650 so as not to get lost in the back of beyond.

[geoffm]

Just come back from a couple of weeks in the SI with the camper and the Garmin GPS I bought before we went. Recomend it - it worked well.
I got the 4.3" screen, which I would recommend otherwise it is to hard to see all the map. It has an earphone jack, but is not waterproof.
I chose the Garmin as there are open source NZ maps available. Navman and Tomtom (no. 2 choice) maps are half the price of the unit for upgrades. OTOH, looking on the bitorrent sites, they are available for download...

[Naki Rat]

Just come back from a couple of weeks in the SI with the camper and the Garmin GPS I bought before we went. Recomend it - it worked well.
I got the 4.3" screen, ...

What model Garmin is yours?

[geoffm]

What model Garmin is yours?

garmin Nuvi 760 - worth every penny on our hols in strange places.

[Gremlin]

Can't compare GPS, I have had only one, the Zumo 550. Its probably covered 10,000km+ without many issues, the open source maps for NZ gives you up to date and precise maps (only for Garmins)

Custom POI can be loaded (and files exist for the speed cameras etc), its waterproof (bike is naked, gps is mounted on the ram solutions mount that comes with it, and sits behind the small screen and still gets wet). Ridden through very wet rain a few days ago, no issue, and it even has the weatherproof flap for audio open, as I receive sound from it.

Menu layout can change between bike and car, as it knows what mount its on (package includes car and bike mounting, and wiring).

As I mentioned, NZ maps, you can use the free open source ones, AU you'll need to buy as they don't have a similar project there. Battery life isn't flash like the ones designed to be on battery, I think the estimate life is 4 hours from memory? I don't use it on the battery anyway, as 4 hours wouldn't be enough, so its hardwired into the bike.

Fantastic GPS.

[Peaches]

I'd go a Zumo 550

I had one for 4 months till someone liked it more than i did

Just now after 2years or so with out it i'm looking to buy a new one and I'm looking at another Zumo 550.

One of the cool features i liked was it showing when you had 50km of fuel left it would show you where the nearest petrol station was

Or if your willing to wait till sometime this year the Zumo 660 would be my choice with lane indication, a bigger screen, but not sure on when it'll be available down-under