What GPS do you recommend? - Ducati.ms

Jan 15th, 2006, 1:51 pm

For all you experienced GPS users. Which model Garmin do you think works best for motorcycle use?

stevecant · Jan 15th, 2006, 2:20 pm

Well just my 2cents, I like the 2720, nice mount for the bike, it`s waterproof, I tied it into my autocom, and can use it in my auto too.

mkrouse · Jan 15th, 2006, 4:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by montducati

For all you experienced GPS users. Which model Garmin do you think works best for motorcycle use?

Well I'm a newbie GPS user, receiving a Garmin 2610 for Christmas. It appears pretty darn perfect for motorcycle use and we swap it into our cars now and again.

My main goal with a GPS was to create motorcycle routes, in our local area as well as the mountains of NC VA and WV, on the PC and then download these to the GPS.

It beats the hell out of typing up route sheets in Excel after planning them in Microsoft's Streets & Trips. The 2610 has an alternate display to the normal map that simply provides dynamic text route instructions. Dynamic in that 'distance to turn' and 'time to turn' are displayed and changing as the directions scroll. I love that.

Also, with a 2GB CF card you can get the entire US loaded [~1.3GB] if that is necessary. I have a 1GB card that has 'almost' the entire US with the exception of a few 'fringe' states.

The 2610 is not battery powered, direct wired only, and some see that as a drawback. Other than fiddling with the GPS during lunch, I don't see the concern yet.

Waterproof, touch screen [which I like], large display, fairly compact but not a pocket unit. Holds 50 routes and 500 waypoints and is a very fast processor. No waiting for map repositioning or data retrieval.

That's all I know so far, except in the past 2 weeks I've created 20 routes [using Mapsource] and today's 200 mile Sunday ride went perfectly, except for one gravel road. I guess these units aren't perfect.

Mr_Squidward · Jan 15th, 2006, 10:00 pm

I just picked up a Quest 2 from Costco.com on sale for $450.00 till the 17th. Not as fast as the 26XX/27XX series units but very compact, waterproof, easy to use, has all the maps preloaded, a rechargeable battery for portability, a nice bright (if somewhat small) backlit color screen, and nice tactile buttons.

This is my first GPS unit and so far I’ve been very pleased with it.

Ducati_Don · Jan 15th, 2006, 10:08 pm

I am curious to know if any of you have purchased a TomTom Rider GPS. If so, how do you like it? I would appreciate any comments.

It interests me, but the price is very high!

Thanks,
Don

Badger_WI · Jan 16th, 2006, 12:52 pm

You'll get lots of opinions here. Personally, I have been using a Quest for a year now, and and think it's outstanding. The reason I purchased it vs. the 2610/2620 was the fact that it had buttons and not a touch screen. My thinking was that the touchscreen would be difficult to operate using gloves, especially heavy ones for spring/fall rides here in WI. The Quest is WAY superior to the ETrex Vista that I had previously.

The screen in larger on the 2610/2620, it doesn't offer any more resolution, so you effectively see the same amount of data on the Quest. I also like the compactness of the Quest, making it very easy to shove in your pocket during lunch breaks. And because it's battery powered, you can plan the next leg of your trip during lunch.

Anything from Garmin is going to be good. It's just your personal preference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkrouse

Well I'm a newbie GPS user, receiving a Garmin 2610 for Christmas. It appears pretty darn perfect for motorcycle use and we swap it into our cars now and again.

It beats the hell out of typing up route sheets in Excel after planning them in Microsoft's Streets & Trips...

Marc - I'd never thought I'd see the day that you'd convert from your paper. In fact, I remember you saying a couple of times how you preferred paper maps to all that high tech crap. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!

BobsSS · Jan 16th, 2006, 1:36 pm

I like the Quest also. Easily transfered between car and bike and It's pretty amazing all the stuff that little unit can do. If you get the powered motorcycle cradle it has an ear bud connection. If you get off route, "Alice" seems to be really quick at recalculating - I've tried to fool her several times and she always comes back with a corrected course - Bob

mkrouse · Jan 16th, 2006, 3:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger_WI

Marc - I'd never thought I'd see the day that you'd convert from your paper. In fact, I remember you saying a couple of times how you preferred paper maps to all that high tech crap. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!

Old dog! 61 is the new 41.

Although I love maps, and have since teaching basic VFR Navigation to young Air Force pilots in the early 70s, executing a route planned from maps is very difficult on a motorcycle. Tougher than in a jet! More wind blowing things around on a bike [unless the student accidently blew the canopy].

I still plan the route using maps, then plot it using Mapsource and execute it using the GPS. Safer and just can't be beat for ease of effort while riding.

Now you meatballs that FIND restaurants and parks and cathouses or get lost and depend on FIND / FIND / ROUTE HOME? when you get lost, well that's another story.

BTW I have been using the touch screen on the 2610 with my Gerbing electric gloves and there is no problem. I'm sure it will be easier in the summer, but for now no problems.

As if you ride in the winter in Wisconsin....

Ducboy · Jan 16th, 2006, 5:35 pm

I rec. the 2610. I use Gerbings liners under my armored glove and don't find w.the added bulk using the touchscreen to be an issue.

An important consideration is the type of processing the unit uses: models using a hard drive that spins up frequently are susceptible to vibratory damage, such as the 2720. There's a tradeoff - the hard drive units have inherent storage space vs units like the 2610 that use a compact flash card to store map data. The CF units though aren't affected by vibrations like the former. Some mounts are avail that dampen vibrations but they're costly (e.g. Touratech). Along these lines portable units that use batteries also have been known to have their batt contacts/bunks vibrate resulting in damage. Another reason I didn't want a unit I can run with. Some of you using such units may have not had problems; your input would certainly be helpful!

Turbo · Jan 16th, 2006, 6:03 pm

Don't worry about vibration with devices that have hard drives. Modern devices are a lot tougher than people give them credit for!

I don't have a hard drive in my Garmin Quest, but I ran a 15GB iPod in my magnetic tankbag for over 2 years, with absolutely NO issues at all. That's another myth busted as well. Magnetic tankbags don't destroy magnetic devices inside the bag. As well as my iPod, my wallet is always in there, loaded with credit cards. Again, no issues.