Gps
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield, IL
Gps
Folks:
I'm looking to get a dedicated GPS. I'm not sure if I should try to get the popular 660 or if I should get the newer model 595LM. Anyone tried both? I know people also say the TomTom 400 is good too, but I think I like the Garmin products better unless I can be convinced otherwise. But from reading all the post here about both, I'm still leaning towards one of the Garmins. I want to be able to upload a prepared route into the GPS and then get turn by turn instructions.
I have been using my Iphone, with InRoute and it works ok, but I don't feel has the same functionality and information present as a dedicated GPS.
Thoughts?
Thanks,
Jeff
I'm looking to get a dedicated GPS. I'm not sure if I should try to get the popular 660 or if I should get the newer model 595LM. Anyone tried both? I know people also say the TomTom 400 is good too, but I think I like the Garmin products better unless I can be convinced otherwise. But from reading all the post here about both, I'm still leaning towards one of the Garmins. I want to be able to upload a prepared route into the GPS and then get turn by turn instructions.
I have been using my Iphone, with InRoute and it works ok, but I don't feel has the same functionality and information present as a dedicated GPS.
Thoughts?
Thanks,
Jeff
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
I have the 665 and really like it. If I were buying today though, I would probably go with the 595. No reason not to go with the latest and greatest. I use my 665 in conjunction with the Sina 20s and this works very well. The Sina 20 S works much better with the Garmin products that the then does the earlier SMH 10.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 168
From: Knoxville, Tn
Garmin
Go with the newer products from Garmin. I bought a new 660 after they had been discontinued and for a while it worked great. Then while trying to update the unit, it failed and went dark. Since it was still under warranty, Garmin sent me a refurbished one. Not the best solution but better than nothing. Stick with the newer products.
I also like it a lot better than the Harley boom box GPS.
I also like it a lot better than the Harley boom box GPS.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
I have a TomTom and like it. I believe it's the START 50M. It's not the latest and greatest but does what I need it to do. I don't feel I need to spend $600+ on a motorcycle-specific GPS. I have mine on a RAM mount and when it rains I put it in a zip-top bag. If I had to replace it with another $125+/- version every 2-3 years, I'm way ahead of the game.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,251
Likes: 3,990
From: Windwardside, Saba N.A.
Go with the newer products from Garmin. I bought a new 660 after they had been discontinued and for a while it worked great. Then while trying to update the unit, it failed and went dark. Since it was still under warranty, Garmin sent me a refurbished one. Not the best solution but better than nothing. Stick with the newer products.
I also like it a lot better than the Harley boom box GPS.
I also like it a lot better than the Harley boom box GPS.
ETA: It was out of warranty but it was Garmin's software update that screwed it up.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield, IL
I'm curious how you use your Tom Tom? Just to see where you are going? Do you load routes? Is there voice instructions? Is it large enough and bright enough? I'm looking at all options.....new Garmins are not cheap.
Thanks
Thanks
I have a TomTom and like it. I believe it's the START 50M. It's not the latest and greatest but does what I need it to do. I don't feel I need to spend $600+ on a motorcycle-specific GPS. I have mine on a RAM mount and when it rains I put it in a zip-top bag. If I had to replace it with another $125+/- version every 2-3 years, I'm way ahead of the game.
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 210
Likes: 108
From: East Central South Dakota
I have loaded routes into various Garmin devices, no experience with the 595LM, but my concern is if you want turn by turn directions for your own route, do you just want them visually or be able to hear them too? My experience is that most of the time the GPS volume is not loud enough to hear decently under usual riding conditions, and I'm not a fan of having a loud bike either and still had trouble with being able to hear aspect without loud pipes. Now if you are planning on using some kind of headset that you can sync thru Bluetooth, then different story. Looking at your signature I don't see any bike speakers you can connect too. Believe your issue is going to be hearing the unit if that is what you are looking for with any unit.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,730
Likes: 22,820
From: North Carolina
Get something you can see in the sunlight. The first HD gps I bought back in 2008 was great. It finally died around 2013 and the replacement HD unit at that time was terrible in the sunlight. Then the touch screen quit working. Did the process you go through to calibrate it twice. No luck. Learned you could send it back after I already trashed it. Didn't matter since it was useless in direct sunlight.
I cannot remember the model numbers? Sorry
I cannot remember the model numbers? Sorry
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 1,902
From: East Coast, USA
I have a Garmin 660, but I highly recommend spending the extra money for a 595 over the 660. A friend of mine recently purchased a 595. The 595 has a faster processor, larger screen, more features, etc.
If you plan to do a fair amount of creating routes using Garmin's Basecamp, I would avoid the Garmin 66X units, and get one of the newer units (595, 395). The older Garmin units are not fully compatible with Basecamp. This is a documented issue and Garmin even says: The following devices are NOT compatible with routing in BaseCamp:
zumo 400 series
zumo 500 and 550
zumo 660 and 665
There are also issues with via points and reshaping routes.
I do create routes in Basecamp and have noticed a number of these issues on my 660.
If you plan to do a fair amount of creating routes using Garmin's Basecamp, I would avoid the Garmin 66X units, and get one of the newer units (595, 395). The older Garmin units are not fully compatible with Basecamp. This is a documented issue and Garmin even says: The following devices are NOT compatible with routing in BaseCamp:
zumo 400 series
zumo 500 and 550
zumo 660 and 665
There are also issues with via points and reshaping routes.
I do create routes in Basecamp and have noticed a number of these issues on my 660.