why the Heck is bike GPS so EXPENSIVE?!!!
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Here's an FYI for those of you that what to use a GPS for route planning.
Your basic GPS unit, especially those in the sub $200.00 - $250.00 range, are designed for plotting a route from Point A to Point B. The GPS will typically give you the option of choosing either the "fastest" or "shortest" route, between those 2 points.
Most of the higher end GPS units allow you to pre-plan and store routes in the GPS using specific roads of your choice.
If you plan on using your GPS for trip planing, especially using "roads less traveled", you should look first at the "technical specifications" for the unit you are considering purchasing.
The key thing your looking for in the spec's, is an item called "ROUTES". The low end GPS units will list this as ROUTES=0. That means the unit is not capable of storing pre-planed route data and the unit will only take you from Point A to Point B using the roads that the GPS chooses.
Higher end GPS units that allow route planing will have a spec of ROUTES=10 or in the case of the top end ZUMO units, ROUTES=50. This indicates the number of pre-planed routes that the GPS unit can store.
.
Your basic GPS unit, especially those in the sub $200.00 - $250.00 range, are designed for plotting a route from Point A to Point B. The GPS will typically give you the option of choosing either the "fastest" or "shortest" route, between those 2 points.
Most of the higher end GPS units allow you to pre-plan and store routes in the GPS using specific roads of your choice.
If you plan on using your GPS for trip planing, especially using "roads less traveled", you should look first at the "technical specifications" for the unit you are considering purchasing.
The key thing your looking for in the spec's, is an item called "ROUTES". The low end GPS units will list this as ROUTES=0. That means the unit is not capable of storing pre-planed route data and the unit will only take you from Point A to Point B using the roads that the GPS chooses.
Higher end GPS units that allow route planing will have a spec of ROUTES=10 or in the case of the top end ZUMO units, ROUTES=50. This indicates the number of pre-planed routes that the GPS unit can store.
.
Last edited by cHarley; Nov 30, 2009 at 09:31 AM.
Madame Moderator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25,140
Likes: 12
From: The Peach State
This is the one we have: http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-780-Wid.../dp/B0011UEUNG
It's come down from $200 to this. Great unit. We are on our second because the first one got stolen out of the car. Lesson learned: NEVER leave it in plain view in the car as these are a hot item for stealing.
We use ours on the bike and in the car. Got the bike mount through The Mount Guys for $60: http://www.mountguys.com/?Click=2
Only thing we have yet to do is hardwire it in to the bike. We bought a battery recharger, but it takes a while to recharge it that way we've found.
Can't beat it for the price. Good luck with your decision.
It's come down from $200 to this. Great unit. We are on our second because the first one got stolen out of the car. Lesson learned: NEVER leave it in plain view in the car as these are a hot item for stealing.
We use ours on the bike and in the car. Got the bike mount through The Mount Guys for $60: http://www.mountguys.com/?Click=2
Only thing we have yet to do is hardwire it in to the bike. We bought a battery recharger, but it takes a while to recharge it that way we've found.
Can't beat it for the price. Good luck with your decision.
Madame Moderator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25,140
Likes: 12
From: The Peach State
Of course we managed, this just makes it easier. It's come in very handy when we've gotten turned around in unfamiliar territory. Or we decided we didn't like the looks of a restaurant we picked out as a destination and wanted another option. Or just wanted to get ourselves thoroughly and completely lost on a road not previously taken then just hit the "Home" key (or whatever you've named it) and headed back. Is it a must have? Certainly not. But is it a pretty cool gadget to have? Yup.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 27
From: florida swamp
whatever...seems it just takes all the adventure out of the trip.
did Lewis and Clark have one? did Columbus? Admiral Byrd? hmmmmm?
did Lewis and Clark have one? did Columbus? Admiral Byrd? hmmmmm?
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
I guess that depends alot on your on the GPS user's attitude, abilities and sense of adventure. I've found and explored many great roads in "the middle of nowhere", that I'd never have thought of taking had the GPS not lead me there.
Riding in the boondocks discovering new roads, beats the hell out of sitting on the side of the road with a map, trying to figure out where you are. And, if you're really lost and don't know where you are, a paper map isn't worth much.
Riding in the boondocks discovering new roads, beats the hell out of sitting on the side of the road with a map, trying to figure out where you are. And, if you're really lost and don't know where you are, a paper map isn't worth much.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Of course we managed, this just makes it easier. It's come in very handy when we've gotten turned around in unfamiliar territory. Or we decided we didn't like the looks of a restaurant we picked out as a destination and wanted another option. Or just wanted to get ourselves thoroughly and completely lost on a road not previously taken then just hit the "Home" key (or whatever you've named it) and headed back. Is it a must have? Certainly not. But is it a pretty cool gadget to have? Yup.
