GPS Units

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Aug 11, 2011 | 09:39 AM

Classic Eagle

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 1,896

Likes: 2

From: North Lima, Ohio

GPS Units

I know that their is probably a 100 threads on GPS on here but Im posting this one for specific information on just 1 brand.
I have had Megellan and TomTom GPS's made for cages. I have used both on the bike as well. Well both have died the same death. Just quit working without reason. Neither have been wet or dropped. Neither company will repair or replace them. Both only lasted about a year or so.
I have been looking on ebay at TomTom Rider and found some reasonably priced units compaired to a new one.
What I am looking for is input from TomTom Rider version 1 or 2 users and the quality of these units.
Anything would be helpful.

Aug 11, 2011 | 09:12 PM

K Melancon

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 1,456

Likes: 132

From: Deep South, Louisiana

Garmin I have 4 that I use and never had a failure. They will be obsolete before you finish reading the owners manual though.

Aug 12, 2011 | 08:43 AM

Classic Eagle

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 1,896

Likes: 2

From: North Lima, Ohio

I have a feeling that vibration killed the last two units. Dont know for sure tho. I am currently looking into Garmin but have not deffinetly decided on new or used. I like the price of the used units compaired to new. That way it wont hurt so bad when they bite the dust. Im a penny pincher.

Last edited by Classic Eagle; Aug 12, 2011 at 08:45 AM.

Aug 12, 2011 | 09:06 AM

barjbar

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 3,817

Likes: 2

From: Novi MI

I also have a Garmin and it's still working after 5 years. Both Garmin and Tom Tom make a gps specifically for motorcycles with a screen that's easily readable in sunlight but they're not cheap.

Aug 12, 2011 | 09:46 AM

dragon_fly121

6th Gear

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 13

Likes: 0

From: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Garmin 1350 LMT. Got it at Sam's Club for about $150. Great unit with lifetime map updates, solid state memory (vibration won't hurt it). Not water proof, but I ziptie and ziplock baggie over it in the rain and on a trip.....

Aug 12, 2011 | 09:47 AM

petemac

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 9,335

Likes: 13

From: MA

I have a Zumo 550 that is sitting in my garage dead. Second 550 to die in a little over 3 years. First one lasted about 10 months and died. Shipped it back and got a refurb unit. They had so many of these things dieing I'm sure they had a pile of refurb's lying around. Had this unit for only 2 years and now this one is dead. $650 for total garbage. Not sure what I'm going to do for my next GPS but sure don't want to give Garmin another nickel.

Aug 13, 2011 | 10:22 PM

goodbirds

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 2,395

Likes: 25

From: St George, UT

Well, I have a Garmin nuvi 1300 on a RAM mount on my Ultra. Haven't had a minutes trouble with it so far. It's been on there for probably 18,000 miles. It is not made specifically for a motorcycle. Some observations:

The screen is hard to see in bright sunlight even with the brightness turned up to 100%. The voice prompts can't be heard above 50 mph, and it doesn't have a jack to feed the voice to the sound system. It isn't waterproof though it did survive a dowsing last year when I plowed through 2' of standing water in the dark.

I think I paid for $160 for it at Walmart. I useit whenever I go more than 20 miles in one direction, more for the elevation and speed information. I have used it to find an unfamiliar retail store in Las Vegas. I know my way around pretty well, but still enjoy looking at the moving map display, especially on unfamiliar roads. The elevation information can tell me when I should go on to oxygen for my COPD.

I like it pretty well.