I'm looking to purchase a new GPS unit but I was hoping to get some more info here first. The GPS I currently have is pretty old so it does not have many features.

I lead a lot of rides for the local HOG chapter in my area. I'm looking for a unit that will allow me to program a route (I chose all the roads) from start to finish and then use the GPS to just follow on the actual rides. Is there one that allows me to sit down at the PC and map out the route and then upload it into the GPS unit? Then I could get turn by turn directions during the ride?

Thanks for any info from those that already own them or do this.

 

Garmin--- i've i'm on my 4th and they are hands down the way to go. they are pricey but this is one of the few things that is very much a "get what you pay for" item. (my first was way old, second got dropped really far, third stolen out of the boat). some of the other brands out there are good mind you but, when you factor in everything (screen, funcitonality, warranty, connectivitiy, ease of use, learning curve, software updates, gadgets, etc) they are the best.

i have the 60cs. it has color, internal compass, altimeter and plenty of internal storage (i have streets and topo maps for 300 miles around vegas and all of riverside and san bernadion counties..........that's a pantload of data!!)

before i had the III+ (or three plus) then they 276c. they are more horizontal oriented. the 60 is more vertical and smaller but i use it for hiking too and it's that works a little better for pockets and such, although both can be oriented that way.

you kinda have to ask what your gonna do w/ it. for what you said, you DEFINATELY need mapping, that kinda eliminates a lot of the smaller ones. but if you might use it on the boat or out in the middle of nowhere, the ones that are more car oriented (nuvi, streepilot, quest) i'm pretty sure won't take topo maps.

your eyesight is a factor too, espescially if your going to mount them kinda far from you on the handlebars. mine eyesite is good so the 60's are fine for me. but if not so much for you, then look into the bigger units. all the --76c ones are really sweet, BIG screens, lots of features but NOT cheap. the 276 is a good value but not as functional. the 376 and the 476 are the shizz. they integrate w/ a sounder and you can even upgrade them to weather satellite that will overlay on top of the map (if i still lived on the coast where we have regular weather, i'd have one for the bike). i have one of the big ultra combo units 310c (sonar, radar, chart plotter) on the boat in TX and it's pretty tough to beat.

there is some sticker shock w/ garmin. BUT you can save a TON of money on ebay with just about everthing. i saved $120 on the unit, and almost another $100 on all the software, all of it "new-in-the-box". if you go used (and there's plenty of the "i opened it, used it once and don't need it" stuff) you can save even more (except the software, they have registration keys, you don't want to mess w/ that).

and the gadgets (mounts, clips, extra antennaes) not only is can you get deals on the gamin brand stuff but there are tons of aftermarket companies out there too.


their site has some really good comparison tools that give you all the stuff that's important on each one all at once (internal memory, battery life, weight, screen size, bla bla)

if you have any questions, pm me.

 

Can someone clarify the use of a GPS on a bike? Travelin across country I can understand it but for a ride that you have probably done a million times i see no point. I can also see it for dirivng around town for directions to a place.... but what is the purpose on a bike? I have Nav in both my cars and a GPS for offroading and boating.. but I have yet to figure out the need for it on my bike. ( well except to check my speedo when I got the bike)

 

Look at the Garmin Zumo 550 online at Garmin.com under On The Road and Motorcycles. I just got mine in and it is a nice unit. My only knock is that it needs more volume out on the audio jack.

 

Here's a good place to get GPS info GPS reviews...i have a streetpilot 2720 (it works great!) and it will do road by road mapping, but it's time consuming to set it up. You can also enter POI's and it will guide you to/from them. The little Zumo 550 that Garmin sells look pretty nice for a bike. Garmin also sells mapping software, you'll have to check it out on their site. Garmin

 

Well for me, most of the rides I lead and plan are on backwood roads. Sometimes in areas that I may only ride in a couple of times a year. One ride I led last year had about 50 road/direction changes. My habit has been to keep a cheat sheet taped to the bike so I don't accidentally miss a turn but it would be much nicer to just plan the route (road by road, turn by turn) and have the GPS to check rather than a paper.

I have a Garmin III plus but it does not allow you to manually plan your route. I also have the HK nav on my new bike but it's even more useless.

 

It`s perfect for a bike. At least for me! I take alot of different roads and get lost somewhere, anywhere. Then hit go home, GPS takes me on many different roads I`ve never been on and gets me home. Also another cool feature is Find, I locate food ,gas just about anything I want anywhere I happen to be.

 

where do you buy a Garmin GPS?

 

on the bike, i only use it when i'm going somewhere i haven't been before. yeah, it's pretty pointless around town. in the car, i use it on long trips and off-road. i have temporary mounts for both.

keith, you can buy them all over. the web is pretty good, hundreds of places. locally, don't know what you have where you are, just call around.

 

Walmart? We have a big army navy sporting good type outlet too