I'm going on a east coast trip in a couple weeks and would like to have an up to date gps of some sort. The two options I'm considering are: 1) pay for the boom map updates, or 2) buy a cheap Garmin Nuvi 57LM to use for the trip.

If I had anyway of knowing just how current the maps are in the boom update, that'd be a no brainer. Also it's about double the price it ought to be for 2 year old maps.

The garmin plus a weatherproof case from amazon would be cheaper than the damn boom updates, the maps would be current, and the thing comes with lifetime map updates (and way cheaper if I opt out of map updates).

Has anyone else used a separate GPS with the bike? Like it? This one does not have bluetooth - should I look for one that does? Or are these a PITA and is it better to bite the bullet and upgrade the boom's maps?

 

Cheap Garmin with lifetime maps.

 

Use WAZE on Your smartphone.Better than Garmin or Boom Box.

 

Ill second the smartphone idea. The map apps work off of the GPS inside your phone so there is no need to worry about loss of service in the middle of nowhere.

Have a safe trip!

 

My next bike will have Android Auto. I'm certainly in the minority but it's the improved tech that will get me to buy a new bike. This Boom is a nice prototype but is really lacking.

I'd love to use my phone but there are 2 problems: I'm using an old galaxy s4 and bluetooth has been slowly dieing on me and I'm on Sprint. Both will be fixed in November but that's too late for this trip.

Seems like the garmin is the way to go.

 

Ive used a Garmin Zumo 590 since day one on my 2014 FLHTK . I cant stand the HD nav system. the only time I use it is when Im looking for a HD dealer.

 

I don't think you will find that big of a difference with the maps.

Just use what you have

 

I use the Boom and an older HD Road Tech (Garmin) I have mounted on the bike. I've updated the maps on the Road Tech and I use both. Generally I'll use the Boom because it's easier but I use the RT as a backup. I don't have the audio set up on the RT but find I don't really need it, the map is sitting there right in front of me so easy to follow and I can always Bluetooth it to the bike if needed. If I didn't feel uncomfortable about leaving my $400 phone hanging out there on the bars and having to remove it every time I stopped I'd use the phone.

 

I have both. The boom in the street glide and a zumo I can use on the king or the glide if I want. I prefer the boom system for ease of use while riding as well as the larger screen. I know guys have issues with the boom Navi but I haven't had it happen to me. I know one of the guys I ride with runs his all the time to go almost everywhere and his screws up a lot which leads me to believe it's settings or user induced.

 

I updated my map on the GPS. Any and all known mistakes on the GPS were corrected. I used it all the way to Sturgis and back, and we never hit a single interstate. Never got anywhere the GPS didn't know where we were.

Personally, I find the GPS works just fine. It has yet to fail to get me where I'm going. Hell, it's twice as good as the GPS in my '08 Cadillac...