I'm looking to buy my first GPS that I can map out a route on my PC and download it to the GPS. TOM TOM and some of the others have great maps, but they dont allow you to create your own route to download.

What are your suggestions?

 

Garmins do, I have a Zumo 660, I downloaded BaseCamp from the Garmin web site. I use it planning trips on the bike. Works well in the car also

 

My Garmin Nuvi 550 allows me to download routes I create on my PC.

 

Garmin Zumo 660 RoadTech will work. It is also an MP3 player, Bluetooth, and will interface with your bike radio if you have a dresser with a Harmon Cardon radio. Comes with a car mount.

Not cheap, but it is a very good unit with a lot of features.

Bill

 

I got a garmin nuvi 780 from ebay for 75 bucks. Can download routes and pois plus has bluetooth and fm transmitter. Works great.

 

I bought Garmin Nuvi 1490LMT before last years riding season. It has Lifetime Maps (4 updates per year) and Lifetime Traffic. It has a large screen and is easy to operate when heading down the road. I plan out all my routes on the PC and download to the unit.

The unit is not rated for a motorcycle but it has worked great for me. If it rains I throw on a zip lock bag. Cost around $150, less if you buy refurbished. I purchased at Walmart and added a 3 year replacement plan for just over $20. If there is anything to the motorcycle units in terms of handling vibration and my unit goes I just get it fixed or replaced for free. I am covered for 4 years (one year Garmin, 3 years Walmart) so I figured it was a worthwhile investment for the coverage. With that said all the units today are solid state so there really should not be a vibration issue with any of them.

 

I think I have finally got my Zumo 660 working the way I want. If I am in AUX mode on the Harmon Cardon, I can make and answer phone calls throught the headset. When connected to my phone, the Zumo shows my phonebook. The Nav instructions all play through the Harmon Cardon, and I just got 586 songs loaded on a Micro SD and that all plays through the Harmon Cardon.

Bill

 

I used a Garmin NUVI 2555 LMT with a ($15)holder/cover/case from ebay.
The unit has routes feature BUT it will NOT copy the routes i create exactly without dozens of way points being added by me. Seems like i must twist the arm of the GPS in order to take slower more scenic and motorcycle friendly routes during route creation.

 

Garmin zumo 550 works great and you can go online and load all the Harley dealers in the us and Canada for free as POI's. Aso loaded all my music on the sd card but don't use that too much anymore. As far as Bluetooth phone calls it will work for that but have never and do not plan on using that feature while I am 2 wheels. It's made for bikes and is waterproof.
Being able to sit at a computer and build a route then load it on the gps is a great way to go.

 

My Garmin Nuvi 760 has all the Bluetooth stuff as well. I can sync my cell to the GPS if I want to, but using a cell phone on a bike is not on my list of 'must do' things. Anyway, I can send a map/route that I create on MapQuest to my GPS. I do this as a backup on long trips so that I can, at anytime, get back on track. I believe Google Maps has this ability as well, but I've never tried them.