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Ron..I know you dont want to use your phone, but something to think about now that youre keeping your scoot.
A radio head end unit that is CarPlay or Android Auto compatible.
Google/Apple/Android maps show real time construction, traffic, etc., all things I like to avoid on a bike.
A few friends just went to Bikes on Bricks in Flint, MI. My riding buddy has a hard wired Garmin, has for years.
Had to rely on me, 19 limited with Car Play and google maps to get us into the show with all the road closures, and home same reason.
To me..when you use navigation, its because youre going someplace you dont know. This helps.
I know the other side of the coin part of the fun of two wheels is the journey, not the destination.
Id counter with this.. the journey when its filled with traffic, construction or the outskirts of Flint doesnt make for a ton of fun
Good luck Ron. As much as a new ride would be cool, completely respect repairing the bond with your current scoot.
I would consider a new head unit if my bike can be lemon free for a few thousand miles. Hopefully Im picking it up today and we can start bonding again. Anybody know of a good head unit that fits on a 2012?
I use the old Harley Zumo 660 that hard mounts to the dash. It has mp3 player and plays through the head unit.
I also download offline maps to my phone so it works when I lose cell service. I run both on long trips.
Dedicated GPS
Pro
Touch screen always works
More visible in sunlight
Less heat sensitive
Cell coverage is irrelevant
Con
No traffic information
Slow response
Cumbersome interface
Limited dataset of addresses, restaurants, etc
Maybe not on people's list but the TomTom rider links to a phone for traffic information.
The TomTom Rider has a mount that takes a 12volt source. I used the position lamp points in the headlamp as it is switched power and was easy to get at.
I broke down and picked up a Zumo XT a couple of months ago and very happy with it. Very spotting cell coverage in the Missouri Ozarks area and got sidetracked with no cell coverage for Google Maps one to many times. I hard wired mine to the battery and shut it off when no using
I used to run Garmin GPS units back in the early 2000's - I believe it was a 2610. I haven't had a dedicated GPS in years but the one thing I didn't like was having to update the maps. Same with the HD Boom on my 15 SGS. Google, Waze, Apple, all constantly update their maps. I'm not sure if Garmin does that now which would be a benefit. The only downside for me of using my phone is if it's raining. I use a Quad Lock with a vibration damper for my iPhone. I'm picking up my 2015 CVO Ultra from the dealer on Saturday and will probably continue to use my iPhone instead of the Boom. The ultimate would be wireless CarPlay to the Boom and I know the new GTS has CarPlay but not wireless.
I used to run Garmin GPS units back in the early 2000's - I believe it was a 2610. I haven't had a dedicated GPS in years but the one thing I didn't like was having to update the maps. Same with the HD Boom on my 15 SGS. Google, Waze, Apple, all constantly update their maps. I'm not sure if Garmin does that now which would be a benefit. The only downside for me of using my phone is if it's raining. I use a Quad Lock with a vibration damper for my iPhone. I'm picking up my 2015 CVO Ultra from the dealer on Saturday and will probably continue to use my iPhone instead of the Boom. The ultimate would be wireless CarPlay to the Boom and I know the new GTS has CarPlay but not wireless.
The XT will tell you when new maps are available, and those can be downloaded whenever uploading routes and stuff or just through wifi if you turn the device on while at home. Not as seamless as google maps and such since you need to do something, but its a painless process and can be done behind the scenes when uploading new routes from Garmin's Basecamp program anyway.
Google maps on the phone. Why spend a few hundo on something your phone does for free? Plus I've found that nothing beats Google maps. I don't like how the stand alones or other apps work, how they name the roads, etc.. A stand alone is one more gadget you'll have to deal with...updates, storing it so it doesn't get stolen...meh!
I am using my phone (iphone 13 pro) mounted on the handlebars with a ram mount. I run a charging cord to a battery pack in my windshield bag. I have a 12v bar mount outlet on the shelf in my garage but have been too lazy to install it.
I mainly use it for longer trips to places I havent been using Waze or google maps. I also stream music occasionally.
I have looked at getting a dedicated gps unit but this has worked for me so far. I havent had issues losing cell service, but I will sometimes download maps if I will be somewhere with spotty service.
For general use, a phone with google maps is hard to beat. If you are planning longer trips with specific routes or stops, that's when the dedicated GPS starts to show its moves. The Garmin XT is the current golden child, but it uses a glass screen which, like your phone and the Boom GTS, can be affected by water.
If you are looking for a dedicated GPS, I would recommend an XT, or z590 or z595, with touchscreen that can be used with gloves. I am including a link for a HD mount that works great with the pre-Rushmore fairings (it looks like you have an '03). All the wiring is inside the fairing and the low draw means you can tie it in almost anywhere.
I'm not sure what you would be using for audio, but the z590 can tie into the stock head unit via analog plug, or bluetooth directly to a separate bluetooth headset. There are other configuration options too.
Harley Mount. It says 660/665, but it will work with anything that uses AMPS mounting (almost any GPS that has 4 hole mounts). https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...Kit/p/92238-09 I don't have a pic of my pre-rushmore configuration, but I do have a bit of experience with GPS mounting and use.
Last edited by biglew55; Sep 15, 2022 at 10:37 AM.
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