+1, Age 55

 

Use both
58

 

Both. Use the GPS as my primary navaid and my maps/atlas in my saddlebag as a backup.

 

I use both, atlas to get a general idea and the "big picture" that is hard to get with a GPS. The newer gps just have so many features that make the ride less stressful, gas stations, rest areas, food, lodging (with phone #'s to call for avail), rerouting back to destination. I use a Garmin Quest 2 because I wanted to be able to plan a route on computer and download to gps (most inexpensive ones wont) waterproof, internal battery (some only external power) for planning while off bike. I also use mine every day at work - work nights as an on call nurse so I travel all the time - nice to see upcomming roads with names even when you know where you are going (street signs hard to see at night), the quest will also give you Lat and Long of your location just in case you need help. Age 44

 

Hi OregonRoadKing,

You send all good points,
And thanks for setting me straightin regards to being "painted", I never was to keen on that idea. I'm glad I was wrong. Today I watched the chase in So Cal, of a (not a whiteBronco) but a whiteYucon. The chase was started after the northstar was activated thus revelling the location of the stolen vehical. That backs up what you have said, since the northstar is a transmitter as well as a receiver.
Like you, there are times that I don't listen to my radio also, as with the GPS. I sometimes will test the GPS on loaded map routes. I have found that Waypoints and Viapoints are very similar but are not the same, and both are very helpful on a long road trip to parts unknown or unfamiliar.
I could tell you some stories thatI would never have experiencedwithout the guidence of the GPS. But, I must say that out of 44 years of riding of which38 yearswere street legal riding, I have less than 1 year with my zumo. I have ridden severallong road trips (multi days and thousands of miles) back roads, hi-way and bi-ways as well as inner city in some of the biggest cities that this country has,along with a friend that had a garmin 2610 or maybe 2620. I was so impressed over those few years I thought that I wanted a GPS as well. I also had the struggle with the expence of the units. I swayed back in forth with the price of closeout modles and the zumo 450 or 550, finally I decided to go with the zumo 550 because of the features offered. I also use it in my truck and car, I can take hikes of the road on foot for upto four hours use, but haven't done that as yet. I'm not a fisherman since fishing is such a conflict of intrest with ridding, although I don't have the marine map loaded, I could if I wanted to use my GPS on the lakes or ocean. I have been on ferries and to my surprise the GPS worked fine. I though I'd hear, ("Make a U-Turn as soon as you can, Recalculating") lol But, one thing that was kind of funny, I was in Canada with the friend that I mentioned earlier, we were being lead by his 2610 and we got to an area with major road repair. We had to cross the Hi-Way medium strip andsplit the lanes with the one coming traffic. The 2610 kept saying ("make a U-Turn").
Another thing I didn't care for, I was headed south on Rte I-95going to Bethesda Naval Hospital. I was just north of Baltimore on 95 andthe GPStold to take a certain exit, which I did, I was brought around seveal side streets of downtown Baltimore only to an onramp that brought me right back up toI-95. To this day I don't know if it was a glitch or if it was because of a traffic jumbor construction. But those were some streets that I wouldn't have normally taken.

Best of luck deciding on a GPS or not!

chappy
[quote]ORIGINAL: OregonRoadKing

Dear Chappy,

I'm not against using the Zumo (the best on the market) or any GPS. It is a totally cool toy. It was just a comment on my own habits. I can see having one and it can be a great benefit, especially when you follow the wrong route and wonder where the hell you are or want to check out new routes. Been there. In fact, I will probably get one in the future. I borrowed one for a while and thought I would use it more than I actually did. People need to enjoy the ride however they like it. It doesn't matter what someone else likes. I have a radio in my bike and do listen to it. Sometimes I don't. Don't care what others think.

Actually, I do know a bit about GPS. I've worked in the aviation navigation business for 25 years. I teach other people how to use GPS receivers. I've worked on installation and service manuals for the equipment. You don't need to worry about anyone knowing where you are with a GPS receiver anymore than you do about somebody knowing what radio station you're listening to with

 

I use both. The GPS lets me enjoy the scenery and not worry about missing road signs etc. the LTN ( low tech Nav ) also know as an atlas is helpful in choosing alternate routes.

 

GPS my bike would be embarrassed if I put that crap on it!!!!!!

 

For my cross-country runs or > 1000 mile trips, I use two GPS's, one US Atlas, detailed maps as needed per trip. Be prepared...

 

I voted Atlas.............The HD Rand IMHO can't be beat..Give state by state laws (Helmets etc), Has rides per most states in the front with routes. However, I can see the benefit of a GPS entering a town/city and needing to fine a hotel or specific place would allow you to find this faster?...........I am sure this technology will educate the "younger" generation on how "NOT" to be able to read a map! (Like kids can't make change now!) oh my oh my GPS is not working!!!!! and they have to pull over! I use one in the BOAT comes in handy as the "road Signs" seem to sink!.............Marty.

 

I just installed a Zumo before a 2 week trip and I took an atlas along. We found some amazing roads by talking to locals and when it was time to shut down for the night, the GPS would show us the nearest motels.

My buddy's Goldwing has a built in GPS that is a POS. Zumo would get us out of cities quickly while his junk kept wanting to route us into stop and go traffic.