Hand held GPS
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
Hand held GPS
Iam wanting to buy a hand held GPS - So who out there has done the homework and found the best GPS - want one to tour the US and if I get lost or need a tow - I can tell someone where the hell I am... Thanks..
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 705
Likes: 8
From: Titusville, FL
RE: Hand held GPS
There's a lot of threads on this. I bought a Garmin Quest 2and am still in the process of rebuilding my 05 Ultra. Harley sells the Quest but you have to load different sections of the US. The Quest 2 has all of the US loaded.
Now I'm not 100% positive but I believe the Quest 2 will fit into the Harley Mounting Bracket and Cradle. That's were I'm going because I don't like the Ram mounts.
The Quest 2 is a handheld if you so desire. It'll fit in your shirt pocket. It has a cigarette lighter adapter that has a built in speaker. I tested it in my truck and it meets my needs.
There are other units out there with larger screens and such. I just wanted something that I could connect into my Speakers that could tell me how to get back on the right road. The quest 2 does that and much more.
Now I'm not 100% positive but I believe the Quest 2 will fit into the Harley Mounting Bracket and Cradle. That's were I'm going because I don't like the Ram mounts.
The Quest 2 is a handheld if you so desire. It'll fit in your shirt pocket. It has a cigarette lighter adapter that has a built in speaker. I tested it in my truck and it meets my needs.
There are other units out there with larger screens and such. I just wanted something that I could connect into my Speakers that could tell me how to get back on the right road. The quest 2 does that and much more.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Chicago burbs
RE: Hand held GPS
I too, have been looking into a handheld GPS to use on the bike...as well as other uses. Garmin recently released the newly updated 60cx, 60csx, 76cx, and 76csx. I will most likely go with the 60cx. The newly added features include a removeable microSD memory card slot to enable the use of more maps and also the new SiRF chip which is supposed to have the capability of accessing more satellites than the previous models. The downside to the handhelds are that you have to purchase the map software (City Select or City Navigator) seperately and I think it's close to $100. But I like the portability of the handheld units versus the ones that are hardwired to the bike. The battery life is supposed to be pretty decent on the 60cx, as long as you don't use the backlight much.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Prior Lake, MN
RE: Hand held GPS
I bought the 60c (non memory card version) on Amazon for $250 a few months back and really like the unit. I did go out and buy City Select for it. I bought it mainly to use when out snowmobiling and it worked great for that. Now I’m thinking I’ll get a handlebar mount and use it on the bike too. It’s in a more rugged looking package than Quest units, which may not suit your tastes. But as a do it all unit that is probably pretty durable and has a 30 hour battery life on 2 AA batteries it’s a versatile GPS.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 693
Likes: 0
From: Boiling Springs, SC
RE: Hand held GPS
The Garmin Quest 2 is a good little unit. It has the entire US built in. There is a good motorcycle mount available or you can use the HD mount if you ride an EGlide. I used the unit this week to and while in Daytona. Performed well. I used a Garmin Street Pilot before this unit. It had a larger display, but had limited memory. I am happy with this unit. BTW, Garmin reccomends it for use on a motorcycle.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Chicago burbs
RE: Hand held GPS
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
RE: Hand held GPS
Thanks for all the help - I am not sure if I would want a mount to guide me - just something to use when stopped - I do like the "map idea" and I want a way to update the map as needed... Again, thanks for all the guidance and help
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Road Captain
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RE: Hand held GPS
I HAVE THE GAMIN QUEST
[IMG]local://upfiles/8013/FD24F9D0BFC54BB5B1870AF1BB552CB1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/8013/FD24F9D0BFC54BB5B1870AF1BB552CB1.jpg[/IMG]
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 0
From: Waynesville, NC
RE: Hand held GPS
I have a Garmin 76CS. It has 115 meg of ram built in. I have never run out of space to store maps or way points. I have used this for over a year now. It is use on the bike, snowmobile, truck, and the quad too. It would be highly recommended to buy the City Select mapping software, as it give you the better detailed mapping.
While on battery power the back lighting only stays on for 2 minutes, so it is no big deal on battery life. The things that kill the battery life are the extra stuff that is normally not needed most of the time like the electronic compass, and the baromiter. I can get a good 16 to 20 hours on a good set of nicads.
It has automatic map re-routing for planned trip, or if you want to find something on the map you look it up on the gps and tell it to take you there. It will let you know where to turn, and take you right there. If you just want to get out and ride to places you have never gone before, the GPS is perfect for it. Running low on gas, look up a gas station on the GPS and it will take you there too.
You really do not need to goto the expence of memory cards for a good unit. I already have a mpped route for Bike week in Myrtle Beach, and I have all of the detailed maps from up-state NY to Myrtle Beach loaded with plenty of room left over. I prefer the color screen and it works well during the day. As I have said in some other posts, I have a RAM mount for it on order to use it with the Street Glide.
I hope that this helps some others that are out there looking for a GPS.
Bob
While on battery power the back lighting only stays on for 2 minutes, so it is no big deal on battery life. The things that kill the battery life are the extra stuff that is normally not needed most of the time like the electronic compass, and the baromiter. I can get a good 16 to 20 hours on a good set of nicads.
It has automatic map re-routing for planned trip, or if you want to find something on the map you look it up on the gps and tell it to take you there. It will let you know where to turn, and take you right there. If you just want to get out and ride to places you have never gone before, the GPS is perfect for it. Running low on gas, look up a gas station on the GPS and it will take you there too.
You really do not need to goto the expence of memory cards for a good unit. I already have a mpped route for Bike week in Myrtle Beach, and I have all of the detailed maps from up-state NY to Myrtle Beach loaded with plenty of room left over. I prefer the color screen and it works well during the day. As I have said in some other posts, I have a RAM mount for it on order to use it with the Street Glide.
I hope that this helps some others that are out there looking for a GPS.
Bob
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
RE: Hand held GPS
I did a lot of research before getting a Garmin IQue, This unit is a PDA and GPS.
I like it because the screen is twice the size of most handheld units 3 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches, easy to see!!! Like a PDA it has a stylis to drag the map, change the scale and several other functions. It is easier to use then button controls on most GPS units. It is only 5/8's thick and fits in our shirt pocket comfortably.
I like to take roads I have never been on here in Maine, I wander for awhile then pull out the GPS and see how to get home. It provide voice directions if you want. It will also record your trip route or mark those great spots you find.
I can ask it to find a nearby restaurant, go there and pull it out to plan the rest of the run.
The only down side is the battery only lasts 4 or 5 hours when it is on and mapping. I usually turn it off on a day trip and only turn it on to find out where the hell I am. I plan to set up a way to use the 12volt charger that comes with it on the bike. Mine is 2 years old the newer model likely has a better battery.
I like it because the screen is twice the size of most handheld units 3 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches, easy to see!!! Like a PDA it has a stylis to drag the map, change the scale and several other functions. It is easier to use then button controls on most GPS units. It is only 5/8's thick and fits in our shirt pocket comfortably.
I like to take roads I have never been on here in Maine, I wander for awhile then pull out the GPS and see how to get home. It provide voice directions if you want. It will also record your trip route or mark those great spots you find.
I can ask it to find a nearby restaurant, go there and pull it out to plan the rest of the run.
The only down side is the battery only lasts 4 or 5 hours when it is on and mapping. I usually turn it off on a day trip and only turn it on to find out where the hell I am. I plan to set up a way to use the 12volt charger that comes with it on the bike. Mine is 2 years old the newer model likely has a better battery.
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