GPS recommendations?
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 734
Likes: 29
From: Arkansas Ozarks
I love my high dollar Garmin ZUMO. You can operate it with gloves on and mine has survived many a downpour without missing a beat. I switch mine between two bikes and it's even held up with off road riding while on my VStrom.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 6
From: Gettysburg, PA
I had a Zumo 660, and to be honest, Google Maps on my phone is so good with turn-by-turn directions, I got rid of the Zumo and just got a phone mount. Audio goes into the AUX port on my FLHX and it works great.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Galesburg
Not a fairing center mount, but close!
http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=77917.0
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 237
Likes: 20
From: Schnecksville, PA
Has anyone tried the TomTom Rider GPS?? Kinda curious as its price point is in the $300's. I have already had one normal Garmin on my bike and it crapped out after a few months, probably due to vibration.
Seems that everyone is either phone based gps or Garmin 660/665??
Seems that everyone is either phone based gps or Garmin 660/665??
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
First off I don't own a smart phone so all those options are out.My cheap *** flip phone is paid for by my work.A Zumo would probabably cost about as much as 6 months worth of cell phone bills but that would be it.I'd be paying for the cell phone forever.And just around the little podunk county I live in there are plenty of dead spots where you have no cell signal for miles.My only experiance with GPS are the old beat down Garmins we have at work they'll get you there but there's no route planning only shortest distance or quickest drive time.What about the "Nav Bag" anybody use one of those that seems almost too easy there has to be a downside.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
Extremely satisfied with the Zumo 660 after a couple years, many rain storms and one hell of a snow storm. Never a hiccup and no condom to interfere with the view of the screen. Ran a regular Nuvi before that but went through a couple cables that do not like to get wet. Then the Nuvi bit the dust, bought the Zumo and never looked back. BTW, I have the HD chrome handlebar mount. Can't say I am extremely pleased with it as it could have been designed better to be more adjustable, even longer to come more to the center of the bike but it does hole the unit securely.
Last edited by mikelikesbikes; Aug 30, 2013 at 12:06 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Bessemer City NC
Lots of options that meet everybody's budget and needs. I love my Garmin 665. Directions, MP3 player, satellite radio , traffic and weather. I love knowing how bad that storm is before riding into it and knowing when I need to suit up and when I don't really need to put that hot ****** on!! Waterproof, shockproof. Several mount options. I have had mine for 5 years riding over 100,000 miles with this one riding through every possible type weather including 2 hurricanes with not one problem.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Went from the 450 initially years ago to the 550 a few years ago and then 2 years ago make the leap to the 665. There's a few reasons most like the zumos but mainly because they're waterproof, can be used with gloves on, and are for the most part pretty accurate. Then theres all the bells and whistles such as XM Traffic, XM Radio, TBT directions, MP3 player, bluetooth, etc...
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 250
Likes: 2
From: Alabama
I had the 660 mounted to the fairing when I bought my Limited. It is a clean nice looking setup and isn't an eyesore when the GPS is not mounted. One problem I had was the dealer forgot to hook up the y cable to the NIM cable, but they did fix it when I told them. The Y cable enables you to use the MP3 player function through your stereo.
I like the 660. You can plan all your trips on the computer then transfer to the GPS. I have a 8G card that is loaded with a ton of music, so all is good. You can also bluetooth your phone to it, but I don't use that function.
I like the 660. You can plan all your trips on the computer then transfer to the GPS. I have a 8G card that is loaded with a ton of music, so all is good. You can also bluetooth your phone to it, but I don't use that function.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
I'll admit to being a tech idiot. While handy when I can get service, I hate using my iphone for much of anything. So slow, hard to read or navigate. I couldn't imagine using it while riding? Way too cheap to spend $600 on a GPS. I got a Garmin Nuvi with lifetime maps at Cosco for $130 and a handlebar mount off ebay for $15. I use it in the car, truck and bike. Does every thing I want, easily.
