GPS confusion (long)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
I got my Zumo 450 back in 08 and love it,, on my third rebuild form Garmin - all good. These are great Tools and the Zumo's are weather proof and glove friendly
Now I say TOOL > as in a Hammer, screwdriver... great at some things, Not so good at others.. Meaning, they can frustrate you - but one of the main reasons I like mine... stop and you can see ALL the motels in your area with phone numbers - restaurants same thing
Now the BAD side,,, These things can and will KILL YOU... You can NOT get used to hitting the buttons, staring at the screen while riding.. easy BAD habit to start and will jump up and BITE your *** and HARD..
a great tool but like a hammer, good for nails but in the wrong hands can KILL
be careful - get out the visa card and do it
Now I say TOOL > as in a Hammer, screwdriver... great at some things, Not so good at others.. Meaning, they can frustrate you - but one of the main reasons I like mine... stop and you can see ALL the motels in your area with phone numbers - restaurants same thing
Now the BAD side,,, These things can and will KILL YOU... You can NOT get used to hitting the buttons, staring at the screen while riding.. easy BAD habit to start and will jump up and BITE your *** and HARD..
a great tool but like a hammer, good for nails but in the wrong hands can KILL
be careful - get out the visa card and do it
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 197
Likes: 51
From: Tucson, AZ
I've been using a Nuvi 765T for the past 5 years. It does what I need it to do.
It plays mp3s, has traffic, bluetooth to my Sena, and plugs in to my stereo.
It's not waterproof, but unless you live in the northwest where it drizzles all the time, I don't worry about it. I keep 3-4 sandwich bags in my saddlebag.
I thought I wanted to have my phone integrated into it, but I don't want to have a phone conversation while riding. I'm not a doctor, so if someone really needs to get a hold of me, I'll call them back when I stop for gas.
I also have the T&T Fabrication mount on my dash and works great. I have the 3.5mm audio cable running behind the GPS, in the fairing and out the bottom and plugged into the aux stereo input. I used the leads off the cigarette lighter and hardwired it inside the fairing. I have the RAM mount and holder. I superglued the GPS into the mount and the mounting arm has a lock on it. If they want my GPS, they're really going to have to work to get it.
It's a discontinued unit and you can find them on ebay for around $100.
I'd love to have a Road Tech 665, but man, that's a lot of $$$$. One day though.
Duff
It plays mp3s, has traffic, bluetooth to my Sena, and plugs in to my stereo.
It's not waterproof, but unless you live in the northwest where it drizzles all the time, I don't worry about it. I keep 3-4 sandwich bags in my saddlebag.
I thought I wanted to have my phone integrated into it, but I don't want to have a phone conversation while riding. I'm not a doctor, so if someone really needs to get a hold of me, I'll call them back when I stop for gas.
I also have the T&T Fabrication mount on my dash and works great. I have the 3.5mm audio cable running behind the GPS, in the fairing and out the bottom and plugged into the aux stereo input. I used the leads off the cigarette lighter and hardwired it inside the fairing. I have the RAM mount and holder. I superglued the GPS into the mount and the mounting arm has a lock on it. If they want my GPS, they're really going to have to work to get it.
It's a discontinued unit and you can find them on ebay for around $100.
I'd love to have a Road Tech 665, but man, that's a lot of $$$$. One day though.
Duff
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
I leaning toward the 660.I don't want XM radio, I've had it before and I don't think its that great it's still radio and you still have to sit through allot of songs you don't like.Can the MP3 player be set to "shuffle" like an Ipod? I don't mess with my Ipod while riding just set it for shuffle or pick a playlist and go.I would hope the 600 dollar GPS could do the same thing
Last edited by SPECIAL ED; Mar 14, 2014 at 05:43 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 118
Likes: 3
From: Texas
I leaning toward the 660.I don't want XM radio, I've had it before and I don't think its that great it's still radio and you still have to sit through allot of songs you don't like.Can the MP3 player be set to "shuffle" like an Ipod? I don't mess with my Ipod while riding just set it for shuffle or pick a playlist and go.I would hope the 600 dollar GPS could do the same thing
You can shuffle you music on the 665, so since they're the same system minus the XM feature the 660 should also..
The biggest plus factor I have with the Zumo series is 'waterproof'. I've fried a couple Garrmin units over the years because of sudden rain showers and I carried baggies with me.
o~\o
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 876
Likes: 4
From: Waskom, TX
I spent the money for the 660. All the reasons have been given by others. I use a Nuvi765 in my cage, and tried it on the bike and just didn't like it. The Zumo was so much better and easier to work on the bike, that I have no regrets. If it broke or got stolen, it wouldn't be easy, but I'd buy another.
Ride Safe
David
Ride Safe
David
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 894
Likes: 4
From: Newberg OR
I've used both and prefer the Zumo 660, though I can't begin to justify the added cost. It works better in sunlight and the ability to pre-plan out full routes on the computer, including stops to meet other riders along the way, and store them locally on the GPS is a big plus.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 13
From: Fort Worth
I have the Road Tech 665 and love it. My wife went all out for a Valentine's present and got it for me along with the mount and the radio interface. I used a couple Garmin's before that. I like the idea of all the wires being hidden. I also have the traffic and weather that has proved to be helpful a couple times. The media player works great and you can add playlists and shuffle.
With the other Garmin, I was in Houston one time and went to grab the baggie out of the windshield bag when a downpour started. Didn't quite have a good hold on it and it went poof.... I risked it in the rain and it got too wet and smoked. Sent to Garmin and they actually replaced it for me for free, minus some shipping.
If you go with another Garmin, make sure it will allow custom routes and way points. Some of the cheaper ones don't allow way points and then you are screwed if you want to use ride planner or any other type of trip planners. Most of the other ones I tried, you cannot hear the voice while moving and I found that I was always looking at the gps when I should be looking at the road ahead when trying to figure out exactly which turn or exit to take. Some of the models have the audio player but do not have an output jack to plug in to your bike; useless if it doesn't and you want tunes on it. On one model, I couldn't use it with gloves and most of them are hard to see in the sunlight.
If you are not going to integrate or plan to integrate with the audio system no reason to spend the extra money for the road tech version. I've seen the 660/665 on ebay and amazon for cheaper than some retailers. IMHO, you can't beat the 660 as it's designed for the motorcycle, use with gloves, use the Aux radio to hear it, see in sunlight and ability to plan routes with way points. The XM and traffic are bonuses.
With the other Garmin, I was in Houston one time and went to grab the baggie out of the windshield bag when a downpour started. Didn't quite have a good hold on it and it went poof.... I risked it in the rain and it got too wet and smoked. Sent to Garmin and they actually replaced it for me for free, minus some shipping.
If you go with another Garmin, make sure it will allow custom routes and way points. Some of the cheaper ones don't allow way points and then you are screwed if you want to use ride planner or any other type of trip planners. Most of the other ones I tried, you cannot hear the voice while moving and I found that I was always looking at the gps when I should be looking at the road ahead when trying to figure out exactly which turn or exit to take. Some of the models have the audio player but do not have an output jack to plug in to your bike; useless if it doesn't and you want tunes on it. On one model, I couldn't use it with gloves and most of them are hard to see in the sunlight.
If you are not going to integrate or plan to integrate with the audio system no reason to spend the extra money for the road tech version. I've seen the 660/665 on ebay and amazon for cheaper than some retailers. IMHO, you can't beat the 660 as it's designed for the motorcycle, use with gloves, use the Aux radio to hear it, see in sunlight and ability to plan routes with way points. The XM and traffic are bonuses.
Last edited by FinalShot; Mar 14, 2014 at 07:19 PM.