TOTALLY CLUELESS AND IN THE DARK TO BOOT

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Need some help from the more technically savy people out there in Spyderland.....I am considering getting some type of GPS device for use on the Spyder......I think something basic will work for me...it does not have to have "blue tooth" what ever that is......of course weather-proof and handlebar mountable and model #'s so I can find it......Thanks all in advance........Your opinion matters.......Mike....

[MarkLawson]

The weatherproof piece makes it a very specific device, so more expensive. The only ones of which I know is the Garmin Zumo line. There may be others, but I don't know...

[hawkiii]

We use the Garmin Zumo 660. Nice unit.

[jScotD]

i have always liked paper maps.. gives me a reason to pull over and stretch and scratch my head, wondering.. where am I now? and why doesn't this map fold up as easy as it came apart?

[NoJive]

Pretty much everyone likes the Zumos. I actually use a Garmin Etrex 20. It's not motorcycle specific, or vehicle specific. just a handheld unit. It is waterproof, shock resistant, and can do turn by turn directions. It does have a small screen though. However, for $160, it works well. The Spyder has become my Geocaching vehicle, so that's one more reason I went with a handheld.

[Starrider]

I use a $130 Garmin Nuvii 50 on my ride. Not weatherproof or motorcycle specific but I can a ziplock bag does a good job of waterproofing for those quick showers. Easy to remove from the cradle and put in saddlebag or frunk in 'frog choker ' rain. Works good for me without a lot of bells and whistles.

[MMcc]

The garmin 500 and 550 are waterproof. You can find them on ebay for under $150. Used mine for 3 years now. Great unit. Good luck.

[flamingobabe]

hg and I use Garmin 1350 and 1450 not motorcycle specific not waterproof...works GREAT on the Spyder and Valk...if it rains...I just stash it in my tank bag...check out amazon.com...use ram mounts...

[Robertsepolen]

Concerning "weatherproof" while it is not my first choice for the bike, (just the one I had), the garmin 40 is not official weatherproof but has held up in downpours and 100+ days. And not just one or two of each. However visibility in sunlight is pretty marginal. It is a basic model with no bluetooth or traffic.

[NancysToy]

I use a Garmin Nuvi 550. It is weatherproof, but no audio output (except the built-in speaker) so you have to use it like a map. That has never been a problem for me, as I was used to tankbags and maps previously. I got a RAM mount for it from GPSCity.com and a USB charger cord and Garmin adapter cord from Powerlet.

[Cavman]

I use the Garmin Zumo 550 which is now a discontinued product and also either a GPSMAP 76 or GPSMAP 76 CSx because I'm use to that format. Both of the latter are waterproof and float and also discontinued.
The Garmin GPSMAP 78 series has replaced these units. I use the map type for navigation in my truck, exploring and for Geocaching.

I'm still learning how to use the Zumo 550. Note, the manual comes on a CD which can be a pain when away from a computer. Why Garmin got cheap with no paper manual is beyond me?

[btcherm]

I use the Garmin nuvi 255w and it work just fine

[Ga Blue Knight]

I use the Garmin Zumo 550 which is now a discontinued

I'm still learning how to use the Zumo 550. Note, the manual comes on a CD which can be a pain when away from a computer. Why Garmin got cheap with no paper manual is beyond me?

I also have used the Garmin Nuvi 550 and found it works great, pretty cheap now for old new stock amd very motorcycle friendly. I found downloadable PDS file instruction manuals for it for free on the web. I actually like not having it keep telling me what to do as other gPS units do but when I need to I just hook it up to the IPOD plug and it will "speak to me" via the RTS speakers. Also you can ad the XM-30 Satelite antenna for XM/Siris radio. It also works through the IPOD plug.

[CyncySpyder]

As you've seen, we have the Zumo 665 that has the XM antanae disc included, tho you have to have a subription, we LOVE having music on the go with us, but there are other options to make that possible. If your not needing the XM option, you could move down the line in the Zumo models to find one that suits your needs, as the 660 is what comes standard from BRP on the LMTD RT Models.

For us, I wouldn't want to be without the added options that the 665 offers, albeit you have to have a subscription for the Traffic & Weather Options, like a drug, once you get hooked, you wonder how you ever lived without it

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[harrypottar]

You can buy gps waterproof boxes, otter box is good brand. The thing about the zumo is there motorcycle friendly, glove friendly, not just waterproof but have vibration proof technology as well. The mounts are water proof as well. They're expensive, but a very well made gps and you get what you pay for. You also get a car mount with them so they serve as both bike and car gps.

Watch out with zip lock bags you can end up with condensation and a dead gps. Also the best time for a gps is when it's raining and you can not see that we'll in front of you, the gps will guide you while you concentrate on the road. If you have to remove it when it rains them defeats the purpose.

I just sold my Zumo 550, I was mentioning this to a friend, he his thinking of selling his. He just upgraded to a Zumo 665 and does not use the 550 any more. It's got everything with it software, motorcycle and car cradle even the original box it came in. He wants $400 for it I can put you in touch if you're intrested. His in MA, same town as me so you could meet up if you are intrested.

Harry
oh btw, he rides a 400cc 3 wheel leaning scooter the MP3.

[dancogan]

I find having the audio part of the GPS is very important. It means that in heavy traffic, rain, fog, etc. I can listen to the GPS and not take my eyes off the road to look at the map. The 660, now replaced by the 665, works well with my Sena bluetooth unit.

[Bob Denman]

I'm still thinking about this whole issue...
I'm not real keen on leaving a very expensive chunk of my wallet bolted to the center of the handlebars where some can make off iwth it...
A GPS hidden in the frunk (or top trunk) and linked to a Bluetooth headset might just fit the bill...
No video games; but it'll talk you through the process to getting where you want to be!

[Recluze]

I use a Garmin Nuvi 225 About $75 Pros Holds list of Spyder dealers, has Roadside America loaded into it( shows you every quirky landmark along the way) comes preloaded with hotel and gas places which I find very useful. Cons: Not waterproof. No Bluetooth. Honestly if were to get wet and stop working I would just stop at the next store and buy another. I am pretty sure I have more invested in the mounts then the unit cost.

I also use a TomTom ryder 2; about $800 Pros: waterproof, glove operatable, bluetooth. Con: It pretty much sucks at everything else but I paid so much for it I feel I have to use it. The mounts for this are ridiculously expensive and hard to get these days.

I would not mount one in the trunk. The blue tooth will talk you to death when you have no need and you will not me able to shut it off. Get a cheap Garmin and pop it off on ocassion. The 225 is about the size of a men's wallet

[harrypottar]

I'm still thinking about this whole issue...
I'm not real keen on leaving a very expensive chunk of my wallet bolted to the center of the handlebars where some can make off iwth it...
A GPS hidden in the frunk (or top trunk) and linked to a Bluetooth headset might just fit the bill...
No video games; but it'll talk you through the process to getting where you want to be!

All the Garmin mounts allow you to do quick removal, when you stop simply un-clcik (takes only a second) and lock it in the frunk.
I put mine inside my helmet then put the helmet in trailer or frunk

harry

[wyliec]

Mike,

Whatever gps you decide on you may want to check-

http://www.overstock.com

If you check, once there, just type gps in the search bar.

[pro10is]

I'm still thinking about this whole issue...
I'm not real keen on leaving a very expensive chunk of my wallet bolted to the center of the handlebars where some can make off iwth it...
A GPS hidden in the frunk (or top trunk) and linked to a Bluetooth headset might just fit the bill...
No video games; but it'll talk you through the process to getting where you want to be!

Bob, not a good idea. The visuals are very important. I would never want to rely on the Bluetooth alone for serious navigation. And you need to access the screen controls often. The solution is to simply not buy an expensive Zumo. Sure they're great but at $600+ it's not something I would be comfortable leaving on the bike and I don't want to have to remove it every time I run into a store.

Instead make a compromise and buy a slightly out of date Garmin closeout. These can be had for around $100 or less. Some are incredibly well featured. No they're not waterproof but when it starts to rain you can either pop the unit in a trunk or simply put a plastic bag over it. This works great and was even recently recommended by Consumer Reports as an effective solution.

If you really want a Zumo and have the $$$ for one, they're the best for motorcycles. But if you want a excellent GPS without spending a fortune and you're willing to compromise a bit there are plenty of low cost options. And you won't cry if someone walks off with it.

[Bob Denman]

Thanks for this perspective! This is why I haven't pulled the trigger yet on this project; too much to learn still...

[Sarge707]

i have always liked paper maps.. gives me a reason to pull over and stretch and scratch my head, wondering.. where am I now? and why doesn't this map fold up as easy as it came apart?

I,m with ya ! While others have I-Phone 4s and 5 I have a Trac Phone- Costs $6.77 a Month?

[zrc]

If you wanted to go to the Audio and not the waterproof / see the map route, then the frunk with a 12v outlet and velcro'd would work fine. You could even go with an audio'd headphone / earbud, just need a cord to a water proof jack near the cluster and you can hook up some ear buds. Also you might be able to locate an earlier verizon of a garmin, put it in the frunk and have a BT adaptor. Either making it easy, and honestly less expensive.

If you wanna see the map however, pending your cellphone, there are LOTS of options.

There is a company out there that will 100% waterproof a phone for like 70 bucks, I bet they would do it for a GPS too, so you could probably get a sub 200 dollar waterproof if you did both.

[Littlebadwolf]

Garmin 660 used in conjunction with the Sena headset....waterproof, great pairing with the Sena and my I-touch for tunes...can't beat it...nasty weather, just listen thru your headset.