GPS or VZ Navigator?

[GunDoctor]

Ordered the F3 totally stock ( because of accessory prices) but am considering the GPS. I use my Smartphone Navigator app now for those needs. Can anyone offer their opinion on why I should go for BRP GPS or is the Smartphone just as good? I get turn by turn through my Bluetooth now. Just curious what I'm missing to substantiate dropping most likely another 1,000 + on it.

[Bob Denman]

If I were you; I wouldn't change what's been working so well...

[robtdonna]

I see no reason to spend a grand and clutter the handlebars when Bluetooth turn by turn is working ! Besides think of how many farkles $1000 will buy

[jaherbst]

Ordered the F3 totally stock ( because of accessory prices) but am considering the GPS. I use my Smartphone Navigator app now for those needs. Can anyone offer their opinion on why I should go for BRP GPS or is the Smartphone just as good? I get turn by turn through my Bluetooth now. Just curious what I'm missing to substantiate dropping most likely another 1,000 + on it.

Do Not Get the 660--Get the 665 if you get a GPS. You get XM, Traffic and reroute, Real time Weather as you ride i.e.. rain showers and thunderstorms, plus many other features the 660 doe not have. Last I checked you could get them online for $500-600. They are phasing in the new Garmin 590. To be standard on the new RT Limited shortly.

That having been said if you have a iPhone 6 plus or large Samsung you could get at least a readable screen while riding, XM radio and Weather without the Garmin 665.

Jack

[Highwayman2013]

The only problem I have with the smartphone navigation is when you get into rural areas and lose signal. I am trying out the Tom Tom Rider and so far I like it. $400 and it has a winding route feature. Not enough use to say it is more accurate than the Garmin 660, but the 660 has made far to many mistakes to warrant the cost.

[BikerDoc]

I am going with the smartphone on my F3.. I have found the navigation app on my smartphone to be vastly superior to the garmin gps that I have on my RTL. with Verizon I very seldom have any problem maintaining a signal even in remote areas

[spyder3]

I had the 660 & then the 665 on my spyder and bluetoothed into my helmet. Since, I have been using the iPhone on the new wheels and find the clarity & sound much louder and clearer in my helmet whether it be xm, nav directions or music loaded onto iPhone. Not sure why, but like it.

The iPhone 6 plus is probably in my future as to not clutter the cockpit with devices. Whatever works best for ya!

[MEP]

Looks like I'm in the minority but I prefer a dedicated GPS unit, and I have been a Garmin fan since the very early days. I'm just not willing to put my navigational needs in the hands of wireless carriers...the coverage in some areas is too spotty for my liking.

[markyodo]

The only problem I have with the smartphone navigation is when you get into rural areas and lose signal. I am trying out the Tom Tom Rider and so far I like it. $400 and it has a winding route feature. Not enough use to say it is more accurate than the Garmin 660, but the 660 has made far to many mistakes to warrant the cost.

Navigon or TomTom apps will give you the same functionality as a Garmin or TomTom unit and you won't need a data connection once you have the maps downloaded.

[Art Mann]

Here are a few comments from a new Spyder RT-S Ryder. I have used both a Samsung Galaxy IIIS and a Garmin Nuvi XXX mounted in the center of the handlebars and both work well for audio directions with a Bluetooth headset. The screen on the smartphone washes out completely in direct sunshine and the Nuvi nearly so. From that perspective I would recommend one of the Garmin motorcycle units which are a lot brighter. I personally like the user interface and navigation features of Google Maps better than Garmin products. Google Maps has one huge problem that has already been mentioned. If you try to create a new route while out of 3G/4G range, you simply won't be able to do it because the maps and route information are downloaded when you create a route. A current route is available without cell service but once you change it you can't get it back or create another route without 3G/4G. In this situation, I use a paid app that runs on Google devices and turns your smartphone or tablet into a stand alone GPS. Its called Copilot. With this app, you download maps of the entire USA, Canada and some other countries (assuming you have the spare memory). It works a lot like a Garmin GPS but the user interface is not as good as the Google one, in my opinion.

Edit: Just reading the original title, there was a mention of VZ Navigator. That is a Verizon add-on product. In my opinion, it is inferior to what you can get free using Google maps. I would definitely not spend extra for access to that product.

[GunDoctor]

Thanks for everyone's help. Big issue for me is powering up a GPS unit to the F3. I don't get along with electrical.

[GunDoctor]

Just downloaded Copilot, thanks. Will try that for now.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Just downloaded Copilot, thanks. Will try that for now.

Take a look at Sygic Navigation app, http://www.sygic.com/en. When I bought mine last year I looked at Copilot and decided that Sygic was a whole lot more capable, especially in terms of customization. It uses TomTom maps and offers a full functioning trial period. I run it on a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0. Here's my install: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...BRP-GPS-Part-1

[GunDoctor]

Downloaded that one also. Thanks

[Bob Denman]

Looks like I'm in the minority but I prefer a dedicated GPS unit, and I have been a Garmin fan since the very early days. I'm just not willing to put my navigational needs in the hands of wireless carriers...the coverage in some areas is too spotty for my liking.

Where I live; there's tons of areas without wireless coverage.

[Big F]

Ordered the F3 totally stock ( because of accessory prices) but am considering the GPS. I use my Smartphone Navigator app now for those needs. Can anyone offer their opinion on why I should go for BRP GPS or is the Smartphone just as good? I get turn by turn through my Bluetooth now. Just curious what I'm missing to substantiate dropping most likely another 1,000 + on it.

My two cents says stay with your smart phone!!
BIG F

[Gumbeau]

Do Not Get the 660--Get the 665 if you get a GPS. You get XM, Traffic and reroute, Real time Weather as you ride i.e.. rain showers and thunderstorms, plus many other features the 660 doe not have. Last I checked you could get them online for $500-600. They are phasing in the new Garmin 590. To be standard on the new RT Limited shortly.

That having been said if you have a iPhone 6 plus or large Samsung you could get at least a readable screen while riding, XM radio and Weather without the Garmin 665.

Jack

i have the 660 "built in" on my RTL. Are they interchangeable? Can I replace the 660 with the 665 directly?

[jaherbst]

i have the 660 "built in" on my RTL. Are they interchangeable? Can I replace the 660 with the 665 directly?

Short answer no, But if you change the GPS harness Yes. Another way that I did it was to change the cradle face (part with the pins). Works great.
Seven small screws on the back and unplug the two small boards. Plug in the boards and replace the seven small screws. New 665 harness on amazon for $50. You will need the new cradle only.

You will then get XM, WX, traffic and rerouting along with full time WX depicted on your GPS screen. You will need the XM 40 antennae which comes with the 665 and a subscription with XM/Sirius

Jack

[ahh-cool]

I have the 660. for me it is hard to see even with a hood on it20141124_134814.jpg

[ahh-cool]

You will then get XM, WX, traffic and rerouting along with full time WX depicted on your GPS screen. You will need the XM 40 antennae which comes with the 665 and a subscription with XM/Sirius
Jack

Jack how much does xm cost and is it a separate subscription for the weather and traffic?

[Bob Denman]

I have the 660. for me it is hard to see even with a hood on it20141124_134814.jpg

They're all hard to see...

[Fat Crip]

I've been using an iPhone 5 for SatNav with Maps originally, then Co
pilot and now TomTom. All work, but Maps is limited by 3G/4G coverage whereas dedicated apps hold the full maps. Co-Pilot was great, but a few times too many it crashed, so I now use TomTom and it's now on an iPhone 6.

The other issue, and it's huge, is power drain! To solve this I've fitted a double USB socket on the left speaker grill and a 12v socket on the right. The USB has an isolator switch as shorting it with rain could kill it. Both work great and the 12v, being directly connected to the battery relay terminals also gives me a way to quickly plug my Optimate battery tender in.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

They're all hard to see...

Another reason why I like my Samsung tablet as a GPS. The near vertical screen is fairly easy to read all the time except when the sun is directly behind me!

[ahh-cool]

for those of you using a tablet where do you put it

[jaherbst]

Jack how much does xm cost and is it a separate subscription for the weather and traffic?

Check with them. I have multiple accounts and pay a discounted price.

Jack