GPS Choice

[Scotts8826]

My wife has a friend who is offering us a Garmin product at half price. I don't need a GPS but when did need ever factor into farkles. I am going on a cross country trip next June so it could be handy. Anyway, I need to pick one. Which GPS is the Spyder community using? (and there are bonus points if it is a Garmin product)

[pegasus1300]

2012 RTL came with a Garmin 660. I like it,has a big screen and is easy to use. I also have a Garmin Nuvi 500 and that one works well also,older unit,not waterproof but it hasn't bothered it yet.

[Mazo EMS2]

I use a Garmin Nuvi 1450 in my truck. I use it on the Spyder when I think I'll need/want a GPS

[Bfromla]

My only garmin is the 660 that came with my STL is quite handy when you get the settings right & learn tricks. I really like the screen is glove friendly so i can use it with my glove on. I also set mine up to watch fuel gauge so at the right milage a icon will display & offer to redirect me to a gas station. It provides a list & gives option to choose. You can program the mileage warning so very handy. I am looking to add a kradlelock to help keep it locked on bike for next yr. I also have a
tom tom that is for the truck or on loan to family. Handy digital map basically but the OS (operational software) is different & can be confusing both are good but its more of what do you like?

[pitzerwm]

If you buy any used Garmin, sit right there and have them log into their Garmin account and change the login info to your email and password. If you don't you will not have lifetime maps which comes with all Garmins now.

[Bob Denman]

The current Garmin being offered with the Spyders, is the 590. For many years, they came with the 660.

[manxman]

My wife has a friend who is offering us a Garmin product at half price. I don't need a GPS but when did need ever factor into farkles. I am going on a cross country trip next June so it could be handy. Anyway, I need to pick one. Which GPS is the Spyder community using? (and there are bonus points if it is a Garmin product)

I picked a Garmin Drive Smart because it is a great GPS plus, you can see it in the daylight. It is a good unit.

[bmwlarry]

My first 2011 came with a 660 and now my 2015 has a 590. I love it!! Beware of the curvy road route planning - it can make a very short ride a very long one!

[nasty]

hi,
I had a 590 mount fitted, as I use this for my music etc on my other transport (Honda vfr 1200)
had the 550 previous, .

[Bob Denman]

My first 2011 came with a 660 and now my 2015 has a 590. I love it!! Beware of the curvy road route planning - it can make a very short ride a very long one!

Now THAT sounds like a useful feature! I'm going to have to upgrade!!

[nakerr]

I believe that the 2016+ are back to the 660. The 590 was only for 2015.

[Scotts8826]

Thanks for all the helpful input. I'll explore the 590 and 660 since they come with the Spyder.

[Lucky]

What I don't see mentioned often is the smart phone app that works with the 590 as well as the TPMS. Yes, there are other devices for TPMS but I like having fewer gizmos on my dash. The feature I absolutely love about the app is the ability to bring up radar over my route. I can then make an informed decision when the black clouds are ahead to re-route, duck for cover or ride on. It's the main reason I bought the 590 for my Harley and then added the mount for the Spyder. Smaller feature is the ability to shoot a contact from my phone to the Garmin to save the re-entry of an address.

[Stumpy6Guns]

If you buy any used Garmin, sit right there and have them log into their Garmin account and change the login info to your email and password. If you don't you will not have lifetime maps which comes with all Garmins now.

I got burned by this. I bought mine used from a dealer who didn't bother to get the login info from the previous owner, and a one-time map upgrade is fifty bucks. I still have old maps!

[thehawk]

I got burned by this. I bought mine used from a dealer who didn't bother to get the login info from the previous owner, and a one-time map upgrade is fifty bucks. I still have old maps!

Let me suggest a call to their technical support number and explain the situation. They might be able to help you. They are the most accommodating and reasonable people I have ever had on the other end of the phone! It is true customer service!

thehawk

[Dan McNally]

I got burned by this. I bought mine used from a dealer who didn't bother to get the login info from the previous owner, and a one-time map upgrade is fifty bucks. I still have old maps!

Let me suggest a call to their technical support number and explain the situation. They might be able to help you. They are the most accommodating and reasonable people I have ever had on the other end of the phone! It is true customer service!

thehawk

Same thing happened to me, once. I contacted Garmin and they were able to reset what they had in their system for the original owner so that I could register mine - but it took a few days - apparently they checked with the original owner to make sure it was not stolen.

I seem to recall Garmin telling me that if the original owner deletes it from his or her account, you can then register it and be able to do updates.

I have the 660 on my Spyder - very useful When I rode to Tucson and back, last year, I used it to ensure I wouldn't run out of gas - it has a feature that will tell you where the nearest gas stations are located - whenever I was approaching an exit that had a gas station, I'd check with the Garmin to see how far the next station was - as a result, there were a few times I'd stop and refuel when I still had half a tank or more, because the next station was a LONG way!

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Thanks for all the helpful input. I'll explore the 590 and 660 since they come with the Spyder.

I have not posted this in the For Sale section yet, but will be shortly -- have a Spyder "branded" Garmin 660 (includes the dealer list, is now updateable from BRP directly) that I will be selling. I swapped the 660 for a 590 because of the curvy road feature (hubby really likes the 590 on his Indian). Anyway the unit is almost new (four months of use) and includes EVERYTHING needed to install (the BRP bracket and wiring harness / mount for the center of handlebar for example). The BRP 660 is just over $1000 if you were to pick up from them and the bracket is $175. Since the unit is "slightly" used (4 months on my RT), I am asking $800 ... though that is not a firm price. It does come with lifetime maps and those stay with the unit; Garmin knows by serial number what devices are LM and those that are not.


PM me if interested ..... thanks .... Ann

[finless]

One warning about used GPS' is the battery inside.
After replacing batteries in about 20 different Garmin's for people now, it is something to consider.
If you hook the GPS to power on the Spyder then this does not matter.
Just letting you know.

Bob