Portable GPS Questions

[newbert]

I've tried using my portable GPS (which was bought for use with my car a few years ago) with my Spyder and it fails miserably. Out in the open sunshine, the screen is simply unreadable, and because I usually wear a mesh black and yellow reflective vest, all I see is black and yellow on the GPS screen.

So -- I'm considering purchasing a motorcycle GPS, and I'm looking for suggestions.

Must haves include:
- Screen is readable in bright sunlight
- Runs off of USB power (This requirement eliminates some of the Garmins I've looked at on Amazon)
- Completely autonomous, since I don't have a smartphone

Nice to haves:
- Twisty/Curvy Road mapping
- Avoid Highways and gravel roads mapping
- Warnings such as "Curve Ahead", Speed Zones, etc
- Audio Out to Wired Ear Buds and/or LOUD speakers
- The clearer, sharper the screen the better. The larger the fonts the better, as my eyesight isn't what it used to be and I don't ryde while wearing my reading glasses!

...and the lower the price or best bang for the buck, the better (of course).

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[Arion]

It's an interesting situation. I use my Garmin "auto" 57LM GPS on my 2015 RT-S and it is not generally difficult to read the screen, although it isn't perfect. It didn't irritate or fail me at a critical moment at all during our March trip frim San Antonio to Tucson and back (and we had perfect weather throughout the trip).

My wife's 2012 RT Limited came with the Zumo 550 (I believe that's the model but I can't check it because I'm 2400 miles from it) and it suffers similar sunlight and reflection-related viewability issues. I guess that's why it's so easy to find all manner of supposedly wonderous GPS shields.

I've also reached the age where I wear either bi-focal clear or sun glasses so I can read both the GPS and the instrument panel. Without the glasses even the best sunlight viewable high contrast GPS would be virtually useless to me. Ah, the disappointments of growing old.

[Mario]

Garmin nuevo 590 is best for your spyder

I've tried using my portable GPS (which was bought for use with my car a few years ago) with my Spyder and it fails miserably. Out in the open sunshine, the screen is simply unreadable, and because I usually wear a mesh black and yellow reflective vest, all I see is black and yellow on the GPS screen.

So -- I'm considering purchasing a motorcycle GPS, and I'm looking for suggestions.

Must haves include:
- Screen is readable in bright sunlight
- Runs off of USB power (This requirement eliminates some of the Garmins I've looked at on Amazon)
- Completely autonomous, since I don't have a smartphone

Nice to haves:
- Twisty/Curvy Road mapping
- Avoid Highways and gravel roads mapping
- Warnings such as "Curve Ahead", Speed Zones, etc
- Audio Out to Wired Ear Buds and/or LOUD speakers
- The clearer, sharper the screen the better. The larger the fonts the better, as my eyesight isn't what it used to be and I don't ryde while wearing my reading glasses!

...and the lower the price or best bang for the buck, the better (of course).

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[Easy Rider]

Garmin nuevo 590 is best for your spyder

I like mine, being integrated with the audio system and all BUT...........
With a retail price of something near $700 plus the mount/harness for a Spyder, I doubt that many people will be adding that model after buying a Spyder. I certainly wouldn't have one if it didn't come as part of the package.

[BoxyLady]

yea, I hate to tell the OP, but the 590/595 (I got the 595) checks all the boxes and is an amazing GPS unit. I have been using Garmins on my bikes for years, and this one is just fantastic. It is a high price for admission for sure.

The "adventurous navigation" feature in it is pretty cool. We have it set for max curves, max hills, and it takes us on interesting routes we never would have found on our own.

I really like the fact that it syncs up with an app on my phone so I can see right on the GPS screen when someone calls and when I get a text message, I can see a short portion of it to get an idea of what it is about. That way, I can decide if it's important enough to pull over and return the call or text.

[Charlottes Web]

I use Garmin drive smart 61 North America LMT-S. It's the best GPS I have. In May I did over 9000 miles trip cross country never had a problem see the GPS. It has a glass screen. It's very clear.
Chris

[newbert]

yea, I hate to tell the OP, but the 590/595 (I got the 595) checks all the boxes and is an amazing GPS unit. I have been using Garmins on my bikes for years, and this one is just fantastic. It is a high price for admission for sure.

The "adventurous navigation" feature in it is pretty cool. We have it set for max curves, max hills, and it takes us on interesting routes we never would have found on our own.

I really like the fact that it syncs up with an app on my phone so I can see right on the GPS screen when someone calls and when I get a text message, I can see a short portion of it to get an idea of what it is about. That way, I can decide if it's important enough to pull over and return the call or text.

Yup - Looks like a great unit but ---- I'm not sure whether it can run off of (not just be charged from) the Spyder's USB power and it certainly is PRICEY (Yikes !!!)

[stmike 1800]

I can see the screen just fine on my zumo 550 . It is getting dated but works for me ,on the sled,atv or the bike .

[Spyder 42]

I’ve been running a Zumo 550 for 10 years now. Two things, the BRP stock mounting spot puts the gps out of my sight line so I used a dash mount to bring it up. Second is to use a sun shade or hood to keep as much sunlight off the screen itself. Iirc, you can change the font size on the Zumo (not sure about the newer ones).

your requirement to only run on USB is going to be a problem. Garmin, and others, use the USB power to keep the battery charged, as the units will run on battery for a period of time once power is disconnected. I don’t see what external power only does for you but it’s your money. I just don’t think that there is a unit on the market that runs off external power only.

[bcer960]

I use a Tomtom ryder 400. I am very happy with it. I mounted it with ram balls on a JT dash mount with a 6" extension arm. Some other advantages to the Tomtom (which may be on other devices too) it is blue toothed to my helmet, it give milage to the next gas station, and can be programmed for straight, or adventurous rides, waterproof, and is pretty good in the sun, although I did get a shade for it. And will run on USB

Just my 2 cents....

Ray

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Another option, which I use, is to get a tablet like a Samsung Galaxy Tab A, 8" screen for less than $200. The pluses are, much less expensive, large screen, can use for email and web surfing when you're not riding. To use it as you want you can add a non-glare screen protector. The only time I have trouble seeing the screen is when the sun is directly behind me. It's not weather proof but I've never had a problem with it when it did get wet from rain. Then you need a GPS app. There are several out there and you'll have to check them out to see which one is best for you. I use Sygic but it is a car focused app, not motorcycle. To connect to the bike audio I turn on the Bluetooth on the tablet and have a BT receiver plugged into the GPS input of the audio.

[PistonBlown]

Yup - Looks like a great unit but ---- I'm not sure whether it can run off of (not just be charged from) the Spyder's USB power and it certainly is PRICEY (Yikes !!!)

I mucked about with trying to save money. Firstly by using a car GPS (I pinched from my wife:-)) and then phones/tablets with GPS software.

In the end I gave up and got a 590LM (predecessor to the 595LM)

Yes you have to wire the supplied harness in but that's simple to do.

Yes its expensive, this is because its specialised for use on a motorbike.

Firstly its waterproof so you don't have to worry about protecting it from the elements. Its also tougher than a normal GPS and handles vibration etc better. I've dropped mine a couple of times with no ill effects and I do ride on gravel roads that have caused vibration damage to other bits of my Spyder but the Garmin hasn't had an issue.

Another key factor for me has turned out to be that the interface is designed to work with motorcycle gloves on - makes it so much easier to use.

There's quite a few useful for biker features. E.g. it has landscape and portrait mode and I've found portrait is better on a bike.

Issues:
There is the 'Curvy Road' setting that will try and find you routes that a better for motorbikes, though I'm not so fond of this as I find it sometimes gets carried away and most roads in NZ are bike friendly anyway. I suspect in countries with more multi-lane highways this feature would be more useful, South Island NZ probably only has only has 10km worth so everything else is a curvy road:-)

Stopping the device re-planning your routes when you copy them over from Basecamp can be frustrating, but that's the same with every Garmin device. If you are preplanning routes then the Basecamp software takes some getting used to.

If you really need a GPS a lot then I think the 595LM may be the best long term solution - they do last once you've got one.

However if its an occasional thing then an alternative is the 396LM which is far cheaper and in the comparison report I read not that limited when compared to its bigger sister.

[newbert]

I’ve been running a Zumo 550 for 10 years now. Two things, the BRP stock mounting spot puts the gps out of my sight line so I used a dash mount to bring it up. Second is to use a sun shade or hood to keep as much sunlight off the screen itself. Iirc, you can change the font size on the Zumo (not sure about the newer ones).

your requirement to only run on USB is going to be a problem. Garmin, and others, use the USB power to keep the battery charged, as the units will run on battery for a period of time once power is disconnected. I don’t see what external power only does for you but it’s your money. I just don’t think that there is a unit on the market that runs off external power only.

Well, I was hoping to run a GPS off of USB power that I have available on my Spyder already. Or at least have the USB power maintain the charge on the GPS (while the GPS is in use). I'd just rather not settle for a GPS possibly running out of juice before my ride is over.

[hawkiii]

I have the Zumo 550. It is getting old and keeps displaying a failure message about port wiring after a couple hours but it still works. I do like the look of the 595LM. It could be time to upgrade.

[newbert]

...... However if its an occasional thing then an alternative is the 396LM which is far cheaper and in the comparison report I read not that limited when compared to its bigger sister.

Yeah, That's the one that I had been looking at on Amazon.

I'm just not sure about how to wire it for power .... (I'm not much of a DIYer - especially when it comes to power/electronics. )

[BoxyLady]

Yeah, That's the one that I had been looking at on Amazon.

I'm just not sure about how to wire it for power .... (I'm not much of a DIYer - especially when it comes to power/electronics. )

I'm not either :-) but I wired the 595 (and any GPS power would be the same I'm sure, two wires), into the F3 with absolutely no problem. There are 3 customer accessory harness locations on the bike with a two wire spade/lug termination. I just went to Home Depot, bought a crimper and a box of 18-22 size spade/lugs. Crimped those onto my GPS two power wires and plugged them into the customer accessory spade/lugs...

I used the accessory harness located under the passenger seat. You will have to pull off the side panels of the Spyder, but your owner's manual tells you how to do that and it's no big deal.

Trust me, I was really hesitant to do anything with the Spyder, but after reading all the very helpful advice from folks here, I dove in and tried it. I got mine wired in within 30 minutes and that included removing/replacing the side panels. His mount is great as it replaces the top bracket that holds the handle bars in place so installation is really easy.

Also, just a thought. I have mine mounted dead center of the handlebars using LaMonster's GPS mount. We can see the dash just fine, and their mount in that location allows the power wires to be virtually out of site.

[newbert]

Well, FWIW, I ordered a TomTom Rider 550. Should have it in about a week.

Thanks for all the info, everyone!

[Easy Rider]

I'm not sure whether it can run off of (not just be charged from) the Spyder's USB power

What does that mean ??
It has only one power input, which "runs" the unit and charges the battery.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

What does that mean ??
It has only one power input, which "runs" the unit and charges the battery.

If there is a mismatch in the device power draw and the USB adapter's output you can have a situation where having the device turned on it will discharge slowly even if it's plugged in. I have had that problem with my tablet at times, especially if I leave WiFi turned on while on the road and not in WiFi range. The adapter will charge the tablet when it's off, but not keep up with the power draw when it's turned on.

[Spyder 42]

That’s the reason I voiced a concern over USB power. At 5 VDC, it’s going to draw 2.5 times the current that a 12 VDC powered unit would, keeping power draw the same for the two units.

Hope that the TomTom works for you.

[Ramg66]

I installed the Garmin Nuvi 590 LM on my Spyder and I absolutely love it, I can see in broad daylight, can use with my gloves on and it actually can find things I'm looking for, unlike my older GPS's that are worthless.

[Fat Baxter]

Serendipitous discussion. Since my new car has GPS, that frees up the little Garmin Nuvi 40 that I've used for years. Smallish (3x5) but has lifetime maps. I'm also mechanically disinclined (especially with things electrical), so I've been researching for a very simple mount for my 2014 RT-S. Some of the mounting solutions out there cost twice what I paid for this Garmin! So far, the JT dash mount seems the simplest, but I'm not sure about running the wires through the instrument/dashboard pod. I read somewheres that you have to zip-tie the wires in a few places to keep them away from the windshield motor. Need more research.

Why use that Garmin? Because it's the one I've got! I prefer paper maps anyway, so mounting this is a bit of an affectation.