Maybe a Stupid Question

[Papa]

I must be missing something so I am turning to all of you to set me straight. The question is GPS. Why are all the options I see (BRP, Zumo) so expensive? I can get a really good unit for the cage for $150 but all the ones I see are >$750 for the :spyder2:.

So, what am I missing and what are the options? Thanks for any help.

 

[Justin]

I must be missing something so I am turning to all of you to set me straight. The question is GPS. Why are all the options I see (BRP, Zumo) so expensive? I can get a really good unit for the cage for $150 but all the ones I see are >$750 for the :spyder2:.

So, what am I missing and what are the options? Thanks for any help.

Basically features and weather proof. I just run the nuvi 265w on my spyder. Just take it off if it rains.

 

[canam9]

Basically features and weather proof. I just run the nuvi 265w on my spyder. Just take it off if it rains.

:agree: :ani29:

 

[boborgera]

I must be missing something so I am turning to all of you to set me straight. The question is GPS. Why are all the options I see (BRP, Zumo) so expensive? I can get a really good unit for the cage for $150 but all the ones I see are >$750 for the :spyder2:.

So, what am I missing and what are the options? Thanks for any help.

People that own Spyders have more disposable income than Cager's
SOoo the Spyder likes to dispose it.:roflblack:

 

[Papa]

Can you tell me what mounting system you are using?

 

[bobbobtar]

I use a Garmin 855, when it rains I use a $ .01 sandwich bag with a rubber band.

 

[mxz600]

I might be wrong but it could be as simple as supply and demand. I know a lot of people that have a GPS for their car and very few that have them on their bike. That plus the fact there are many more cars and trucks on the road than motorcycles.
I know nothing about a motorcycle GPS, maybe they are feature rich. But I do know weather & shock proofing alone doesn't add $500.00 to the cost of a device.

 

[Bob Denman]

I've just started looking at these GPS units that are motorcycle friendly... Waterproofing and left-handed operation seem to be the . Can Am's $1200:shocked: option can be duplicated with a Zumo 660 and a mounting bracket for about $750 with all new pieces... and there's got to be some bargains out there somewhere!
I'll keep looking because so many of our trips involve pointing the bike "Thataway"... and then finding an interesting way home...

 

[mxz600]

Can you tell me what mounting system you are using?

I mount mine over the speedometer as far to the left and as low as I can get it using the suction cup on my Tom Tom. I haven't lost it yet. I can still see my temp gauge and turn signal indicator and use the digital readout for speed.

 

[WackyDan]

Well... Motorcycle GPS's tend to have some but not always all of the following features:

- Glove friendly
- Left hand friendly
- weather proof
- vibration proof
- XM radio capability
- blue tooth for linking to phone/helmet
-Zumo 665 has a weather radar capability
-Zumos have swappable batteries.

Now.. I use a Garmin 1300t on my Spyder fitted via a ram mount to my CHAD brackets.

I can buy four 1300's for the price of the Garmin Zumo 665. I put a ziplock bag over the gps and mount when it rains. I've run it for about 11,000 miles and it is still working.

Now I would love the Zumo so I wouldn't have to worry about longer term vibration and weather... and I really want the XM radio... But the price is too steep for me at the moment, and at least if I have to buy another cheap Garmin, I get a free map update.

I will point out however, that if you buy a really cheap GPS you will find various reasons to hate it. I think $150-$175 today buys you a good balance between affordability and features you may want + screen size.

I've found that Magellan makes utter crap for GPS's and their support sucks since they were bought by another company. Too bad as I thought they had a better user interface/GUI.

I've not used a Tom Tom that I can say I honestly liked...

Garmins seem to hold up well, and I've been really happy with mine.

 

[Dudley]

My GPS is very basic. Actually I call it a JPS, "J" for Jennifer (wife). Before we leave for a destination that's unfamiliar, we google for the map, address, etc. Jennifer takes notes and off we go. She is a great navigator and we have yet to get lost. She is water, dust, shock proof and will never run out of energy. But she is VERY expensive!!!!

 

[draboo]

My GPS is very basic. Actually I call it a JPS, "J" for Jennifer (wife). Before we leave for a destination that's unfamiliar, we google for the map, address, etc. Jennifer takes notes and of we go. She is a great navigator and we have yet to get lost. She is water, dust, shock proof and will never run out of energy. But she is VERY expensive!!!!

Mine supports itself. In fact, I make out on the deal! Except on those days when she changes into a PMS.:roflblack: Then,there are the days in the winter when she becomes a PITA.

Now,I only hope she lost her Spyderlovers password!!nojokeray:

 

[ataDude]

Hint... there are two Garmin Nuvis for cars (500 and 550) that are waterproof. They're not the wide screen, which I have in the car (a 660), but they do work well.

They are basic GPS only... no music, no nothing, except for maps.

Retail: $299. You can often buy them for $220-230.


.

 

[Eraser]

My GPS is very basic. Actually I call it a JPS, "J" for Jennifer (wife). Before we leave for a destination that's unfamiliar, we google for the map, address, etc. Jennifer takes notes and of we go. She is a great navigator and we have yet to get lost. She is water, dust, shock proof and will never run out of energy. But she is VERY expensive!!!!

:roflblack:I have one of those too,the Debbie model!

 

[Bob Denman]

I really don't want to ask this.. but... Are they waterproof and can they be operated with your left hand??? hyea::roflblack::shocked:
Now that I'm in trouble...

 

[Firefly]

Garmin makes the best GPS units on the planet--- hands down better than other brands.

The Zumo units are specifically made for MC use. My Zumo 550 is TOUGH! I've dropped it plenty of times--- no problems. Vibration proof, water proof, great unit.

As with most things--- you get what you pay for.

Hands down--- the Zumo 500 is the #1 mod I've added to my Spyder. :thumbup:

 

[Dudley]

I really don't want to ask this.. but... Are they waterproof and can they be operated with your left hand??? hyea::roflblack::shocked:
Now that I'm in trouble...

Yep, my JPS is waterproof. But, she is automatically operated and she controls that part.

 

[Wheeler~]

My GPS is very basic. Actually I call it a JPS, "J" for Jennifer (wife). Before we leave for a destination that's unfamiliar, we google for the map, address, etc. Jennifer takes notes and of we go. She is a great navigator and we have yet to get lost. She is water, dust, shock proof and will never run out of energy. But she is VERY expensive!!!!

:2thumbs:

 

[NancysToy]

Hint... there are two Garmin Nuvis for cars (500 and 550) that are waterproof. They're not the wide screen, which I have in the car (a 660), but they do work well.

They are basic GPS only... no music, no nothing, except for maps.

Retail: $299. You can often buy them for $220-230.


.

When my Lowrance XOG died a few days before the trip to Lamont's BBQ, I bought a Nuvi 550. Basically, I am cheap! I like the smaller screen. Took a little getting used to the new interface, but I like the Garmin. The biggest drawback to the waterproof Nuvis is that they have no audio output jack. The volume is too low to hear on the Spyder, especially with earplugs. That means I have to watch the screen instead of listening to the directions in my helmet speakers, but it is OK for a low tech old duff like me, that is used to maps in a tankbag. BTW, GPS City has RAM mounts for the Nuvi 500/550.