Recommend a scooter-friendly GPS

tshall · Post by **tshall** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:31 am

I've never had a portable GPS, but am thinking of getting one. Anybody have a favorite? Are there features that I should be particularly looking for?

Thanks.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:52 am

I've never had the need to use a GPS, but I am about to get an iPhone, so that will be it for me. The bonus being that if I still manage to get lost I can always call for help

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 12:44 pm

I have a garmin nuvi 550 which is motorcycle friendly (water proof-it can be used on boats also). I got it at gpscity.com . One of the main reasons I chose it is there is mount (also at gpscity) that can be easily moved from one scooter to the other. I never had a gps before, so I cannot compare it. It actually has a "scooter" mode. I am not sure what that means other than there is a scooter icon already installed. I am told an important feature is to have an audio out function so you can use an ear bud to hear prompts. I am able to hear w/o one except at highway speeds.

iwabj · Post by **iwabj** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 12:50 pm

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:21 pm

peabody99 wrote:I have a garmin nuvi 550 which is motorcycle friendly (water proof-it can be used on boats also).

+1 Garmin Nuvi 550(500)
difference is 500 is US loaded maps(upgradable), 550 is loaded with Canada & PR

I currently have a Nuvi 255 that works well - sort of.

255 is NOT waterproof, but a ziplock bag is a good cover if needed

255 battery is only good for about 4 hours - the 500/550 is rated for up to 7, nice for extended rides w/o power hookup.

255 is only point to point with one via point - cant program a rally route with multiple via points. the 550 is multi point programmable

I'm on the lookoput for a 550 when the price drops to $200, currently around $280. I'll upgrade if the price drops for the holidays

A Burgman friend of mine posted this in the BurgmanUSA BB

Bought a Nuvi 750 from WalMart for $168 and it included a free download of the latest maps and Garmin Map Source.

This 750 does exactly what I needed. I can log onto onto Garmin Map Source, plot my route using all back roads and multiple waypoints, hook up the 750 via. a USB connection to my laptop and upload the route I chose, directly into the 750. I still can't use Google Maps or Map Quest to download route's but Garmin Map Source works great. When I run the route with my 650 I get turn by turn instructions just like I want. This is great!!! If anyone is looking for a GPS without too many bells and whistles for plotting your own course using back roads I can recommend the Garmin Nuvi 750.

the 750 battery is rated for 4 hours (his is hard wired on his B650) and it is NOT waterproof but it does everything the more expensive models can do and a decent price.

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:21 pm

Yes mc models have better lighting for outdoor use

tshall · Post by **tshall** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:03 pm

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Looks like any of them would be an upgrade from my current system (printed out Google maps in the jacket pocket, combined with many moments of "oh, crap, did I turn right or left here?")

I've thought about the smartphone solution, but am not willing to pay the $80/month for service. My wife has an iPhone, and it's nice, but she uses it for work, and I don't.

It does look like the smartphones are about to seriously mess with the standalone GPS market, though. Maybe that will drive down prices.

I'll be watching the holiday sales, too; although I did see a source for the Garmin 500 (factory refurbished) for $200 on Ebay. Item 370288170834 if anyone's interested.

Kaos · Post by **Kaos** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:09 pm

tshall wrote:Thanks for the suggestions so far. Looks like any of them would be an upgrade from my current system (printed out Google maps in the jacket pocket, combined with many moments of "oh, crap, did I turn right or left here?")

I've thought about the smartphone solution, but am not willing to pay the $80/month for service. My wife has an iPhone, and it's nice, but she uses it for work, and I don't.

It does look like the smartphones are about to seriously mess with the standalone GPS market, though. Maybe that will drive down prices.

I'll be watching the holiday sales, too; although I did see a source for the Garmin 500 (factory refurbished) for $200 on Ebay. Item 370288170834 if anyone's interested.

+1, I've got SEVERAL GPS enables smart phones(G1, MyTouch, HTC Vogue, HTC Hero, Tilt2, Pure, Touch Pro2, can you tell I work for a phone company?) And they work great for scooter nav. I usually tie them to my bluetooth helmet com(a Cardo Scala Rider) and just have it speak the directions to me as I go from my jacket pocket.

tshall · Post by **tshall** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:26 pm

Kaos wrote:
+1, I've got SEVERAL GPS enables smart phones(G1, MyTouch, HTC Vogue, HTC Hero, Tilt2, Pure, Touch Pro2, can you tell I work for a phone company?) And they work great for scooter nav. I usually tie them to my bluetooth helmet com(a Cardo Scala Rider) and just have it speak the directions to me as I go from my jacket pocket.

That would be cool. I wonder if any of the standalone GPS units will talk to a Bluetooth headset?

Kaos · Post by **Kaos** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:46 pm

tshall wrote:
Kaos wrote:
+1, I've got SEVERAL GPS enables smart phones(G1, MyTouch, HTC Vogue, HTC Hero, Tilt2, Pure, Touch Pro2, can you tell I work for a phone company?) And they work great for scooter nav. I usually tie them to my bluetooth helmet com(a Cardo Scala Rider) and just have it speak the directions to me as I go from my jacket pocket.
That would be cool. I wonder if any of the standalone GPS units will talk to a Bluetooth headset?

A few of them will. I know Garmin has one, but I forget the model. So does Tomtom if I remember...

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:45 pm

Skootz Kabootz wrote:I've never had the need to use a GPS, but I am about to get an iPhone, so that will be it for me. The bonus being that if I still manage to get lost I can always call for help

If you want read out street names and alerts, you'll need to buy a subscription or unlimited use GPS application for the iphone. It doesnt have a real GPS system or app built in. Unless you mean just use google maps for step by step text directions you will have to physically read.

brape · Post by **brape** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:46 pm

I have a garmin nuvi (a cheap mode) it has an avoid highway setting that I suppose would be good if I ever tried to use it on the scooter. I'm tempted to get Givi GPS holder for it.

hardd1 · Post by **hardd1** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:23 am

blackberry curve with my bluetooth dialed in provides a voice turn-by-turn adventure...

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:29 am

My GPS. Lefts are in red because they're more dangerous

I asked one of the old-timers at school (he's been riding over 50 years) and he's partial to paper maps. I wanted to believe him until I went on a ride with our new-to-us Garmin Street Pilot. It's hacked to all get out and sent us on a goose chase route that was a blast to ride and got us to where we wanted to go (the pub...we were able to program in ahead of time all the pub locations). I'm a judicious user of technology but I'm never going back to paper. Moto-specific and hackable is the way to go.

iwabj · Post by **iwabj** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:40 am

DanteG · Post by **DanteG** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:31 pm

I use an older Garmin - the Streetpilot 2820. Bluetooth, major road avoidance, detours on the fly ... it has it. It's also the size of a small brick, but it works and was purchased as a closeout. RAM makes a mount, and it's worked for me through all sorts of conditions.

Try to buy something that's bike-purposed. The buttons are bigger, allowing for use with gloves. The screen is less likely to flare, and the waterproof/water-resistant feature is nice to have.

Modern Buddy

Recommend a scooter-friendly GPS

Recommend a scooter-friendly GPS

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