Time for a New GPS...Which One?

[fr8pilot1]

All,

I just found my old Garmin GPS V, but after researching mounts for the bike, I will have more in accessories than the unit is worth...plus it is slow and outdated.

I read all of the post I could find in this forum, but it appears it has been awhile since there has been a update on GPS units. I would be interested in hearing what this group has to say about which GPS to buy. I plan to use it for more than just my current location, time and speed.

I am not a stranger to GPS, mostly in a aircraft, but am not up to speed as to the best GPS for motorcycle applications. Will be using this on my 2003 1150RT

Thanks in advance.

[rockosmith]

Can't go wrong with any of the Garmin Zumo family.

[Norwood]

[Quote+=I plan to use it for more than just my current location, time and speed.[/Quote]

Can't go wrong with any of the Garmin Zumo family.

Good advice on the Zumo.. now how important is Music, Radar, Bluetooth? off road riding or trail riding.... if not...go with Zumo without all that...
The Zumo is motorcycle GPS...waterproof and shockproof...other models are on the market and it changes every few months...some are more designed for off road riding as well...

Some go with much less expensive units...they work...but need to consider covering them during the rain....does the unit route or is it a waypoint to waypoint unit?

I would suggest starting with Zumo 660 and then look and compare from there...

hope this helps..

[Vance]

Zumo is intuitive and easy to use. Pretty darn reliable and available in a couple different versions depending on bells and whistles you want. I am using hte Montana which is not quite as firendly in some regards but is much more durable for off road. If you are using it mainly on the RT...I agree with the guys above...go Zumo....

[R90srider]

Good advice all.

Both the Zumo 550 and 660/665 are excellent GPS devices for use on a motorcycle. I've had both and and found them to be user friendly. They are Bluetooth capable and use mini SD cards for MP3 music, photos and maps. The 665 also comes with an XM antenna for satellite music, traffic and weather programming.

If your decision is to purchase a Zumo, check out Norwood's Basecamp tutorial on our forums. Using it will greatly help you to learn how to use the Basecamp mapping and route planning software. Additionally, there are several club members that can help you with setting up and using your Zumo.

[fr8pilot1]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the excellent info. Now to make the decision.

Next order of business is to put a shelf on the bike so I can mount a couple of items...including the gps and a spot.

[jdubeemer]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the excellent info. Now to make the decision.

Next order of business is to put a shelf on the bike so I can mount a couple of items...including the gps and a spot.

Hi Paul, The Zumo is intended to be mounted with Ram Mounts. It also comes with an additional car windshield mount. You should easily find a place to add ram mounts to your Beemer and easily transfer to a spot on that Indian. Love my Zumo. There isn't a huge learning curve to using the Zumo unless you desire to load a lot of routes from your PC. I never have had the patience to do more than put in a destination and hit go with the exception of adding a way point to deviate around something. Kind of like having to fly airways or going direct. If you are like me direct is preferable.

[fr8pilot1]

Jim,

One of my favorite phrases..."UPS, cleared present position direct...". One night climbing out of SDF at about FL 200 center cleared us direct HNL. Sure beats loading all of the waypoints for an Atlantic crossing.

What is the model of your current Zumo?

[Norwood]

Agree with Jim... the Ram mounts are many for different items.... Spot has it own cradle as well via Ram... I have used shelf as well...but prefer Ram Mounts..interchangeable, easy to move, easy to remove your items, adjustable with heights as well.. not that expensive as compared to custom mounts and shelf(s)

http://www.rammount.com/products/motorcyclemounts/tabid/128/default.aspx#/

[fr8pilot1]

Don,

Agree the Ram mounts would be flexible, but I like the way the shelf allows you to put it above the instruments directly in front of you with no movement caused by movement from the handlebars. Sort of like an EFIS display on the aircraft I used to fly. It's something I used too.

I looked at the Ram mounts and didn't see any stationary options available for the RT...but I will keep looking as I am sure someone has come up with what would work for me.

thanks

[Norwood]

Don,

Agree the Ram mounts would be flexible, but I like the way the shelf allows you to put it above the instruments directly in front of you with no movement caused by movement from the handlebars. Sort of like an EFIS display on the aircraft I used to fly. It's something I used too.

I looked at the Ram mounts and didn't see any stationary options available for the RT...but I will keep looking as I am sure someone has come up with what would work for me.

thanks

Understand, everyone has to find their own comfort level.... While this is not related to a RT...but few years back I had a shelf that attached and covered the space around my instrument panel on GSA... really liked it...then on a long distance ride in the middle of no where.... I lost a headlight bulb. I quickly found that my fat hand could not longer fit in the space remaining or around my shelf to do a simple install of the bulb... had to pull the shelf to change the bulb...needless to say the shelf was canned at that very point.. having said that... on my LT several years ago.. that neat shelf that came across the top to panel that I really like...

Seeing you and Jim post about flying...wish was still able to fly now with the use of GPS .... sure beat the old ADF on a windy day! then with dual DME I thought I was in "hog (BMW) heaven") :-)

[fr8pilot1]

Indeed, GPS has changed the way we fly. ADF and NDB approaches can now be flown with almost the same precision as an ILS approach. While I can't say I miss the "good old' days I am glad my aviation roots are grounded in needle, ball and airspeed and relying on seat of the pants flying. After all, when the "magic" goes away...that's all you got left.

[R100R Rider]

Here is what I used to mount my zumo on a shelf on an RT100.

http://www.rammount.com/Products/Components/tabid/798/Default.aspx

With this attached to the shelf, you can use any of the other ram mounts.

[fr8pilot1]

That will work...I saw those mounts, but I had handlebar options on my mind and didn't even think about drilling 4 holes in the shelf and mounting it that way....thanks

Project officially on hold for a few days as I have been called to go up to Louisville, via cage

Wife said she and the puppies were staying home, where it's warmer.

Everyone thanks for your help and suggestions...I now have a plan of action that will work for me.

[jdubeemer]

Paul if you are going through CHA on your way to or from SDF be advised that Pandoras has Zumo newest model on sale for $650 witch is supposed to be $50 cheaper than any other supplier. (according to them)