StreetPilot III or the new Quest?

Hey folks,
I am about to buy a new GPS for my bike and I have spent countless hours researching all of the units on this site and on others. I think I have it narrowed down and want some custom opinions now. I want a color screen, I want it to be easily readable while riding my bike (so it needs to be a decent size), and I need it to have batteries so I can easily use the unit for many different applications. The 2610 is hard-wire only so I have ruled it out. I am down to the Quest and the SPIII, I am finding them for very similar prices and they both seem to be pretty nice units. Am I missing anything else? I don't really want to spend more than $500-600 on a unit, and I need it to include the City Select mapping software. Just wanted to hear your opinions since many of you have used these units and it will be the first time for me. Thanks a lot!

SPIII has bigger screen

Quest has a faster processor and will calculate routes and redraw the screen faster.

US Quest has 115MB for mapping (European Quest has 243MB) whereas the SPIII can use 256MB max data cards.

SPIII will last about 3 hours on batteries.
Quest will last up to 20 hours (backlight off).
Only really an issue if you are going to do hiking or geocaching etc.
Both have enough battery life to let you do trip planning in a cafe or hotel.

SPIII comes with City Navigator.
Quest comes with City Select.
Both provide good autorouting instructions and identical visual mapping.

SPIII is not available new so may have older mapset.

If you need a hand-held unit, you need to look at the smaller units - there are several from Garmin. They even list the 276 in this category since it has batteries.

If you are looking at something to use on your bike, or in a vehicle, the two you should be considering are the 276 and the 2610. You've ruled out the 2610 already, so the 276 is probably what you should focus on. The SPIII is old technology and very slow in comparison to the 276 or 2610.

I use the 2610 in the car(s) and on my GS for paved routes only. I don't find the "hard-wire only" to be an issue. It works so fast, I don't need to have it off the bike or out of the car to work on the route.

As with all things technology - two new models are right around the corner:

http://www.garmin.com/products/sp320/

and

http://www.garmin.com/products/sp330/

I haven't even read all of the info yet - but my first guess is that the 330 has an inbuilt HDD - and the 320 takes memory cards... Also seems that they both have a new "3D View" - I've seen that in friends' cars - kinda neat.

I cant be sure, but I guessing they are not waterproof

Good guess. They're not. Check the specifications page:

"Case: Consumer grade/not waterproof"

thanks everyone. I guess I will rule out the SPIII. I am wondering if the Quest screen will be big enough to read easily while riding. The 276 looks great, but it is expensive and doesn't even come with City Select!

The GPSmap 276C is a great unit and definitely has the sharpest screen.
As it is not packaged you will end up paying a bit more for maps, mounts etc.

I would narrow it down to 2 or 3 units, check the specs and then go into a store and play with them.
Don't look at anything that you have not already researched and definitely don't buy anything on the first trip.
Then come home, re-read the specs and go back a week later and play again.

It is a learning thing with your first GPS.
The best units will cost you more but how many features do you need ?
And, of course, what is your budget ?

Don't worry, your second GPS will be perfect. And there will be a second GPS

I would go with the 276 model. Good screen etc. 711$ with maps is quite cheap. In Sweden it's 1500$ with maps.

Has anyone actually purchased and mounted the Quest?
Any photos of how it looks mounted-up on the bars?
Is there a solid way to mount it?

Thanks,
ThinAir

Take a look at the Garmin 76C or CS - rugged, waterproof, AA batteries and a very readable screen. I have one and like it.
The Quest uses 5 volts and there still is no bike cable/voltage converter for it. Dan

http://www.ram-mount-uk.com/

Look under 'Customer Galleries'

Any updates on production-based options for hard-wiring the Quest to a 12 volt system?

Thanks,
ThinAir

Garmin is supposed to have their quest motorcycle mount with integrated power out next month. If you can solder it is no big deal to make a powered system using inexpensive parts from Radio Shack and Garmins bycycle mount. That is what I am doing until garmins is available.

I have two different set ups - I use a Ram mount to attach to my 950 Adventure and a simple bracket on my 640 Adventure.

I haven't gotten around to setting up a smugmug account yet so if you want pictures let me know and I can email them to you.

I just bought the Garmin 276c and it came with Mapsource city. I am useing touratechs mount.

Here's a good motorcycle site with a side-by-side-comparison of the two:
http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/276vs2610.htm

care to share - how much (+/-) and where?

scroll down the page.....

http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/packages.htm

I have no interest or connection with them, but they are local.

Cycle Gadgets has a mount for the be Quest coming soon. Garmin is a custmer of mine and they use our LCD displays in their SP product line up as well as the GPSMAP 60 and 60C and the new Guest. The screen is compleately daylight readable and uses LED backlighting so the battery life is great.

The Quest gives you voice prompt with is not offered on the 60 product and the screen size (when in the Turn By Turn page) is large enough.

Regards
David
AnT Racing

thanks a lot for the info. After many hours of research, I am going to go with the Quest. It offers everything I need.