Next Garmin product?

[Jacpod]

I'm in the market for a GPS, but wonder whether holding off buying a few months will get me a next generation Garmin? Might as well wait while there is snow on the ground...

Any news on a new Garmin for motorcycle use coming out? Thus far I'm thinking of the 276C.

Thanks for your advice.

[bmwhd]

Originally Posted by Jacpod

I'm in the market for a GPS, but wonder whether holding off buying a few months will get me a next generation Garmin? Might as well wait while there is snow on the ground...

Any news on a new Garmin for motorcycle use coming out? Thus far I'm thinking of the 276C.

Thanks for your advice.

I have no hard facts. Conjecture only. YMMV, etc. However, I feel strongly that a transportable (auto, bike, etc.) unit that combines autorouting AND live weather radar is in the works. They already offer that on their large marine units. I'm going to hold out on replacing my SPIII a bit longer...

[BurnieM]

GPS are like PCs;
there will always be a faster, cheaper unit just around the corner.
At a certain point in time you just have to bite the bullet and pick the best available at the time.

For motorcycle use I would be considering the GPSmap 276C or SP2610 or Quest

No, I have not heard of a better unit coming for motorcycle use but.....
Yes, almost certainly there will be one within the next 12 months.

[jas_]

Originally Posted by bmwhd

I have no hard facts. Conjecture only. YMMV, etc. However, I feel strongly that a transportable (auto, bike, etc.) unit that combines autorouting AND live weather radar is in the works. They already offer that on their large marine units. I'm going to hold out on replacing my SPIII a bit longer...

While that would be extremely cool, I doubt that the 'live weather radar' could happen in a car or a motorcycle. AFAIK that feature pretty much requires the large rotating dish/antenna often seen on boats.

Has anybody done any research on what the typical Garmin product cycle times seem to be? Surely the 276c is due for an update soon.

[bmwhd]

Originally Posted by jas_

While that would be extremely cool, I doubt that the 'live weather radar' could happen in a car or a motorcycle. AFAIK that feature pretty much requires the large rotating dish/antenna often seen on boats.

Has anybody done any research on what the typical Garmin product cycle times seem to be? Surely the 276c is due for an update soon.

Should have said "near real time" in place of "live". I was talking about integrating radar data downloaded from a provider (sat or wifi) and overlaying that on the map screen. There's systems out that do that now but the form factor is still a bit large for a bike.

[Jacpod]

Thanks you all. I will wait a while--at least until I can ride safely without ice on the roads. But nothing new might come the next two months. We'll have to see...

[PETDOC]

Read Garmin's annual report and they indicated 60 new products will be introduced over the next year. Didn't give any breakdown on what areas will be targeted, although they did sign a deal with MOPAR.

[RBJ]

Originally Posted by bmwhd

Should have said "near real time" in place of "live". I was talking about integrating radar data downloaded from a provider (sat or wifi) and overlaying that on the map screen. There's systems out that do that now but the form factor is still a bit large for a bike.

Shouldn't be a big deal, my brothers blackberry has full access to the internet via the cell-phone modem and you can download live weather images. It also has blue tooth and you can send this info out to your other devices. Doesn't seem to implausible to have the blackberry either displaying this info or sending it to a GPS or laptop.

[BurnieM]

Can I suggest that adding features like this that require an external limited coverage network (cellphones/wifi etc) is not that helpful in rural areas where you really need it ?

The G means 'Global' and designers need to start thinking that way

I live in the largest city in Australia (pop 4 million) and our favourite 400 km (250 mi) loop just north has no cellphone coverage for 80% of its distance.

[tiefflieger]

There is a system for aircraft that pulls weather from an XM satellite receiver. It's only a few minutes old. Shouldn't be too hard to integrate into an automotive/bike unit!

[Asshat]

dont know your risk factor but this looks interesting....

http://www.tomtom.com/products/produ...=71&Language=4


regards,
terry

[frewhl]

Originally Posted by Jacpod

Thanks you all. I will wait a while--at least until I can ride safely without ice on the roads. But nothing new might come the next two months. We'll have to see...

as a dealer i get the idea a unit will e discontinued soon after a $50 rebate ends.
there in no rebate on the 276c.
2610 does not look good enough in real life.
don't fret over having to buy a garmin chip,they are not so expensive and it is a one time deal.

[Jacpod]

Thanks Frewhl,

I think I am going to do as you recommend.

[dbsbmr]

love love my 276c best ever..does everything it is suppossed to...

[Kaumajet]

Originally Posted by frewhl

as a dealer i get the idea a unit will e discontinued soon after a $50 rebate ends.
there in no rebate on the 276c.
2610 does not look good enough in real life.
don't fret over having to buy a garmin chip,they are not so expensive and it is a one time deal.

Good advice. Short of providing weather radar data over the internet, the 276 can't be beaten. Online access may come someday, but how much whiz-bang do we really need in front of us when riding?