BEST GPS system???....

[daotoys1]

I have a KTM 640 Adventurer, and Im getting a BMW R 1200GS....

Id like to buy the best and most durable/reliable but user friendly GPS system ....my plan would be to have both bikes setup for it, and be able to move the GPS unit from bike to bike as needed....

Any ideas???....also where in the USA and/or Canada is a good place to buy...

Im thinking maybe the Tourtech mounts and a Garmin of some sort...but just like computers and most things high tech....the GPS systems are totally new to me...I have seen them, but never used one...

Thanks for any help..

[DangerMoney]

To learn about GPSRs (GPS Receivers) start with

http://gpsinformation.net/

If you're going to buy a mapping GPSR remember only Garmin *maps* can be download to Garmin GPSRs, only Magellan *maps* can be downloaded to Magellan GPSRs. There are any number of 3rd party products that can be used to upload/download waypoints/routes/etc to/from the unit regardless of the brand.


I've purchased from
http://www.gpsnow.com/
http://www.tvnav.com/

Both had the products in stock, were easy to deal with and the items arrived on or before the estimated date. Others here can recommend additional dealers.

Garmin and Magellan are the two big players in the GPSR market so buying either brand is a safe bet. Don't buy a Garmin 2620 for a bike. It contains a micro disk drive which will fail under the vibration of a bike. If you like that model, get the 2610 which uses removable media instead of the drive.

I'd strongly recommend going to retail store and playing with the units to see how they feel in your hand and how easy is it to operate in the field. Also note if the display washes out in sunlight and if can it be read when wearing polarized sunglasses and/or tinted face shield.

More stuff to clarify/confuse/complicate/ease your decision:
http://www.garmin.com/
http://www.magellangps.com/en/
http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/276vs2610.htm
http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products...rod=RAM-GPSIII
http://www.hoonhardware.com/RAM_Mounter/ram_mounter.htm

Regarding water resistance, from Garmin's website:
"Most Garmin GPS units are waterproof in accordance with IEC 529 IPX7. IEC 529 is a European system of test specification standards for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment. An IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. An IPX7 designation is given to all eTrex models. While the case of the GPS unit is waterproof, the battery compartment is not. Upon exposure to the elements, water may leak into the battery compartment and could cause corrosion of the batteries, as with any electronic devise. If water does enter the battery compartment, simply dry the battery compartment thoroughly and install new batteries. "

[chromedome]

I have the Garmin Street Pilot III, which is the precurser to the 2610 (same functions without the cool touch screen) and it has been absolutely bulletproof.

The mounts from Touratech and GadgetGuy are really nice and secure, and make the unit easily swappable from bike to car.

I've run my on my Ducati and Harley (waaayyy vibrations) with no problems. While you can still find the SPIII on closeout for around $700, I'd definitely spring for the 2610 (around $900 from GadgetGuy). It has the touch screen (great for gloves) and a faster processor that speeds up route calculation if you get "off route".

By comparison, we have a $3000 Lowrance unit (10.5" screen) on our boat, and the map graphics are crap compared to the detail in the Garmin road maps. Be sure to buy the unit with the "deluxe package" that includes the maps for the entire US, or you'll have to buy them separately. If you're travelling Internationally, just purchase and download the maps online.

Oh, and another cool thing about the 2610: The SPIII used a funky proprietary memory cartridge to store maps... The 2610 uses garden-variety Compact Flash memory cards that are cheap and easy to find, and available in HUGE capacities of up to 8 gigs now.

[Lone Rider]

P a p e r M a p s do not require batteries.

[BurnieM]

Originally Posted by Lone Rider

P a p e r M a p s do not require batteries.

Paper maps are not waterproof (it had to be said)

Any navigation tool has pluses and minuses.
As long as you allow for them and take a backup then it is not an issue.
I agree that you should also take paper maps (but don't get them wet )

[Too Many Toys]

Originally Posted by Lone Rider

P a p e r M a p s do not require batteries.

But are a bitch to use while 'in-flight'

[Mack]

I'd take a good look at the 276, for my money it's a nice combination of size and resolution.

PS: Thanks for sending the pics of the ADV my way, I think I forgot to thank you at the time. Looks like a great tool for the twisties.

[Too Many Toys]

I've used a Garmin GPS V & now a Garmin GPS 276C.

I can't think of anything else I'd want in a M/C GPS that the 276C doesn't offer. It is basically a marine unit, so the display is awesome in bright sunlight. It has auto-routing. The size is great, not too small, not to big. It has a ni-cad battery so you can take it off the bike (like in to a restaurant) to plan routes, etc. One (highly over-priced proprietary) 256K memory card will hold the better part of the Midwest. On course you can buy multiple cards & carry the whole U.S. with you.

I use it with a Touratech / RAM mount combination. I think I’ll ditch the RAM mount & mount the Touratech directly to something, as the RAM mount bounces a bit on rough roads.

Not affiliated with Garmin, blah, blah, blah. Just have had great luck with their products.

[Makalu]

Originally Posted by BurnieM

Paper maps are not waterproof (it had to be said)

Any navigation tool has pluses and minuses.
As long as you allow for them and take a backup then it is not an issue.
I agree that you should also take paper maps (but don't get them wet )

Actually paper maps can be easily made waterproof, either by coating them or laminating them. If all else fails, place them in a zip lock bag.

[dhaynes]

I've been using a Garmin eTrex Vista for about a year and a half now. I'm going to 'upgrade' to the newer model (Vista C) simply because it has a USB interface (the old one is serial port) so that's one less cable I have to drag on long trips. I upload the track data every night to a laptop, along with voice notes I take on my digital voice recorder and still pictures from the digital camera and the camcorder.

The Vista handles all the simple chores just fine. I've got the topo maps but in reality all I've ever needed is the base map. Mind you I haven't had any specific locations I wanted to go to - though the new Vista C has the ability to route.

I like my high tech toys and have many of them - but I always opt for the simplest solution. The Vista has the advantage that it can be hand carried if you do any hiking.

Speaking of USB interface thingies - for those of you out there who are also techno-geeks, here's the best cable invention ever. Still don't know about longevity, but *dang* is it a nice solution - a retracting USB cable:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...107-918&depa=0

They also have A to B and Firewire (1394) cables. I've got two of the USB cables and one firewire and so far they've worked great - but they haven't been "field abused" yet.

[Gerg]

Another vote for the 276C

My old eyes couldn't see the Garmin V any more so I upgraded to the 276C. Great unit. Last time I checked these guys had the best price.

Gerg

[dhaynes]

Oh yeah - and as someone pointed out, gpsnow.com has the stuff - in particular they have a handy feature comparison chart for the Garmins.

BTW you can find "cheaper" prices than gpsnow.com but every case that I found (via nextag.com) where it was significantly cheaper the vendor's advertised price conveniently *included* the Garmin $50 mail-in rebate. Wasn't that nice of them.

I'm not associated with gpsnow.com but my purchase from them was hassle free and I will be buying the Vista C from them soon.

[ZZR_Ron]

A great site for info and pricing is gpscentral.ca. (if you are in Canada)

The best prices I've found, plus you save the provincial sales tax, because they're in alberta.

[stevenknapp]

It has a ni-cad battery so you can take it off the bike (like in to a restaurant) to plan routes, etc.

The Garmin actually has a lithium ion battery, including the smarts to give a reasonably accurate time-til-empty gauge.

And FWIW, it's good enough to be out for a full day (9am-midnight) in <20F weather and still be more than 1/2 full. This is with the backlight off during the day, which IMHO isn't needed anyways, and dim at night. I was impressed.

I've been really happy with the 276C.

[svwayne]

Check out the Lowrance iFinder H2O and iWay units. Lowrance's MapCreate 6.3 includes topo and hunting\fishing databases along with roads and POIs (points-of-interest). You will need to buy 3 different software packages from Garmin for the same coverage. The iFinder is waterproof, runs on AA or 12Vdc, has a high res screen, and utilizes SD\MMC memory card technology which means you can carry as much detailed map info as you want and won't need access to a PC when on the road.