Consensus on mid-range GPS unit?

[notarat]

I'm in the market to pick up a GPS Unit and I was looking through Amazon at the different ones that are available and noticed there is such a range of prices...$100 all the way up to $900+ for a new 550.

What's the consensus on a decently equipped mid-range unit these days?

Obviously, it'll be for the bike, and I do plan off-roading with it so it will need to be a sturdy little unit, but I don't really need the top-of-the-line features of the 550.

Any recommendations for a particular model or mfgr?

[FatChance]

Between $100 and $900 the best mid-priced full-function GPS for your purposes would be the $459 Garmin Montana 600 (GPSCity HERE). It is also arguably the best (irrespective of price) GPS for motorcycle use available. You know there is already a whole sub-forum here about selecting the best GPS?

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by FatChance

Between $100 and $900 the best mid-priced full-function GPS for your purposes would be the $459 Garmin Montana 600 (GPSCity HERE). It is also arguably the best (irrespective of price) GPS for motorcycle use available. You know there is already a whole sub-forum here about selecting the best GPS?

Ditto that.

[notarat]

Okay. I was checking out the Montana thread but haven't progressed very far into it so there seemed to be some issues with the Montana.

I will finish the thread and then likely buy one off the 'zon tonight.

Thanks for the information!

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by notarat

Okay. I was checking out the Montana thread but haven't progressed very far into it so there seemed to be some issues with the Montana.

I will finish the thread and then likely buy one off the 'zon tonight.

Thanks for the information!

Amazon is the last place to buy from, unless you like paying more than you need to.

No idea where you are but the best prices in Canada and the US are usually at http://www.GPSCity.ca or http://www.GPSCentral.ca (or .com - substitute as necessary)

[Countdown]

Originally Posted by notarat

What's the consensus on a decently equipped mid-range unit these days?

Same as for consensus on Tires and Oil.

[byways]

[EmmEff]

Originally Posted by notarat

Okay. I was checking out the Montana thread but haven't progressed very far into it so there seemed to be some issues with the Montana.

Let's just say it seems to be among those with the least unmanageable issues

[abhibeckert]

Originally Posted by Countdown

Same as for consensus on Tires and Oil.

+1 I would never buy a montana. You couldn't pay me to choose that over just about any smartphone.

[HogWild]

Originally Posted by abhibeckert

+1 I would never buy a montana. You couldn't pay me to choose that over just about any smartphone.

And you couldn't pay me to use a Montana nor a smartphone when a robust proven cheap common Garmin 76Cx does everything I need. There is no such thing as a consensus on GPS units.

[Han Solo]

Reading through all these posts and researching the models I've come up with two options. I'm looking for something I can ride the TAT with, so mostly off road and I'm riding a WR 250 R.

It seems to me there are two models that are below $200 and will navigate off road and allow you to enter your own off road routes.

The Garmin 60CSX inputting routes, topo, etc but the screen seems a little small.

Also considering the Garmin Nuvi 500 which can also do both of these things I think.

I guess these might be considered more "low end" considering their prices -$160-$250 but why pay more?

(Why is everyone who posts the forbidden question "what gps is right for me?" referred to a thread that hasn't had an entry since March 14th of 2010? Am I missing a continuation somewhere?)

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by abhibeckert

+1 I would never buy a montana. You couldn't pay me to choose that over just about any smartphone.

-1

I have both an iPhone 4S and a Montana and I would never dream of using my iPhone on the bike. I depend too much on my phone to risk breaking it, doing something it was never intended to do. I'll always have the phone with me, safe inside my jacket.

And my Montana on the bars.

[Countdown]

Originally Posted by abhibeckert

+1 I would never buy a montana. You couldn't pay me to choose that over just about any smartphone.

You couldn't pay me enough to have a smartphone! A phone is a phone, you spin the dial and talk to people period.

[DRTBYK]

..."we only see the world we make".

Cheers,

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by Han Solo

Reading through all these posts and researching the models I've come up with two options. I'm looking for something I can ride the TAT with, so mostly off road and I'm riding a WR 250 R.

It seems to me there are two models that are below $200 and will navigate off road and allow you to enter your own off road routes.

The Garmin 60CSX inputting routes, topo, etc but the screen seems a little small.

Also considering the Garmin Nuvi 500 which can also do both of these things I think.

I guess these might be considered more "low end" considering their prices -$160-$250 but why pay more?

(Why is everyone who posts the forbidden question "what gps is right for me?" referred to a thread that hasn't had an entry since March 14th of 2010? Am I missing a continuation somewhere?)

If this really is what your choice is restricted to, get the 60, but you can save a few bucks by getting the Cx instead of the CSx. And some people prefer the 76, which is essentially the same as the 60, except uglier.