What GPS would you buy if you had $700 to spend?

lacofdfireman · 12-25-2012, 09:46 PM

So I have a budget of around $700 to spend for a GPS that I would like to use both on and off the Bike. Bikes are a KTM 990 and a KTM 530... I have owned in the past a Garmin 60CSX but felt the screen was to small and it didn't have voice turn by turn navigation and I like the touch screen. Also I have owned a Zumo but don't really think I would like that mounted on the 530. Just doesn't seem like it would be rugged enough.. I would also like something that I can download other people routes in like the UTBDR routes etc and has some decent storage. So what out there meets my criteria? Anything or am I dreamin?

achesley · 12-26-2012, 02:43 AM

My next will be a Montana. Have been running 276C s for a long time but not refurbed anymore at factory level from what I hear.

syzygy9 · 12-28-2012, 08:01 PM

Nexus Galaxy 7inch 32gB Wifi tablet
+ Sygic, CoPilot, Navigon or equivalent for turn by turn (street) navigation (I use Sygic),
+ OziExplorer for off-road (topo map) navigation,
+ all of the functionally you get with a tablet with a fantastic 7inch screen and saving the weight, hassle and expense of carrying a netbook as well ,
and all for A$400

Which is exactly the setup I now have :)

The disadvantage is that you can't mount it on a motorbike (not weather proof and possibly not rugged enough to survive big falls) - I keep it in the map pocket of my tank bag (I do windscreen mount in the car) noting that I don't constantly refer to it, I just need to be able to have a look very 15mins or so to see how I am travelling. I use the non-3G (non cellular phone) version and tether it to my mobile phone which gives me internet access.

Emoto · 12-29-2012, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lacofdfireman

So I have a budget of around $700 to spend for a GPS that I would like to use both on and off the Bike. Bikes are a KTM 990 and a KTM 530... I have owned in the past a Garmin 60CSX but felt the screen was to small and it didn't have voice turn by turn navigation and I like the touch screen. Also I have owned a Zumo but don't really think I would like that mounted on the 530. Just doesn't seem like it would be rugged enough.. I would also like something that I can download other people routes in like the UTBDR routes etc and has some decent storage. So what out there meets my criteria? Anything or am I dreamin?

Which Zumo did you have, and what made you think it was not rugged?

Should I assume from the bikes listed that you are doing lots of hardcore off-roading over rough terrain? And, further, that you want to be able to follow pre-made tracks? I'm trying to clarify your requirements...

I'm thinking you ought to give the Montana a close look. It will do turn-by-turn routing, can display tracks, and lots of folks here seem to use them offroad. One key benefit is the unit is very configurable, so you have a lot of flexibility in how you set it up.

I have one that I got recently when EMS had them on sale for 20% off, and I like it a lot, but have only used it a little and only on the street.

vonotto · 12-29-2012, 05:08 AM

Montana

Noonen · 12-30-2012, 06:28 AM

As soon as Lifeproof comes out with a case for the iPad Mini, I wanna run one:

http://www.lifeproof.com

their cases are very rugged and waterproof to 2 meters. I have one on my wife's ipad and it really does work well. I figure the 4G/LTE iPad mini would make the perfect internet enabled GPS, only problem is you'd have to disconnect the charging cable when it may get wet to keep it waterproof.

I may get a lifeproof case for my iPhone and fabricate a mount for my it to tide me over in the mean time.

lacofdfireman · 12-30-2012, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noonen

As soon as Lifeproof comes out with a case for the iPad Mini, I wanna run one:

http://www.lifeproof.com

their cases are very rugged and waterproof to 2 meters. I have one on my wife's ipad and it really does work well. I figure the 4G/LTE iPad mini would make the perfect internet enabled GPS, only problem is you'd have to disconnect the charging cable when it may get wet to keep it waterproof.

I may get a lifeproof case for my iPhone and fabricate a mount for my it to tide me over in the mean time.

Don't want to use a Cell Phone or wireless based device. I want it to have reception in non cell areas in the backwoods. I think the Ipad Mini and lifeproof case would work ok on road but would not be good off road. I have a lifeproof case on my current Iphone and hate it. It's a pain to listen to audio on cause you have to use the dongle, some of my chargers don't work because the charge hole is to small etc... I'm going back to Otter box commuter...

OneEffinName · 12-30-2012, 08:41 AM

+2 for the garmin Montana. The largest screen, waterproof GPS available that does offroad really well. It also takes the punishment of hare scarmbles and enduro races.

I have looked at lots of GPS apps for android and some of them are just OK for offroad use, but none stand out as really good. You need offline maps, import/export of GPX files, tracking, waypoints, camera is nice too. I have a galaxy tab and I can get a waterproof case, problem is getting power to the unit is a pain. I am sure I can make it work, but its just plain easier to stick the with Montana.

Harsten · 12-30-2012, 08:56 AM

+1 for the Montana. Best one Garmins built yet, now they got the screen calibration issue sorted.

Haywood · 01-03-2013, 08:48 PM

I just got the Montana 650. I like it a lot. They have them for around $450 at GPScity.com, I've recently read in another thread.

oldxr · 01-03-2013, 11:19 PM

There are many places in the western USA that there is no a cell sevice due to mountainous terrain and lack of population that would make cell service profitable.

eakins · 01-03-2013, 11:31 PM

Montana

bemiiten · 01-06-2013, 02:51 PM

No contest Garmin 276c, 376 or 478.

killowatt · 01-06-2013, 07:58 PM

Montana

It'sNotTheBike · 01-07-2013, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lacofdfireman

Don't want to use a Cell Phone or wireless based device. I want it to have reception in non cell areas in the backwoods. I think the Ipad Mini and lifeproof case would work ok on road but would not be good off road. .

An iPhone can work with GPS without a cell signal. The assisted GPS in the iPhone
uses cell towers to lower the time required for the initial fix, but in no way is a cellular
signal required for an iPhone to work effectively as a GPS.

To answer the original question : the Garmin Montana is the obvious choice in 2013 for
GPS navigation for an off-road motorcycle. Next year there may be a different optimal
solution, as is always the case with electronics.

.

12-25-2012, 09:46 PM	#1
lacofdfireman ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2008 Location: St. George, UT Oddometer: 443	What GPS would you buy if you had $700 to spend? So I have a budget of around $700 to spend for a GPS that I would like to use both on and off the Bike. Bikes are a KTM 990 and a KTM 530... I have owned in the past a Garmin 60CSX but felt the screen was to small and it didn't have voice turn by turn navigation and I like the touch screen. Also I have owned a Zumo but don't really think I would like that mounted on the 530. Just doesn't seem like it would be rugged enough.. I would also like something that I can download other people routes in like the UTBDR routes etc and has some decent storage. So what out there meets my criteria? Anything or am I dreamin?

12-26-2012, 02:43 AM	#2
achesley Old Motorcyclist Joined: Mar 2003 Location: Jennings, Louisiana Oddometer: 3,142	My next will be a Montana. Have been running 276C s for a long time but not refurbed anymore at factory level from what I hear. __________________ An '00 KLR 650, An '07 1250S, An '03 5.3L Chevy Truck + '43 style dude , Simper Fi ;-)

12-28-2012, 08:01 PM	#3
syzygy9 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2011 Location: Perth, Australia Oddometer: 240	Nexus Galaxy 7inch 32gB Wifi tablet + Sygic, CoPilot, Navigon or equivalent for turn by turn (street) navigation (I use Sygic), + OziExplorer for off-road (topo map) navigation, + all of the functionally you get with a tablet with a fantastic 7inch screen and saving the weight, hassle and expense of carrying a netbook as well , and all for A$400 Which is exactly the setup I now have :) The disadvantage is that you can't mount it on a motorbike (not weather proof and possibly not rugged enough to survive big falls) - I keep it in the map pocket of my tank bag (I do windscreen mount in the car) noting that I don't constantly refer to it, I just need to be able to have a look very 15mins or so to see how I am travelling. I use the non-3G (non cellular phone) version and tether it to my mobile phone which gives me internet access. __________________ __________________________ bikeless no longer! welcome home, 2011 KTM 990 Adventure!

12-29-2012, 05:08 AM	#5
vonotto Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2011 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Oddometer: 210	Montana __________________ "It flicked me pretty high and I landed back on the bike so hard I thought I'd swallowed my own nuts!"

01-03-2013, 11:31 PM	#12
eakins Butler Maps Joined: May 2002 Location: Colorado - Fort Collins Oddometer: 14,438	Montana __________________ Butler Maps - motorcycle maps for riders by riders - Ozarks , Nor Cal , COBDR shipping, AZBDR scouting http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598717 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/butlermaps

12-30-2012, 06:28 AM	#6
Noonen Adventurer Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Austin, TX Oddometer: 10	As soon as Lifeproof comes out with a case for the iPad Mini, I wanna run one: http://www.lifeproof.com their cases are very rugged and waterproof to 2 meters. I have one on my wife's ipad and it really does work well. I figure the 4G/LTE iPad mini would make the perfect internet enabled GPS, only problem is you'd have to disconnect the charging cable when it may get wet to keep it waterproof. I may get a lifeproof case for my iPhone and fabricate a mount for my it to tide me over in the mean time.

12-30-2012, 08:41 AM	#8
OneEffinName Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2010 Location: VanIsle, BC Oddometer: 186	+2 for the garmin Montana. The largest screen, waterproof GPS available that does offroad really well. It also takes the punishment of hare scarmbles and enduro races. I have looked at lots of GPS apps for android and some of them are just OK for offroad use, but none stand out as really good. You need offline maps, import/export of GPX files, tracking, waypoints, camera is nice too. I have a galaxy tab and I can get a waterproof case, problem is getting power to the unit is a pain. I am sure I can make it work, but its just plain easier to stick the with Montana.

12-30-2012, 08:56 AM	#9
Harsten Permanently Lost Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Oddometer: 9	+1 for the Montana. Best one Garmins built yet, now they got the screen calibration issue sorted.

01-03-2013, 08:48 PM	#10
Haywood Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Chula Vista,CA (spittin' distance from Baja) Oddometer: 311	I just got the Montana 650. I like it a lot. They have them for around $450 at GPScity.com, I've recently read in another thread.

01-03-2013, 11:19 PM	#11
oldxr Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2007 Location: central komifornia Oddometer: 592	There are many places in the western USA that there is no a cell sevice due to mountainous terrain and lack of population that would make cell service profitable.

01-06-2013, 02:51 PM	#13
bemiiten SWM Adventuer Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Hamilton NJ. Oddometer: 4,153	No contest Garmin 276c, 376 or 478.

01-06-2013, 07:58 PM	#14
killowatt Adventurer Joined: Apr 2010 Location: hillsboro, Or Oddometer: 70	Montana __________________ You can't be drinking all day if you don't start in the morning

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