2610 v Quest revisted!

[Candyman]

Now there is an obvious price difference between the two units

The 2610 has a larger screen, has a touch screen and an easy menu system, larger (external) memory

The Quest has battery power and the screen is not much smaller, it only has 256mb internal memory.

What I have read so far 256mb on the 2610 is fine for most users.

What are the reasons for spending more money on the 2610?

Should I just shut up and buy the 2610

 

[Dabba]

I bought the 2610 because I wanted all of Europe on at once for a trip I was planning.
I also wanted to run power off the bike rather than a battery - I wasn't sure I could manage battery power that well on the road and hated the prospect of running out of juice mid-outing.
It all worked beautifully and I haven't regretted buying it for a second - re-routing through the centre of strasbourg on my own in torrential rain due to roadworks made it all worthwhile.

My brother has just bought a tomtom for his car though and there does seem to be a generation change about to occur that will download traffic and camera data etc. real-time through bluetoothed mobile phone.

I don't even use the voice commands though as I find them irritating (as well as mobile phones).

My mate keeps going on about iPAQ's - any thoughts on that?, its cheaper still and I'd love to tell him why not to buy one.

 

[Twotter]

I bought a Quest because it was cheaper and I didn't need to fit all of Europe onto the units memory. I've got a powered mount on the bike so battery life isn't an issue and I get the bonus of being able to use it when I'm not on the bike...planning routes over lunch etc...

Depends what you need out of a GPS I suppose

 

[Possu]

Place a 2610 & Quest side by side and you'll there's a significant difference in screen size. Before buying a used Nav.II, I did a little research & found that measured diagonally, there's about an inch or so difference. IIRC the 2610 measures 3.7", 1" doesn't sound much but the Quest is 27% smaller.

 

[PanEuropean]

Should I just shut up and buy the 2610?

Yes, basically, you have summed it up pretty well there.

The Quest is a fine unit, but it's not the best choice for moto touring. On a moto, it's nice to have the bigger screen. Plus, maps won't be getting smaller in size (memory storage requirements) in the future. You can easily and cheaply increase the map storage capability of your 26xx by buying a larger chip - or buying a second chip for peanuts. You can't do that with a Quest.

If you have sharp eyesight and don't plan to leave the British Isles, a Quest would be worth considering. If your eyes are are over 40 years of age, and plan to tour on the continent, a 26xx is the only sensible choice.

Michael

 

[Candyman]

Got the 2610

I went ahead and got the 2610 with a 2GB CF card (thankfully I got a good payrise at work )

This forum was a great help with researching and getting honest opinions for someone who is new to the GPS world. I can see a sharp learning curve coming along when I get the unit out the box .I have got a two week trip around France soon (in the car) so I will get lots of practice.

Now I just have to decide which GS mounting option to go for?

Thanks GPS forum and GS bikers

Andy

 

[birdseye]

I bought a Quest but have had a fair chance to compare with a friends 2610. I am still convinced that it is the best choice.

The screen size is no problem at all, and my eyes are 60 years old, not 40. The graphics are quite clear and it is the turn indications that you use on the move. Neither the Quest nor the 2610 are much use for route planning themselves, unless the route is simple. Try chosing minor roads and tracks on either machine and all you will get is frustrated.

The Quest is easily portable, and with GPS being such a "fashion" item I would hesitate to leave one on a bike even with the BMW type lock. It mostly doesnt require a bike power feed which again is an advantage

Memory capacity isnt a real issue unless you wish to set off to tour Europe with no idea where you are going and a real possibility of covering the lot. It might be a nice idea to load all Europe all the time, but you're day dreaming really. In practise, we mostly need much less than 256mb for the journey.

My main hobby is sailing and I have been using GPS and chartplotters (which is what the Quest and 2610 are) ever since they first came out, and Satnav and Decca before that. Just like PC's or mobile phones, the sets need updating every few years and I must have gone through 10 by now.. So dont kid yourself that you can buy a 2610 and simply get a bigger card as time goes on and maps get bigger. Could you buy a PC and simply get a bigger hard disk every 5 years? Of course you couldnt and it is the same with GPS. So buy cheap, replace often is the reality in my view.