47 Yr old virgin seeks Sat Nav Dealer.

[Singletrack950]

Hi y'all

Here I am - brand new to the Forum and also to the world of 'biking' !. After many years of promising myself I have finally gone and done it - Direct Access and a brand new F650GS - all in the space of a month !. 'And before someone says it - I know that I fall into the category of "one most likely to splat !" 'cos of my age, time away from biking (25 years), devil may care attitude to life etc !.
All of this frantic activity results from the usual discussion over drink when a collection of MOACA decide that life is passing them by and that they want to see 'stuff' before cholesterol and acute angina ("thanks very much son !") prevent them from getting out of a chair !.
I am now heading to France & Spain in 5 weeks - getting plenty of miles under my belt in the wind/rainswept Scottish countryside meantime - and have suddenly realised how much I need to do / get before setting off !.
' Am leaving on 5 June on Rosyth to Zeebrugge overnight ferry with brother, his pal and my brother in law. We are all spending a day travelling together and staying somewhere near Metz. Then next day bro n pal are off to Zurich to see European Championships (lucky bs) whilst me an BIL are heading south to Nice (via Lyon) before heading to Blanes (Barcelona) and then back up through France via Paris to get the Zeebrugge / Rosyth return on 20th.
We're keen to stay off motorways when we can and use the N roads - particularly as we approach Nice - but my map reading skills (and eyesight) aren't what they used to be - so it looks like Sat Nav may be the answer.
What I have noticed is the utterly outrageous price that Bike Sat Navs seem to cost - is there any reason why this should be so (apart from them being waterproof) - or is it just a rip-off ?. I was wondering if anyone has any experience of using them - and what one they would recommend - or has anybody used a car version (at a fraction of the cost).
I am also looking for advice for luggage (no money left after bike purchase !) -propose to B&B / sleep at relatives etc - so don't need that much. I had hoped to buy / loan some alu stuff - but I'm not sure if the new GS will take the old GS racks etc ?.
Anyway - that's enuff to start off with - I would appreciate any advice re above and / or offers to sell / loan / rent any of the above - I stay just outside of Glasgow - but would be willing to travel a (reasonable) distance.
'Hope the forum is as helpful to me as it has obviously been to others !

BR

 

[Trippy]

Hi and welcome to the site and world of biking. I didn't have a satnav untill a couple of months ago and was put off by the price of new Zumo's. I put an advert on here in the for sale and wanted section for a Garmin 2610 which it would appear was the favourite untill the zumo came along. I had about 6 offers and settled on buying an 18 month old one with full up to date euro mapping, all the leads etc and a bike mount for £175. It's great, easy to use and I feel I haven't wasted alot of money.
Oh and I would always invest the £500 for some Zega Ali boxes from Touratech.

 

[STUBBS]

worth having a look here

http://www.gpsw.co.uk/

 

[Bryn]

Welcome to the site BR

Sounds like you've got a busy first biking year planned....

Plenty of stuff to browse on UKGSer.. you may wish to become a Subscribed Tosser

That way you can take full advantage of the For Sale & Wanted section... you may pick up a bargain in the SatNav or Luggage department

Cheers Bryn

 

[Deleted Member I]

GPS is the best accessory I have bought for biking. Maps are great but sometimes you miss a turn. GPS can usually keep you on track without U turns .. which I hate.

Tom Tom rider 2 seems to be cheaper than the Garmin Zumo 550. OR get a second hand one.

As for luggage. Get that waterproof bag from Aldi (6.99) and strap it to the back of your bike. Cheapest luggage going. One of the lads on our trip to Turkey used something very similar. He did smell a bit after a couple of days .. but definitely a good solution if you cannot or do not want to use panniers!

 

[VAL. H.]

GPS is the best accessory I have bought for biking. Maps are great but sometimes you miss a turn. GPS can usually keep you on track without U turns .. which I hate.

Tom Tom rider 2 seems to be cheaper than the Garmin Zumo 550. OR get a second hand one.

As for luggage. Get that waterproof bag from Aldi (6.99) and strap it to the back of your bike. Cheapest luggage going. One of the lads on our trip to Turkey used something very similar. He did smell a bit after a couple of days .. but definitely a good solution if you cannot or do not want to use panniers!

Hi BR, welcome aboard.

I'd have to agree with Tom and Trippy re; the GPS find a good up to date second hand model.
Gps's designed for cars will be more affected by the extra vibration from the bike and of course they're not going to be waterproof either. Nothing stopping you putting it in a polly bag though.
The touch screen will not respond so well to being opperated with gloved fingers either.

Luggage wise; As above the waterproof Duffel bags are good I have my new Aldi bag packed and ready for a little trip to Wales next week. Panniers are better long term, but expensive if your a little short. Soft luggage isn't a good choice on the 650's because of the high level exhaust 'although you could use a heat resistant pad of sorts'.
You can also use a tank bag up front, remembering you'll need one that straps on to the plastic covers. TT, Famsa, and Tucano Urbano all do suitable ones.

Val.

 

[lewisjohn]

2610

Hi
I have a Garmin 2610 i am thinking of selling.I bought it 12 months ago from gps warehouse.It comes with Ram bike mount,all the cables,V8 european mapping,bean bag mount for car,remote control,etc,etc.I am looking for £165.00 plus p&p,if you are interested pm me for my details.I thought i would offer it to you before i put it in the for sale section.I am only selling it to upgrade to a Zumo 550.

John

 

[Singletrack950]

Thanks

Thanks to you all for replying so quickly. I feel as if i have unleashed a monster - and already my head is ready to explode !onyack. First of all - Lewisjohn - SatNav sounds great and so does price - but I just can't justify / afford it right now - given all the other things I really need to get first - so thanks but go ahead n put it up for sale - i'm sure someone'll bite your hand off for it.
The ALDI bag sounds interesting ?. I haven't seen / heard of this before - is it specifically for bike luggage ? - I have a couple of LIDLs near me but need to travel to an ALDI and don't want to sound like a complete dumbass - so I'd appreciate a heads up.
I am in process of trying out a car sat-nav which I can plug earphones into. It means that rather than lookin at it I can listen to the instructions whilst it's tucked inside my waterproofs - I got a loan of it so it may be a 'no-cost' solution to the 'no-budget' problem - I'll keep you posted.
The luggage 'thang' is the big one just now - I obviously want to get it ASAP so I can 'practise' riding with it on....Am hopefully going for a ride out with fellow travellers on Friday - so it looks like my waterproofs will get a testin' too !.
Anyway - thanks again and keep the ideas comin'

Jerry
PS whn I put in BR last time I meant Best Regards - am I stoopid !