GPS Questions

[jimmystewpot]

Hi All,

I am currently looking for a GPS, I have been looking at all sorts of different models and makes. I have some questions which I am trying to find answers for but in most cases it seems I can only find the marketing b.s. rather than a more subjective opinion.

Here are my questions.
1. 12 Channel receiver or High sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF. I am not sure which is better, it seems like there are lots with 12 channels but for the same price there seems to be an increasing amount of the "high sensitivity gps receivers". Most of the material I have read does not seem to mention if the high sensitive one is usable world wide. I can only seem to see information for Europe and the United States.

2. How many waypoints etc do people really use for a long trip? I see some have 100,000 some have 50,000 others have 2000.

3. Motorcycle Mounts, has anyone had any experience or can show anyone with experience in mounting "non-motorcycle" GPS's on motorcycles. For example the Streetpilot 2820?.

4. BMW Navigator III is apparently a Garmin StreetPilot 2610 with a "special bmw mount". The cost of the device is very high for something that is only splash resistant. If it is based on the 2610 then I would expect that it should be replaced with a "version 4" very soon as the 2610 has been discontinued. From talking with a Garmin sales rep they said it was replaced with the 2820 which is finally more water resistant than its predecessor. Has anyone got any feedback or know anything about this?

Any feedback would be excellent, I am looking to purchase a GPS in the next month or so and would hate to make the wrong purchase (which is why i am trying to do as much research as possible.

Thanks in advance.

Jimmy.

 

[Banjaxed]

Take a look at the GPS section here.

You'll find out more that you EVER needed to know...

Pretty simple really - either buy a dedicated motorcycle GPS (e.g. Zumo), or a waterproof unit that can be used on the bike and in the car. Avoid cheap non-waterproof car-oriented units, even from top manufacturers such as Garmin.

Once you have made that choice, work out the mounting and communication (if you want spoken messages in your helmet). You WILL find exactly what you want for both those issues. Lockable or removeable mount? Up to you sir! Cable or Bluetooth for the sound. Either available sir!

Next, do you want to upload a speed camera database or some other list of POI (Points of Interest)? Generally, you'll need a newer (more expensive) unit to do that - for example the 2610 won't (although there is a kludgy workaround).

Lastly (perhaps firstly!) - support and updates from the manufacturer. Good support? Regular map updates? And don't forget - don't buy a US base map model at a very attractive price on eBay...

So you have done your homework - like hundreds of others on this site.

And then, like all the others, you bought a Garmin.

Choose your price point and go ahead (look at the 'motorcycle' section here). I'm on my fourth unit (2610, following SPIII, eMap, GPSIII)) and every one has been dead easy to use, worked perfectly and has taken me to wonderful places I'd never have found otherwise.

Go to it my man!!

 

[araspitfire]

Here are my questions.
1. 12 Channel receiver or High sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF. I am not sure which is better, it seems like there are lots with 12 channels but for the same price there seems to be an increasing amount of the "high sensitivity gps receivers". Most of the material I have read does not seem to mention if the high sensitive one is usable world wide. I can only seem to see information for Europe and the United States.

Though I don't own a SirfIII, it's definitely better... Picks up satellites in houses from most accounts... The G in GPS means Global... they work everywhere... =)

2. How many waypoints etc do people really use for a long trip? I see some have 100,000 some have 50,000 others have 2000.

As far as tracks are concerned, it's never enough IMHO.... 100,000 will get you half or less of a decent week's driving vacation... I always take a laptop along to download my tracks intact (saving them on the GPS strips the date/time information out of them) You can adjust for less detail and get longer though...

POI functionality is great, speed cameras of course, but also I have every campground in Europe (the Garmin Data is weak in campgrounds)
Regular Waypoints.... I use 20 to 50 at any time... don't need much.

3. Motorcycle Mounts, has anyone had any experience or can show anyone with experience in mounting "non-motorcycle" GPS's on motorcycles. For example the Streetpilot 2820?.

The 2820 is a Motorcycle GPS. Most places that sell em also sell mounts made by RAM. It's as easy as a U-bolt, but can be special ball fittings mounted pretty much anywhere... See below for my 2820 standard mount arrangement.

4. BMW Navigator III is apparently a Garmin StreetPilot 2610 with a "special bmw mount". The cost of the device is very high for something that is only splash resistant. If it is based on the 2610 then I would expect that it should be replaced with a "version 4" very soon as the 2610 has been discontinued. From talking with a Garmin sales rep they said it was replaced with the 2820 which is finally more water resistant than its predecessor. Has anyone got any feedback or know anything about this?

The Nav III is actually a unit that is somewhere between the 2720 and the 2820... quite a bit more capable than the 2610 (the Nav II was based on the 2610). Though many people feel that the extra bits (you get a special base mount with 4 extra buttons, and the BMW dealer database) are not worth the extra cost.

Btw, leaving any of these things out in the rain for extended periods has been known to de-laminate the screen... I take mine in.

The RAM mount U-bolts to the console frame, is adjustable over quite a range... Mounting the remote the way I do is totally awesome... fingertip functionality, much better than the BMW offering, and at zero cost.

Here's how I mount my 60C... the perfect "dual sport" GPS, except that there is no way to pipe the turn warnings into your helmet for motorway use.

Al...

 

[haydw]

I bought a Streetpilot iii off someone on this site- yes I know its centuries old in comparison but I just wanted something cheap to learn with to decide whether GPS was for me, or whether it would just be an expensive toy. Yes, its slow to calculate when you go off route, but if you are just using it for planning a route on a PC then follow it then it is just about perfect.

The ram mount is great- just in my eyeline and I can remove it quickly to secure it when not in use.

Going to northern france in september so will see how it performs on places I dont really know- if it performs ok then will probably keep it for a euro trip next year- or I may invest in something a bit better. Either way- I am happy I bought something cheap and not that complicated to make sure whether I liked it before I spent all that money.