I am completely stuck about which unit to buy. Help!

jojomonsta

jojomonsta

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I'm interested in investing in a sat nav for my GS and have just hit a wall with finding something suitable. I am willing to spend the money if I get something which meets my needs but no matter how much research I put in on the tinterweb I don't seem to be able to find anything which really stands out.
It's going to be used predominantly on UK roads so I don't need anything with maps of the world :P
Requirements:
Tells me where to go (and I don't mean eff-off!)
Bluetooth
AVRCP and mp3 capability
Decent battery life (as I don't want to run it off the bike and the GS doesn't have a 'socket')

Can't think of anything else at the moment...

If anyone has any experience of decent setups then I would appreciate some pointers.

Thanks
Jo
 
Rushy said:
The new Garmin 350 looks like a cracking unit and its got free mapping for life:thumb2
Click to expand...

Doesn't have bluetooth.

To be honest a Nokia phone with mapping ticks all the boxes and some...

Online route planning and waypoint creation, then sync with phone (very little data I have a prepay sim that I put £15 over a year ago and still going on that credit).

Bluetooth to headset

Long battery life

Lifetime map updates

Maps stored on phone (micro SD) so no data use

Cheap as chips


eg http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mo...c=phoneFinder&tariffNetworks=&clearance=false
 
Thanks for the feedback so far.
I have used my phone and iPad but I wanted to get a dedicated unit as I have had some connection problems with the phone/pad in the past and I prefer to be able to see the lane prompts etc as well as the audio prompts. Plus I don't want to risk those items getting wet or dropped.
And the bluetooth is a requirement to be able to connect with my Sena headset.

There are just so many units out there it's hard to know where to start! There's nothing very comprehensive in the way of reviews online so I thought it a good place to get some personal opinions
 
I have used a Garmin Zumo 550 before and now have a Zumo 660. Lots on this forum have either of these so if you look in the relevant section there's lots of info there. Personally I like both but I switched to the 660 to get stereo output for my G4 headset as I use the mp3 functionality a lot. Its by no means cheap though and there's more to spend on possible mounting options.
 
The 660 is the one I keep getting drawn to but wondering whether it's suitable. The MP3/Bluetooth capability is what's making it the most appealing. It comes with a mounting bracket though doesn't it? Or is that something else which needs researching!
 
jojomonsta said:
The 660 is the one I keep getting drawn to but wondering whether it's suitable. The MP3/Bluetooth capability is what's making it the most appealing. It comes with a mounting bracket though doesn't it? Or is that something else which needs researching!
Click to expand...

It comes with a basic RAM mount kit so I'm sure it would fit somewhere on your bike but you may want to consider other mounting options depending on the bike you have, where you want it situated and if you wanted lockable cradles etc. You don't have to have those things, just be prepared for the extra cost if you do. It comes with a wiring loom that can connect to your battery with a direct connection, but you may want it switched to the ignition - then there's a couple of ways to do that.

Best bet is buy the basic unit and try and see what works for you. Then you can look at other options if you need to.
 
I'd personally hold off for a little while longer... Wheras the 350 seems to be an upgrade from the 220, (and it just came out a couple months ago) the 660 is long overdue for it's upgrade.

This will likely take the 'premium' features from the 600 series, and add more memory, and some of the features from the higher end Car GPS's

I have a Streetpilot 2820, to to be honest the Zumo 600 series (never mind the 500 series) were never enough of an improvement, (in fact some things are worse) over that model.. I'm hoping the 700 (or whatever) series will finally adress that.

I would like to have more memory, and I hope they allow a remote control as I use that on my bike with the 2820to play with the zoom while riding.

Al...
 
The 660 won't last for a day on the battery alone. I think that's a bit of a tall order as anything running a GPS chip in real-time will drain a battery pretty quickly. Probably 4-5 hours tops.

Zumo 350 does have Bluetooth but it's for headset pairing only. In other words you can't connect your phone to it as well. It will just give you the audio directions. It also lacks an MP3 player which the OP stated was a requirement. The 7 hour battery life I'd take with a pinch of salt, in real life I'd reckon on 5 hours unless you turn the screen brightness right down making it impossible to see the screen in daylight.
 
660

This ticks all your boxes, everything you need is in the box, the only additional spend would be for a bluetooth headset, and possibly an sd card for the zumo if you want to store a lot of music (would recommend the scala rider, I have a Q2 which is sufficient for my needs, if buying again would probably opt for the G4) in reality I never want to answer the phone when riding but this set up will let you pair your phone with the zumo if you want).

I would suggest you get your head around wiring the mount directly to the battery, its a 5 minute job and trust me you need only a few cable ties and need not remove any panels from the bike to fish the cable through to the battery under the seat.

Heres a pic of where mine is mounted and if you need any further help just ring me on 07714002251.
BIKE 014.jpg

BIKE 015.jpg
 
Beware Tomtom Rider 2

When buying a new satnav you need to make sure it is compatible with the bluetooth on your helmet.
I have had a Tomtom Rider 2 for several years and been very satisfied with it, it has taken me all over Europe. But I have just downloaded the latest maps, and found that Tomtom have done a software upgrade and it will no longer link to my BMW System 6 helmet. So I have no option but to sell my beloved Tomtom and buy a Garmin.
I have gone for a 660, and if you shop around you can get a complete set for under £350, brand new, if you don't mind if it comes in a white box.
Or, of course, there are some very good Tomtom Rider 2s going cheap on ebay :)
 
have tomtom despite being a Garmin fan, as the bike was all setup for it.
Should have sold the bits and gone Garmin, shite for finding hotels camping grounds etc. But on the plus side for navigation it is acceptable and in some cases the windy road option does take away the other bitterness.

it does the job.
 
Tictac said:
When buying a new satnav you need to make sure it is compatible with the bluetooth on your helmet.
I have had a Tomtom Rider 2 for several years and been very satisfied with it, it has taken me all over Europe. But I have just downloaded the latest maps, and found that Tomtom have done a software upgrade and it will no longer link to my BMW System 6 helmet. So I have no option but to sell my beloved Tomtom and buy a Garmin.
I have gone for a 660, and if you shop around you can get a complete set for under £350, brand new, if you don't mind if it comes in a white box.
Or, of course, there are some very good Tomtom Rider 2s going cheap on ebay :)
Click to expand...
I was wrong to say Tomtom Rider will not connect with System 6 helmet. I just had finger trouble!
 
Try a Garmin 660. If you put it on a budgie perch its in a great position. As for power, get a canbus plug, (cost about £15) and power it from the socket under the beak. I also use an 8GB sd card for music.
Its got some great features,I cheat by not resetting the tank range so the fuel icon stays on and when you need fuel its a quick job finding it.
My only negative comment would be that i found the volume a bit quiet. I soon sorted this once i set it up through a starcom system.

TRY, ENJOY :thumb2
 
Ok gang! Thanks for all the advice and tips - some of which did make me laugh!
I bit the bullet and went for the Garmin Zumo 660LM. I only received it today so yet to actually try it in the field but first impressions are very good!
Really pleased with accessories, comes with bike power cable, mains charger, waterproof cover for the 'holster', a 4GB memory card (wasn't expecting that t be included!) the USB cable, RAM mount for the bike and similar for the car, too. There's also a carry-case for it.
Saw the only instructions were a 'quick start guide' and I thought, oh here we go, but it seems very simple to operate, which is a blessing
Anyway, yet to try it in the field so will keep you updated but so far so pleased!

Oh and will be using battery power until I organise someone to fit the bike-powered cable. I have done my research and it's not supposed to be too big a deal to connect but I don't trust that I will be ale to do it properly lol
 
BIKE CABLE

This really is a piece of piss, buy a couple of electrical connectors (the circular type rather than spades) crimp to the two wires at the end of the cable, then its just red to positive battery terminal, black to negative, a few cable ties to neaten up the routing from the cradle and your all done.:thumb2

trust me if i can do it anyone can:blast
 
But I'm a woman! It's a shit excuse but I'm hiding behind it! :augie
I'd normally be happy to give it a go as I am pretty handy but the thought of cocking up my electrics is what scares me, especially as I start commuting on it again in a week. The wire with the sat-nav is naked so that put me off. If it was already fitted with a male/female connect (the nav cable) then I would have been comfortable.

Could i pick these connectors up somewhere like Maplins? And Can anyone recommend anything on You Tube perhaps! Something which gives me pointers? Some say the connect is just in front of the tank although not a biggie if I have to take it off. Guess it helps to know what you are looking for though. I know, what a tart, eh? Lmao. :rolleyes:
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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