Sat av advice

[Frizbeedawg]

Ladies and gents, I am looking for some advice on what satnav to buy

I want something robust, waterproof and I want to be able to plan and upload routes on to it.

 

[Antiquebiker]

After using various waterproof covers, car units and my iphone. The best thing I did was invest in a Garmin 660 Zummo.
Hard wired and with a dedicated mount, clip on and go.
I think they now come with lifetime map updates.
Dead easy to use and mine has taken me all over Europe without a wrong turn.
Not cheap but worth every penny.
Hope this helps.

 

[Wilde]

As he says. Solid reliable and versatile imho

Wilde and Insane

 

[wessie]

there's a thread here somewhere with a link to mail order sources of the Zumo 660 - under £280 - here it is http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/403520-Zumo-660-lifetime-maps?highlight=zumo+660

If you want an alternative then the Zumo 390 is available for a similar price mail order or if you prefer to go to a shop, it is reduced to £299 in Halfords
http://www.halfords.com/technology/...in-zumo-390-lm-4-3-sat-nav-uk-roi-full-europe
Order to collect in the shop using Quidco and you will get a few quid off.

I was considering ordering the 660 for Ebuyer but it is a PITA as there isn't anyone here in the day to sign for it on a weekday. Once I added the premium for a Saturday delivery the Halfords deal became attractive, and I have a branch half a mile away. I now have a Zumo 390LM and used it today for a circular trip planned in Basecamp. All worked well, even coping with the detour around the A40 roadworks on the Gloucester bypass.

 

[Blackal]

If funds limited - consider a Zumo 220, new or s/h.

Al

 

[Christos x]

I've said it before and i'll say it again...

Get yourself a Sony Xperia Z smart phone with Copilot Live Sat Nav app.
Phone is waterproof and with a good case, drop proof. Been using my set up (Ram Mount Finger Grip and phone) for 3 years with no issues. Phone is blutoothed to helmet for music, calls, sat nav and when not wanting to follow directions Memory Map app with OS maps installed.

Much cheaper than dedicated bike satnav units if you choose the right contract, upgrade existing phone or get one second hand

 

[vRSG60]

Having just been on a 2000 mile trip using a Rupse with TomTom installed I too am after a new satnav. The TomTom software kept trying to route me back to the beginning of the days journey if I stopped for an hour or so. I had specific routes with waypoints added. If I missed a waypoint for whatever reason it was a pain having to delete that point and so onto the next. Easier on a Garmin so I'm led to believe.
So I'm after a Garmin. 660LM, 390LM or 340LM I decide on one then change my mind.
390LM favourite so far.

340 "only" has Western Europe maps.
390 & 340 don't play MP3s
660 isn't as good in sunlight.

 

[Popell]

+1 390LM, phone to play music

 

[Sleepy]

Get yourself a Sony Xperia Z smart phone with Copilot Live Sat Nav app.
Phone is waterproof and with a good case, drop proof. Been using my set up (Ram Mount Finger Grip and phone) for 3 years with no issues. Phone is blutoothed to helmet for music, calls, sat nav and when not wanting to follow directions Memory Map app with OS maps installed.

Much cheaper than dedicated bike satnav units if you choose the right contract, upgrade existing phone or get one second hand

Can you use Mapsource on them?

 

[Smythson]

Just got back from a 4000 mile tour with 660 and after a few years still happy with it.

Best,

S

 

[Jaws100]

If you have a mate in Ireland you should take look at Halfords Ireland

I recently bought a new Garmin 590 LM for €299 euros in Halfords ...went out of stock then and are back up again at €319.99 euros
The Garmin 390 LM is up at €299 euros as well

Click on "Reserve item" to see the deal

With the value of Sterling against the euro at moment its a great deal if you have a mate that can pick it up for you

 

[Christos x]

Can you use Mapsource on them?

Don't know what Mapsource is really. If i want to go from place to place via other places I use CoPilot Live app. This will allow normal sat nav use, I can also choose alternative routes if I want a more round the houses route. Free lifetime map updated inc Europe.
If I want to travel more adventurously then I will use Memory Map. I can plot routes etc either on my PC and transfer to phone or plot routes directly on my phone. I use mostly 1:50000 to plot routes. I can also go freeform and ignore routes altogether, MemMap will track where I've been so I can use the track again in the future if necessary.

Memory map app is free to download but you are required to purchase maps (which can be astronomically expensive) however you do have a free download period from the Online map shop IIRC, which you can use to get maps. Or if you know someone who has OS maps from other sources and has enabled them to be uploaded to MemMap this is always a bonus (if somewhat illegal in terms of licensing etc) I don't know anyone who has done this but there are people who have apparently.

I'm still trying to figure out ways of generating routes on Google Maps and transferring them vis KML files to Copilot but it does not really seem to be that successful.

 

[wessie]

Don't know what Mapsource is really. If i want to go from place to place via other places I use CoPilot Live app. This will allow normal sat nav use, I can also choose alternative routes if I want a more round the houses route. Free lifetime map updated inc Europe.
If I want to travel more adventurously then I will use Memory Map. I can plot routes etc either on my PC and transfer to phone or plot routes directly on my phone. I use mostly 1:50000 to plot routes. I can also go freeform and ignore routes altogether, MemMap will track where I've been so I can use the track again in the future if necessary.

Memory map app is free to download but you are required to purchase maps (which can be astronomically expensive) however you do have a free download period from the Online map shop IIRC, which you can use to get maps. Or if you know someone who has OS maps from other sources and has enabled them to be uploaded to MemMap this is always a bonus (if somewhat illegal in terms of licensing etc) I don't know anyone who has done this but there are people who have apparently.

I'm still trying to figure out ways of generating routes on Google Maps and transferring them vis KML files to Copilot but it does not really seem to be that successful.

Sounds like a monumental faff to save a few quid.

When you organise trips for several people like Wapping and I do, it is very useful to have a mapping application that makes it easy to share satnav files in a common format. If the other travellers are also using Garmin software and hardware then each person can contribute routes or waypoints for the benefit of all.

 

[Christos x]

Sounds like a monumental faff to save a few quid.

When you organise trips for several people like Wapping and I do, it is very useful to have a mapping application that makes it easy to share satnav files in a common format. If the other travellers are also using Garmin software and hardware then each person can contribute routes or waypoints for the benefit of all.

Not a faff at all really, just depends on what you want to do. I hardly ever travel with a group so don't need at the sharing functionality (friends are people you just don't hate yet). I find the stuff I use suits me as I also like getting lost from time to time (but have the ability to get unlost when needed). It's as effective and efficient as you want to make it. I could spend a loads of time plotting routes and finding POI's and working out milages etc etc, but really I cant be arsed. Copilot for when Ive got to get somewhere with directions, MemMap for when I just need a map and maybe a route or waypoints to follow. As for saving money, I'd rather spend less on tech and more on petrol to allow me to go and get lost a few more times.
As in all areas of life there are solutions to every problem. You can either throw money at it or exercise your brain power and do it yourself...personally I prefer the later, until the later becomes a problem I just cant fix.