SAT NAV for Alps trip with campsites

[Exile WCB]

Hi All,

I am taking a trip to the alps in the summer and am looking to buy a GPS to help with the trip. It will be a mixture of camping and hotels/b&b's. Hotels and B&B's are booked already but what I'd like is a Sat Nav with campsites listed on it as I'll be using the them for half the time. Having never had a Sat Nav I don't know if I'm likely to be able to get this or not. Suggestions?

Currently my 1150GS has a RAM mount for a Garmin Quest mounted above the clocks that was already on the bike when I got it. The Quest is now discontinued of course. Is it worth getting the new Zumo 220? Like the idea of Bluetooth as I will have bluetooth comms with my girlfriend on the back. The Zumo 220 appeals on price also. Had hoped to use the power wiring already installed for the quest but I understand they differ as well as the RAM mount. Any advice on this?

Cheers

 

[allthegearnoidea]

GPS in the Alps

I had a cracking trip with my Zumo 550. Has campsites,petrol etc. They are not comprehensive though so always get a decent scale local map as well. It pays to look on the map around where you are particularly when you are getting desperate for a campsite.

However, one huge warning, in the Alps the GPS algorithms don't work. The times suggested for routes are massively understimated. My advice would be take the times estimated multiply them by at least 2.5 times and then add in breaks/lunch etc. If not you can be very badly caught out and end up doing passes in the dark! Not that that would ever happen to me.

Enjoy your trip

 

[Exile WCB]

Thanks. Just ordered the Zumo 220. I'll let you know how I get on with it. Alps here I come!

 

[v8legend]

This may be a bit late, as it looks like you've already ordered. I don't think the bluetooth does mobile phone on that model, just directions. Might not be important to you, just thought you'd like to know

 

[Bumpkin]

Off to the Alps myself in late June to early July, camping as well. Try here for a campsite POI file.

Be warned that the campsite POI file is large (19,000 sites) and takes a while to load into Mapsource. For planning purposes; I suggest that you drag out the general area that you're visiting and copy and paste that into a new Mapsource window, you can then open this quicker, grab the handful of POIs near your intended destination and drop those onto the Mapsource window you're using for route planning.

Only upload the routes to your GPS having transferred the POI file, in it's entirety, on a different occasion using POI loader. Either that or only upload the ones you want with the route, however, I prefer to have the whole lot available so use the former technique.

 

[Exile WCB]

This may be a bit late, as it looks like you've already ordered. I don't think the bluetooth does mobile phone on that model, just directions. Might not be important to you, just thought you'd like to know

Thanks legend. I'm not so bothered about the mobile phone bluetooth. I like the xcuse not to answer

 

[Exile WCB]

Off to the Alps myself in late June to early July, camping as well. Try here for a campsite POI file.

Be warned that the campsite POI file is large (19,000 sites) and takes a while to load into Mapsource. For planning purposes; I suggest that you drag out the general area that you're visiting and copy and paste that into a new Mapsource window, you can then open this quicker, grab the handful of POIs near your intended destination and drop those onto the Mapsource window you're using for route planning.

Only upload the routes to your GPS having transferred the POI file, in it's entirety, on a different occasion using POI loader. Either that or only upload the ones you want with the route, however, I prefer to have the whole lot available so use the former technique.

Thnks bump. I'll give it a go.

 

[Bumpkin]

Thnks bump. I'll give it a go.

Give route planning in Mapsource plenty of practice with you actually riding/driving the routes (even if it's on the ride to work) before you use it in earnest abroad or on a serious UK trip. Mapsource is a little quirky and there's a knack to plotting routes that work as you expect.

 

[Exile WCB]

Campsites succesffuly uploaded to my new GPS. Thanks for the advice.

 

[the beer hunter]

Campsites succesffuly uploaded to my new GPS. Thanks for the advice.

Hi bud, when are you going?

I'm riding over last week in July if you fancy hooking up.