Which Sat Nav?

[xjr1200basher]

I'm looking to get my 1st sat nav!

I ride a R1200GS Adv, which i'm gonna do some weekend trips in the UK and maybe into Europe.
I'm also need it for a 2 week trip to Italy in August, to be used in the hire car.

I think i would prefer the Garmin, but which one?
I'm not looking to spend loads and don't need all the latest tech (bluetooth, text, speech, etc....)
I just want the basic stuff that would help with travelling for the next few years?
Is there any good offers out there at the moment?

Any help/advice would be most helpful?

Cheers

 

[Twotter]

Have a look at the current models Garmin offer...

http://www.garmin.com/uk/products/motorcycle-sat-navs/

I've had a Zumo 550 for a couple of years and it does the job fine.

 

[alandpia]

I've had a Zumo 550 for a couple of years and it does the job fine.

Ditto. No problems connecting to bluetooth, always there when it's needed. Found all Garmin products very reliable

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Maybe an alternative for you, what kind of phone do you have? If you have a smart phone, particularly an android or iphone you can get navigation software for it very cheaply. Personally I use co-pilot on Android and it works great. Only £19 as well for the UK I think it is £27 for Europe. You only need to add something like an otter box or even just a clear pocket in a tank bag and you sorted.

 

[Ross Dean]

My partners iphone Tom Tom application outclassed my Zumo 550 on a trip to Brittany recently. The Zumo 550 is looking dated compared to more recent equipment. A lot more judgement is required on whether to follow the chosen route or not. Specifically we like to use the satnav to find quiet back road routes. The Tom Tom app has an 'alternative route' option which is far superior to the 550 route class selection (turn off/on highways, for example).

 

[ChrisK]

Have used both 550 and rider2 and would say TomTom has the edge, easier to use and better option on alternative routes.

Both suffer badly in bright sunlight with poor screen shading.

 

[swissrob]

IF i bought another GPS i would go for tomtom without a question.

far better 3D visual display, easier junction display, easier user interface and status bar can be customized .

none of which is possible on the zumo 550, zumo 600 comes close but i still feel tomtom is better.

 

[Sleepy]

My partners iphone Tom Tom application outclassed my Zumo 550 on a trip to Brittany recently. The Zumo 550 is looking dated compared to more recent equipment. A lot more judgement is required on whether to follow the chosen route or not. Specifically we like to use the satnav to find quiet back road routes. The Tom Tom app has an 'alternative route' option which is far superior to the 550 route class selection (turn off/on highways, for example).

I supposed this is fine if you don't want to (or can't) create your own routes, but I like to go the way I want,not necessarily the route the satnav says, which for me is the whole point of having a GPS device.

 

[GoSquirrel]

BMW Navigator IV

Just bought and installed BMW's Navigator IV - (Garmin's Zumo660).

Its an expensive option but I am really impressed with the functionality of the unit and the ease at which I was able to fit and wire the cradle into the BMW power socket. (1200GS, located in nose fairing). -

In addition the bundled mapsource software adds even more value to the package.


Good luck

 

[Twotter]

Does the mobile phone GPS still work if you lose signal???

 

[AndrewD]

Does the mobile phone GPS still work if you lose signal???

Yes it does as it has a proper GPS chip.

I've got a Zumo 660 and it's very good but I also have an Iphone (and Ipad) and I doubt I'd buy the 660 now.

However I use OnRoute via Mapsource and it is VERY good at making great routes, the other good thing about the 660 over the Iphone (and similar) screens is they are now conductive to make multi-touch etc possible. No good with gloves!

 

[Ross Dean]

I supposed this is fine if you don't want to (or can't) create your own routes, but I like to go the way I want,not necessarily the route the satnav says, which for me is the whole point of having a GPS device.

Yes, I see your point and should have taken the time to explain a bit more when I posted my previous comments.

We prefer not to plan in any detail. The way we work when touring is to decide where we want to end up that day and head off using the sat nav to guide us on back roads and the like. We hardly ever end up where we thought we might and usually start looking for a campsite or accommodation in the late afternoon. I'd rather the sat nav gave us a route and then stayed in the background. When we ignore the sat nav in favour of what looks like an interesting alternative road I would like it to re-calculate quickly and without fuss. I have found that the Tom Tom iphone software is better than the zumo 550 when taking this approach.

 

[Gromit]

Yes it does as it has a proper GPS chip.

iPhone? Nope guess again

Android? yes it does.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Does the mobile phone GPS still work if you lose signal???

Which signal, GPS or Phone? On Android You can loose phone signal ok so long as you aren't using an internet based app like Google navigate.

As to route planning in advance with Copilot you can use Google maps or Google earth to plane every part of your route. Save it and then import it into the phone. Copilot will then take you on that exact route. It also handles going off route very quickly and well should you take that approach.

A quick demo of all the Copilot functions http://www.alk.eu.com/copilot/featuresVid.html beat that lot on most PND's

 

[Twotter]

GPS.

To be honest, apart from the lane splitting feature, I didn't notice anything else that the Zumo 550, and Mapsource, don't already do. Though if I had a gucci iPhone, or similar, I can see the appeal.

Ta for the link (crap music mind)

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I guess the PND's dont have internet access so live traffic and weather will be missing. Its a lot easier to update as well as it just does it. I guess my main point is that if you already have or want a smart phone then its a good cheap way to go. If you have no interest in one then yes the Zumo or Rider might be a better bet.

 

[swissrob]

iPhone? Nope guess again

Android? yes it does.

my 3gs has a proper gps reciever, its a locked unit so i dont have a sim card in it and the gps works perfectly.

 

[Twotter]

I guess the PND's dont have internet access so live traffic and weather will be missing. Its a lot easier to update as well as it just does it. I guess my main point is that if you already have or want a smart phone then its a good cheap way to go. If you have no interest in one then yes the Zumo or Rider might be a better bet.

Sorry, I missed the live traffic and weather info. They're quite neat features and being on the phone, calling up a hotel would be easier than a bluetooth connected Zumo.

I can see more reasons for having a smartphone now

Cheers

 

[Gromit]

my 3gs has a proper gps reciever, its a locked unit so i dont have a sim card in it and the gps works perfectly.

I have turned one on in the middle of the Atlantic and left it on till it went flat and nothing.

If you wade through all the crap it's an assisted gps.
It will narrow it down through cell triangulation then the gps should bring it down further. But if it can't do the first it won't usually do the second.

I have a iPhone 3GS a 4 and a iPad. None will pick up a signal offshore.

Rob

 

[swissrob]

thats odd, mine doesnt have a sim card and wireless is turned off, so its impossible to have assistance. Using tomtom maps it locates my position within about 30 seconds.

i found location services still needs to be turned on to activate the gps.

i have had it tracking my position without problem even when sitting in the cockpit at 36000ft so 100% no network which it cant recieve anyway or stray wireless open signals.