| Author | Message | ||
     Old_mil |
...not that there haven't been others, but a trip to Sharper Image the other day got me to thinking. I've been a Garmin fan for a long time. Their units are well built, and their customer service is fantastic. Over the years I've owned a GPS V, a 2610, a 2720, and a nuvi 650. I still use the latter two. I just dropped $60 to upgrade my 2720's maps to City 2008. The nuvi had City 2008 maps in it new. Anyway, at Sharper Image, they had pretty much every imaginable GPS possible *except* Garmin. Magellan, Tom Tom, etc. Unfortunately, almost every one of these had more accurate maps than the latest and greatest from Garmin. Tom Tom had the best maps; Magellan was in 2nd...both were better than Garmin. So, what GPS systems are all of you using? Has anyone moved to a non-Garmin setup? For a long time I've wanted a 376c on the bike with music, weather, traffic, etc. Now, I'm not so sure. | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
Hopefully, this won't be a thread hijack, but rather a thread "augmentation;" Having just sold my Bandit, I'm now officially shopping for an '08 Uly. I kept my Garmin 2610 and was wondering how you guys have mounted your GPS? I had a Ram ball on my Bandit handle bars and it worked really well. Not sure what's best on the Uly. Also, is the accessory jack on the handle bars hot when the ignition is off?  Tipsy | ||
| Curly |
stick with the ram mount, it will work on the uly. and no the acc plug is not hot when switch is off. | ||
| Supertoon |
I wonder if the area you are in has an impact. I am in eastern Canada and was running Tom Tom on a pda before my Zumo. I much prefer the coverage of the Garmin and also the routing preferences. The Tom Tom sent me down quite a few dead-ends, none with the Zumo yet. My only gripe with the Garmin product is the routing software, it is just not intuitive and a general pita to use. I probably just need more practice, but I still trip plan with "Streets and Trips".Also, on the topic of ram mounts, I think I "need" one of these!  | ||
| Ahowudoon |
Just got my first GPS, a Garmin 2610. I have everything to wire it in, just waiting for my Ram Mount to show up. I've been using it in my truck so far with pretty decent results. I'm still new to the GPS game and it doesn't always give me the route I want, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. I picked the Garmin because others had such good things to say about the units themselves and the Garmin customer service. Plus this model is waterproof, which is huge to me as I seem to always get stuck in the rain..... | ||
| Wbrisett |
I would never get a unit that isn't waterproof. You're just asking for trouble. I had the Zumo 450 on my BMW RT, so I initially had it all rigged for the Uly, so I could take it with me to the March Badness (just got home last night). However, I did a firmware update a couple of days before I left and now the unit won't turn on properly. I called Garmin and they issued me an RMA to get it working again. In the meantime, I looked around and didn't care for most of the units. But I didn't want to buy another Zumo. I ended up going with the Buell/Garmin combination. There are things I like about the unit (fit and looks) and things I don't: You need to plan your route carefully since you have to download the maps to the unit, the size of the Zumo screen makes this one hard to read in my opinion. But it's not a bad unit, but the price is a bit steep. However, I needed one pretty much that day if I was going to take it with me. The RAM mounts seem to be the way to go for mounting on the Uly. Wayne | ||
| Seanp |
The Zumo is waterproof, but the Garmin-included mount can get water into it, behind the GPS unit. While I was riding home from March Badness a couple of days ago, my GPS started telling me "The USB cable is plugged into the wrong connector" or something like that. I could hit "OK" and cancel the popup, but it did it every 30 seconds or so. I pulled over and rebooted the GPS, and it booted up with a diagnostic screen. (Which was very interesting - I'd like to figure out how to get it to show up voluntarily.) Then the numbers all went screwy, with Japanese characters or something, mixed with regular letters. I then pulled the GPS out of the mount, and there was some water behind it, in the little plug where I think a satellite radio antenna goes. I cleaned it out and it worked fine. So the GPS is waterproof, but if you ride in the rain a lot, (I do) then you may have to make sure the mount behind the GPS is dry too. | ||
| Miamiuly |
zumo is cool if not a little large. At this point I have a few gps units but am using a garmin nuvi 200. Not waterproof but easy to put a bag over it if needed. For the price of the cheapest zumo, I can buy 3 nuvi's at $200 and it is smaller and has a similar interface. Don't need bluetooth. One drawback to nuvi is no track log though. My etrex vista cx is getting fixed due to my smashing the lcd screen (with my leg)durring an offroad get off. As for routing, I tend to go my own way and let the unit re-route as I go. | ||
| Sekalilgai |
I'm using a Magellan 2200T/X-over with an elcheapo mount from fleabay that worked remarkably well. It got tested at MBV this past weekend, 690 miles and half of which was in rain. I ran it for about 6 hours straight on batteries (I think mfg claims 8) and touchscreen is operable in rain with wet soaked gloves. I was a bit nervous about the mount considering the Uly trembles a bit but there were no worries, it is fitted to the left handlebar (my camera is being fedexed home as I am a doddering forgetful old fart) and uses the stock Magellan cradle. It is a pretty clean install and manages to dodge the wires/cables in the vicinity. Ken | ||
| Naboyd |
I own the ZUMO 450. I have used the Street Pilot 3 Colormap and the Quest in the past (all Garmin Products). Garmin owns the market. There is a reason that BMW, Honda, Victory and H-d/Buell use the as the OEM. I think the ZUMO is the best for motorcycling out there. I use a RAM mount setup with the GARMIN cradle. I get power to the bare while right behind the dash. I run a cable to the back of my helment were I have the mini-amp mounted to power my helmet speakers. I don't go anywhere without my tunes going on the ZUMO. I love this setup. | ||
| Froggy |
Pics of your helmet setup please, i need ideas for my Zumo 550  | ||
| Helmetbolt |
Zumo 550 for me.   | ||
| Supertoon |
Helmetbolt, nice treatment of that friggin' security screw! I guess you will be putting the little screwdriver up for bids on Fleabay!  BTW , just have to ask, what windshield are you running.... | ||
| Honu |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142838/348535.html?1207314200 Check out the above thread also. I used Maximums old system.    | ||
| Dr_greg |
Somehow I seem to survive with a little Garmin Quest... | ||
| Wbrisett |
Somehow I seem to survive with a little Garmin Quest... Once you use the Zumo, you'll never want to go back to the Quest. I have both and the Zumo's large touch screen is almost enough by itself. However, never having to load maps really sells the unit for people like myself, who simply like to put the route on a SD card, then go. Much easier than having to load both the route and the maps. If you decide to change your route, you can make those changes via the screen on the Zumo. While you can do this with the Quest, it is a real PITA. At MB5, I was lucky enough to have my laptop so I could reroute our trip home since the weather further north didn't look like it was going to cooperate.... yes, I could have done it without the laptop, but it's so much easier on the Zumo, that it's hard for me to switch back and forth between the two. Wayne | ||
| Froggy |
I also have a Zumo and a Quest, with the latter being used as a wheel chock for my fathers Firebird. | ||
| Chrisgrant |
Naboyd, talk t me about the amp. I have an Autocom on my Uly and will be ordering a Zumo this week. Do you think I will need an amp? Pics? Where to buy? | ||
| Chrisgrant |
Honu, What mount is that on your bar? | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
<<<http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/348535.html?1207314200 Check out the above thread also. I used Maximums old system>>> Isn't that a link to this thread? What is the purpose of mounting the Ram ball via the Adel clamps on the cross bar? Did you do that because you wanted the unit positioned closer to center than you could achieve by mounting the Ram ball directly to the thicker (outer) part of the bars? Tipsy | ||
| Court |
This should probably go over in my little rant about customer service, but I have to tell you a quick story. I've long been an advocate that Customer Service, stuff like answering the phone with the name of the company, hold times under 15 minutes, being responsive rather than defensive, being honest, and keeping commitments, is a huge profit center. Over the past weeks I've watched folks, both customer, dealers and in one case a Harley-Davidson employee, get antsy over concerns about their new 1125R, exacerbated by lack of response to inquiries. Little doubt that sales are impacted. So the other day . . . I confess I was a bit on edge when I did a "stupid people trick" and had to call Garmin. I was putting the new registration sticker in the window of my truck to avoid my annual "outdated registration" ticket. I was in a bit of a hurry and unhooked the GPS mount that interfered with my scraping the old sticker off and let it dangle. I quickly got the sticker on and just need to run in the house to collect my briefcase. As I left the truck, I swung the door closed and heard the loud "crunch" just as the pieces came flying by. I'd powdered the GPS mount. I called Garmin in Olathe, KS and within 2 minutes was on the phone with James. True to my own preaching about transparency and honest dealings I told him exactly what I'd done and that I intended to pay for the $50 item and the overnight shipping. His response to my "I am an idiot" claim was "we see our customers as the world's best idiots" . . your part is on the way and it's on us. Motorcycles and GPS units are both pretty much discretionary consumer purchases, both in fields that offer plenty of qualified choices. I'm not sure James knows it but he just sold me a ZUMO 550 and a Nuvi for a new car. There's a lesson there. Court | ||
| Nav18tor |
I run a Zumo 550, supplied in the UK with full European mapping and a RAM mount Had the Ulysses hard wired and mounted the RAM below the crossbar Has worked faultlessly and I find it easy to read, have never bothered with sound, either Bluetooth or hard wire | ||
| Jackbequick |
I've had good luck with Garmin too on both software and hardware issues. They've RMA'd and replaced two GPS receivers for me that had failed a little beyond the normal one year warranty. Garmin is in a little turmoil right now, their stock has fallen 51% in recent months and competition is getting tougher. And one of the co-founders, Min Kao, is reportedly selling off his shares. Many people who are older Garmin users find some of their new designs to be "dumbed down" to the point that they are losing essential features. But Garmin is still hard to beat from an all around (service, mapping quality, reliability, etc.) viewpoint. Jack | ||
| Naboyd |
Froggy and Chrisgrant - per your request: I wear a full face Shoei and earplugs, all the time. The zumo would not push these helmet speakers enough to be satisfying for highway riding. http://www.bikeintercom.com/products/x1.htm http://helmetaudio.com/khxc/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=IA44&sid=52540359par08823814975o296ln4t63 http://www.aerostich.com/product.php?productid=17094&cat=337&page=1    | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Hey Naboyd, you left the key in your topcase. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I have the Garmin 2820, it has bluetooth, XM capability, and all that. I've got it on the Uly with a Ram ball mount. I haven't used it yet. I am going to install a second 12v outlet somewhere to keep the unit hot at all times. I am going to experiment with these helmet speakers. http://helmetaudio.com/khxc/index.php?app=ccp0&ns= prodshow&ref=HS92&sid=34183qe6723h45161d17b702v1d6 yk94 If they don't work I'll just use it as a visual aid. I thought the Mapsource software was a nightmare. Last night a friend gave me a 30 min crash course over the phone, and I am now --with a little practice-- routing like a madman. It is very manipulable, but not very intuitive. Mapsource has not been dumbed down, so therein lies my problem. My backup GPS, which is fantastic within its limitations, is a MIO C310X. Unfortunately it is not waterproof, and does not accept custom routes. It's strengths are super clear and loud voice prompts (I can hear the voice prompts from the built in speaker even with earplugs, as long as I'm not running 80 mph), ease of use, and price. | ||
| Froggy |
+1 to that, I wish the Zumo had an advanced mode that would let me customize it better and give more info. It feels like I am using a Mac, and its showing me what it thinks I want to see, but the older GPS units are like Linux and don't hold back. Just the opposite problem with map source, it’s like they designed it in 1980 and haven't touched it since. Naboyd, that setup looks good | ||
| Naboyd |
"Hey Naboyd, you left the key in your topcase." I had a guy almost run me off the road one day to tell me that... From your comment, I would assume you have had similar experiences.... Notice the tether attached to the tour pack mount. Being an x-ULTRA rider, I really hate needing to have the key everytime I get in or out of the tourbox. So, I just tethered it in place. It has a quick disconnect for those time when I actually want it locked up. | ||
| Supertoon |
I think I need a friend like that, still using MS S&T for trip planning. | ||
| Jackbequick |
MapSource, also known as MapSores. Go through the Garmin tutorial one time. Then use it and you'll get better at it. It appears that it will never become a better piece of software. But I use it a lot. Some hints: 0 - Study the Edit > Preferences tabs a little. Some of those are the biggies on getting stable results and what you want. I use the defaults for the most part. There is no "reset to defaults" choice there so keep track of your changes so you can undo them when things get too weird. It is actually better to leave the Preferences at the basic settings and fine tune the routing with the settings on the GPS. Otherwise, you'll get into a loop of MapSource and the GPS running at odds with each other. Many of the things that sound like "good ideas" in preferences don't work out that well in use. I change Routing from auto (bikes/cars) to point to point (boats/off road) and Units from statue to nautical and other wise leave the other prefs alone. 1 - Use the -/+ keys for zooming and the arrow keys for panning, it is much faster. Even with that, there is a constant shuffle of changing tools and moving the cursor targeting from the map window and the user data tabs. 2 - As much as possible, place waypoints to build and define routes instead of clicking on spots on the map. GPS receivers seem to "honor" waypoints better than they do via points that are map points (spots you clicked on). Think of waypoints as belonging to the user and map points belonging to the software and routing algorithms. And the latter can get weird and/or stupid from time to time. 3 - I use the Waypoint and Select tools for the most part. With a route started that needs fixing, place a waypoint, change to the Select tool, double click the route to see the route properties, then add the waypoint from the properties menu. Route will be recalculated when you click OK. 4 - Route properties menu is strong magic, you can add and move waypoints from there and see all the stats too. 5 - Put start and finish in the route first, then add waypoints to the route as needed to fix the routing. 6 - You can run multiple instances of MapSource and copy and paste routes/waypoints/tracks from one to another to build routes. I use one for a "working window" another for a "finished route(s) window". 7 - Save to *.gdb files frequently and use explicit folder and file names to keep things organized for later use or re-use. 8 - When you build a route in MapSource you are building a list of locations (map points or waypoints). The route you see on the map there is only in software. The locations in the route are the only thing that is saved and uploaded. So if you upload the route (i.e., the list of locations) and activate the route, the route you see will be based on the available data (map vectors, map points, etc.) and controlled by the software, settings, and preferences on the GPS unit. That is what accounts for the routes being different in MapSource and on the unit sometimes. The best situation is where you have the same mapping and similar preferences in both places. And where you use waypoints instead of map points because the software "honors" those better than map points. Jack P.S. - I have some older, obsolete, Garmin mapping (street and highway and topo) on a DVD that is interesting and useful. Particularly if you like to get off the beaten track a little and see some details that have been left off of later maps. The mapping can be installed under MapSource and looked at from there. And it will uninstall cleanly if you don't want it later. It is all unlocked and, for some GPS units, can be used to upload supplemental mapping to some GPS receivers. It is a mildly technical install but can be fun to have if you are the least bit anal about maps. PM me with a mailing address for a free copy of the DVD and consider it a gift for the betterment of mankind. It can and needs to be shared with others. (Message edited by jackbequick on April 07, 2008) |
