GPS?

I'm wondering if there's consensus around a good make/model GPS. "Motorcycle" models are kind of pricey; will a regular automotive one suffice if you keep it dry?

I'm currently using my Nuvi 760 on DennisB's excellent mount.

Thanks!

The real benefit of "Motorcycle" GPS's are the waterproofing, and the ability to press the buttons easily while wearing gloves.

There are waterproof cases for GPS's to take care of that part.

Everything else is features and budget.

Are all GPS'es using solid state memory or do some still use DASD??

When I made my trip to MA my GPs (regular vehicle) was able hear the voice promts. The GPS I have does not earphone connection. Any suggestions about hearing the device better?

I have a Scala system that my GPS is bluetoothed to. The Scala also has a wired connection for my phone. I have a Garmin Nuvi 265WT. I used a Garmin 660??? or 680 before. Just never used it in the rain.

I have a Garmin Zumo 660 - bike-orientated so waterproof.

The Givi GPS bags keep a non-waterproof GPS dry; I have a couple of scootering friends who have them and are completely satisfied with the performance.

Hi KINN,

I have a Lowrance XOG, water proof, shock res. and I plug in a Homer blue tooth adapter into it so I can lisen thourgh a set of Motorola S9 headphones. The only down side to the XOG is the screen is small but who cares....I can hear it!

I use a Garmin Nuvi 755T -- it's not bluetooth however, and you'll need to know that if you try to sync up a car GPS with a bluetooth headset, it won't really work as your headset won't be able to transmit. If you're only worried about hearing your GPS, then that's less of an issue, but if you're trying to use your GPS to operate your phone and also use your headset for communication -- you'll need a Zumo. The Nuvi 755T has a headphone jack, an SDHC card slot and it plays mp3s. The Bluetooth model is 765T.

I used to have a Ram Mount Aquabox. What I use now is basically a ziploc bag and a rubberband. It works well and I am spared the ridiculous bulk of an Aquabox, which is about 4 times the thickness of my GPS.

I am also looking for a gps...

Readable in sunlight.
Voice in helmet (wifi... not with a wire)
Benelux, France and Germany is ok for me.

I hope to find some thing for spring next year.

I just purchased the Garmin Nuvi 765T, based on price, options, and reviews. I've yet to try it out on the scoot, but will be using it tomorrow. The screen is very bright, and I had no issue using the Bluetooth, it paired w/my phone right away. I'll be getting a headset at some point, and hope it will pair correctly with that, we'll see. I'm also planning on using the ghetto waterproof kit (Ziplock / rubberband) since an extra $300 for waterproofing seems ludicrous, and all of the boxes I've seen are both huge, and expensive.

Perth(WA) to Melbourne (Vic)
distance 3600 klm,
leaving Perth on Grt Eastern Hwy
"Go Straight for 520 klm Turn right." (Coolgardie)
"Go Straight for 200klm Turn Left." (Norseman)
"Go straight for 1760klm Turn right " (Port Augusta)
"Go straight for 200klm Turn Left" (Adelaide)
"Go Straight to Melb"
Who needs a GPS?

OK OK yes I need one to navigate Melb as every time I get there they upgrade the roads with one ways and no turns and if you blink you end up in Dandenong. LOL


NB distances only approximate on memory hehehe

I'm such a nerd, I bought a GPS based on it's hackability.

It's small so it fits perfectly between the handlebars. It's a Siemens/Fujitsu device that originally came with a proprietary software running on top of Windows CE, but I hacked it to boot to Windows and installed the TOMTOM software. So now I can run either the Navigon software or the TOMTOM.

I like the Navigon interface but they stopped publishing US maps in 2009 so I find myself using the TOMTOM maps lately.

DuggleBogey

Who is supplying Navigon with their maps now?


Dan

GPS!

I still get lost and enjoy it.

If you're using a 765T, just make sure your headset can handle multiple devices simultaneously. A Zumo will integrate your phone and the audio from the GPS and act as a bridge between your phone and your headset. A car Nuvi will not be able to do that, or at least, my friend wasn't able to even connect her Cardo Q2 to her Nuvi 765T as it wasn't a recognized device according to the Nuvi.

Hammy wrote:

If you're using a 765T, just make sure your headset can handle multiple devices simultaneously. A Zumo will integrate your phone and the audio from the GPS and act as a bridge between your phone and your headset. A car Nuvi will not be able to do that, or at least, my friend wasn't able to even connect her Cardo Q2 to her Nuvi 765T as it wasn't a recognized device according to the Nuvi.

Hopefully the Nuvi will pair w/a Cardo or J&M headset. I'm only planning on pairing my phone w/the Nuvi when I'm in my car. On my bike, I don't plan on ever using the phone.

Hey Sweeney! My friend could NOT pair her Cardo headset to the Nuvi at all. It just would not recognize the Cardo as a Bluetooth headset. Why? I have no idea. The solution was to run a cable from the GPS headphone jack to the headset. That's the same thing I do with my Nolan helmet: my phone is connected to the helmet via Bluetooth while the GPS is connected via a cable.

dspevack wrote:

DuggleBogey
Who is supplying Navigon with their maps now?

Nobody is for North America, that was my problem. I think there are still European maps available for that system.

What is interesting is that Navigon shows up to date maps for their PDA and smart phone applications, and they just put out a map update for Escort's SmartMirror with integrated GPS.

Have you called Navigon Directly to verify this?

I think that's what happened, they decided to concentrate on the Cell phone market and not so much on the stand alone PDA market anymore. I'm very thankful I can run the Tomtom stuff too, they should keep me in up to date maps for a little while. The Navigon kept telling me I was driving through corn fields.

I think Sweendog's Nuvi 765T can pair with his Cardo... hopefully he'll clarify?

I believe that the 765t will blue-tooth with any other blue-tooth device. I wanted one of those myself, but got in a big hurry and didn't want to wait. Only ones available around here were the refurbished ones. BUT they sure looked good and have all the features I wanted.
Let me say again... I have the Garmin 265t and by blue-toothing to my helmet, I can hear it just fine. I also have the wired connection to the helmet for my phone(could blue-tooth it if I choose not to use the GPS at the same time.) I hear both just loud and clear. Lets me use hands-free phone. I did have the MP3 player with the last GPS, but decided with this one, I prefer to not have the distraction. Kinda miss that, but part of me getting a little safetied up.

Well, according to the product details, the 765 should pair with a bluetooth headset. When I was messing around w/the unit, there was a choice of some kind for pairing w/a headset, rather than a phone.

The on-line manual says this:
"Phone or Audio -- select Add>OK to pair with a device that has Bluetooth wireless technology. Tolisten to high-quality audio wirelessly, connect to an A2DP Bluetooth headset.."

It will likely be a few months or so before I purchase a headset though, as I've already spent quite a bit on the rest of the setup, and the headsets seem to be in the $250-300 range.

I'm considering looking at some wired headsets, since being connected to the GPS isn't really a problem.

Either way, I need to let the ol' bank account recuperate for a while...

Wired is fine. Especially if you ride alone. If you ride two up or in a group, you will need to look at all the options. Bike to bike is hard to do the wired... The scala set we use is just driver to passenger. Adds a lot to riding with the wife.
Most gadgets added to our scoots hit the pocketbook. Just have to sort out the ones that work for you the best.

I know your state has some fantastic places to ride, but to an old rural guy like me, the image of tall buildings and concrete parking lots come to mind when I think of New Jersey. And of course black and white cows...

DO a ride soon and post some pictures...

Not sure if this will work right, but here's some shots of my installation. I haven't done the power-cable yet, but after my trip this Sunday, I'm thinking I'll do that sooner, rather than later, because the 765 only lasts about 3 hours on battery. I think it's so short because I really had to have the brightness up around 80-100% to have good visibility in the bright sun.

http://picasaweb.google.com/sweendogz/SilverwingGPSMountProject?feat=directlink

Parts list:
Dennis B's GPS mount-plate and spacers.
RAM Mount Plastic Medium arm B-Socet RAP-B-201U
RAM Mount Diamond plate w/1" ball RAP-B-238U
RAM Mount male thread and flats RAM-B-236-HA1U
RAM Mount Garmin Nuvi 7xx Series Cradle RAM-HOL-GA26U

You could use the FM transmit on the Nuvi and get a cheap FM radio and earphones. Cheap and almost as good as bluetooth. That way you could get directions and MP3 to your ears. easily.

Check out this capability.

MaxB( who did this for a while)

MaxB wrote:

You could use the FM transmit on the Nuvi and get a cheap FM radio and earphones. Cheap and almost as good as bluetooth. That way you could get directions and MP3 to your ears. easily.

Check out this capability.

MaxB( who did this for a while)

That's a good idea, I hadn't even thought of it. Now to investigate cheaper headset alternatives...