Forums > Parts, Accessories & Gear > GPS

 

E,

I can't help you.  Pat knows about this stuff.

Personally, I'm going in the opposite direction.

http://www.lauralee.com/index.cgi?pid=4337 

C

 

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Another sunrise, These bright and crystal moments, Crow flies overhead.

Try not to watch it too much while riding, damhik :-)

E.,

I have the QII and am not a fan of it.  It is very slow and has cumbersome software.  When you have two tight turns, that is, a left and a quick right, it will usually take too long to update the map and you miss the second turn.  That being said, it will do a decent job to get you around but the ZUMO appears to be MUCH BETTER.  Set the QII to lesser map detail and don't zoom in too much (I use about .2 mile or so) and it will be faster to update.

There is a mount with a headphone (or input to a sound mixer) which you can buy.  Here's what mine looks like on the RT.

Robo

 

 

 

 

Rob,

Thank You! I'm reading up on the unit!

BTW is your GPS hooked up to the speaker? 

E 

 

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There's only one like you, no way they could have made two - BW

Hey E. welcome to the age of technology  ! I have been using GPS since 1996, flying and stuff. I'd say, don't leave home without it. On the road, finding Hotels, Gas stations, Restaurants AND Starbucks. I mean, how much better can it get? You'll love it.

Definitly, take time to read the manual and play with it. You can't break anything and there is always the reset button to go back to factory settings. Before you know it, you'll use it in your car (...heck, I use my TomTom walking in the city) I've got the BMW Navigator III on my GS

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Thomas - I'll worry about assisted living later... IBA# 28109 '07 R1200GS Adventure

I have resisted using GPS on the bike.

I have a hand held unit I take with me hiking in the woods, but I've only ever turned it on to check the batteries. I don't think I even know how to use it. Being lost probably isn't the right time to learn.

I'm sure GPS has its virtures, but now another machine is controlling one's life and limiting the chance of getting a little lost and discovering the unexpected. It's pretty hard to get Really Lost.

I once rode with a guy who programed his GPS to get us somewhere and we followed its directions as 'she' told us what to do, e.g. 'turn left in 100 yards.' It was pretty neat from a techno point of view. But still, I'd rather get lost. I'd rather think that I was also responsible for getting un-lost.

Have fun, but maybe turn it off once in a while.

 

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"There ain't no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk." -- T. Waits

I love my Zumo 550.  I believe that every model and brand of GPS has their own quirks, and that you will adapt and learn to get the best out of your particular GPS unit.  (That is probably true of most machines).  That being said, the only advice I have is remember that the software doesn't know if there is construction ahead, or when a new restaurant is built.  When you are testing it around your town, you might find you know the roads better that the GPS.  It will get you where you want to go, but perhaps not always the way you would have chosen with experience.  And don't stare too long at the screen while riding!  Kevin

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SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES .. . . THEY ARE NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY STILL BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN YOU PUSH THEM DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS.

 

Jack,

Having consciously and actively devoted most of my life up until about 2-years ago to being as deeply in control as possible, and definately not even Slightly Lost . . .

Strangely . . . one of my current primary, long-term ambitions is to achieve a state of being Really Lost.

I have no memory of what that is like. 

A man needs to dream. 

C

 

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Another sunrise, These bright and crystal moments, Crow flies overhead.

I must respond to Jack as I agree.  I know my destination.  I program it into the navigator but I drive where I feel.  If I see a road I want to take, I do.  I use the GPS (zoomed way out) to just lead me in the general direction.  I also use the GPS to find hotel listings and restaurant listings.  Then of course I let it lead me by the hand.  It is also nice because it will tell you how far your destination is and the time to drive it.  This way, if you want to be there before sundown, etc., you can plan.  But to just follow the GPS on a ride: boring.  It never takes the 'good' roads.

Finally, the GPS is great for keeping track of your favorite stops or routes.  I use it often to have it remind me of great places to ride and to save my best twisty road routes.

Funny, the GPS in the car is used in a completely opposite manner--lead me by the hand.

Robo

I will also add in here.  To make it more adventurous, I do not even have it plugged in to the bike.  I run it on battery power which gives me about three hours.  I can plug it in to a wall socket wherever I am staying for the night.  So most of the time it is off, and I really only use it when I am unsure, or to check arrival times, etc.  I do like to know what my actual speed is too.  On my CLC the speedo is just in KPH, so that is handy.  I got used to quick conversions in my head, but sometimes I like to check.  Bottom line, it is very handy when you want it.  And you can turn it off whenever you want, while knowing it is there if you need it.  Kevin

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SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES .. . . THEY ARE NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY STILL BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN YOU PUSH THEM DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS.

Well I guess I just use this thing backwards (but what else is new)

I use the GPS at times to tell me where I am, but never let it tell me where to go.

For that my nose into the wind seems to work (most) of he time, and a lot more adventure that way 

I do get a perverse pleasure out of watching the cursor make its inexorable crawl along I-37 as I try and claw my way out of the flat lands that are south Texas. 

I have a Garmin 276C, next one will be a Zumo so I can come home and load the trips into Google Earth, as a  map junkie (yes I carry two of those also), that is just too cool.

Bob 

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"Go out, things happen. Stay at home, they don't" .....................Ted Simon

"E",

     I've used my Lowrance I-Way 500 C for about three years now and it has been a life saver when traveling thru and around cities like St. Louis and Indy @ rush hour. You just have to much stuff to watch to make it sometimes.

 

Then also to find gas and lodging it is irreplacable . I run my GPS and XM radio to a "MixIt2" amplifier and it auto turns my music off to give me GPS turn info ,then the music comes back on.

 

Unfortunately I lost my MixIt2 in the crash, but generally there is enough volume in the GPS to be able to hear thru my helmet speakers or if that isn't enough I usually use just one ear plug speaker to get my XM and GPS info yet still have one ear open to hear traffic around me.

 

But if you don't have a really quiet W/S then you'll need an amp or both ear plugs, Thomas has a nice set of custom molded ear plugs, that would be neccessary at the speed and noise levels that he travels at.

 

J ust keep experimenting and you'll get the hang of it, makes trans-contenental blasts across the country a snap, Oh, and mine has 10 Gigs of MP3 player installed in it also. Gotta have those highway tunes to get your "Ride On' !!! Some units have XM built in , I had a separate unit !

JC

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06 Ducati 620 Multistrada [Rabbit] ;

I did some more research and found this unit at a fairly good price. It was ordered today (I cancelled the Q II unit order.) The unit I bought appears to have more features than I will ever use, but a boy with money in his pocket has got to play.  A couple of you mentioned not to stare at the unit when riding. It may sound funny bit I can see how it could get you into trouble.  The unit will be attached in the left handle bar and connected to the battery. It has Bluetooth technology which means I have the ability to listen to the unit via headsets, which begs another question.  I wear a full face helmet that is VERY SNUG. How in the world do a use a head set that will stay in place when I put the helmet on and off?     

Thanks, I really appreciate the responses.

    

Item Includes: Garmin StreetPilot 2820, 12V car charger, AC adapter, Cable, Dash mount

• Garmin StreetPilot 2820 GPS Navigation System gives you a hands-free calling Interface and streamlined traffic capabilities.
• Whether you are an automobile or motorcycle driver, you will easily make hands-free calls while receiving navigation Audio prompts, through a Bluetooth Headset or helmet.
• Retrieve and dial numbers from a personalized phone book or call history log.
• Huge points of interest (POI) Database includes hotels, restaurants, stores and much more.
• Traffic management capabilities notify users of accidents, road construction and weather-related traffic delays.
• For entertainment, the StreetPilot 2820 offers an MP3 player and XM Satellite Radio compatibility.
• Unit comes pre-loaded with City Navigator NT maps - providing detailed road maps of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
• 3.8 inch WQVGA Color TFT display - automotive-grade, sunlight readable, 454x240 Pixels.
• Place hands-free mobile phone calls when paired with compatible phone that has Bluetooth wireless technology.
• For motorcyclists, the navigation audio prompts can be wirelessly sent to the headset, using Bluetooth wireless technology.
• Simultaneous connection to both headsets and using Bluetooth.
• Optional GTM 10/GTM 12 provides Real-time Traffic Message Channel (TMC) data, to alert users to traffic.
• GXM 30 smart antenna provides XM Satellite Radio and/or XM NavTraffic (subscription required).
• Send audio to car Stereo through the 3.5 mm stereo headphone/line-out plug.
• Turn-by-turn directions.
• Announces streets by name to keep your eyes on the road.
• Arrange destinations to minimize trip distance - timesaver for realtors, sales forces and errand-runners.
• Import custom points of interest (POIs) like restaurants and safety cameras from CSV files.
• Built-in photo sensor adjusts the screen's brightness automatically.
• Proximity alert feature warns of upcoming custom POIs, like safety cameras and school zones.
• Built-in patch antenna; MCX-type connector for optional external GPS antenna connection.
• Choose from 2D or 3D map perspective.
• Touch screen and alphanumeric remote control.
• Rugged and waterproof (IPX7) design.
• Unit Dimensions(WxHxD): 5.6 inch x 3.2 inch x 2.0 inch.

  

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There's only one like you, no way they could have made two - BW

Hey E., most helmets have recessed pockets for speakers. If yours doesn't, the alternative would be to take out the padding and do a little surgery...

For me this is the most convenient way do deal with earphones / speakers. My Arai XD is pretty noisy. Therefore, I need to wear earplugs to eliminate the wind noise and enjoy the FM radio from my J&M intercom unit...

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Thomas - I'll worry about assisted living later... IBA# 28109 '07 R1200GS Adventure