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which GPS ??? which GPS ???
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Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS How to find your way - traditional map, compass and road signs, or GPS and more
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan




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  #1  
Old 26 Sep 2010
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which GPS ???
which is the best/easyest GPS to use ? i was thinking of somthing like a ZUMO 550 or similar .i like the big display.it will be used all over the world. i am a bit of a caveman so needs to be easy to use .strong and if possible cheep.anybody got any tips ?
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  #2  
Old 27 Sep 2010
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Best and easiest don't really go together. There are plenty of threads on here about GPS, so try a search.

Personally I like the Garmin 60CSx. Small screen, but a huge range of options and very accurate, even in weak signal places. Also very tough.
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  #3  
Old 27 Sep 2010
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Whichever you get make sure it has a "high sensitivity" receiver which I would think all new stuff does. Older (and cheaper) ones may not. The difference between my current (new chipset) and previous (old chipset) Garmins was huge. The new one will get a signal fix and keep it where you'd be wandering around pointing the old one to the sky and hoping, built up areas with high rise was really annoying, the old one losing signal just before the most complex junctions so you would always get lost!

On a bike you really want turn by turn voice directions if you are going to try to follow what it wants in a town that you have a map for.
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  #4  
Old 9 Oct 2010
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Dave,

there is zero point you getting a 550 ... get a 500 instead. They are about 100 quid cheaper and the ONLY differences is the 550 comes with traffic info receivers (which as far as I know only work in the USA) and you also get a car mounting with the 550 set.

I doubt you give a toss about US traffic, so unless you want to pay 100 quid for a car mount, then you are better off getting a 500.

They are very tough and rugged. I have been suitably impressed.

You can get them here for £235 ... They dont market the 500 anymore (they want people to spend the big bux on the 550) so its a clearance item

garmin zumo 550,garmin 550,zumo 550,satnav

PS ... if you want a cheap one, I may be selling my 500, to get a 660.
Last edited by colebatch; 18 Oct 2010 at 17:05.
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  #5  
Old 10 Oct 2010
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I have a Zumo 550, but in retrospect, I would have been happy with the 500. I've had it for going on 5 years now, and it's worked flawlessly until this year when the touchscreen failed. It was a gradual process, it gave me trouble on the way out to Nakusp 2010, but failed completely about a month later.

I just finished fixing it (and writing up a how-to, posted on the HUBB) with a new LCD/Digitizer assembly, and it's as good as new.

If I did have to get another GPS, I'd for sure get another Zumo 550/500. It's rugged, easy to use, connects easily to my Starcom and plays music!

ian
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  #6  
Old 10 Oct 2010
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I've also got a 550, and it's been invaluable - worked everywhere I've been! I bought the European maps version, but there's loads of extras to download afterwards. Although maps / signs are fine for most of the journey, GPS is excellent in town / city centres. It's also very useful if you need fuel in a hurry! I've never used the points-of-interest function yet, but I can see that that could be useful, too.

It's a VERY easy device to use, even with gloves on, and mine's always works fine. I've coupled mine with a bluetooth headset (a pain you don't get one with it!), so voice prompts are easily followed.

The battery life on mine's only about 4-5 hours, but I've had it hardwired onto the bike's battery, and it's excellent.

Find one at a good price, and it's a great bit of kit.
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  #7  
Old 11 Oct 2010
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Thumbs up for the Zumo 550 as well. Never had a problem. As far as I can make out the problems that folks have reported were "user errors", i.e. not knowing how to use the thing.
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Old 11 Oct 2010
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If you don't want music or bluetooth ,have a look at the Nuvi 550 .
Very similar to the Zumo but without the added bells and whistles .
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Old 11 Oct 2010
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Is anyone using that new Spot integrated Delorme?
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  #10  
Old 11 Oct 2010
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hello,

I'm in the search of something as well. Would need it for a trip next year in russia-mongolia-khasakstan-easterh europe....

I got a recommendation for the Gamin 60CSx but I don't like the navigation which I find a bit difficult..

Does anyone has some experience with the Garmin Dakota 20 or the Oregon 350? Both can be used with AA rechargeable batteries (what I want) and have a good autonomie (+15 hours). They have touchscreen and are waterproof.

For both of them Touratech provides a support for the bike.
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  #11  
Old 11 Oct 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dave ett View Post
Best and easiest don't really go together. There are plenty of threads on here about GPS, so try a search.

Personally I like the Garmin 60CSx. Small screen, but a huge range of options and very accurate, even in weak signal places. Also very tough.
+1, touch wood, for the 60csx. Somebody else said it was difficult to use. IMHO, once you get your head round it, it's a super piece of kit.

cheers
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  #12  
Old 12 Oct 2010
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[quote=colebatch;308471]Dave,

there is zero point you getting a 550 ... get a 500 instead. They are about 100 quid cheaper and the ONLY differences is the 550 comes with traffic info receivers (which as far as I know only work in the USA) and you also get a car mounting with the 550 set.[quote]

There are some region difference here I think, in the UK the 550 comes with the car mount and Eurpoean mapping, and I understand that the 500 is just UK mapping. Of course, you can always buy mapping after.

I have had a 550 for about 4 years now and to be honest the only thing that comes close to it for 'GPS-Greatness' was a Lowrance unit I had on my boat!

For ease of use and user friendly-ness the TomTom is (IMO) better, but the Garmin is a faster, more acurate and has better features, and once you get used to driving the unit the advantage TomTom has disappears.

Then again, the best GPS/chartplotter in the world is useless if you can't work it!

Think about the features you want, and have a look around. Bike meets are a great place to find out about just-about-anything you need to know.
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  #13  
Old 15 Oct 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GasUp View Post
Of course, you can always buy mapping after.
"Buy" mapping? Dave is from Liverpool chug

but right you are. The 500 came standard with UK and Ireland mapping in this part of the world. - but I 'think' the clearance item I linked in above has full European maps included.

And he can always get global free maps from the Open Streetmap site.
Last edited by colebatch; 18 Oct 2010 at 17:04.
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  #14  
Old 25 Jan 2011
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I've been looking at the 220. It's a bit neater. Also my brother dropped his 550 onto a carpet and it broke, never to work again so I've been a bit put off. I like the size/shape of the 660 but it seem filled with useless crap I'll never use and don't want. I'm a bit of a GPS virgin so educate me... Do I want this?
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  #15  
Old 25 Jan 2011
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What are you hoping it'll do for you?
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