Gps with bluetooth ?

[JoeB]

Saw a ad for the Nolan helmet with built in bluetooth and was wondering what was the best Gps unit that has the ability to play mp3's also.

[peter-reebok]

It is called a PDA.

[Rockhead]

Wow didn’t know they existed, pretty cool; now I want one.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by JoeB

Saw a ad for the Nolan helmet with built in bluetooth and was wondering what was the best Gps unit that has the ability to play mp3's also.

I'm in the market for a gps myself. When I call places to have them help me they push the Garmin Sumo on me. The only thing is...the thing costs over 700 bucks.

[peter-reebok]

My tip - buy a PDA - $200-$300 for a good one.(pocket PC)
Buy a 2 gb flash card - $30
Get a GPS receiver - $80
Download Tom Tom Navigator on the net - $5 if you buy a CD on EBay

You now have hrs of music, a fully functioning GPS, and a pocket PC.

Everything will bluetooth to everything.
PDA stays in bag, or pocket of jacket.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by peter-reebok

My tip - buy a PDA - $200-$300 for a good one.(pocket PC)
Buy a 2 gb flash card - $30
Get a GPS receiver - $80
Download Tom Tom Navigator on the net - $5 if you buy a CD on EBay

You now have hrs of music, a fully functioning GPS, and a pocket PC.

Everything will blue tooth to everything.
PDA stays in bag, or pocket of jacket.

All that sounds really good, except your left without a screen display.

I've been thinking of getting one of the Garman Zumo's. They make 2 models that are designed to be used on motorcycles. Touch screen, with all controls on the left side for easy access well riding.

The 450, and the 550. The units are the same, except the 450 doesn't have blue tooth, text to talk, or xm satellite radio. The 450's can be bought for about $600.

Both units have a new antenna technology that allows a stronger signal, some users are reporting that they don't loose their signal even when they go in their basements.

If anyone has one of these, I really love to hear your comments on it.

[Rockhead]

Shopping right now for a marine unit with chart plotter, gps and fish finding capibilities.

[peter-reebok]

All PDA's have a colour display, that is usually a better resolution than a GPS unit.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by peter-reebok

All PDA's have a colour display, that is usually a better resolution than a GPS unit.

I know. but it's kind of hard to see when it's in your back pack or pocket.

I haven't seen any kind of mounts for them, and even if I did find one, I doubt the unit would hold up very long mounted to the handlebars of my bike.

The ones they list as water, and vibration proof cost quite a bit more than the units advertised for use inside cars.

[Cajundude]

Originally Posted by Rockhead

Shopping right now for a marine unit with chart plotter, gps and fish finding capibilities.

Garmin or Navtek....Garmin is your best all around value! Had many models, fav is still the 2006 - monster display, split screen WOW. Check out their website for more info.... www.garmin.com

[Jammer]

How about that Garmin Sumo 550? That was the one I think I'll end up getting.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by Jammer

How about that Garmin Sumo 550? That was the one I think I'll end up getting.

I'm looking pretty hard at a Garmin too, but I really like the ZUMO"s.

[87gsxrnut]

I use maps.

- Nut

[Rockhead]

Originally Posted by 87gsxrnut

I use maps.

- Nut

Seeing eye dogs work also

[Cajundude]

Originally Posted by Rickster

I know. but it's kind of hard to see when it's in your back pack or pocket.

I haven't seen any kind of mounts for them, and even if I did find one, I doubt the unit would hold up very long mounted to the handlebars of my bike.

The ones they list as water, and vibration proof cost quite a bit more than the units advertised for use inside cars.

They are more expensive, however they are also more versitile, being that I use the palm functions - Outlook, Word, Excel, Calendar, IE (wifi card), and still have GPS capabilities all in one. I have the Garmin IQue M4 (disc unit) and love it! Have a RAM mount for it and had a similar RAM for my 276C before someone relieved me of it (stolen out of the car in Ft. Lauderdale just before moving to TN). Check out CycoActive.com Motorcycle, Bicycle and GPS Accessories - and Touratech-USA, too! - that's where I've gotten all of my misc. mounts/map bags and really cool tips on true adventure touring!

[Bigskynyc]

I purchased a Zumo 550 last January and mounted it last weekend to my SV650S. Until then, I'd used it in cars (the SV is new). I also purchased a Cardo Scala Rider bluetooth headset which mounted easily onto my full-face helmet.

Obviously, I haven't had much of a chance to use it on a bike in a mount, but in a car, it works flawlessly.

The only problem I had this weekend was that the connection between the helmet and GPS would drop occasionally and I'd have to reconnect it using the touchscreen on the GPS. I upgraded the firmware on the unit after my ride (lots of needed enhancements included, I was glad to see), so I'm going to check it out this weekend. The unit also got lost occasionally in midtown Manhattan while in a car (because of the buildings, I assume), but other than that, no complaints. (And it's not like you're going to get lost in midtown Manhattan!)

The Zumo has a nifty way of synching the helmet and a bluetooth-enabled cell phone so that your address book can be accessed through the Zumo. I don't/wouldn't talk on the phone while riding, but it sure makes it easier to place a call once I've pulled over, instead of digging around in pockets, removing gloves and helmet, etc. And it did get me through the maze of roads on Long Island's north shore, so that I was able to meet a friend for lunch at a restaurant that I NEVER would have otherwise found. Maps seem to be very accurate, calculated routes definitely get you there without any problem, and the screen is great, except in very direct sunlight. (Like we've seen a lot of that recently )

As soon as the weather gets a bit better, I'm going to explore the mapping/routing software that comes with the unit and see if I can't plot a few scenic routes from Manhattan through the Catskills.

Don

[blackie1491]

Thanks for the review, would appreciate further info when you have had a chance to fully test on the bike.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by blackie1491

Thanks for the review, would appreciate further info when you have had a chance to fully test on the bike.

[kstateskier]

My current job affords me the ability to borrow such items as the new Garmin Zumo 550. I'll be making a trip with this little unit this weekend and will report back next week!

[Rickster]

I bought a Zumo 450 about 2 weeks ago, it is very easy to use right out of the box. If you have any experience with a GPS at all, you will be able to fugure out all the functions with out needing the owners manual.

I'll be using mine to find my way fron St Paul to The Dragon Ride (Deals Gap) next week. My trip home will be taking me north up the east coast, and in to Canada, than west across the top of the Great Lakes. I will be using the Zumo a lot for side trips, and finding places to eat, and sleep. The whole trip should take me about 3 weeks. By the time I get back, I should be able to give a full report.

One thing I found out already is, if you download music into the MP3 player, you will need a SD card, and you need to use a MP3 format, or the Zumo won't reconize it.

I bought some mid priced ($150) noise isolating ear buds, and the sound is great, even at 80 mph on my Harley with after market pipes. The noise canceling ear buds I tried didn't work as well, not enough volume above 60 mph.