Thinking about a GPS.............

[Smurf]

Any advice on name brand or features ???????????

Looking at the Magellan 4200, found it for around $300.00 (USD).

[buster]

Road map $4.95 Walmart

[Smurf]

I expected no less from you bud,

Good Job keeping up my expectations.

[themeatmanlandry]

I find Garmins to be the easiest to operate. They are actually designed for one-hand (lefty) use in the field. I bought a mid-range one a few years ago (by now it's probably obsolete compared to what's available) for $200 and some change.

I would suggest taking a look at Garmin versus Magellan in terms of actual operation. You may find that one fits your style better than the other.

[KD57]

I don't need GPS, I have my wife telling me where to go. But I have lots of friends who says Garmin is the best.

[Low&Slow]

Originally Posted by KD57

I don't need GPS, I have my wife telling me where to go. But I have lots of friends who says Garmin is the best.

That's why you need the GPS, if your wife isn't there this electronically generated female voice can tell you what to do.

[KD57]

Originally Posted by Low&Slow

That's why you need the GPS, if your wife isn't there this electronically generated female voice can tell you what to do.

So when I'm on the cell explaining to my wife why I am late coming home from work, this hot female voice comes on and tells me to turn left, and the restaurant is up on the right, and my wife overhears it, and.....

[intimid8er]

Smurf...

Garmin and TomTom top the Magellans. Although, Magellan is coming to the game with the right moves, Garmin and TomTom are still the top players.

That said Garmin uses a different mapping system than TomTom, and it's supposedly more North America relevant.

I've used both, and I own Garmin. Can't say that I see that much of a difference between the two.

The Magellan I've used, I found to be cumbersome in it's operation.

[inspiron]

Is it for the bike or for a cage?

Garmin and TomTom have both brought out "motorcycle" models recently, with larger displays and touchscreen controls.

As far as the exact models and maps, I can't help you there. I'm more concerned about the European coverage...

[buster]

The great thing about them is, the sexy chick giving you directions doesn't get arsy with you when you ignore her or go the wrong way..

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by inspiron

Is it for the bike or for a cage?

[DeNiro voice] You talkin' ta me? [/DeNiro voice]

Originally Posted by buster

The great thing about them is, the sexy chick giving you directions doesn't get arsy with you when you ignore her or go the wrong way..

Bullsnot! I got my set to the Brit chicks voice, and she gets very effin' sassy when you don't go the way she wants!

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Smurf

Looking at the Magellan 4200, found it for around $300.00 (USD).

I got a MM 4000 a couple of months ago.........just because it was on sale.

I like it OK but have heard that their service SUCKS. My one call to them got me an answer but talking to those guys in INDIA was difficult.

For the price, I think the Maestro's are a good value.
A similar Garmin is going to be more expensive but will have better updates and repair (if needed).

OK, here's a good example: Magellan is just sloppy. I just went to their site the see what the 4200 has that my 4000 doesn't.......and the actual features of the 4200 are NOT LISTED.

[Jerryzuki]

If you're not going to get a true motorcycle GPS I would reccomend something like a MIO C310X, or theres others just about like it for around a $150.00. Rather large touch screen and easy to use. That's what I've got anyway. If I see that it's going to rain I just pop it off the cradle and tuck it in the saddle bag.

[Sgt Mike]

Like the southern sheriff in a Dodge commercial used to say "You're in a heap o' trouble boy". Anybody old enough to remember tose commercials?

Originally Posted by KD57

So when I'm on the cell explaining to my wife why I am late coming home from work, this hot female voice comes on and tells me to turn left, and the restaurant is up on the right, and my wife overhears it, and.....

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Smurf

Any advice on name brand or features ???????????

Looking at the Magellan 4200, found it for around $300.00 (USD).

You've been here this long and never noticed the GPS forum?

Thread moved.

[Nick Mystic]

I've been posting information about wiring my Garmin StreetPilot c330 up to use on my Suzuki M50. This unit is made for a car, but so far I've been using its suction cup mount by placing it on the faceplate for my speedometer. Since the GPS unit gives a digital readout for mph I don't need my speedometer. However, it also covers up my gas gauge.

I've ordered a RAM handlebar mounting bracket system, but it hasn't arrived yet. As far as the Garmin unit goes, I've taken a few rides with it now and I'm very impressed. I can even hear the spoken directions through my full face helmet at speeds below 30 mph. Since it is mostly turns that I need to hear that works out okay since I'm already slowing down to make the turn.

The Garmin works with a touch screen and has very few controls. I've used it wearing winter gloves and had no problem operating it. In addition to showing your position on a real time map it also gives the name of the road you are on and the direction you are traveling across the top of the screen. When you are approaching a side road or intersection it posts the approaching street name across the top and then reverts back to the street you're on once you pass by the side road.

One additional feature that I've found helpful is the way the map shows the magnitude of the curves up ahead on the road you're traveling on. Here in western NC most of our country roads seem to be one turn after the next making it very important to be always judging how fast or how slow you must take the unfamiliar turns you come across. Most have reduced sight distances, so all you can see as you approach is that you are entering a turn. With the GPS map I can now tell how sharp the turn is going to be. I am really amazed at how accurately the unit displays the turns. When the maps shows that I'm approaching a sweeping curve, as opposed to a sharp curve, I can slow down, but not have to slow as much as I used to have to before I knew whether or not it was going to be very sharp or just a gradual sweep left or right.

I know it would be unsafe to completely rely on the map for judging curves on unfamiliar roads, but having this added piece of information is making for a more relaxed and enjoyable riding experience.

[buster]

Originally Posted by Nick Mystic

One additional feature that I've found helpful is the way the map shows the magnitude of the curves up ahead on the road you're traveling on. Here in western NC most of our country roads seem to be one turn after the next making it very important to be always judging how fast or how slow you must take the unfamiliar turns you come across. Most have reduced sight distances, so all you can see as you approach is that you are entering a turn. With the GPS map I can now tell how sharp the turn is going to be. I am really amazed at how accurately the unit displays the turns. When the maps shows that I'm approaching a sweeping curve, as opposed to a sharp curve, I can slow down, but not have to slow as much as I used to have to before I knew whether or not it was going to be very sharp or just a gradual sweep left or right.
I know it would be unsafe to completely rely on the map for judging curves on unfamiliar roads, but having this added piece of information is making for a more relaxed and enjoyable riding experience.

See that statement right there, has turned what I used to consider a gimmick into a useful tool, may have to consider one of these myself..

Thanks Nick.