COFSTA

Well, I guess I gotta come into the modern world eventually. So my question is what GPS is the best bang for the buck? And do certain ones allow you to make routes and store them? For example if I wanted to go from Morganton to the Dragon but don't wanna slab it the whole way could I design a route of backroads and have the GPS direct me? Just cause I'm young doesn't mean I'm techno savvy. Also, something weatherproof would be nice. Haha!

-Ben


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Ben, I use the Garmin Nuvi 1490LMT - lifetime map updates, big screen, waypoint routing and inexpensive. Not waterproof but a few drops won't hurt and if there's serious rain a sandwich bag fits over it and you can still see the screen. I did that across Wyoming in the rain on our recent Rapid City, SD trip. You will also see many different Garmin Nuvi units in Walmart, Best Buy, etc but be careful because most will not do waypoint routing.

The current waterproof Garmin Zumo motorcycle units all do waypoint routing and are nice but quite expensive starting at around $530 discounted.

1490LMT @ Amazon (refurb is fine and even less expensive) http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Bluetooth-Navigator-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B003ZX8B3W/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1405885226&sr=1-1&keywords=Garmin+nuvi+1490LMT

That's a nice deal on the 1490. Does it have an audio output Jack? If not, how do you get the turn by turn to your helmet?

beemerbob wrote:That's a nice deal on the 1490. Does it have an audio output Jack? If not, how do you get the turn by turn to your helmet?

Bob, no it doesn't but I've only used GPS audio once with my Zumo 550. Garmin Jill's repeated reminders for me to turn made me want to strangle her so I never hooked it up again. I don't mind in the car but something about her nagging through my helmet speakers drives me nuts.

Try Jack.

I have a Zumo on the bike and a 1490 in the car. I should have just mounted the 1490 in a GIVI box ! I tried the Bluetooth connection but Mr Garmin talks too much. Maybe German would be more interesting.

I've got a line on a Garmin 660LM for around $400... from a friend. What do you all think of that? I don't want the tragic and weather of the 665 Garmin.
I still really like my 60csx... No sound... and I don't want sound.


Brick

Brick wrote:I've got a line on a Garmin 660LM for around $400... from a friend. What do you all think of that? I don't want the tragic and weather of the 665 Garmin.
I still really like my 60csx... No sound... and I don't want sound. Brick

That's the Zumo you can purchase new for around $530. Seeing as how it's second hand, for $400, I'd want it to be in excellent condition. Also, assuming the current owner registered the device with Garmin I think it's best for them to contact Garmin and have the registration transferred to you so you can continue its' lifetime maps subscription.

Dumb question what is waypoint routing?


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PirateRiderBen wrote:Dumb question what is waypoint routing?


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You force the GPS to use roads you want by placing waypoints on them for the GPS to follow. That's how we make country and twisty road GPS routes.

Gotcha. Yeah I would for sure want that feature.


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I have a Garmin Nuvi 500 you are welcome to try. I didn't like the Garmin software so don't use it. I will dream up a price if you want it. I prefer my waterproof cell with OSMand+ GPX routing. One device to rule them all.

Steve, how does that work? An app?

I'm not Steve, but I looked it up... looks like an interesting Android app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.osmand.plus

beemerbob wrote:Steve, how does that work? An app?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... smand.plus

I am happy with it. The huge benefit is the combination of online / offline map overlays. Main issue is using the phone with gloves on, but I can usually get by. It lets me zoom in/out with the volume buttons on the phone. I can also record GPX tracks on a ride. I like it a lot.

I might give that a try Steve. Whenever I get to ride with y'all again!


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Can you load a pre-made route into it?

I have the car cradle RAM mount and the cigarette lighter charger, but don't think I have the hardwire kit anymore that I used on the bike. Might be best to just install a lighter adapter and be done with it. You can at least use it in your car for a while to see if you like it.

beemerbob wrote:Can you load a pre-made route into it?

I use GPX files in OSMand+ all the time. They are great. Very easy to convert from Google maps KML to GPX and load on my phone. Or GPX from any other source. I wouldn't use this if I had a regular phone that will turn into a brick at the first sight of water (from personal experience).

You can load routes or tracks (I forget which) onto the Nuvi through BaseCamp (I think they stopped supporting MapSource). Might have mixed these up. There are tutorials all over the web. The Nuvi is fully functional, although missing the rear USB rubber cover (flew off while I was navigating) and there are a few pixels that malfuction but don't detract from the overall experience. There are a few scratches on the cover. I would imagine the battery still works OK, but is a few years old. I never used the battery regularly, anyhow.

Also have an Android phone, and have been playing with CoPilot GPS and CoPilot Live USA navigation apps... prefer them to OSMand+ but only dabbled with it briefly.

You dual-sporty guys might get some use from Trimble GPS Hunt (free), or Trimble Outdoors Navigator (free) when roaming around off the beaten path... built-in compass, offline maps, etc etc and the price is right.

Ed wrote:Also have an Android phone, and have been playing with CoPilot GPS and CoPilot Live USA navigation apps... prefer them to OSMand+ but only dabbled with it briefly.

You dual-sporty guys might get some use from Trimble GPS Hunt (free), or Trimble Outdoors Navigator (free) when roaming around off the beaten path... built-in compass, offline maps, etc etc and the price is right.

Trimble is the slickest of these Android GPS apps because they have a service for nominal fee that lets you create multi-waypoint routes online with the same map set you have on the phone then send it to the phone. This eliminates the problems of creating then displaying routes on different type maps that don't always match up or calculate the route with the same roads.

Copilot route calculation is somewhat crude compared to Garmin. If you skip a waypoint or want to start a route at other than the 1st waypoint you have to manually delete the skipped waypoint(s) or waypoints prior to where you want to start. A PITA if you skip some waypoints for detour, lunch, gas... or need to pick up a route in the middle after turning off the device.

Damn--thats a deal killer for Copilot. I would never be able to use it lol.

I tried opening a gpx in osmand. If you dont have tons of waypoints very close together, its just a series of straight lines. No turn by turn either. Unless theres a trick for that.

^^One of my GPX files. I don't use the routing function, just tracks, so I don't have a problem with funny lines.
I don't use turn by turn directions or navigation. since most "route calculation" is crude and takes time, regardless of the device IMHO. I don't want it to "recalculate" ever. Reminds me of the State Farm Insurance commercial. I just follow the blue line of the GPX track. No directions, no voices telling me what to do (I have enough voices in my head already). Just riding. If I go the wrong way, I turn around and back track to the blue line.
I haven't tried CoPilot but did like the looks of it. Seemed like more of a navigation app than OSM, which might suit some.

007 wrote:

Usualride2.gpx

No directions, no voices telling me what to do (I have enough voices in my head already).

Have you tried self-analysis?

I'll try your tracks GPX in mine. Most of the time I have the volume off anyway so I don't have to listen to "Bitchin Betty", as I call her.

Where do you get the tracks? Is it possible to take a GDB or GPX and convert it into a tracks file that would follow the roads?

beemerbob wrote:I tried opening a gpx in osmand. If you dont have tons of waypoints very close together, its just a series of straight lines. No turn by turn either. Unless theres a trick for that.

There's another selection you have to make in OSMand to make the route calculate to roads from an imported GPS. However, it's even more stubborn than Copilot with a skipped waypoint or starting a route at a mid-waypoint. It'll keep routing you back to the beginning or missed point(s) and there's nothing to be done for it.

007 wrote:No directions, no voices telling me what to do (I have enough voices in my head already). Just riding. If I go the wrong way, I turn around and back track to the blue line.

There's a joke here about a shrink, but I'm not going to say anything. Haha!


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