Looking for GPS Recommendations... : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

PhxCliff · 06-26-2007, 02:57 PM

What do you, the readers of this forum, recommend I look at for a GPS? I have read several good reviews of the Garmin Quest and Quest II, but I am concerned about the built-in battery. Does anyone have one of these? What do you do when the battery starts losing it's ability to hold a charge? I know I go though cell phone batteries about every 16 months and would hate to lose the portability of a hand held GPS because the battery was not consumer serviceable...

Ed Y · 06-26-2007, 03:06 PM

1st question??? Do you need a battery operated unit or will one that just runs on 12V or 120V current suffice? Probably depends on how you want to use it.

Look at the motorcycle units from Garmin. Waterproof is almost a necessity for use on the bike. At the Garmin site, you can select various units and Garmin puts up a comparison chart on the screen. Then see what features you're interested in.

Personally, I use the Garmin 2720 and am more than happy with it, given the $365 price I paid a couple of months ago.

BigMike · 06-26-2007, 06:56 PM

There is only one choice for brands if want the best and that's Garmin. The Quest's screen is too small. Try a 2720 or Zumo and you'll have the cat's ass.

V-Twininator · 06-26-2007, 07:07 PM

I have a Garmin in my truck. If I ever decide to get one for the bike, it will be a Garmin. They are the current gold standard, especially when you compare them to certain other brand-brands.

mori55 · 06-26-2007, 08:07 PM

I have the Garmin Zumo withXM and a mp3 player, Works great. ere's a link.
http://www.zumoforums.com/zumo/viewf...c5d90b74caa81f

1711tab · 06-27-2007, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhxCliff

What do you, the readers of this forum, recommend I look at for a GPS? I have read several good reviews of the Garmin Quest and Quest II, but I am concerned about the built-in battery. Does anyone have one of these? What do you do when the battery starts losing it's ability to hold a charge? I know I go though cell phone batteries about every 16 months and would hate to lose the portability of a hand held GPS because the battery was not consumer serviceable...

I use the 350 Nuvi and love it. Switch between my truck and motorcycle without a glitch.

Stashu11 · 06-27-2007, 03:54 PM

[quote=1711tab]I use the 350 Nuvi and love it. Switch between my truck and motorcycle without a glitch.

I have to agree. I've had a lot of Garmin GPS's and the Nuvi 350-360 is my favorite .

Stash

swmnkdinthervr · 06-27-2007, 05:21 PM

The "motorcycle" Garman (Zumo 550) only has 500 points of interest, one of the smallest screens and one of the highest prices. (it's 1 of 4 that are waterproof) The 2720, 2730 and 2820 are all waterproof, larger screens, more features, more storage, more points of interest, (2000) and the 2730-2820 both are USB update able, have card slots for additional use, (MP3...etc) and are both "XM"/Bluetooth compatible...

I'm shopping them now too...for use in both my truck and on the bike.

Strick28 · 06-27-2007, 07:04 PM

And you might take a look at the Magellan 2200t. Water proof, battery last for up to 8 hours and gets the job done for me. SD card slot for upgrades is a plus and output for auxillary sound. Yes it has a hard drive but I have had 0 problems mounted on the ram mount no vibration. $249 with all accessories including power adapters if you shop around...Just another choice with all that is available out there...

PhxCliff · 06-28-2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1711tab

I use the 350 Nuvi and love it. Switch between my truck and motorcycle without a glitch.

The Nuvi line is not waterproof. I hope you only use it on the bike on sunny days!

PhxCliff · 06-28-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Y

Personally, I use the Garmin 2720 and am more than happy with it, given the $365 price I paid a couple of months ago.

Does the 2720 have the ability to rotate the screen view 90 degrees, so that you can mount the unit vertically? Seems odd to have a navigation screen that is wider than tall, since you'd care more about whats ahead of you than next to you.

OldMsocko · 06-28-2007, 02:28 PM

I have the Garmin Zumo 550 and love it. It fills all my needs and then some.

x52gnr · 06-28-2007, 03:48 PM

Nuvi here as well with plastic ziplock when it rains, hasnt let me down yet....

Ed Y · 06-28-2007, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhxCliff

Does the 2720 have the ability to rotate the screen view 90 degrees, so that you can mount the unit vertically? Seems odd to have a navigation screen that is wider than tall, since you'd care more about whats ahead of you than next to you.

As far as I know you can't rotate the screen. Not really sure what you're trying to say about mounting the unit vertically. It works perfectly the way it was designed. Doesn't hide anything on my EG where it's mounted. The screen is always oriented forward in the direction you are traveling.

mori55 · 06-28-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swmnkdinthervr

The "motorcycle" Garman (Zumo 550) only has 500 points of interest, one of the smallest screens and one of the highest prices. (it's 1 of 4 that are waterproof) The 2720, 2730 and 2820 are all waterproof, larger screens, more features, more storage, more points of interest, (2000) and the 2730-2820 both are USB update able, have card slots for additional use, (MP3...etc) and are both "XM"/Bluetooth compatible...

I'm shopping them now too...for use in both my truck and on the bike.

The 550 has a card slot , usb update able , mp3 , xm, bluetooth. i can answer my phone through it, It even uploads my phone book off my phone. With the card ou can load more points of interest if needed.
Of course all those things sound good but how much of it do we really use? I don't if i really use the poi that much,
What i like about the zumo 550 is it;s waterproof, and really easy to use with glove on. The size of the screen seems just right for a bike, plus i use earphones to listen to xm , so if needed i hear the instructions without having to watch the screen.