Best GPS?

[geol]

Don't scold me! Site's search function won't allow a search for GPS as it is too short. Even just in thread titles...

I need to get some sort of GPS and have been looking at Tom Tom Rider and Garmin 660 LM Navigator. Both hover around $300 with the Garmin a bit ouiside that. I need to keep this part of my new trike acquisition cost down as I am spending more than I make now. I know that folks tend to feel what they have purchased is the world's best as purchase decisions tend to reflect on our intelligence but if anyone can compare the ones I am looking at from 1st hand knowledge I would be grateful or can you point me at some other moderatly priced GPS.

I am buying a 2008 GL1800 and it comes with driver/passenger headsets and connectors; believe the stuff is J&M and it was installed in nice helmets already but won't fit my wife and I so system wil have to talk to me through wired headset and not bluetooth (if that makes a difference). Talk to me board as I am in need of knowledge. My previous experience with a 2006 GL1800 with NAV and a Walmart GPS that I couldn't see the screen in daylight and couldn't hear above wind (no headphone jack).

 

[Ozarkryder]

I have a Garmin 1450LMT I got at a Black Friday sale a few years ago. I have it on a RAM mount on the left handlebar and position it so it is in my line of sight. With the RAM mounts I can position the screen so the glare is lessened. There is no jack, so I have gotten used to going just by the screen and not hearing the voice. In fact, I got so used to it I find the voice prompts annoying when I use the GPS in the car.

Whatever you get, it is worth it to buy one that has lifetime maps. I can update mine 4 times a year as long a the maps are made for the Garmin Nuvi line. If you get one with Bluetooth, there are Bluetooth receivers you can get to plug into the audio jack in the left pocket such as this one below from Amazon. With it the Bluetooth GPS will not only talk to you, some will even play music - a friend has one with a 32 gig card that has over 4000 songs on it.

http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-NFC-...sr=8-4&keywords=best+bluetooth+audio+receiver

 

[Trent]

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threa...armin-Question

Look at the similar links at the bottom of this thread....^^^^^^^

 

[Trail Blazer]

garmin 1450 ltm

I have a Garmin 1450LMT I got at a Black Friday sale a few years ago. I have it on a RAM mount on the left handlebar and position it so it is in my line of sight. With the RAM mounts I can position the screen so the glare is lessened. There is no jack, so I have gotten used to going just by the screen and not hearing the voice. In fact, I got so used to it I find the voice prompts annoying when I use the GPS in the car.
Whatever you get, it is worth it to buy one that has lifetime maps. I can update mine 4 times a year as long a the maps are made for the Garmin Nuvi line. If you get one with Bluetooth, there are Bluetooth receivers you can get to plug into the audio jack in the left pocket such as this one below from Amazon. With it the Bluetooth GPS will not only talk to you, some will even play music - a friend has one with a 32 gig card that has over 4000 songs on it.


http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-NFC-...sr=8-4&keywords=best+bluetooth+audio+receiver

I also have the garmin nuvi 1450lmt it is out dated know but still works good with life time map update

 

[Gold Rush]

I wish I had some personal Tom Tom experience so I could give you a good comparison George. I've had my Garmin 660 for a long time and it's performed flawlessly. I have it connected via the motorcycle harness right into the bike's com system.

One of the few weak points to the GL1800 is it's audio system. Even with the upgraded system which you will have on the '08 listening to music or carrying on a conversation while riding is a chore. I put a connector for earbuds in my helmet so anytime I ride very far I'm plugged in. I hear very well this way.

If you are coming to Kerrville for the gathering I'd be glad to show you that set up.. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[geol]

I wish I had some personal Tom Tom experience so I could give you a good comparison George. I've had my Garmin 660 for a long time and it's performed flawlessly. I have it connected vita the motorcycle harness right into the bike's com system.

One of the few weak points to the GL1800 is it's audio system. Even with the upgraded system which you will have on the '08 listening to music or carrying on a conversation while riding is a chore. I put a connector for earbuds in my helmet so anytime I ride very far I'm plugged in. I hear very well this way.

If you are coming to Kerrville for the gathering I'd be glad to show you that set up.. :xszpv::xszpv:

Not sure it is practical to plan for Kerrville right now. We won't be back from picking up new to us trike from Tennessee and missus has taken off most of the 2nd week so we can meander. I have had about a dozen bikes/trikes with audio capability but have never had any headsets or used it much. I don't recall our 2006 GL1800 as having BAD audio...

wasn't great if I recall but I never had the urge to change speakers or such. Only time it created issues is when listening to an MP3 that had recordings done at too low a level.

This is what we are getting:

 

[Gold Rush]

Not sure it is practical to plan for Kerrville right now. We won't be back from picking up new to us trike from Tennessee and missus has taken off most of the 2nd week so we can meander. I have had about a dozen bikes/trikes with audio capability but have never had any headsets or used it much. I don't recall our 2006 GL1800 as having BAD audio... wasn't great if I recall but I never had the urge to change speakers or such. Only time it created issues is when listening to an MP3 that had recordings done at too low a level.

This is what we are getting:

View attachment 30506

New ride looks nice George. If you find there is too much wind noise or low fidelity issue you might want to consider the ear buds. Putting a speaker cutout connector in your helmet or buying one of the inline adapters will let you still make use of the mic and hear much better.

The key to sun glare is the ram mount. I don't have one and from time to time do have some glare.

Been thinking about that some lately.. :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[chris vickers]

I have a Tom Tom Rider 2, It has no sound but bluetooths the sound through your helmet. I doubt you will hear any gps over wind and motor noise on anything. I too have Goldwing. I used it recently and wasnt impressed with what I could see in the bright sun. My wife sitting behind me could see it and tell me where to turn if we didnt have helmets on. I did however buy a glarestopper cover, just got it yesterday and am taking a trip this weekend so I can let you know how that works out. Another buddy just uses his phone and said he could see better than I could so If this glare stopper dont work ill prolly just go to using my phone gps, the phone finds the places much easier or will give you the address with Siri and google. lol

Other than seeing it works great

 

[0pini0nated]

FYI, if you buy a Garmin product, don't expect much support. Garmin version of "support" means connection to their forum, where you may, or may not, get a correct answer, or no answer at all.

Also, Garmin has had some software problems over the years. Software that used to work (in September 2012) doesn't work anymore. My "lifetime map" updates (LM) haven't updated since April 2014.

Just my 2¢...

 

[dirtdobber]

I usually get updates every 6 months or so on my Garmin zumo 660. I'm fixing to send mine in for updates and cleaning. I do my gps this way every 3 to 4 years. Keeps e m fast