Gadget : GPS device on bikes

[tt6389]

I have been using a GPS device to guide my travelling around Malaysia and also other parts of the world. With this thing, you will never get lost, you also dun need a tour guide more or less.

 

A GPS (Global Positional Satellite) device can be mounted on the bike, mine at the mirrors.

 

If any one wish to know something about it, can post question here.

 

 

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i86/tt6389/accessories/SSL20657.jpg

 

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i86/tt6389/accessories/SSL20652.jpg

[fleaz]

are you selling it?

[Pauche]

Do you do Geocaching with it?

[Nighthawk_250]

Hello dude,

 

very nice of you for the gesture.

Rode up phuket last month then realise I needed one...and badly!

 

A friend invited me over coffee to try out PDA gps, Im very impress

but wonder how it differs with the Garmin legend base handhelds.

Only had a short preview as we were in a rush.

 

Ive read up a bit at malsing forum already but still unsure of the following:-

 

(1) Say if u want to go wattana road/jhospital near trang,

in PDA can key in the road name? And how is this done in garmin legend?

(since there is no keypad)

 

Also where you want to mark a waypoint in ur garmin legend, can u name it

on spot, say, with the name "Very nice thai food at this point"?

 

(2) I read the new 60cx series has the newer chip that can log on satelite/gps faster.

Is this significant for biker? do you get disconneted often when going thru heavy

trees area or take long time to log on after you go pass say tunnel towards penang?

 

(3) I more less decided on ur model (legend cx) as its affordable. Im also concern

with what software must be included in the package.....anything else/feature

I must watch out for if i buy at ebay?

 

Guess thats all Im blurr about for now

 

Appreciate ur inputs tks!

[Pauche]

Originally posted by Nighthawk_250@Aug 18 2006, 03:19 PM

(3) I more less decided on ur model (legend cx) as its affordable. Im also concern

with what software must be included in the package.....anything else/feature

I must watch out for if i buy at ebay?

 

Guess thats all Im blurr about for now

 

Appreciate ur inputs tks!

Good choice - you can get the legend cx (pacific version) from ST Electronics for $409.50/nett. SLT Basement shop selling the American version at $437/nett, while the other shops in SLS sells for $450 to $500+.

 

Pacific version does not come with the 64MB micro SD card packed with the American maps. The American version do.

 

512mb micro SD card can get at $25 at #05-50 SLS or 1Gb micro SD card can get at $67 at #05-02 SLS.

 

 

hope these helps.

 

[PK Leong]

Hi ,me just brought it one month ago, hope it guide me on Trenganu trip. Anyone have nice place to visit over there? Thanks.

[Guest quizesilver]

me using too.

Eten G500

had mapking and Garmin que tog.

depend on which i want.

[tt6389]

Bro Pauche:

1) I never go geocaching with it, from what I read, don't think its really exciting. But there are SBF members who did it before - Gaofar. You might want to ask him.

 

2) Since you told me you just bought the GPS, suggest you download the Malaysia & Spore Malsing latest auto-routable maps into it. You can either do this by connecting the USB cable to the GPS or you can transfer maps directly into the microSD card using a card reader. Direct transfer to external memory card ensures nothing goes into the core memory. If USB cable is used, you dunno where the files goes to; might clogged up your GPS 24MB core memory.

 

3) You also asked whether I upgrade my firmware. So far I never upgrade my firmware coz the GPS is working fine. I got bad experience in upgrading firmwares in other gadgets - I learned that if its working fine ; dun fix it.

 

4) Try playing with the auto-routing function; coz you need that for touring. During riding on bike, you can't look at the screen's map to see where you are. You need the auto-routing function to prompt you ahead ;when you need to turn left or right. The words will flash in big letters and also a zoomed up view of the road map straight ahead. For example, it can flashes "Turn right ahead into Tampines Ave 4". A enlarged closed up map of the cross juntion at Tampines Ave 4 will appear. If you miss the turn, it automatically recalculate another shortest route to your destination.

 

Bro Nighthawk:

1) PDA GPS cannot obtain Thailand & other countries map (unlike Garmin GPS) from the net. You can get free detailed Garmin maps of almost any countries from the internet for the Garmin GPS.

 

2) Although I don't have the blue tooth GPS sensor, my PDA has a copy of the GPS map software which can still allow me to search for the road name & map. You can type the road name and the corresponding map will appear on screen. Beside this advantage which Garmin GPS doesn't have, everything else looses to Garmin GPS, I am sure you can get the software also.

 

3) Also, PDA GPS might not be advisable to mount on your bike coz its not water resistant unlike Garmin GPS.

 

4) When you find a good food location, you can save the coordinations into a "Waypoint" tag. The name can be typed using a virtual keyboard on the screen with A to Z. But the length of the name is limited to a certain no. of letters - pretty short but sufficient to describe the place. There's no description column for you to describe the way point.

 

5) I heard also the 60csx got better reception and fast startup. Mine if I ride pass overhanging trees which blocks the sky above, I'll lose satellite reception for a few seconds, till the sky appears. Not much problem and its pretty rare. Maybe PK Leong can say something about his GPS reception.

 

6) The package comes with the Mapsource software version 6.0 only. But the newer version can be download free from the Garmin website. Again I only use the old version.

Bro PK Leong:

1) Furthest I go in trengganu is Kemaman only. Visited Club Med resort near Kuantan also. There's a waterfall on Karak highway very near to Kuantan, And Kuantan is famous for curry fish head also - dun missed it

 

2) SLow down & be careful when you see many cows walking along the road side from Kuantan to Trengganu. The cows sometimes cross the road with disregard to cars or bikes. Unlike chickens & dogs , Cows have no fear or respect for cars or bikes. Also, I saw a few cows with broken necks on the road sides when I was there.

 

3) The road between Kuantan and Mersing - sometimes got surprise potholes. Its better to avoid riding trunk roads in the night. Coz you can't see the potholes until too late.

 

[Pauche]

great info.... me still learning how to use siah.....

hahaha

[Nighthawk_250]

Originally posted by Pauche@Aug 18 2006, 03:50 PM

Pauche ..thank u very muchie for the lobang

 

I search ebay singapore got one selling $369 only

Saw another posting from ebay china ...the garmin 60 cx series only sub $400

but he keep deleting his post and put up new ones must be bloody conman!

Think I just buy the $473 american version in SLT.

 

 

tt6389 Thank u lots too for the detailed reply.

 

My friend did manage to load thailand map into his PDA, duno where he get it from.

I browse it until near the laos border. It just did not "want" to sync

or connect with malaysia map he dowloaded from MALSING.

 

Anyway, Im just happy it can name waypoints. Found so many nice place

to eat and jalan from sing to phuket... keep grumbling how to save it down;

end up i wrote it all down in my map all base on estimate of kms Ive travelled,

also it was raining, map got torn, pen cannot write well ..very pissed.

with Gps its going to be so different.

 

Cheers !

[quikslvr]

u guys might be interested in de Garmin Zumo,specially made for bikers:

 

http://www.webbikeworld.com/garmin-zumo/

 

[tt6389]

Originally posted by quikslvr@Aug 20 2006, 12:11 AM

u guys might be interested in de Garmin Zumo,specially made for bikers:

 

http://www.webbikeworld.com/garmin-zumo/

 

This thing sure has better specs than my legend CX. Except I don't like the 3 or 4hr usage rechargeable battery - unless the bike got a build-in battery charger for long distance touring.

 

The below are the "must-have" features in my opinion:-

1) Auto-routing & direction prompting.

2) Battery powered is good, coz can replace it instantly. Mine the power consumption is extremely good even with backlight on - about 10 hrs I think. Some models are battery suckers ; which is bad - you need to research from forums which models are battery suckers.

4) Memory expansion slot is a must.

5) Able to see screen in bright sunlight.

6) Must be color screen - so can see the different symbols & routes clearly.

 

The other features such as 3D maps etc are just "good to have".

 

cheers

[PK Leong]

Bro tt, thanks for your advice.

 

Regarding the GPS reception, it took

 

I find that the colour of the auto routing line & the map road line not much different, still searching how to change the colour.

 

Battery consumption wise, it not too bad, GPS at off mode can last 2~3 days, I use old 2300mAh recharge batt. When on bike for long distance, I connect it to external power from bike batt.

[Thai_R]

Originally posted by Pauche@Aug 18 2006, 03:50 PM

Good choice - you can get the legend cx (pacific version) from ST Electronics for $409.50/nett. SLT Basement shop selling the American version at $437/nett, while the other shops in SLS sells for $450 to $500+.

 

Pacific version does not come with the 64MB micro SD card packed with the American maps. The American version do.

 

512mb micro SD card can get at $25 at #05-50 SLS or 1Gb micro SD card can get at $67 at #05-02 SLS.

 

 

hope these helps.

 

Amazom.com selling for US$185 plus free shipping in USA.

Then use vpost.com to send it to SG.....can have it delivered to ur door without leaving ur seat for under S$350.

 

Cheers !

[skybono]

Originally posted by Thai_R@Aug 20 2006, 09:25 AM

Amazom.com selling for US$185 plus free shipping in USA.

Then use vpost.com to send it to SG.....can have it delivered to ur door without leaving ur seat for under S$350.

 

Cheers !

Amazon.com lah bro.

 

to tt6389 for starting this thread. I'm still waiting

for my GPS to arrive but I'm still a newbie when it comes

to using it. Will need help from you guys.

[Thai_R]

Originally posted by skybono@Aug 20 2006, 10:45 AM

Amazon.com lah bro.

 

to tt6389 for starting this thread. I'm still waiting

for my GPS to arrive but I'm still a newbie when it comes

to using it. Will need help from you guys.

Thanks for correcting me.

 

BTW the user manual inside the package will teach u how to effectively use ur GPS.

So read it front to back.

 

Cheers !

[Pauche]

Originally posted by Thai_R@Aug 20 2006, 09:25 AM

Amazom.com selling for US$185 plus free shipping in USA.

Then use vpost.com to send it to SG.....can have it delivered to ur door without leaving ur seat for under S$350.

 

Cheers !

If I am not wrong, you need to pay US$235 upfront first, and then Garmin will rebate you US$50 after you send in the receipts and fill up the rebate voucher with all the required documentations.

 

I did went through ebay and quite a number of online sellers.... and I dont see a lot of $$ savings even though the cheapest online price I found is US$229 exclude shipping. Adding to the factor that you need to pay for shipping to Singapore, and the insurance is valid for USA only. They did mentioned that the warranty does not cover any usage outside the USA.

 

So

[Thai_R]

Well it's just an option.....

[Lass]

hehe good for ppl who r always getting lost....

[MZA]

Hi Guys,

 

Let me know if you interested, I'm selling off my GARMIN 60CS for $450.

 

owner wish to upgrade.

 

Inclusive the CD, USB cables, manual and box. Loaded with Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand maps.

 

SMS me at 91080132.

[Murphy]

i wan to get a garmin gps...jus like the one on my avtar

[Murphy]

Originally posted by tt6389@Aug 20 2006, 03:16 AM

This thing sure has better specs than my legend CX. Except I don't like the 3 or 4hr usage rechargeable battery - unless the bike got a build-in battery charger for long distance touring.

 

The below are the "must-have" features in my opinion:-

1) Auto-routing & direction prompting.

2) Battery powered is good, coz can replace it instantly. Mine the power consumption is extremely good even with backlight on - about 10 hrs I think. Some models are battery suckers ; which is bad - you need to research from forums which models are battery suckers.

4) Memory expansion slot is a must.

5) Able to see screen in bright sunlight.

6) Must be color screen - so can see the different symbols & routes clearly.

 

The other features such as 3D maps etc are just "good to have".

 

cheers

it does has a motor cycle power cable for use when u are ridin...so no matter wat u got no worry of the power supply...4 hrs usage is when u decide to go take if off n walk around...then u will only last for 4 hrs....

 

 

u can go to http://www.garmin.com/products/zumo/

[Murphy]

jus call up to check the model on zumo 550, has nt come to our shore yet....but for streetpilot 2820 which retails @ $1980/-

 

all the models above tat i check for motorbikes.

 

here is the location of the vendor.

 

NaviCom Technology Pte Ltd

200 Jalan Sultan #10-03

Textile Centre

Singapore 199018

Phone: 65 6296 8238

Fax: 65 6295 0996

E-mail: [email protected]

[MiCmAsTa]

Ah Boy shop got sell?

 

Jokes aside... Maybe those who are intereted in buying the GPS, can gather a list of people and ask for bulk purchase discount? I'm keen too but my pocket can not tahan.

[floppy]

Originally posted by Murphy@Aug 23 2006, 03:01 PM

jus call up to check the model on zumo 550, has nt come to our shore yet....but for streetpilot  2820 which retails @ $1980/-

 

all the models above tat i check for motorbikes.

streetpilot 2820 is good, but not for $1980!

it has a lot of features (eg. xm radio, TMC traffic alert) which unfortuanately, will not used be locally. features don't come cheap, you pay for it, but what's the use if you can't use it?! for cars, nuvi is a "cheaper" option. for bikes, anything goes actually! tt6389 is using etrex legend cx, i'm using gpsmap 60csx, both are not listed as gps for bikes but honestly, it's more than good enough. and they cost a lot less $ than streetpilot 2820 or zumo 550. only concern is about waterproofing it. mine is listed as water-resistant - can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. but damn sure i'm not going to prove it.

 

tt6389:

consider getting a proper gps mount

the gps mounted on your mirror stem doesn't looks "appealing"

try RAM-mount system. versatile and secure.

unfortunately, need to order and get it shipped to sgp.