Gadget : GPS device on bikes

[MiddleAgedBiker]

Hi

I'm a total newbie to GPS and a total GPS idiot, I've googled and read tons of stuff that made my brain pain and I still getting nowhere...hope someone can help me out.

 

I'm thinking of getting the Garmin Zumo 550, but the price seems to be very high. I like this kind of rectangular shaped GPS (instead of those that look like handphone), are there other models from reputable manufacturers that are recommended?

 

For the Zumo, what are the shops in S'pore that I can shop around at? Appreciate if anyone could give me the shop names.

 

When I buy this GPS, do I have to buy a seperate mounting system for it? I've read about RAM ball etc. but don't know if it comes with the GPS receiver?

 

For the Zumo I read that battery life is 4 hours, does this mean I need to get a bike shop to do some kind of power outlet for me? Can any bike shop do this?

 

If I buy my Zumo from ebay does this mean there is no warranty? I understand I can go to a forum called Malsingmaps and download S'pore and M'sia maps for free into my Zumo.

 

Does Garmin provide a S'pore/M'sia map? Is it much superior to the free one at Malsingmaps?

 

If I wanna use the Zumo in a car, I assume the power socket is plugged into the lighter socket in the car?

 

Thanks for your patience, and I apologize if these questions sound totally idiotic, I know absolutely zero about GPS and have never even held one before....so abit intimidated. Pls help!

[Demon]

I'm thinking of getting the Garmin Zumo 550, but the price seems to be very high. I like this kind of rectangular shaped GPS (instead of those that look like handphone), are there other models from reputable manufacturers that are recommended?

 

For Motorbikes, Zumo is the one. Zumo 550 is about SGD1550, and Zumo 450 is about SGD1000. Read here for the differences between the Zumo 550, and 450

 

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=135

 

Recently Tibo has launched a A4050 motorbike GPS.

http://www.elecom.com.sg/ProductInfo/a4050.asp

 

For the Zumo, what are the shops in S'pore that I can shop around at? Appreciate if anyone could give me the shop names.

 

Perfect Watch at Sim Lim Square.

 

When I buy this GPS, do I have to buy a seperate mounting system for it? I've read about RAM ball etc. but don't know if it comes with the GPS receiver?

 

For Zumo 550, it comes complete with two mountings, one for motorbike, and one for car.

 

For the Zumo I read that battery life is 4 hours, does this mean I need to get a bike shop to do some kind of power outlet for me? Can any bike shop do this?

 

The large LCD screen with backlight is the main culprit for this short battery endurance. It's not difficult to rig a ciggy socket on your bike from which the GPS can draw it's power supply.

 

If I buy my Zumo from ebay does this mean there is no warranty?

 

Garmin will honour their warranty regardless where you buy.

 

If you buy from a local authorised Garmin dealer, such as Perfect Watch, then you get local warranty as in any problem, they will take care for you even if it has to be sent back to Garmin factory in Taiwan repair.

 

However, big GPS retailers who are not authorised dealers like Eastgear will offer their shop warranty, which in my opinion is just as good.

 

I understand I can go to a forum called Malsingmaps and download S'pore and M'sia maps for free into my Zumo.

 

At any one time, there are always two versions of S'pore/M'sia map in malsing. The later version is "locked", and the earlier version (about 6 months older) is "free". You need to be a contributor in malsing to be entitled to the unlock codes for the "locked" maps. But the "free" map is good enough.

 

Does Garmin provide a S'pore/M'sia map? Is it much superior to the free one at Malsingmaps?

 

You can buy genuine Mapsource maps of S'pore/Malaysia but it is not as detail and updated as the free maps from Malsing. If you want better S'pore/Malaysia maps then malsing maps, for a token sum of $30, you can get from Jerome Wee site :

http://gpsmaps.jwpixs.com/

 

If I wanna use the Zumo in a car, I assume the power socket is plugged into the lighter socket in the car?

 

Yes

 

[mr hat]

i'm also in the process of choosing a GPS unit dat is suitable for my budget and purpose. will be going ard sim lim area to ask abt the prices for the etrex vista HCX and colorado 300 (if sg got lah)

 

if local prices are much higher than what amazon.com is offering then i will purchase it online. thanks for all the valuable input. really learnt alot from the GPS gurus here....

[MiddleAgedBiker]

Hi Demon,

Thank you very much for your very clear and very informative reply! Greatly appreciated! It is extremely valuable for a GPS newbie like me.

[flareon1982]

Hi Where can i view the Germin or the Tibo A4050. Been around but cannot find the Tibo device anywhere. They say on their website that every Best Denki got sell but i went all the Best Denki they selling the Packard Bell one only.....

[flareon1982]

Hi Can PM me some of the location i can have a look at Germin GPS?? Been lookin around but cannot find anywhere selling the GPS for bikes. Please help. In need of one ASAP. Getting lost most of the time

[bikeyroo]

Is there any ram mount for bikes to mount the garmin nuvi 200W or 350 models?

 

Anyone tried this before?

[innards]

Hi Where can i view the Germin or the Tibo A4050. Been around but cannot find the Tibo device anywhere. They say on their website that every Best Denki got sell but i went all the Best Denki they selling the Packard Bell one only.....

 

right at the bottom of the website gvn by Demon...

Elecom Marketing Pte Ltd . 159 Sin Ming Road . #06-02 Amtech Building . Singapore 575625

Telephone - (65) 6553 5078 Fax - (65) 65560939

[innards]

Hi Can PM me some of the location i can have a look at Germin GPS?? Been lookin around but cannot find anywhere selling the GPS for bikes. Please help. In need of one ASAP. Getting lost most of the time

 

sim lim square, sim lim tower.

[mr hat]

juz checked out the prices at sim lim tower and sim lim square. here are my findings, before neg....

 

SLT #01-36: $460 nett for HCX vista, $800 nett for colorado 300 (warranty sets)

 

SLT #03-07: $520 nett for HCX vista, $780 nett for colorado 300 (warranty sets)

 

SLS #B1-17: $406 nett for HCX vista (export set)

 

SLS #B1-22: $433 nett for HCX vista, $647 nett for colorado 300 (export sets)

 

SLS #01-22: $450 nett for HCX vista, $800 nett for colorado 300 (warranty sets)

[mr hat]

anybody wana buy together? maybe can get better price..... pm me if interested o get it tomorrow (most shops close on sunday)

[Demon]

juz checked out the prices at sim lim tower and sim lim square. here are my findings, before neg....

 

SLT #01-36: $460 nett for HCX vista, $800 nett for colorado 300 (warranty sets)

 

SLT #03-07: $520 nett for HCX vista, $780 nett for colorado 300 (warranty sets)

 

SLS #B1-17: $406 nett for HCX vista (export set)

 

SLS #B1-22: $433 nett for HCX vista, $647 nett for colorado 300 (export sets)

 

SLS #01-22: $450 nett for HCX vista, $800 nett for colorado 300 (warranty sets)

 

Just curious why the 60CSx is not considered ?

 

The 60CSx is more capable than the Vista.

 

I haven't got opportunity to try out the Coloroda but here is the comparison :

http://garmincolorado.wikispaces.com/Colorado+vs+60csx

 

[mr hat]

Just curious why the 60CSx is not considered ?

 

The 60CSx is more capable than the Vista.

 

I haven't got opportunity to try out the Coloroda but here is the comparison :

http://garmincolorado.wikispaces.com/Colorado+vs+60csx

 

 

hi Demon, im a GPS newbie and the little knowledge that i have now came from reading miscellaneous internet reviews. i understand that there are many models available in the local market. let me tell you y i asked abt these 2 models only.....

 

initially i wanted to get the colorado (aka CO) because i've read that it is meant to be a replacement of the 60csx. then came the reviews by gadget.com and the various youtube vidz on how user-friendly, how much more new functions it features blah blah blah..... but then i realised dat most of these fantastic reviews came shortly after it was launched at the start of the year. subsequent reviews of the CO were bad, with many users reporting about the lousy battery life, inaccurate report of battery life, lag in loading of maps, poorer visibility under sunlight compared to 60csx, auto-shutdown, settings lost after shutdown, most disturbing of all - inaccuracy in positioning at snail speeds ie walking / stationery (some suggests it is more for road navigation coz they found similiar files in Co and Nuvi series)

 

but then again, garmin has rectified some of these problems by constantly updating their firmware. if i really do end up buying the CO, it would really be based on my faith that garmin would rectify all such problems in the near future.

 

anyway, i'm leaning more towards the HCX vista, which some of the bros here like coolcat and ones_co are using and have no complaints about it. i like the compact size of the unit (no antenna sticking out) which surprisingly doesnt compromise on signal reception (due to the same chipset? )

 

the main reason y i didnt consider the 60csx is because it is a rather dated model. dats all. perhaps i should go ask for its price to compare before i make my decision.

[mr hat]

Demon! the website u just posted is one of two which i'm reading intensely for the past few days. but i think i missed out the comparison chart. thanks man

 

anyway, dat wikispace was set up by a guy by the nick of g-o-cashers aka GO$Rs in the ground.speak forum, the other forum dat i read now.... very very informative for GPS idiots like myself. hehe

[Demon]

Vista is under the Etrex family, and Etrex has been around long before the 60 series. If you are using a GPS mainly on bike, you will want a bigger screen.

 

Internal antenna is neat and compact but a GPS with a antenna sticking out, it has more gain, ie. better reception.

 

In every new model, there is surely teething problems. When the 60CSx was launched, it's accuracy was off when using with Map Grid Reference although the error was not obvious when using with Lat & Long, and it was quickly resolved with a firmware update.

 

I trust Garmin will resolve most of the CO problems and when that time comes, I will surely be getting the CO.

 

[mr hat]

Vista is under the Etrex family, and Etrex has been around long before the 60 series. If you are using a GPS mainly on bike, you will want a bigger screen.

 

Internal antenna is neat and compact but a GPS with a antenna sticking out, it has more gain, ie. better reception.

 

In every new model, there is surely teething problems. When the 60CSx was launched, it's accuracy was off when using with Map Grid Reference although the error was not obvious when using with Lat & Long, and it was quickly resolved with a firmware update.

 

I trust Garmin will resolve most of the CO problems and when that time comes, I will surely be getting the CO.

 

 

 

i also trust dat garmin will solve all problems in time to come... but currently there are juz too many users in the US who have complaint abt their CO being faulty in other unique ways (ie. isolated cases which differ from the general problems recognised by garmin) and in the end, these pple haf to send their faulty unit back to garmin for a replacement. i juz dun wana take the risk n buy a $645 non-warranty set n end up having to send it back to taiwan again and again out of my own pocket. neither am i comfy wif paying the high price $780 for a warranty set. at least not now...

 

anyway, juz to conclude, i've asked abt the 60csx... its selling at $535 nett at SLT #B1-17....chit chat with the uncle for quite awhile n he said the 60csx is a damm popular model in sg coz of its many powerful features. dats y he stocks up many of it. (saw ard 20 units of 60csx but only 2 units of vista hcx).

 

sigh. i was in a dilemma when i had to choose btw the 2.... its kinda like the following situation: a man was asked to choose between 2 women; 1 who is damm intelligent, the other who is damm rich...... in the end he chose the one with the bigger boobs.

 

so guess which one i chose?

[Demon]

anyway, juz to conclude, i've asked abt the 60csx... its selling at $535 nett at SLT #B1-17....chit chat with the uncle for quite awhile n he said the 60csx is a damm popular model in sg coz of its many powerful features. dats y he stocks up many of it. (saw ard 20 units of 60csx but only 2 units of vista hcx).

 

That would be Mr Phua of Blazer ?

 

so guess which one i chose?

 

When you have felt and tested both the Vista, and the 60CSx, the choice is clear.

 

[muddyxr]

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/muddyxr/019_1.jpghttp://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/muddyxr/018_1.jpg

[TripleOneZero]

Sori for noob qns.. Does GPS tell us where ERP is on our route?

[MiddleAgedBiker]

Sori for noob qns.. Does GPS tell us where ERP is on our route?

 

I think if you like to travel by expressway, some GPS will allow you to select fastest route, shortest route, most scenic route, offroad route etc. So you can select fastest route, that should take you through expressway. Does that help?

[MiddleAgedBiker]

Hey all, I have a question about Garmin warranty. From what I understand from reading their website, they'll honour warranty as long as you can produce an original receipt.

 

Does that mean that if I buy from an ebay vendor, and they give me their shop receipt (not individual but registered business) they'll also honour my warranty?

 

The only scary thing is they won't warranty any missing parts if you buy off an aunction site, it's in their warranty clause.

 

What do you guys think? Take the safe route and buy locally, or buy from ebay and save as much as $300 - $400?

[Demon]

Sori for noob qns.. Does GPS tell us where ERP is on our route?

 

The ERP gantries are not a standard feature in the maps ie. Malsing or jerome. However, the ERP gantries are subsequently added as Point of Interest (POI). So if you have ERP POI loaded, it will prompt you whenever you are near one.

 

This prompting is based on proximity, so if you are traveling in the other direction, it will still prompt you on the ERP gantry although you are not passing under one.

 

There are other POIs such as Speed Camera, speed limit...etc

 

[Murphy]

Hi

I'm a total newbie to GPS and a total GPS idiot, I've googled and read tons of stuff that made my brain pain and I still getting nowhere...hope someone can help me out.

 

I'm thinking of getting the Garmin Zumo 550, but the price seems to be very high. I like this kind of rectangular shaped GPS (instead of those that look like handphone), are there other models from reputable manufacturers that are recommended?

 

For the Zumo, what are the shops in S'pore that I can shop around at? Appreciate if anyone could give me the shop names.

 

When I buy this GPS, do I have to buy a seperate mounting system for it? I've read about RAM ball etc. but don't know if it comes with the GPS receiver?

 

For the Zumo I read that battery life is 4 hours, does this mean I need to get a bike shop to do some kind of power outlet for me? Can any bike shop do this?

 

If I buy my Zumo from ebay does this mean there is no warranty? I understand I can go to a forum called Malsingmaps and download S'pore and M'sia maps for free into my Zumo.

 

Does Garmin provide a S'pore/M'sia map? Is it much superior to the free one at Malsingmaps?

 

If I wanna use the Zumo in a car, I assume the power socket is plugged into the lighter socket in the car?

 

Thanks for your patience, and I apologize if these questions sound totally idiotic, I know absolutely zero about GPS and have never even held one before....so abit intimidated. Pls help!

 

no worry. am currently using zumo. the package come with the bike installation cables.

[Demon]

Hey all, I have a question about Garmin warranty. From what I understand from reading their website, they'll honour warranty as long as you can produce an original receipt.

 

Does that mean that if I buy from an ebay vendor, and they give me their shop receipt (not individual but registered business) they'll also honour my warranty?

 

The only scary thing is they won't warranty any missing parts if you buy off an aunction site, it's in their warranty clause.

 

The local authorised dealer will handed and process any warranty claim if your GPS was purchased through them. Contractually the local authorised dealer need not entertain warranty of GPS not distributed by them. However, the local authorised dealer being a business partner of the manufacturer can choose to process your warranty but at a fee.

 

What do you guys think? Take the safe route and buy locally, or buy from ebay and save as much as $300 - $400?

 

All my GPS were bought outside the normal distribution channel, and I have yet to encounter any technical problem with. But if you want to be safe, since it will be your first GPS, take the safe route, and start off with a positive experience.

 

Once you own one, it will never be your last one.

 

[Murphy]

As am using for Zumo 550 since last yr end dec till now i have no problems. The Zumo Come with a 2 mountings. 1 for bike and 1 for car. Car mounting uses cigg lighter head. For bike mounting, it come with a cable and fuse for ur installation on bike so that is not a issue. The Issue is with the sport. The Ram mount that comes with it might not be suitable for installation on sport. As i am riding a K2, I order a stem rem mount from http://www.ram-mount.com/ easy installation.

 

For maps, I recommend not to get the garmin maps. Is waste of money. am 1 of th kuku wo bought as i do not have much knowlegde on the maps of GPS, only knowlegde on Garmin GPS set.

I went to donate to Jerome wee maps. Very useful. For a small fees u have lock maps from him. Lock Speed trap POI and many others POI. ERP POI is included. Every time when u nearing a ERP POI, it will prompt the operation hrs of the undermention ERP you are going through and it will remind you to insert your cash card.

 

Routing: I have use my garmin zumo 550 and ride up to hatyai. No issue. Only issue is the maps. As maps of SGP and MY does not incorprated with thailand maps, you are unable to do a full route from SG all to thai. You can only do a route all the way to Malaysia Custom Thai border. From there when you are in thailand, u be able to the routing in thailand. Remember to download the correct routing function maps. As i did not upload a full proper version of thai map, it routing screw up. It cut across all buildings.

 

In future, they might compile, SG, MY & Thai map into 1 routable map.