Gadget : GPS device on bikes

[NC30]

so wich one would be really the best buy..... regardless the price??

[MiddleAgedBiker]

so wich one would be really the best buy..... regardless the price??

 

if it's regardless of price then i'd definitely recommend the zumo550.

 

the reason i bought it instead of car GPS system (which is a HUGE cost saving) is because it's waterproof (but someone suggested a workaround using the GIVI pouch which is great) and also because of the voice prompts through earphones.

 

i personally find it very dangerous to look at the gps display while trying to find my way in a foreign place, especially a city, so i rely solely on the voice prompts and can't live without it. voice prompts also give u advance warning to keep left/right before a turning comes up, and tells u to look out for turning ahead, and when to turn.

 

other reasons i chose the zumo is because the buttons are built for riders. big chunky buttons that's easy to press with a gloved hand when you're touring, not sure if car navi units lets u do that.

 

however i may just be a big sissy and i'm sure people can make do with the car units, but i like simplicity and convenience of the zumo.

 

zumo also comes with a car mounting kit in the package, so you can use it in your car as well as the bike. they have seperate mounting kits for both.

 

my only complaint about the zumo is the stupid security screw (to prevent the latch from opening during bike use), but there are simple work-arounds to get over it, including aftermarket security screws that you can turn by hand, and a simple latch you can make yourself from thin metal.

[NC30]

Thanks for your point of view!

[Demon]

i personally find it very dangerous to look at the gps display while trying to find my way in a foreign place, especially a city, so i rely solely on the voice prompts and can't live without it. voice prompts also give u advance warning to keep left/right before a turning comes up, and tells u to look out for turning ahead, and when to turn.

 

Voice prompt is good but it can never be as effective as looking at the screen, especially for junctions with multiple lanes. Which is why the latest features in GPS is Junction view, and Lane Assist.

 

Logically, the GPS should be positioned where you would only need to move your eyes and not to turn the head to view. Which is why most positioned the GPS near the side mirror.

 

Using the GPS safely is alot of common sense. First, the critical details of the route must be memorized. Your eyes must stay on the road, and take only occasional glance at the display. The GPS will prompt you a few times before a turning from a km away during navigation mode. Once you see a turn-off prompt, you should slow down. To "fly by instrument" is suicidal.

 

 

other reasons i chose the zumo is because the buttons are built for riders. big chunky buttons that's easy to press with a gloved hand when you're touring, not sure if car navi units lets u do that.

 

Generally, all Nuvis have only one hard button, the ON/OFF button, and the rest are all touch screen. Gloves are not a problem. This is similar to the Zumo where the frequently used functions are also touch screen.

 

however i may just be a big sissy and i'm sure people can make do with the car units, but i like simplicity and convenience of the zumo.

.

 

The latest Zumo 660 is almost the size of the Nuvis.

[scoobydoo]

its always good to hear that "price is no issue"... but most of us work within a budget, comparing apples with apples

 

imho, it all depends on how you intend to use the unit...

e.g. my needs are simple enough; accurate, user friendly, waterproof and within budget. i always plot the route before setting off (at home using custom routes, or at carpark) and there's no need to fiddle with the set on the way until arriving destination or a new destination is required. whether it has buttons for gloved hand or not, insignificant... so a nuvi 550 is good enough. having the zumo is always good, but chose not to pay so much more for something i dun really need

e.g. my friend's needs require more. he likes to mark points (by using the save location function), check this check that while on the move. thus the zumo would fit his needs better... plus he has bigger budget

 

what you want may not be what you need; what you need may not be what you want

[ausa]

Could it be that the track log memory is full ?

 

Oh ya, after delete the track it's ok now, Thanks Demon.

 

At first I thought so, but checking the memory use it's only few % so I thought it should be alright.... anyway, problem solve. Thank you Demon.

[Demon]

If you have that "speedtrap" gpi file installed, it will come on, and i have yet to come across a way which you can selectively disable or enable these warning gpi files. Meantime, the only way, i know of, is to remove the relevant gpi file from the POI folder in the internal memory.

 

Just to expand on this.

 

For newer devices like the Nuvi 2x5, and 5x0, there is a Proximity Alert setting which you can disable or enable your Custom POIs, not selectively, is either all or none.

 

If you mute, it's totally silenced. If you just disable the Proximity Alert, only the navigation instruction will sound.

[NC30]

Voice prompt is good but it can never be as effective as looking at the screen, especially for junctions with multiple lanes. Which is why the latest features in GPS is Junction view, and Lane Assist.

 

Logically, the GPS should be positioned where you would only need to move your eyes and not to turn the head to view. Which is why most positioned the GPS near the side mirror.

 

Using the GPS safely is alot of common sense. First, the critical details of the route must be memorized. Your eyes must stay on the road, and take only occasional glance at the display. The GPS will prompt you a few times before a turning from a km away during navigation mode. Once you see a turn-off prompt, you should slow down. To "fly by instrument" is suicidal.

 

 

 

 

Generally, all Nuvis have only one hard button, the ON/OFF button, and the rest are all touch screen. Gloves are not a problem. This is similar to the Zumo where the frequently used functions are also touch screen.

 

 

 

The latest Zumo 660 is almost the size of the Nuvis.

 

 

i have 2 options, buy the Zumo 550 on a good deal now

or wait till end july and buy the Zumo 660 while i'm in Europe

knowing that the price will be similar as the 550 here.

 

its always good to hear that "price is no issue"... but most of us work within a budget, comparing apples with apples

 

imho, it all depends on how you intend to use the unit...

e.g. my needs are simple enough; accurate, user friendly, waterproof and within budget. i always plot the route before setting off (at home using custom routes, or at carpark) and there's no need to fiddle with the set on the way until arriving destination or a new destination is required. whether it has buttons for gloved hand or not, insignificant... so a nuvi 550 is good enough. having the zumo is always good, but chose not to pay so much more for something i dun really need

e.g. my friend's needs require more. he likes to mark points (by using the save location function), check this check that while on the move. thus the zumo would fit his needs better... plus he has bigger budget

 

what you want may not be what you need; what you need may not be what you want

 

totally agree..

[Demon]

i have 2 options, buy the Zumo 550 on a good deal now

or wait till end july and buy the Zumo 660 while i'm in Europe

knowing that the price will be similar as the 550 here.

:

 

To me, the decision is easy. Definitely get the Zumo 660.

 

For any electronic gadget, the golden rule is always buy the latest model. Besides that, the 660 is less cumbersome yet has a larger screen. It also has all the latest features such as Junction View and Lane Assist, ecoroute...etc.

 

If the Zumo 660 is stereo through the bluetooth headset, that completes it all. Do check on that.

 

[NC30]

To me, the decision is easy. Definitely get the Zumo 660.

 

For any electronic gadget, the golden rule is always buy the latest model. Besides that, the 660 is less cumbersome yet has a larger screen. It also has all the latest features such as Junction View and Lane Assist, ecoroute...etc.

 

If the Zumo 660 is stereo through the bluetooth headset, that completes it all. Do check on that.

 

 

 

 

Good thanks

its just i have to wait till end of july than i suppose....:pity:

[CMYRS]

i found the decision easy to make.

 

the functions of nuvi and zumo are mostly the same, other than being waterproof.

 

but the price of a nuvi is basically half or 1/3 a zumo.

 

i would rather have the option to buy the latest nuvi every yr when the warranty expires than try to make the zumo last 3yrs

[lacrimosae]

i found the decision easy to make.

 

the functions of nuvi and zumo are mostly the same, other than being waterproof.

 

but the price of a nuvi is basically half or 1/3 a zumo.

 

i would rather have the option to buy the latest nuvi every yr when the warranty expires than try to make the zumo last 3yrs

 

Well said! I'm getting a bit bored of my Oregon 300... But I dislike the bulk and style of the Nuvi and Zumo series....

 

Am thinking of getting the Edge 705, it's sexy as hell! hehehe...

[ATwin]

if it's regardless of price then i'd definitely recommend the zumo550.

 

the reason i bought it instead of car GPS system (which is a HUGE cost saving) is because it's waterproof (but someone suggested a workaround using the GIVI pouch which is great) and also because of the voice prompts through earphones.

 

i personally find it very dangerous to look at the gps display while trying to find my way in a foreign place, especially a city, so i rely solely on the voice prompts and can't live without it. voice prompts also give u advance warning to keep left/right before a turning comes up, and tells u to look out for turning ahead, and when to turn.

 

other reasons i chose the zumo is because the buttons are built for riders. big chunky buttons that's easy to press with a gloved hand when you're touring, not sure if car navi units lets u do that.

 

however i may just be a big sissy and i'm sure people can make do with the car units, but i like simplicity and convenience of the zumo.

 

zumo also comes with a car mounting kit in the package, so you can use it in your car as well as the bike. they have seperate mounting kits for both.

 

my only complaint about the zumo is the stupid security screw (to prevent the latch from opening during bike use), but there are simple work-arounds to get over it, including aftermarket security screws that you can turn by hand, and a simple latch you can make yourself from thin metal.

 

U can get the touratech mount for ur zumo with security feature....but expensive..

[ATwin]

To me, the decision is easy. Definitely get the Zumo 660.

 

For any electronic gadget, the golden rule is always buy the latest model. Besides that, the 660 is less cumbersome yet has a larger screen. It also has all the latest features such as Junction View and Lane Assist, ecoroute...etc.

 

If the Zumo 660 is stereo through the bluetooth headset, that completes it all. Do check on that.

 

 

Any idea how much the zumo 660 cost.....some pple said the zumo 550 is xpensive than 660..izzit true.

[Demon]

Any idea how much the zumo 660 cost.....some pple said the zumo 550 is xpensive than 660..izzit true.

 

You are right according to Garmin's recommended selling price.

 

In practice, vendors will always cream the market on the latest models.

If you sell newer models cheaper, then you will be permanently stuck with the older models. and eventually you may have to sell it below cost or risk writing it off when it becomes obsolete.

 

I am not sure if local pricing is available for the Zumo 660. If use Amazon as a guide. It's about USD808, so with shipping and GST, it should be around SGD1400.

[NC30]

You are right according to Garmin's recommended selling price.

 

In practice, vendors will always cream the market on the latest models.

If you sell newer models cheaper, then you will be permanently stuck with the older models. and eventually you may have to sell it below cost or risk writing it off when it becomes obsolete.

 

I am not sure if local pricing is available for the Zumo 660. If use Amazon as a guide. It's about USD808, so with shipping and GST, it should be around SGD1400.

 

yep that's the European price also

[fooz]

i finally received from my overseas model of nuvi 550.

 

right now, i need to get started...

- which size microSD card shld i get? ( i need to put in sgp/msia, and maybe thai maps)

- shld i get the jerome wee map from eastgear? or, the free maps online are just as good?

[Demon]

i finally received from my overseas model of nuvi 550.

 

right now, i need to get started...

 

Before that, backup all the files in your GPS.

 

- which size microSD card shld i get? ( i need to put in sgp/msia, and maybe thai maps)

 

Minimum capacity of microSD (mSD) is 2Gb, and that is many times more than what you will ever need. The mSD is the secondary memory, and your Nuvi 550 has it's internal memory, so you actually don't need the mSD.

 

Right now, the most convenient source for singapore/Malaysia map is here :

 

http://www.malfreemaps.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=893

 

 

- shld i get the jerome wee map from eastgear?

 

Why buy from Eastgear ? You can buy Jerome's map directly from his site, just donate USD20 via paypal, or POSB Transfer

 

http://gpsmaps.jwpixs.com/

 

 

or, the free maps online are just as good?

 

Generally speaking, paid maps are better. However for Singapore/Malaysia, two hobbyist groups ie, MSM, and MFM are going a fantastic job in providing free maps to use, and MFM is the only true free map provider because MSM still requires two contributions for unlock codes.

[fooz]

Demon,

 

thanks for the input.

 

so , in your POV, i dont even need the Jerome Wee map eh? coz, i read from somewhere that the JW can locate destination just by keyin in the postal code. which i think is very useful function..

 

when u mention "backup", do u mean that i can remove the preloaded US maps in the unit? den replace it with local maps? (since i dont think i will ever use the US maps in the near future...) in this case, i dont think i even need to get the mSD..

[Demon]

so , in your POV, i dont even need the Jerome Wee map eh? coz, i read from somewhere that the JW can locate destination just by keyin in the postal code. which i think is very useful function..

 

Jerome Wee, MSM, or MFM, all not have the complete postal codes, so you can search mostly HDB addresses. However if you bought your set from Eastgear you would have the exclusive map with full set of address point and postal code data because Eastgear has obtained licence from SLA to produce such map.

 

when u mention "backup", do u mean that i can remove the preloaded US maps in the unit? den replace it with local maps? (since i dont think i will ever use the US maps in the near future...) in this case, i dont think i even need to get the mSD..

 

Backup all the files from your Garmin and save them in your PC in case you need to reload them in the event files in the GPS get corrupted. Once you have done that, you can delete the US map and you would have avail yourself of an extra 1Gb of space. However it's perfectly fine to leave the US map there, but unchecked it at the MAP INFO.

 

Even with the US map, there is still plenty of space for SIN/MAL/THAI/LAOS/CAMBODIA/BALI/HK map, plus all the alert POIs, and even all the vehicle icons....etc.

[fooz]

thanks demon,

 

i hope im not asking a dumb qn here:

how to trsnfr data across the gps unit and PC?

-can i use the miniUSB-to-PC type of cable (usu used in camera)

- or, use the mSD card to trnsfr aka, thumb drive style?

-or, dedicated garmin unit data cable?

[Demon]

how to trsnfr data across the gps unit and PC?

-can i use the miniUSB-to-PC type of cable (usu used in camera)

 

-or, dedicated garmin unit data cable?

 

Garmin GPS uses the standard usb cable.

 

- or, use the mSD card to trnsfr aka, thumb drive style?

 

Also can.

 

You need to create a GARMIN sub-directory in which the GMAPSUPP.IMG reside.

 

[nash_1126]

Im currently using my Palm TX paired with Garmin XT.

Mount using an old Cateye Bicycle Headlight holder. Works like a charm!

 

http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr39/nash_1126/DSC03194-1.jpg

[CMYRS]

Well said! I'm getting a bit bored of my Oregon 300... But I dislike the bulk and style of the Nuvi and Zumo series....

 

Am thinking of getting the Edge 705, it's sexy as hell! hehehe...

 

lacrimosae getting turned on by a GPS

[scoobydoo]

However it's perfectly fine to leave the US map there, but unchecked it at the MAP INFO.

good advise... i did that

 

leave the US maps as they are and then copy the MFM map (gmapsupp.img 52,314KB) to the same folder... see below pic. no need to delete the US maps as they are using different file names and still got ample disk space available (600+MB)

 

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv287/josephsbs/Misc/Garminfolder.jpg?t=1245123745

Edited June 18, 2009 by scoobydoo