LDR/IBA GPS

[BwanaDik]

I know I'm asking this at the risk of being thrown into NEPRT hell but I've done a Google search on our fourm (LDR GPS; IBR GPS; GPS IBA; etc) and come up empty. Over in the IBA forum (not a member there yet), I believe our own Jerry White (nice avatar BTW) mentioned something in a thread to a n00b about a Zumo XXX being a nice touring GPS but not being the GPS for serious rallying. But he didn't mention what he used. Then, today, over in our own "Technical" "Initial electronics" thread, Rouge just showed his setup with a Garmin (couldn't make out the model) but it was not a Zumo.

Both of these guys have the credentials to know what they're talking about but neither specified what they were using or why.

Several other LDR guys here (ScooterG, Warchild, Iggy, etc..) have mentioned GPS units in passing but never have been specific as to what they are using or why (that I can find).

I'm running a 2730 and looking at a 2820 (?) as a primary/backup. I like the 2730 a lot.

The Garmin website is useless unless you have a LOT of time for study and a large note pad for comparison notes. Most of what I've seen are marine versions and/or not auto/motocycle models.

I also understand the thinking behind running two GPS units, including having seen a GPSIII Plus in the mix (!!!), but the reasons for that may be beyond this thread.

So I'm asking the LDR/IBA guys out there, what do you run and why?

 

[Rogue]

Thanks for the compliment but I don't have nearly the creds as a lot of the members here.

I have a 276c. If I had the cash to upgrade I'd get a 378 for the weather maps & XM radio (I could get rid of the separate XM unit and clear up some space on my bars). The Garmin 276/378 and 27xx/28xx lines are very popular, I like the 276/378 because of the battery (it doesn't need to run off the bike power all the time) and some 27xx/28xx units have had moisture get in them. For LD riding & rallys you want one you can plan out your route on a lap top in your room then download it to the GPS.

 

[Bungie]

I've got the 2820. Love it except for one thing... It has no built in function to reverse a route! You've got to manually re-order the way points and then recalc. PIA.

 

[Ignacio]

The most extreme of LD ubergeeks is Rob Nye that puts on GPS seminars at National Events and think he summed it up pretty well.

Garmin rocks in general. The Zumo has a couple of advantages to bike riders, but is mostly a great toy. The Street Pilot series 27xx and 28xx are his preferred and the Nuvi's haven't swayed me yet.

For me, it's 2820 as a primary with XM radio, holds 750 MP3 files, the bluetooth is nice, and the $5 traffic and weather subscription. I have a 2730 as a backup.

Some old-school folks like the venerable 21xx series because better routing options, but the maps are getting old I think.

The only other one I'd look at is the one with full weather mapping have the other model that escapes me. 4xx I think.

 

[turbodave_98]

garmin 478 x 2. At all times never a problem even in rainy weather in the Midwest and performed better than the rider!

 

[BwanaDik]

Thanks guys, this is exactly the information I was looking for. I had been eyeing the 2820 as a primary unit with the 2730 as a backup. I am also checking out the 478 but I'm thinking there might be an advantage to having similar operation of the 2XXX units. Although the NEXRAD weather is really cool!

garmin 478 x 2. At all times never a problem even in rainy weather in the Midwest and performed better than the rider!

I'd wager there are a number of folks around here that would take issue with that, Dave!

 

[ChrisW]

2820. XM is nice. XM traffic and weather is useless IMO.

The Nexrad on the 478 etc, is cool, but is a pricey service. It would be good info, but does it really change the fact that your going where you're going?

 

[BwanaDik]

Pricey indeed. IIRC around $40/month and you have to sign up for a year. However, it can make a difference in routing. Back in the paper map days, we were in AZ someplace and could see a major cell coming in our direction. I had the choice of two roads to our next destination. By waiting on the side of the road for a few minutes I figured out the storm track and took the better (dryer) road (I had a meterology class in college and had just slept in a Holiday Inn Express!) Worked great.

I think I may have just answered my own question WRT the NEXRAD......

Hmmm...2820 looks to be in my future

Pricey indeed. IIRC around $40/month and you have to sign up for a year. However, it can make a difference in routing. Back in the paper map days, we were in AZ someplace and could see a major cell coming in our direction. I had the choice of two roads to our next destination. By waiting on the side of the road for a few minutes I figured out the storm track and took the better (dryer) road (I had a meterology class in college and had just slept in a Holiday Inn Express!) Worked great.

I think I may have just answered my own question WRT the NEXRAD......

Hmmm...2820 looks to be in my future

 

[mehaffydr]

I have a 378 dicontinued it is about the same as 478 but the 378 has inland waterways and calculates routes different. The 478 has costal waterways. The nexrad is a great tool also the quality of a GPS has to do with how fast it calculates routes. My buddy has a old cheap Garmin unit and if we both put in the same destination mine calcs about twice as fast.

I am planning on using both my 378 and a 2730 for the IBR5K for backup which is always good and to be able to set them for different destinations.

Here is a pic of the screen on the 378.

Its nice to know exactlly whats ahead and how long it might last.

 

[saltywheels]

Garmin 2720. Throw it in a Gadget Guy billet case & its Bullet proof as well. Programable of course, but no XM. I use a Roady for that. Zumo 550 is the back-up & it has Traffic + XM.

 

[LDRydr]

I've been using a Garmin 376c for years and wouldn't think of switching to anything else, not even a Zumo (except as a 2nd unit). It's very fast on routing changes and easy to do. I love the NEXRAD weather. I tried the XM radio on it but I tend to switch stations too much and it's way to cumbersome to do so on this unit. Instead I use a Harley RoadTech XM receiver.

If you plan to run two units for rallying you'll want to have a dash shelf.

Dash pic

 

[SkooterG]

I'm running a 2730 and looking at a 2820 (?) as a primary/backup. I like the 2730 a lot.

You'll be good to go with those.

I run a 2820 now. Before that was a 2730. I only run one GPS.

When I was at the start of the 07 IBR I was getting all intimidated as it seemed like every bike had two GPSs (some three) and lots of other shit I didn't have. Well, you know what? I did just fine with one gps.

Last year just prior to Xmas there were great deals on GPSs. They aren't around this year. I picked up two 2730s for $165 each off ebay. They were refurb units, but came with a 1 year factory warranty. I gave one to my g/f, and sold another to a friend a month or two later who wanted one. I didn't need it for a back-up as shortly after buying those 2730s, I bought brand spanking new 2820 for $235 shipped from getfeetwet.com. That was jut prior to Garmin discontinuing the 2820. Like I said, you can't even touch those prices this year.

So now I have a 2820 that I use as a primary gps, a 2nd 2820 (I bought off my mom for cheap) as a back-up, and my old 2730 which is on FJR#2. I don't update the maps on the back up 2820 or the 2730, and the 2730's screen is getting pretty scratched up after many years of abuse. I now put protective coverings on all my other gps units.

So for the 09 IBR, since I had a backup gps (2820) I brought it along. But packed away in a sidebag in case I needed it. I know Iggy mounted his 2nd gps. Once again, only running one gps didn't hurt me in the IBR.

From what I have heard of the Zumo, I have no desire to upgrade to it. I think it's processor is faster, and perhaps I could get the bluetooth to work with my phone and Autocom which I haven't been able to do with the 2820 yet, but for the $$$$ it's still not an option for me. Trying to get the bluetooth to work with my Autocom and cell phone would be the only reason I would consider upgrading to the Zumo. I like my 2820 just fine.

What I am really jonesing for is a 478. But I am a cheap bastard and they are pricey. Sure would like that bright screen and NexRad capability though for a 2nd gps. I don't think I could use it as my only gps as I am officially spoiled by the touchscreen of the 2XXX series. This past July 478 got down as low as $550 shipped on Amazon. I was close to pulling the trigger, but just couldn't justify it. If that unit falls under $500, I'll most likely pull the trigger. They are currently running about $650 on Amazon.

But to mount a 2nd gps, I am going to have to put a dash shelf on my FJR and I really don't want to do that. Issues with my current Rifle screen and tuning block. I may consider it for the future.

I am convinced the way to go is to buy Garmin GPS's when they are discontinued or are refurb units. You can get some really great deals that way. Sometimes. Not currently unfortunately.

 

[johnny80s]

Patriot I think we found your long lost brother. Finding out if he has a horn mounted to the right side of his bike will prove it positively.

Sorry I couldn't resist.

 

[DaJuice]

If that unit falls under $500, I'll most likely pull the trigger.

How about $499 on ebay here. It's fun spending other peoples money!

I'm running the Zumo 550 now and have a 60CS in the background for data logging. I've been looking at ditching the 60CS for something I could use for actual routing in addition to the Zumo, the 478 is in the lead right now, but the $ makes me want to look at something cheaper like the Nuvi 550. I can say that if I were allowed only one unit on my bike it would be the Zumo hands down. I have it completely integrated with my audio system (J&M CB-2003 with the CFRG-D Module). With that setup I can talk on the phone, CB and FRS/GMRS; listen to XM and MP3's. Definitely not the cost effective solution but it does what I want. As to the routing capabilities of the Zumo 550, I don't see where it lacks at all. The complaint I do have about it is the lack of data it will display and the fact the data fields are not customizable.

One screen I'd like for rallying that I've never had is a screen that gives ETA's at the via points of a route only. I've seen screens that show ETA's for each maneuver including via's but I want to see via's only so I don't have to scroll though a bunch of crap. I could care less that I need to keep right on I-80 at 6:17pm... I'm I gonna make it to _____ before they close??!?! Any of you ever used a GSP that will do that? Yeah I know I could make that point the end of my route and that is what I end up doing, but I don't want to!

 

[Mr Bill]

One screen I'd like for rallying that I've never had is a screen that gives ETA's at the via points of a route only. I've seen screens that show ETA's for each maneuver including via's but I want to see via's only so I don't have to scroll though a bunch of crap. I could care less that I need to keep right on I-80 at 6:17pm... I'm I gonna make it to _____ before they close??!?! Any of you ever used a GSP that will do that? Yeah I know I could make that point the end of my route and that is what I end up doing, but I don't want to!

My 478 map screen has info at each corner

top left - Dist Next this is what your asking about, distance to next point

top right - Speed whats that all about?

bottom left - Elevation what can I say I'm a geek

bottom right - ETA Dest

https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/1130_OwnersManual.pdf

You can show 4 or 5 things on the right side on this unit if you want.

I like showing the distance here rather than time because the gps has no clue how fast I'll be going.

 

[DaJuice]

top left - Dist Next this is what your asking about, distance to next point

Is that distance to next maneuver or distance to next via point (via points being the bonus locations)?

What I was trying to say is GPS's I've used have good screens to show you how far away, how much time it will take or what time you will be at your next maneuver (turn, keep left, etc) but when rallying I don't really care to see all the different maneuvers on my route, I want to know specifically that info to specific via points (the bonus locations) without having to page though all the maneuvers that I don't care about.

I also don't necessarily care about only the next via point; Say 3 bonus stops from now I need to arrive before sundown. I want to be able to quickly pull up my list of via's and see if I have time to get there or if I have to cut a stop out, or better yet... If I can add one in. Show me a unit similar to the Zumo 550 or GPSMAP 478 that could do that and it would be on the top of my list for my next GPS.

 

[LDRydr]

top left - Dist Next this is what your asking about, distance to next point

Is that distance to next maneuver or distance to next via point (via points being the bonus locations)?

On the 27x, 37x, 47x series what you want in each corner of the screen, or any of the screens for that matter, are customizable. On my main map page I show current time (a must for recording rally bonii), speed, ETE (to next turn) and ETA (the finish of the route).

I also don't necessarily care about only the next via point; Say 3 bonus stops from now I need to arrive before sundown. I want to be able to quickly pull up my list of via's and see if I have time to get there or if I have to cut a stop out, or better yet... If I can add one in. Show me a unit similar to the Zumo 550 or GPSMAP 478 that could do that and it would be on the top of my list for my next GPS.

This would be shown on the routing directions page (it shows miles to waypoint and ETA). But if you have multiple waypoints you do have to scroll down through the turns and other waypoints to see them. I use this all the time to figure out where I'll stop for fuel (I've gone this many miles, my average MPG is X and the next waypoint is X number of miles out, so can I make it?).

 

[DaJuice]

This would be shown on the routing directions page (it shows miles to waypoint and ETA). But if you have multiple waypoints you do have to scroll down through the turns and other waypoints to see them. I use this all the time to figure out where I'll stop for fuel (I've gone this many miles, my average MPG is X and the next waypoint is X number of miles out, so can I make it?).

Thx. That is exactly the same as the Zumo and what I do now. More time scrolling though the manuvers to find the vias means more time with the eyes off the road which is not a good thing especially in the middle of the night which is why that is a feature I'd really like to have in a GPS (Garmin - you listening???)

 

[LDRydr]

Thx. That is exactly the same as the Zumo and what I do now. More time scrolling though the manuvers to find the vias means more time with the eyes off the road which is not a good thing especially in the middle of the night which is why that is a feature I'd really like to have in a GPS (Garmin - you listening???)

And it's a bummer that, for some wierd unknown reason, the waypoint names don't always show up. Sometimes I'll just have to figure it out based on the turn-by-turn directions that say "Make a U-Turn". Other times the actual waypoint names or city names show up.