Low End GPS

[keithaba]

I've been trying to read reviews about GPS units, and there are soooooooooooooo damn many I'm having a hard time figuring out what I even want.

All I want is something that I can plan a route with on something like google maps, or streets and trips, and for it to show me the route, and let me know if I go off route.

Anyone know a low end GPS that will do this. I don't mind used either, been looking on ebay.

I'd also consider a handheld GPS unit, if they let you see a map, and put in waypoints. That would be fine too, as it would probably cost a lot less.

By the way, I read reviews on the forum, but many of them were for GPS units that were $500-600 and I really don't want to spend even close to that.

 

[Stray Bullet]

You can still find Garmin 2610s for under $300.

 

[Orient_Express]

You can still find Garmin 2610s for under $300.

Yep - I know a guy who just got one. He registered it and then got his City Navigator North America map software updated to the new 2008 edition for free.

Nice unit - no Blue Tooth or MP3 functions but would be all I would need

 

[luvtoride]

I just bought a Garmin 276C off of a forum member for $245.00. This is a really easily used unit. They are definitely out there.

 

[cougar8000]

how about 2610 for 198

https://www.edgegps.com/eCart/viewItem.html?idProduct=263

 

[keithaba]

how about 2610 for 198
https://www.edgegps.com/eCart/viewItem.html?idProduct=263

That looks good!!!

The only thing that scares me...

"The registration process will identify those customers eligible for the free update."

That means you may not be eligible if you purchase one though them...

 

[squeezer]

If the idea is to keep the cost down, I'd definitely urge you to go with an older unit made for vehicles -- like the 2610 or the 276 series -- rather than a handheld unit. I had a handheld unit (eMap) for several years and even though it cost about $600 less than my zumo, its lack of functionality meant that it never really justified what I did spend. Get a tool made for the job.

 

[frayne]

I just purchased a reconditioned Garman Quest for $189 on ebay. It carries a one year Garman warranty.

 

[radman]

how about 2610 for 198
https://www.edgegps.com/eCart/viewItem.html?idProduct=263

That looks good!!!

The only thing that scares me...

"The registration process will identify those customers eligible for the free update."

That means you may not be eligible if you purchase one though them...

According to the ad, they're an authorized Garmin dealer-so shouldn't be an issue.

Newly overhauled units are 'like new in the original Garmin package, unused' with full one year warranties. All original manuals, software, unlock codes, cords and mounting hardware where applicable are included. We are an authorized Garmin dealer, thus the original factory warranty.
In fact, our newly overhauled units are often better than 'new' units because there has been time for any 'crib death' to occur. We have great feedback because we sell a nice product and your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Garmin does a really nice job on their newly overhauled stock.

 

[Scab]

Here ya go - garmin

or, here - another garmin

 

[luvtoride]

Would anybody care to explain to Keith the limitations of a small amount of internal memory or the inability to expand memory in some units? As in, I'm always tied to my computer to download detailed maps because I only have 19meg internal memory.

Believe me Keith, I just walked away from a unit w/ 19meg of on board memory. It sucked! if you want to use this thing in more than 1/4 to 1/2 a state, you're going to want a decent amount of internal memory or the ability to expand using a data card.

This is definetely something to consider when looking to purchase a unit. Be careful about going too low end.

 

[Scab]

Personally, I'm with Heidi on this. While you can get an inexpensive gps, you'll quickly discover that this is the neatest thing since sliced bread and you'll wish you spent a little more for a nicer one. I started out as a total gps rookie and had a C330 (made for a car). It was a present from the wife. Anyway, after the crash and the resulting mud bath that the gps took, it started to experience the occasional loss of satelite signal. So, after reevaluating the whole gps thing and all the other gadgets I had wired to the old bike, I cracked and spent the remaining $ of my insurance settlement on a Zumo 450. It comes fully loaded with the entire country of maps and is expandable with a SD card. Plus, it has buit-in MP3 player capability. While it has no bluetooth or cell phone stuff, I must say that I am really not interested in talking on the phone while trying to ride. I have enough trouble staying upright as it is. So, now I have my GPS and my tunes. Now I'm satisfied and I only have ONE thing wired up. I found the Zumo at buy.com for just a tad over $500. Cheaper in the long run, IMHO.

 

[IndianaTom]

I've got a hand held Magellan that the wife and I use for Geo-caching. It has an SD memory card in it, and can take up to, 512 meg? I don't use it so much for turn by turn, but it's nice if I just head out with no idea where I'm going, or where I'm at. I can power up, look where I'm at, and I can even have it plot a course to home (hotel). I'll bring it with me to EOM, and when I get to the hotel, I'll put a flag there, then I can tell it to plot a map back to the hotel. It fits in the window of the tank bag just fine, and is better than nuttin'.

 

[cota95]

I just purchased a reconditioned Garman Quest for $189 on ebay. It carries a one year Garman warranty.

I've had the Quest 1 for about 2 1/2 years and it works great. Has 115mb of memory which does require you to load maps if your going a thousand miles away but I usually plan my route on the computer so that's not a problem for me. In fact, I am planing a cross country trip for next spring and fit the route from RI to Ca and back thru Canada in 2 map sets.

 

[Scab]

Just go ahead and take out the second mortgage and get a Zumo, ya cheap bastage. It only costs a dime more to go first class.

 

[Geezer]

A couple of things which have been said before on other threads, but are worth repeating:

1) Make sure you get a waterproof unit.

2) No hard drive. Many GPSs made for cars have a hard drive to store data. The hard drive will not hold up for motorcycle use.

 

[keithaba]

Believe me Keith, I just walked away from a unit w/ 19meg of on board memory. It sucked! if you want to use this thing in more than 1/4 to 1/2 a state, you're going to want a decent amount of internal memory or the ability to expand using a data card.

That makes sense, the refurb 2610 says it comes with a 128mb compact flash. That should be pretty good, right? I will also almost always be planning my routes on the computer before going.

Also, it says it comes with a A/C power adapter, that means I would also need to purchase power cord to run it from my battery, or can you splice that to the battery???

I couldn't find anything that said if the 2610 was waterproof or not. The Quest-R is. I am batting those 2 back and forth. The quest R also says it has internal memory instead of a flash card. I don't know if that means hard drive, or not....

Damn this is confusing!!!!! Stupid free market!!!! Thanks for the comments and help.

 

[IndianaTom]

I couldn't find anything that said if the 2610 was waterproof or not.

I think if it doesn't brag that it's waterproof, it isn't. AND if it doe's say waterproof, fill out your warranty and save your receipt.

 

[cota95]

Believe me Keith, I just walked away from a unit w/ 19meg of on board memory. It sucked! if you want to use this thing in more than 1/4 to 1/2 a state, you're going to want a decent amount of internal memory or the ability to expand using a data card.

That makes sense, the refurb 2610 says it comes with a 128mb compact flash. That should be pretty good, right? I will also almost always be planning my routes on the computer before going.

Also, it says it comes with a A/C power adapter, that means I would also need to purchase power cord to run it from my battery, or can you splice that to the battery???

I couldn't find anything that said if the 2610 was waterproof or not. The Quest-R is. I am batting those 2 back and forth. The quest R also says it has internal memory instead of a flash card. I don't know if that means hard drive, or not....

Damn this is confusing!!!!! Stupid free market!!!! Thanks for the comments and help.

The Quest is waterproof and the memory is solid state (flash?) and not a hard drive. Hard drives and bike (IMO) do not mix.