Running Multiple GPS Units

[TriggerT]

The 5 W's of running multiple GPS units.

Who is running more than one GPS?

What make and model of units are you running?

When do you have both units mounted on the bike; always or just for rallies?

Where do you have the units mounted on the bike?

Why are you running multiple units? Simple redundancy?

How are you utilizing the multiple units?

 

[SkooterG]

So far for me, only one gps - a 2820. During the '09 IBR I did carry a spare 2820 in my saddlebag though.

I am interested in possibly adding a 2nd gps too. But the one I want - the 478, has gotten prohibitively expensive, and then there are the mounting issues (as in where) that I would have to solve.

 

[Ignacio]

Running a 2820 as my main (stem stand) and a 478 as a secondary (RAM mount on left handlebar) for rallies and long rides where weather radar is important. I've used one in the past with a backup older unit in the top box, but planning two simultaneous this season.

2820 is what I use for main routing purposes. The ease of finding things and ability to route on the fly with this GPS is easiest....and I also have it plugged into my audio system. The StreetPilot series is the best for rally warfare in my opinion.

The 478 use is two-fold, but both supplementary. 1) XM Weather gives actual live weather details that the 28xx/27xx series just can't do. 2) Play "what-if" scenarios for routing and the screen is larger for visualizing rally and bonus locations details better.

The 478 is also a backup unit. I had a 2730 partially die on me in a rally two different times. I got lucky both times (lost the ability to upload routes after I had uploaded my last one and another one that was intermittent and nearly dead by the rally end)...so having a backup unit is important.

 

[Jim Morrison]

I use just one GPS... The other thing that tells me where to go is the Bride....so I guess I do use to GPS's.....

 

[Good2Go]

What follows was my path toward multiple GPS enlightenment...

I started with a Z550. Fine for certificate collecting, and not bad for short rallys. My biggest qualm with the 550 for rallying was that it only showed waypoints (bonus locations) at very close zoom levels. It was like being blind to what other boni were around me, in case I wanted to modify on the fly.

Then I got a hold of a 2730...which shows all your waypoints. Very cool. So I used the 550 + 2730 for a while.

Last year I found a decent deal on a 478, and sold the 550. Nexrad weather is the shit! Only drawback for me is the 478 doesn't have traffic, mp3 or cell phone capability.

So I bought a used 2820, which has now become my primary gps that stays on the bike all the time. Partly because I harbor a secret desire to be like Ig and Skoot but with a Gen2 (although if you ask either one of them they will readily admit I am much more handsome :lol: ). But mostly because the combo of 478 + 2820 compliment each other nicely and gives me everything I need.

My current setup, and the one I'll be using for the ibr, is 2820 on the stem and 478 on a shelf. I seem to like having the 478 zoomed way out with north up for a big picture and the 2820 zoomed in and plugged into the starcom with direction of travel up for navigating to bonuses or in unfamiliar towns. I'll point and shoot, and run scenarios on the 2820 but leave the 478 aimed at the next checkpoint and monitor ETA. I've configured the cabling to be able to hot swap the audio from either unit, in case the other goes tits up.

 

[Ignacio]

I'll point and shoot, and run scenarios on the 2820 but leave the 478 aimed at the next checkpoint and monitor ETA. I've configured the cabling to be able to hot swap the audio from either unit, in case the other goes tits up.

Says a man that's one of my not-so-secret favorites to podium the IBR this year. Dick has it wired to an 11!

 

[dougc]

Who is running more than one GPS?

What make and model of units are you running?

When do you have both units mounted on the bike; always or just for rallies?

Where do you have the units mounted on the bike?

Why are you running multiple units? Simple redundancy?

How are you utilizing the multiple units?

I run two gps's all the time, a garmin 2820 and 2730. Both are ram mounted to a shelf that has extra support legs. Both are just below my line of sight as I ride.

I run two for redundancy, each can do what the other does except for the bluetooth on the 2820 and for different objectives. I run the 2730 on the stats page and use it for a speedo and the 2820 on the route/map page for directions. I run "what if" scenarios on the 2730 as well. Both units have XM subscriptions but the "puck" is connected to the 2820. My cabling also allows swapping audio from one to the other.

Gotta tell ya I'd have a 478 as well, in place of one existing, if I could find a good used one for a reasonable price.

 

[Cruzin]

The 5 W's of running multiple GPSS units.

Who is running more than one GPSS?

What make and model of units are you running?

When do you have both units mounted on the bike; always or just for rallies?

Where do you have the units mounted on the bike?

Why are you running multiple units? Simple redundancy?

How are you utilizing the multiple units?

I run 2 for rallies, commuting one is enough.

I have a Quest 1 and a Quest 2

One on each handlebar, when mounting 2 units make sure you space them apart. I had both of them on the left bar last spring butt the satellites were having a hard time separating the 2 once I split them up problem solved.

All way points and routes get loaded into both units, Quest 2 has the base route on it. Quest 1 is for scenarios and for finding the next Boni. Quest 1 calculates faster then the Quest 2 but Quest 2 has all the maps for the USA, Quest 1 only holds about 1/3 of the country depending were you are.

The reason I run 2 of the same units it is easier to remember the functions on a multi day rally. Using 2 different ones the interfaces vary slightly. The nice thing about the Quest series is you can see your way points at whatever zoom level floats your boat and they pop in my pocket quick and easy when I have to hike a mile each way to take a picture of an Arch at sunrise

 

[karstenp]

I am running 3 units.

My primary routing GPS is a 2820. As others have already indicated, it is hard to beat the 2820 in rally mode. The 2820 is blue toothed to a cell phone and connected to my J&M communication system. My secondary unit is a Zumo 550. I use the Zumo 550 to calculate routing alternatives on the fly. To be honest, I am not crazy about the 550 and would like to replace it with a 478 and run the weather radar. My 3rd unit is a Garmin V and I always leave it on the stats screen (showing average speed, sunrise, sunset, odo etc). The V data screen also has the date, time and GPS co-ordinates always showing for quick recording in the rally book. The GPS V also has a calculator which is very handy and an excellent compass.

Just to be extra anal, I carry a spare 2730 as a backup to the 2820.

The 550 is mounted on my accessory shelf, the 2820 in the stem nut area and the GPS V mounted just above my J&M Communication system controller on the far left handlebar.

I leave my 550 on the bike all the time and save the 2820 for rallies. Hoping someone will "liberate" the 550 off the bike giving me an excuse to buy a unit with weather radar capability!

 

[eeksnake]

Who: I run two units on my FJR.

What: Garmin Zumo 550 & Street Pilot 2720.

When: Both during rallies. Daily commuting not so much.

Where: Z550 is mounted to the steering nut with a 2" Ram arm. SP2720 centered on N-Line Dash in its OEM cradle.

Why: Primarily redundancy. Also reduces button pushing - One screens shows route while the other shows data.

How: Z550 is my primary unit (works great for me, YMMV) routes & waypoints are loaded. Z550 also serves as my phone coupler and music player (routed through a Starcom1 Digital). SP2720 displays my running data. I load waypoints only so if I want to play "what if", I don't mess with my primary route.

 

[patch308]

Uh...I run one GPS and I have learned to read a MAP as a backup unit. I figure if an attack helicopter or bomber can run 1 GPS, so can I. There isn't a place I need to find that bad when on my motorcycle that I can't stop and figure it out without 2 or 3 GPS's. Seems a little out of control to me. Now, hold on a moment..................................Ok, I'm ready....FLAME ME! :focus:

 

[karstenp]

Uh...I run one GPS and I have learned to read a MAP as a backup unit. I figure if an attack helicopter or bomber can run 1 GPS, so can I. There isn't a place I need to find that bad when on my motorcycle that I can't stop and figure it out without 2 or 3 GPS's. Seems a little out of control to me. Now, hold on a moment..................................Ok, I'm ready....FLAME ME! :focus:

1 GPS is fine for everyday riding and yes I carry a map sometimes without any GPS. Multiple GPSs are a good idea if you are running a competitive rally. Why? Because a GPS will fail at the most inconvenient time (ie in the middle of the night, in the pouring rain and on your way to a high value point bonus located on some back gravel road (not shown on any AAA map!).... ask me how I know! Yes you can always stop and ask, go buy a map, etc etc.... However, if all your bonus locations are stored electronically and if you have no backup GPS.... you are screwed..... once again.....ask me how I know.

 

[TriggerT]

I agree 100% ++ on the redundancy for rallies. I wouldn't have even given this a ton of thought a few years ago, but when I went down to EOM in '09, and my ZUMO took a crap on me, it pretty much ruined the trip for me. I had all of my routes in the unit, and had not thought to take paper maps as a back up. I also relied on the ZUMO for music and pretty much all of the trip location information.

Thanks to all the rally riders who have replied to this thread. Lots of good answers and information.

FWIW, I think two GPS units, AND paper maps are going to be the way to go for me, since the GPS units are the fastest most efficient way to run, but the paper maps wont ever break, so they are the ultimate back up as long as you know how to use them and can accept that doing so will slow you down.

 

[Peter Murray]

Who ? I use two. I like the idea of 3 but not enough room.

What ? 2820, 2730 and 2 2610's in the saddle bag for back up.

When ? All the time..

Where ? 2820 left handelbar ram mount, 2730 or 2610 stem mount..

Why / How ? The 2820 is for point to point navigation, XM, weather and cell phone for rally's. For rally's 2730 or 2610 is used for full day intended routes. Advantage of the point to point 2820 navigation is fast route recalculations . The 2730 2610 allows me to monitor how close I am to schedule . Also get me moving in the correct direction to the next boni , then I plug in the next boni to the 2820 on the fly.

Non rally mode 2820 is for navigation and the other gps is my speedometer.

 

[huron52]

Sorry for coming in late .....but what is a GPS? and it does... what?

 

[yamafitter]

Sorry for coming in late .....but what is a GPS? and it does... what?

Don't worry about it. Just keep following Bungie and we will never hear from you again.

 

[patch308]

Uh...I run one GPS and I have learned to read a MAP as a backup unit. I figure if an attack helicopter or bomber can run 1 GPS, so can I. There isn't a place I need to find that bad when on my motorcycle that I can't stop and figure it out without 2 or 3 GPS's. Seems a little out of control to me. Now, hold on a moment..................................Ok, I'm ready....FLAME ME! :focus:

1 GPS is fine for everyday riding and yes I carry a map sometimes without any GPS. Multiple GPSs are a good idea if you are running a competitive rally. Why? Because a GPS will fail at the most inconvenient time (ie in the middle of the night, in the pouring rain and on your way to a high value point bonus located on some back gravel road (not shown on any AAA map!).... ask me how I know! Yes you can always stop and ask, go buy a map, etc etc.... However, if all your bonus locations are stored electronically and if you have no backup GPS.... you are screwed..... once again.....ask me how I know.

Ok, I'll conceed...it DOES make sense in a competitive rally. I'm with you on the "fail at the most inconvenient time" thing too. Point made, thanks!

I have to ask though, how DO you know? ha ha

 

[TriggerT]

I have the 550 now, and have been thinking of adding a 2nd unit for awhile now. My budget is getting really tight, so anything new is out of the question. I found a good condition 2720 that I can get for just under a hundred bucks. Is that as good of a deal as I think it is?

 

[pmspaul]

I have the 550 now, and have been thinking of adding a 2nd unit for awhile now. My budget is getting really tight, so anything new is out of the question. I found a good condition 2720 that I can get for just under a hundred bucks. Is that as good of a deal as I think it is?

I've been following along on this thinking about making an addition for BiTE myself. In case you hadn't found this you can compare the 2720, 2730 & 2820 feature-wise on Garmin's site. LINK

What I found that turned me off on the 2720 was it says there is no headphone jack/audio line out. If that's no big deal to you then from what I've found the 2720 seems like a good choice. The 2730 & 2820 seem to only differ on bluetooth and FM traffic.