Other Stuff > Misc / Open

Motorcycle Sat Nav - Does Anyone use one?

<< < (3/3)

flatfour:
I've used a BMW Rider 1V (Garmin 660 in BMW guise) for quite a few years now on the bikes, with every satisfaction. I use a Scala Rider intercom with it for voice.

I also use a Garmin (Drive Smart 61) in the car, and for many, many years have used their aviation versions in various aircraft.

I've seen Tom Tom used when travelling with friends, however the Garmins have worked so well that I've never been tempted to change to another make. 

Oggie400F:
Very useful comments gentlemen.

It looks like the Garmin is the way to go for ease of use, versatility and longevity.
Just need to find a decent unit at the right price.

Thank you

Green1:
I made do with notes taped to the tank for years.
Then started using a Garmin car sat nav in a waterproof phone case. It was a bit hit and miss everytime I went around a roundabout the screen would flip and it would get confused.
My Guzzi had the provission for a TomTom so I tracked down the mount and sat nav to go with it. Its old but works well and only cost £50 on ebay  :)

Erny:
I use satnav or mobile phone with app since 2011

Mobile:
Some years back I found it as less reliable than real Sat Nav device (probably due to GPS chips used that time in phones like iphone3GS, Samsung SII, etc..). Big issue was that time waterprofeness (now not issue anymore) and problem with charging while running satnav on direct sunlight in hot days. Phone was so warm that it was switching off due to high temp. And also problem operating display in moto gloves. Maybe today it is bit better but I still some issues will exist

Dedicated Sat Nav:
After my tries with phone I decided to go for Garmin Zumo 220 CE. Device perfomed well, however was bit slow in response and low display resolution compare to modern phones.
In 2014 I bought new Garmin Zumo 590 - that was really great unit (even I had some issues with early FW), quick, reponsive, big display. Display itself was not so impressive for me (colors were like faded), otherwise great. Disadvantage was that unit needed constant power feed, it was not running long on build-in battery only.

Since I chaged bikes from Honda CBF to BMW GS1200, I decided for BMW Navigator VI. In fact it is garmin unit but BMW branded. Compare to Zumo 590 display is absolutely great, even on direct sunlight, BUT unint is much much slower in response (zooming, typing etc). Otherwise, functions like Zumo 590. I still have unit, using on BMW GS and also on other bikes (I purchased extra holder/craddle that I move from bike to bike as needed. Livetime maps constat update for free.

My experience with TomTom - limited, I was not very happy with display on direct sunlight, but was responding quickly. Routing I believe is very similar like Garmin (=good)

Most of Garmin models allows to install practially any map you want (even you don't have LM version - I did on my 220CE), while Tomtom might be more difficult if I know well

So my advice would be Garmin - take recent 595 (big display) or 395/396 for smaller display or take latest units from their offer (but $$$).

Note to garmin routing - since years, garmin has built in "feature" that it tends to route via city centers ignoring much faster roads. On posiive side, it allows you to see city centers from bike's saddle that you would not enter otherwise and if you stop for break/coffee it bring unexpected experience sometime ;)

OZZYSBIKES:
I treat myself to the latest tomtom rider, don't know what the model was but it cost about £400, I have used it twice, I prefer the old method of looking on a map for what looks a good route, writing down the road numbers and occasionally getting lost, I find that half the fun 

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page