Replacing Red-Neck GPS

[Yukonica]

Garmin Etrex Legend. Locally there aren't enough main or secondary roads to warrant detailed map capacity. All I'm really interested in knowing is speed, compass direction, time of day and other simple 'where am I' tools.
What I like about the Legend is it has one window offering four rows of selectable data in large font. Easy to read on the fly.

[Huzo]

Every year I ponder moving into the 21st Century by getting a GPS navigation unit. 

My red-neck GPS of pencil marks on a yellow sticky pad only works until I botch a turn, and then I just wander in the general direction of my destination. 

All I want is a basic, reliable navigator.  I don't need it to support Bluetooth conference calls or compute my carbon footprint.  And I like frugal and cheap.   Rugged, simple, and useful. 

Any recommendations?

Yep 3 choices. Tom Tom, Tom Tom or Tom Tom. Had my latest one 5 years,used it in Australia in the interstate transport for navigation in Melbourne, Sydney etc... and overseas on the Norge in Europe without ANY problems AT ALL...Mine's got every map in Europe which cost a few $ but no need to go berserk on that score. The only time it gave a false reading was in the tunnel between Como and Mandello where it showed 2 roads  at once. Turns out that's 'cos at that point there were roads above me as well, on the surface !!! Not bad I reckon. The greatest feature as well as navigation is when it's late afternoon you can just ask it where accomodation is en route and select the one at the distance that you want, and if you choose to (I don't), you can hit the phone function and book your room/site, but that's a bit new age for me.

[antmanbee]

Many times there are new available smart phones sold by prepaid carriers for $20-30 that can be used as GPS. I bought several  Motorola MOTO G's (kinda like the name) for this purpose. Just add a uSD card for additional storage, download from a selection of several different softwares and maps and you are good to go. You will also have a GPS speedo.

On a Jackal I am working on now I am going to remove the stock speedo and just use the MOTO G with a bracket for my gauges. If parked outside I can remove the unit with one plug and remove from the bracket.   

For the Guzzi I am trying to find apps like 'Torque' that work great for most cars that will communicate with the computer and read many of the parameters that are being monitored by the ECU like engine temp, RPMs, etc. and the app either puts it in a digital or analog gauge readout on the phone. So far have not been able to find one that works with the 15RC or 15M.

[antmanbee]

Something like this might work nicely for $30 and it is waterproof too with 5" screen.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/cricket-wireless-kyocera-hydro-view-4g-lte-with-8gb-memory-cell-phone-black/5628600.p?skuId=5628600

[charlie b]

I have used the 🐑 mount with a garmin quite a bit. The ram 🐑 makes you unplug the power cable every time you remove the gps from the mount. The socket on the back of the garmin seems to be somewhat delicate. I've had two garmin's 💩 out because of the plug. I'm sure vibration hasn't helped either. The ziplock baggy anti moisture device works fine.

I was irritated by that aspect of the RAM mount.  So, I took my dremel tool and cut a slot in the plastic so I could remove the GPS without unplugging it.  (you could also just use a small file/rasp if you have an aversion to power tools :)  ).

I am another Gamin fan.  I hated the Magellan.  Tom Tom is good too.  I just use my phone a lot since I always have it with me.  The Copilot app works as well as the Garmin I have in the truck.

Like someone said, you can get older phones for next to nothing.  But, you can also get older GPS units for next to nothing.  The problem with that is you have to pay for a map update on some of them.  Not cheap.

[JACoH]

 I now use the Tom Tom 5" automotive unit from my old car, because my new car has a GPS installed.  I bought a case on ebay that the Tom Tom fits in, and it attaches to a clamp that fits on your handlebar. It has a clear cover and zips closed. It was less than $20.00. You can also buy used GPS units on ebay cheaply to test to see if you like them better than the post-it notes. The 5" model is even a tad big for my aesthetic tastes, probably a 3.5" would be better. I won't pay a lot of money for the motorcycle specific models, and smart phones are too small to see, just as dangerous focusing on one than texting while in a car.

[Triple Jim]

...and smart phones are too small to see, just as dangerous focusing on one than texting while in a car.

That's the way I feel about looking at any display while moving.  It really doesn't matter how big or small it is, when you're paying attention to anything other than your riding, you're distracted.

[Huzo]

That's the way I feel about looking at any display while moving.  It really doesn't matter how big or small it is, when you're paying attention to anything other than your riding, you're distracted.

Do you reckon it's much different than glancing down at the speedo though Jim ?

[Triple Jim]

I sure do think so!  I glance very briefly, and very rarely at my speedo.  I'm positive I'd have to dwell a lot longer to get meaning from a GPS map.  I'm sure you've noticed that once you're up to speed, you can judge changes in your speed quite accurately by engine sound.

I may be more aware of the danger of taking my eyes off the road, even briefly, than some.  I was in a fairly bad crash when I was in my early 20s, caused by looking in my mirror long enough to not notice a car in front of me that had stopped at a green light, waiting for an ambulance to cross.  Now if I take my eyes off the road in front of me, something in my head screams at me to stop doing it.

[charlie b]

I can agree with Jim on that.  The time I almost ran into someone on the bike was cause I looked at the side mirror too long.  I have found myself looking at the speedo or tach too long as well.  And the map on the tank bag is worse than a GPS.

One place I liked the larger screen on the GPS was in unfamiliar twisties, especially at night.  Zoom it in so you can see the curves in front of you.  Good for those decreasing radius turns.  Still have to be careful to just glance at it.

[kirby1923]

I may be more aware of the danger of taking my eyes off the road, even briefly, than some.  I was in a fairly bad crash when I was in my early 20s, caused by looking in my mirror long enough to not notice a car in front of me that had stopped at a green light, waiting for an ambulance to cross.  Now if I take my eyes off the road in front of me, something in my head screams at me to stop doing it.
[/quote]


THIS without doubt, those that have and those that will!

IMHO ANYTHING that takes tour eyes off the road in front of you on a single track vehicle is VERY risky and risk management is the name of the game on a moto.
 45 mph = 65+  fps.
Learned the hard way after 50+ years of traveling on two wheels.

My .02c

[Huzo]

Yeah that can't be argued because it's true, however you do tend to only look at it when you're in a position where there's an opportunity to so, generally only to see how far the next decision point is. But anyway, it's not something to be argued 'cos we've all been around long enough to know what's best for ourselves I guess.

[Huzo]

I can agree with Jim on that.  The time I almost ran into someone on the bike was cause I looked at the side mirror too long.  I have found myself looking at the speedo or tach too long as well.  And the map on the tank bag is worse than a GPS.

One place I liked the larger screen on the GPS was in unfamiliar twisties, especially at night.  Zoom it in so you can see the curves in front of you.  Good for those decreasing radius turns.  Still have to be careful to just glance at it.

But Charlie, that's 'cos you looked away for TOO LONG as you rightly say. Did you just say that you zoom it in so you know what the road in front of you is doing ? Let me off the hook now and tell me you're joking !

[oldbike54]

 I get the pleasure of riding with Kirby once a year anyway . We are usually looking for curvy stuff , and going too fast for any diversions .

 Dusty

[Huzo]

I get the pleasure of riding with Kirby once a year anyway . We are usually looking for curvy stuff , and going too fast for any diversions .

 Dusty

Would it prickle you if I ask what you mean by "diversions" Dusty ?

[Nic in Western NYS]

I sure do think so!  I glance very briefly, and very rarely at my speedo.  I'm positive I'd have to dwell a lot longer to get meaning from a GPS map.  I'm sure you've noticed that once you're up to speed, you can judge changes in your speed quite accurately by engine sound.

I may be more aware of the danger of taking my eyes off the road, even briefly, than some.  I was in a fairly bad crash when I was in my early 20s, caused by looking in my mirror long enough to not notice a car in front of me that had stopped at a green light, waiting for an ambulance to cross.  Now if I take my eyes off the road in front of me, something in my head screams at me to stop doing it.

I'm with Triple Jim.  I already think my eyes are off the road ahead too much when I'm looking at the road behind and down at my dashboard.  So with that, I just use my phone and pull over to see it. I use an android app called 'Navigation.'

[oldbike54]

Would it prickle you if I ask what you mean by "diversions" Dusty ?

 Anything that moves my eyes from where I want the bike to go at 70 MPH while leaned over and rolling the throttle on looking for 90 MPH at corner exit .

 Dusty

 

[Huzo]

Anything that moves my eyes from where I want the bike to go at 70 MPH while leaned over and rolling the throttle on looking for 90 MPH at corner exit .

 Dusty

Ok Dusty, I must be losing the ability to know when I'm being teased out, for a moment I thought you were serious too ! Well done, now I get it...

[Huzo]

I'm with Triple Jim.  I already think my eyes are off the road ahead too much when I'm looking at the road behind and down at my dashboard. 

What was it about the road behind that held more interest to you than what's waiting for you on the road ahead Triple Jim ?

[keener]

dont use a GPS with the bike, i prefer to occasionally get lost    

[Triple Jim]

What was it about the road behind that held more interest to you than what's waiting for you on the road ahead Triple Jim ?

I had just passed a cop who was hiding at the side of the road, and appeared to be operating a radar based speed trap.  In a hurry to get to school as usual, I was going 10 or 15 mph over the limit, and was looking to see if he was coming after me.  Interestingly, the driver of the ambulance that had caused the car in front of me to stop at the green light saw me hit the car, and called another ambulance, so it didn't take long for help to arrive.  They also landed a helicopter on the U of MD golf course, ready to take me to the Baltimore trauma center, but when I was responsive and somewhat intact, they put me in the ambulance and let the copter leave.

[canuck750]

tankbag map, yellow stickies and smartphone.

 :1:

What he said, doesn't need batteries, charging, downloads and no annoying voice telling me to make the next possible U turn!

[twowings]

Butler and Rand-McNally...no batteries, cords, or internet access required...

[Huzo]

I had just passed a cop who was hiding at the side of the road, and appeared to be operating a radar based speed trap.  In a hurry to get to school as usual, I was going 10 or 15 mph over the limit, and was looking to see if he was coming after me.  Interestingly, the driver of the ambulance that had caused the car in front of me to stop at the green light saw me hit the car, and called another ambulance, so it didn't take long for help to arrive.  They also landed a helicopter on the U of MD golf course, ready to take me to the Baltimore trauma center, but when I was responsive and somewhat intact, they put me in the ambulance and let the copter leave.

Bugger, I'da faked some spine issue just for a ride in the chopper !

[Huzo]

:1:

What he said, doesn't need batteries, charging, downloads and no annoying voice telling me to make the next possible U turn!

Handy though when you've done 1000 k and it's nearly dark and you need a camping ground and you're in......Oslo for instance !

[Bulldog9]

I use my old IPhone 4 with lifeproof case and WS mount attached to a bolt the top of the triple tree on the Norge, and also with a clamp style handlebar mount on the Griso. Also wired in USB power outlets.  I run various apps from a digital speedo to a tactical compass/gps program as well as Google Maps.  I normally download 'offline' maps for the GPS and directions, but can also use the wifi settings to stream data from my smart phone, play music, etc.

I once used that Waze traffic app or whatever it is called on one 2 day trip, streamed data from my smart phone. It gives you all kinds of 'in your area' updates and info, was very distracting so I switched to the compass and speedo, left it running in the background and ate through 10Gig of data............. Didn't go over too well with SWMBO

Google Maps served me well in my 1400+ mile adventure over Labor Day weekend, (even for turn for turn directions on gravel and dirt roads).  When just riding, I use a GPS/Speedo with elevation and other data program. This is nice particularly on the Norge which has old school dial speedo. I haven't gotten into the 'bluetooth' speaker thing yet, but may sometime.  I mostly don't listen to any music other than the motor, road and wind, but on occasion some music is nice, so I have about 5 gig of music in the phone and use low profile ear buds in place of ear plugs.

For years I did the printed map, or maps behind a clear window on a tank bag. Last few years I have lost an interest in having a bag 'in my face' or in front of me and went to a tail bag, or just using saddle bags. YMMV

[tris]

Bugger, I'da faked some spine issue just for a ride in the chopper !

I've always thought that should I ever require a chopper to extract me from somewhere I want a big ole Sea King flown by the RAF or RN to haul me out.

Sadly this has been outsourced to "save cost" so I'd get some sort of little girly chopper now 

[oldbike54]

 A "Ghirly Whirly" ?

 Dusty

[tris]

Yeh - we're so cheap over here now I'd probably get a Robinson R22

[oldbike54]

Yeh - we're so cheap over here now I'd probably get a Robinson R22

 Better than a Triumph powered Gyrocopter 

 Dusty