GPS (beating a dead horse)

[iman501]

I would like to find a GPS that i can use in both my car, and on my bike. I dont need the super expensive bike specific one either, and i really dont care about a waterproof GPS either.

I'd like a GPS that has BT capabilities so i could sync it with my scala q2. and listen to the directions through my helmet. Or one that has a headphone jack so i could just plug it into the scala q2.

The other option i would like would to have one with an FM transmitter on it, so i could have music still while riding, and just have the voice cut in and tell me when my turn is.

Do any of you have any suggestions as to what GPS's i should be looking at that would have those features?

also if you guys have figured out a better set up/way to use a GPS while on a bike post it up! :)

[firebolt020283]

awe man I was hoping this was going to be about cheap shoes.... naw but really it might be a good idea to get one you can use with gloves one too.

[Jobe Zeebuh]

Do any of you have any suggestions as to what GPS's i should be looking at that would have those features?

I use the gps on my sprint Samsung intercept. I sold my Garmin Nuzi 255w. It was a nice gps. I just downsized.

[upthemaiden]

I think I have the 255w now, which works well enough but I do wish I had bluetooth so I could hear the directions. If I did I would buy a bluetooth helmet, BUT I've never even been sure if a bluetooth GPS means I could hear the directions in my helmet, or if that only means you can make phone calls through it. Are you sure that it works that way? Garmin makes a version almost exactly like the 255 but with bluetooth instead of the worthless currency converter and world clocks. Mine was on sale for $80 though so who's to complain. I want to say the bluetooth version might be a 215, but i can't remember, maybe 265.

As far as mounting it, do you have a firebolt or a lightning? I have a lightning and bought one of these. It actually works decently well. Ebay item #110657025552

[andymnelson]

I know you don't want to spend the $$ on a motorcyle unit....but there's good reason for them to be more expensive! If you mount a standard unit to your bike, I guarantee you it will shake it to pieces and quit working. Make sure you buy an extended warranty if you do this.

I use RAM mounts- just buy the piece specific to your GPS for like $12 and fabricate a mount for that.

on the other hand, a better (for the life of the GPS) and safer (for you!) alternative would be to not mount it, throw it in a tank bag since you can hear it and call it good.

[ct1200]

I believe the only gps that will pass the turn by turn to a bluetooth is the MC specific ones.
I know the garmin 265, a car model, has bluetooth but only works as a speaker phone for a cell.
And I don't know of any that have a FM tuner in them, MP3 player sure, off of a SD card no problem.

Best thing I can think of is to find one that has a aux out for a headset or to plug in to a aux in for the car.
Then use a bluetooth adapter to pair with your headset.

But if you do have a smart phone I would try that route, will end up being much easier and less $$$.
There are some really good apps for either android or iphone.

[iman501]

ok, it sounds like the BT capable ones for my scala q2 is out the window, looks like i'll be looking at one with a headphone jack then! :) does anybody use one that has a headphone jack?

[upthemaiden]

safer (for you!) alternative would be to not mount it, throw it in a tank bag since you can hear it and call it good.

This is actually gonna be my plan most of the time. I just got a new tank bag and it'll be just as easy to toss the gps and my phone right in the map pocket. I know the motorcycles ones are better at dealing with vibrations but I got mine on sale for $80, and considering the cost of the the MC specific ones, I could've just bought 10 of my nuvi 255s and not worried about it! Even paying full retail I still could've bought 4 of mine for the price of one MC GPS. If I toured or anything like that I'd be more serious about it, but at most it'll just get used for 3-4 long saturday rides a year when I head into some WV roads.

I'm still pretty pissed that the GPS doesn't have a headphone jack. I can understand not putting one in it it was just for cars, but it has a pedestrian/walking setting, and if I was that much of a tourist that I wanted to use my GPS to tell me how to get to some tourist attractions, I'd much rather put in ear phones and pretend like I was listening to music rather than make sure everyone around me knows I have no idea where I'm going. I think for most general use I'll probably end up using my phone more just because I'll be able to use ear phones.

[konarider94]

i like the nuvi 550. it is waterproof and reasonably priced. it does not have bluetooth or a headphone jack. i hate it when they talk to me anyway. if you go to garmins website you can sort by feature, just select bluetooth and look through them

[andymnelson]

ignore me, I posted in the wrong thread ;)

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

I understand what your needing and looking for and this probably wont help you any ...but
I just bought Garmin Oregan 550T (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=26876) i can buy and download the City Navigate US northAmerica (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1456&pvID=73251) and according to it i can punch in any address or point of interest for turn by turn directions on it and use it in the woods and rivers/lakes and more to , i just need to find a mount for it on my buell. I plan on running it the nimh or lithium battery as it has 16hr battery time. maybe put in a powr oulet for it, but plan on having extra charged batteries just in case.it only beeps no voice, but that doesnt bother me wouldn't hear it to well anyways, cant hear my music to well sometimes because of the exhaust's music is so great and loud!!

But I needed a GPS for more than just my Buell, actaully my first intended use for it is hunting/fishing/hiking then street/highway navigation. It works for every need that I have for a gps.
The Oregon 550t a tough, 3" (7.62 cm) diagonal, sunlight-readable, color touchscreen display. it's durable and waterproof, Oregon 550t is built to withstand the elements; bumps, dust, dirt, humidity and water. waterproof in accordance with IEC 60529 ,IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter(3.28 Feet) of water for up to 30 minutes.

Question-for-guys-who-know-electricalGPS-stuff (http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/General-Motorcycle-Chat/Question-for-guys-who-know-electricalGPS-stuff)

GPS-FOR-A-MOTORCYCLE (http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/General-Motorcycle-Chat/GPS-FOR-A-MOTORCYCLE)

Garmin-GPS-mount-for-Firebolts (http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Buell-Firebolt-XB12-XB9/Garmin-GPS-mount-for-Firebolts)

newgpssystems.com Best Motorcycle GPS article (http://www.newgpssystems.com/BestMotorcycleGPS.htm)

the-portable-gps.com/best-motorcycle-gps. (http://www.the-portable-gps.com/best-motorcycle-gps.html)


ADVrider.comLaying Down Tracks= GPS info & more (http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37)

motorcycle-gps article (http://www.moto-guide.com/motorcycle-gps.htm)

big GPS thread on ADVrider.com (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363483)