Best GPS Device for riding?

[BeautifulDisaster]

I tried searching old threads but no luck. So a few of you have mounted GPS devices on your bikes. I'd like to know which brands you guys think are best, and of course, why. I'd like to get my own specifically for riding- something that won't take eons to enter a route into and with the most accurate maps.

As always, thank you!

[fixxervi6]

Are you looking for building custom routes?

[BeautifulDisaster]

I would like to do that, also, I would like to be able to find something that has a color screen, something that easily tracks where I am and shows me a layout of the map around me so if I need to take an alternate route easily I can.

[Fussy]

Also interested.

[dufremle]

I don't know of any GPS that will show alternate routes when you are using a custom route.

[Dragonfly]

There are motorcycle specific and non motorcycle specific. Then there are battery powered, direct wire, power outlet. Water/weather proof is another option.
I suggest use an old smart phone and a map app. Map apps run off of GPS sats not service. It will be cheap (cuz you already have the phone) and you can see if you like it or not. Don't spend a ton of money if you don't like it, or won't use it as much as you originally thought.

[Polokid69]

Fry's has these Garmin units on sale every week for about $50, I don't know the specs but looks decent and relatively cheap

[Polokid69]

http://www.frys.com/product/8116925?sit ... mail041415" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This goes on sale for $49 about once a week

[fixxervi6]

TomTom Rider, worth every penny

[Polokid69]

TomTom Rider, worth every penny

At $300 it better be!

[fixxervi6]

TomTom Rider, worth every penny

At $300 it better be!

$300 is not expensive for a good GPS, and if your smart about shopping around you can find them cheaper.

[Polokid69]

If you use it a lot I guess it is . most people I know buy these expensive GPS and rarely use them. Now I can see a ride leader using the hell out it.

[Striple]

Like Benny said, there are several different approaches that you can take. The motorcycle-specific models (Garmin Zumo series, TomTom Rider series) tend to be toward the higher end of the price range, but they are designed exactly what you intent to use them for. Alternatively, you can use any regular car-GPS and mount it inside of a weatherproof housing, which is significantly cheaper, but is also not tailored toward motorcycling. A lot of the adventure tourers use handheld/outdoor GPS units, since they are much more versatile than the ones that are strictly geared toward cars or motorcycles.

The cheapest approach is probably Benny's suggested use of an old smart phone. The only trouble is that the reception may or may not be there when you need it most.

[fixxervi6]

My handheld would work well on a bike but it has a much smaller screen and cost significantly more than my TomTom rider.

Look for refurbished tomtoms, can save a lot by going that route.

[LonestarCBR]

TomTom Rider, worth every penny

At $300 it better be!

$300 is not expensive for a good GPS, and if your smart about shopping around you can find them cheaper.

Cheap for bike specific in fact, unless you go used on eBay.

[U-Turn]

I tried searching old threads but no luck. So a few of you have mounted GPS devices on your bikes. I'd like to know which brands you guys think are best, and of course, why. I'd like to get my own specifically for riding- something that won't take eons to enter a route into and with the most accurate maps.

As always, thank you!

Is this for you or a gift for Firewa11 ?

[Firewa11]

I personally use a handheld Garmin, and it does the trick for me. I do not do route planning, for me it is just a moving map. I like it ok, I came from an era of taping a piece of paper on the tank with 35 North -> FM-455 <- 377 -> 455.... etc.

GPS is just there for a failsafe.

[BeautifulDisaster]

It's for me . Lots of great input, thank you!!!

[DarcShadow]

If you go the smart phone route, look for an app that downloads the maps to the phone that way you don't need a cell signal. There are several free ones but their quality is a bit lacking but possibly worth trying.

[dufremle]

I use Copilot on my Android phone. The maps are stored on the device and you get free updates. It's not free, but I think I paid $10 for it. Works great as a regular GPS and you can load routes to it.

The loading process for pre-made maps is not straightforward, but it is not difficult. I'm testing another program that should make it easier to load maps.

[BeautifulDisaster]

I think I'd be okay mounting the droid to the bike and using it that way. I really don't want to spent a crap ton on a device if the android can essentially do the same thing (big, colorful screen, real-time updating). I'll play around with apps and such. I'd rather drop a couple of bucks on a worthy app than a ton of money on a device I'm not sure of. I'll test these ideas out; many thanks you guys!

[Polokid69]

Get you a RAM mount for it, they great

[BeautifulDisaster]

We washed the bikes today and looked at how I'd mount it. Definitely the mount you said Polo. Thinking of just getting an actual, dedicated GPS now rather than using my phone.

[Polokid69]

http://www.rammount.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[LonestarCBR]

Just something to consider if sticking a cell phone in an enclosure, not sure about a Car GPS. I placed my iPhone in my clear map pouch on my tank bag one ride. It went into serious overheating mode.