Gps Review Thread

[pchbreeze]

Can we get something going?

Future buyers want to know.

Thanks

[j2x]

Magellan software is P.O.S., but now that I've gotten used to it I like it. My Explorist 500 is small and cheap, but not very easy to use especially if you're not tech savvy.

[FishWitch]

ZUMO 550 Rules. Chief wrote up a great review. ZUMO FORUM

Here's a whole bunch of threads about GPS Units

[BigD]

Has anyone tried the Tom Tom Go 910? I'm looking for something that will hold up to commercial use.
How would the Zumo 550 hold up? When I get home I could transfer it onto my bike!
I also understand some units have truck routing such as low bridge clearance... etc. This would be a must have.

[FishWitch]

The ZUMO 550 comes with a automobile mount. It is very easy to load them into your laptop using the SD card. Then to your big puter at home. Or then just email them.

Don't know about the truck routing. That may be another Map Program you can get.

[pchbreeze]

How about these units that are on sale for $250 everywhere?

[BigD]

After a little research I have found the Garmin Street pilots and Nuvi's above a 350 (not $) you can select what type of vehicle you have, from a bicycle up to a truck or bus. They will route you depending on what you are driving/riding.
I don't know about the lower end models because I didn't check them out. I really wanted a Zumo but it didn't have some of the features I need. Maybe when I am rich and famous I'll get one just for my bike only.

[trotsky]

I Have a Garmin Quest II. When I first bought it I thought it was awesome (my first GPS ever). After spending a while with it I have to say I am less than impressed now. I still use it and it gets me where I need to go. I am able to load routes into it and it tells me where the gas stations are when I am in the middle of nowhere and about to hit fumes.

After seeing some other models and how fast they load I have to say that the Quest is a nightmare. I have lost count of the times it loses a signal...even in wide open spaces, just because it is a bit overcast. I am in Oregon... Overcast is a constant up here for months on end.

The maps are slow to load...it takes a really long time to recalculate when you take a slightly different route. Compared to the "where2" I had in my rental car which loaded up instantaneously and was very fast to calculate and keep track of your progress as you go.

My buddy has a 2610 and he was loading routes faster than I could type them into mine.

With all this said...the device works and keep some from getting lost. If I could do it all again I would go for the 2610 or something like that. It'll hopefully be a while before I have to get another one, but next time I will pull the trigger on a pricier model so I get faster loading speed etc.

Just my

[pchbreeze]

Originally Posted by trotsky

I Have a Garmin Quest II. When I first bought it I thought it was awesome (my first GPS ever). After spending a while with it I have to say I am less than impressed now. I still use it and it gets me where I need to go. I am able to load routes into it and it tells me where the gas stations are when I am in the middle of nowhere and about to hit fumes.

After seeing some other models and how fast they load I have to say that the Quest is a nightmare. I have lost count of the times it loses a signal...even in wide open spaces, just because it is a bit overcast. I am in Oregon... Overcast is a constant up here for months on end.

The maps are slow to load...it takes a really long time to recalculate when you take a slightly different route. Compared to the "where2" I had in my rental car which loaded up instantaneously and was very fast to calculate and keep track of your progress as you go.

My buddy has a 2610 and he was loading routes faster than I could type them into mine.

With all this said...the device works and keep some from getting lost. If I could do it all again I would go for the 2610 or something like that. It'll hopefully be a while before I have to get another one, but next time I will pull the trigger on a pricier model so I get faster loading speed etc.

Just my

Good write-up. Those are things my cheap butt needs to think about. I hate obsolete technology.

[FishWitch]

I splurged on the ZUMO and am super glad I did. It really is very user friendly and easy to program. I also have a Garmin 76CS which I never could use for navigation. It is great for the "where have I beens".

I even have my own pictures loaded into the ZUMO for the splash screen. I find the "To Home" feature great as well as the food & fuel finder. I really like the feature that it TELLS you vocally when & where to turn so you don't have to look down and study a map while on the go.

I can't say enough good things about it. It is a bit pricey but if you hate something obsolete I'd fork over the extra dough to get a good one with the features you want. I've logged 60k and am finally rarely lost cept on purpose.

Don't forget that all motorcyclists are navigationally challenged. Getting lost IS half the fun.