Motorcycle GPS's

[Strike]

I am going to do the 4 Corners Tour next spring, and want to take along a GPS, however not sure if I want to drop +/-$600-700 for a Garmin Zumo. Does anyone have one of these, and can you provide me any insight.

I have also looked into buying an inexpensive auto GPS, and mounting it on my handlebars, and if I get into any rain cover it with a ziplock bag.

I also have a iPhone and may consider downloading a Garmin GPS App, and mount it on my handlebars seeing I'll have Bluetooth for my music and phone.

Any recommendations are much appreciated. Thanks

[FishWitch]

I love my Garmin 550. I have it set up with the blue tooth in my helmet so I don't even have to take my eyes off the road. It also comes with map programs that make it super easy to plan out your routes instead of just putting in Going to Point B. Also has food, fuel, & lodging capabilities. When on road trips on my own I pretty much fly by the seat of my pants & routes & lodging are subject to change. I feel I have gotten my money's worth 10fold! It's also water proof(resistant) I've been in some torrential downpours & it worked like a champ. Have been real happy on more than one occasion to be able to find lodging at the punch of a button.

[vnsfxr]

I have a Zumo 220 (?) the 550s little brother and $100s less. When it comes to GPS figure what features you need and buy accordingly. If you don't need the live traffic update etc buy a lesser model. How many routes do you need to put on the GPS vs a mini flash card? In other words the more features you have the more you pay.

A cheaper alternative is the Garmin Nuvi range

The Zumos come with everything needed for the motorbike and the car so you have to figure those accessories into the cost.

As Sydney says it will pay for itself many times with the POIs (points of interest) and being able to touch the screen a couple times to get your location, nearest gas, hospital etc can be invaluable.

[Scarman]

Love my 550. Although I've learned to not program a route for my rides. I find it works best to program favorites along the route and select them as I roll down the road. Makes it better for making detours along the way. Never know when you'll discover a different road or a more interesting route along the way.

The ability to search for nearby lodging and fuel when I'm in unfamiliar territory has come in handy more than once. Well worth the price.

[orbiker]

I'm on my third Garmin 60. the first 60CS lasted 5 years. The second 60CSX lasted 3 years. I bought a replacement for the second one before it died, because Garmin was stopping production on that model. The newest Garmin 60 CSX will be going with me soon to the Rockies and 4 Corners.

Before the second 60CSX I tried a Nuvi. I could not see the screen in the sun. I am wondering how well the screen visibility is on the Zumo?

On problem with the 60CSX is map details need to be loaded into the GPS. This means an additional cost for a map program of around $100.00.