I want to purchase a GPS unit that I can use on my bike as well as in my car. Does anyone have a reccomendation on which unit to buy. I have read the posts on the Garmin and it seem to be the GPS of choice but I don't want to spend $600 +. Is there a unit that will do the trick for less?
Many of us use the Garmin 60 Cx. I liked it so much after more than 2 years of use, I just bought another one as a spare.
A few of its many advantages & features:
- various power options: 8 to 36 Vdc vehicle power, runs 15+ hours on a pair of AAs, USB power.
- non-proprietary micro SD cards to store maps. A 2 Gb card runs under $20.
- tracks can be stored to the micro SD card therefore you're not limited to the built-in track logs.
- fits into a pocket.
- waterproof to IPX7
About $300
Check out www.getfeetwet.com I purchased a packaged deal, refurb 2820 with xm ant for $480.
M0rbid45
This time of year, your local "stuff" store like Best Buy, Circut City, REI, etc., will starting having sales on Garmin's and other good GPS's.
You need to set your self a budget, then shop for what fills that budget. Look at the features you need and the features you would like to have, but aren't required. Are there "hidden" cost, like having to pay for up-dating your maps (Garmin) or are the up-dates free (Tom-Tom)?
Your GPS should come with a car kit, so you'll need to buy the motorcycle kit to mount it on your bike. Usually moving the new GPS's from car mount to motorcycle mount to whatever mount is really pretty easy.
Go to the web sites, the good GPS makers will have links on their sites for GPS's for cars, motorcycle, boats, airplanes, etc. Good luck!
Check Costco website. I just purchased Zumo 450 for $349.99.
The GPS is also covered under Costco's return with no questions policy. You will need to purchase the car mount for the 450.
2008 BMW R1200GS
"Avoidance of danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." Helen Keller
I have been using a Garmin 60CX, which is a great all-around handheld GPS. I use it on my motorcycles, bicycle, in my car and for hiking. It is very versatile. It's only drawback is that it has a small screen.
I just bought a Garmin Zumo 450 from Costco. It works in the car and on the bike as well, but it is not as versatile as the 60CX. It also doesn't have as many features as my 60CX and some people consider it to be "dumbed down" from GPSs llike Garmin's 276 and 2610. However, I find that it has the basic features that most of us really need. Also, it does have a larger screen than my 60CX
After having a 2610 for a year, I bought one for my daughter who loves it. I finally retired my 2610 and bought a new model which was the 2820. This model has everything already loaded on it. I absolutely love it. I would not go without it ever again. You can get new units for about $500.00. It is excellent. www.gadgetguy.com has great mounts for it. You can get cheaper but these are probably, imho, the best made and the nicest looking. If you get one, make sure you get the motorcycle installation kit with it if it doesn't come with one. You can lock it on the bike then. I've had the 2820 for one year already and the 2610 for five years before I retired it. You can get cheaper but be sure to get one that will not crash with vibration and is waterproof. The 2820 is both. The original 2610 was just water resistant.
Honey Badger
+1 on Gadgetguy mounts.
Excellent quality and great service I got a dash mount and it is awesome
Also check out www.gpsdiscounts.com
I got a refurb 550 zumo for $592 including shipping
They also have many other models
Garmin 2720, refurb with 08 NA city navigator for ~$170.00 plus another $30 for a RAM mount. I use it on the bike and in the truck. I have no complaints.Originally Posted by brprider679
I gave you the wrong website for the gps mounts. It should be www.gadgetguy.net . Sorry for the wrong site. The other site goes to some guys who does what, I don't know
I bought a Garmin 200W for $178 from Sam's. Big 4x3 screen, very bright. It doesn't have all the features of the more expensive models like MP3 player, Bluetooth, traffic updates (monthly fee), but its the same GPS. The windshield mount is and engineering piece of art, simple, strong, secure. I bought a mount for the motorcycle ($70) and it fit perfectly. I used the 200W to get from New Orleans to Indy for the MotoGP and I took only backroads there and back, and it was wonderful. It's not waterproof but if it rains, stick in a dry place for a while. I was also able to use the touch screen just fine with gloved hands.
I second the garmin proposed by JCRidge. Great in my explorer as well as on the K bikes. Big enough for the car, bright enough for the bike at mid-day, and I picked it up CHEAP on ebay.
Good luck.
Refurbished Garmin 2730 including XM antenna for $179 delivered, no tax, E-bay.
Got a Ram mount (available from a lot of different places) for the bike.
If you don't want the XM, sell it on e-bay or here on flea market. They bring around $100 which would make your net cost under $100 for the GPS.
Great unit, easy to use, bright display and very affordable.
I've hooked up the sound output to my Autocom and now I can listen in stereo to XM, hear GPS prompts over the music and my B2B radio over it all!
Buying used Autocom, I've got less than $400 total in my complete comm system.
Now that's squeezing the Eagle till he cries.
We must chat sometime, missed you at the Dell's this year, Bud!
Cheapest thing on a BMW??????
Here is where I got mine. Fast shipping, great customer service.
Garmin 2730 on ebay
Had a great time at the Dells. Hope to see you there next year.
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