Info for a New GPS Wanted

[rhautau]

I am interested in a new GPS for the Motorcycle that has the following features:

If you know of one please advise me and thanks.

1) Bluetooth for Phone
2) Has transflective L CD (like the MONTANA 600, or GPSMap 276c)
3) Shows Tracks on Map
4) Plays MP3 Music

Is waterproof for use on a Motorcycle.

If there is a different web site to find out the above please indicate as well.

Dick Hautau, Ambassador

 

[txtinman]

I don't know about that transflective LCD. Never heard that term. The Nav V gps from BMW does all the other stuff, as does the newer Garmin branded motorcycle units.

 

[rhautau]

That is the feature that allows to see the screen during the daytime. Sorry if I used the wrong term.

 

[lee]

You can compare the features of the current Garmin Zumos here.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/cat...8&compareProduct=117259&compareProduct=138275

Looks like the 590 is the only Zumo with a transflective display.


Oregon and Monterra compared here.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/cat...8&compareProduct=113520&compareProduct=113532



Oregon and Montana
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/cat...28&compareProduct=75227&compareProduct=145556

 

[rhautau]

Lee:

Do you think the new BMW Nav Unit will work? The Zumo 590LM only works with a Smartphone, which I do not have ..... mine is an older cellphone unit that is a Bluetooth unit but the Zumo does not play MP3 music because of this they have told me..

 

[lee]

Lee:

Do you think the new BMW Nav Unit will work?

Sorry, I don't know.
You can ask on the Zumo Forum.
http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?action=forum
I think you have to register to get on the site.

 

[EMOTO]

Dick,

In my opinion:

If your bike has the "wunder wheel" on the left handlebar, or you plan to get a bike with the wheel, you want the Nav V.

If the wheel is not a part of things, you want the Zumo 590.

Those are the two currently most advanced roadgoing units that can be had.

ETA: There are some well-written reviews posted here: http://globeriders.com/article_pages/article_main.shtml

 

[rhautau]

What is a "wunder wheel" ??

 

[lee]

What is a "wunder wheel" ??

The wheel to the left of the info button. Someone who has one can explain what functions you can control with it.

 

[EMOTO]

The wheel to the left of the info button. Someone who has one can explain what functions you can control with it.

It is a multi controller that allows you to perform various operations on the GPS without taking your hands of the bars. It also allows for display of various data from the motorcycle to be displayed on the GPS screen.

From here (and there is a lot more to the article there, and good pictures): http://globeriders.com/article_pages/article07_gps/article07_nav5.shtml

There are a significant number of BMW Exclusive features coded into the NAV5 that are only activated if the device is connected to either a 2013+ GS or 2014+ GS Adventure using the BMW GPS [Navigation] Preparation Mount: not the Four Button Mount. These features and Apps receive data from the bikes Instrument Cluster and Trip Computer via the LIN Bus. This enables the Multi-Controller Switch to be used with the NAV5 and it allows the bike to use the NAV5's Time and Date data which is very nice if you travel across Time Zones: you must initiate the Time/Date integration manually via the Instrument Cluster SETUP menu.

On bikes with the BMW Multi-Controller Switch and the GPS Prep Mount there is a custom menu page that is included as one of the five pages that can be scrolled to using the Multi-Controller. The Call Home, Detour and Skip functions were added at software version 2.80. The other pages include; Map, Compass, Media Player (if you have MP3 files on the device and a Bluetooth Headset Paired) and My Motorcycle App--which is much like the Trip Computer although not as easy to see in my opinion.



The bikes Instrument Cluster also has a number of sensors that can provide some interesting information as well as control of the NAV5 itself. For example, if you enable the Garmin Lock feature on the NAV5 with a four digit PIN code and location, when the NAV5 is mounted it links the bikes VIN number as a security code. Mount the NAV5 on the bike, turn on the key and the NAV5 will startup and unlock: no need for the Garmin Lock PIN code. If the NAV5 is removed from the mount the Garmin Lock PIN Code is required (unless you're at your Security Location). BMW says you can link up to FIVE bike VIN numbers to one NAV5: cool, more bikes! On a less bright side, the NAV5 screen backlight brightness can be controlled by the Photo Sensor in the bikes Instrument Cluster. To enable this feature, on the NAV5 go to Settings->Display->Backlight and check the "Automatic" box. This Settings option is only available if the NAV5 is mounted to the bike and the key is ON.

The My Motorcycle Apps - A collection of three BMW specific Apps on the NAV5 that are only accessible if the NAV5 is or has been connected to one of the BMW's mentioned early in the article. These are some interesting Apps and although somewhat redundant with the Instrument Cluster information, they provide a lot of data to the rider both on and off of the bike that the Instrument Cluster does not.



My Motorcycle - This App page basically provides User Configurable Layout of Data Fields. Some of the more interesting Data Fields:

- See more at: http://globeriders.com/article_pages/article07_gps/article07_nav5.shtml#sthash.PIk2fdKF.dpuf

ETA: All of the new liquid cooled boxers can do some of this. I think (don't quote me) that the GS does the most with the wheel.

 

[rhautau]

My BMW is a 2004 year model so it was no wounder that I did not know what that device was for. Also not sure a Nav 5 would work nor mount very well...what does everyone think?

 

[lee]

A used Nav IV might be an option.

 

[lee]

Lee:

The Zumo 590LM only works with a Smartphone, which I do not have ..... mine is an older cellphone unit that is a Bluetooth unit but the Zumo does not play MP3 music because of this they have told me..

Are you saying the 590 will not play music through the headphone jack or to bluetooth speakers in your helmet?

 

[rhautau]

The guy from the GPS store said it would only play music if I had a smartphone, which I do not. I will be able to listen to FM radio thru my Sena 20S unit when around town. But, I wanted music when out in the country side riding. Maybe I should look into a Bluetooth item that will play music thru the Sena.

 

[lee]

This info is copied from the Garmin site.

What are the different media source options on my zumo 590, and how do they work?

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02/11/2015

The zumo 590 offers a variety of options for accessing music or other audio you'd like to hear as you ride. Each audio option offers slightly different functionality, so choose the media source that best suits your needs.

Please note that audio requires one of the following: zumo 590 automotive mount with integrated speaker (included), zumo 590 motorcycle mount (included) with audio out connection to sound system or wired headphones (audio cable/headphones not included), or Bluetooth connection with headphone, headset, or helmet (not included).

All audio options mentioned below, except Pandora®, are accessed by touching Apps on the main menu > Media Player > the media source icon in the top-left of the screen. Pandora® is accessed by touching Apps on the main menu > Pandora®.

iPhone® and iPod® controls

New to the zumo 590!
Connection type: USB connection (motorcycle mount only)1 or Bluetooth connection (either mount)
Directly accesses the music library on the connected or paired iPhone® or iPod®
Allows you to browse through all available music by song title, album, artist, genre, and playlist, when that information is available
Displays album artwork, when available
When using this audio option, the media player map tool displays the current song title

Pandora®

New to the zumo 590!
Connection type: Bluetooth connection2 (all compatible mobile phones, either mount) or USB connection (iPhone® and iPod® only, motorcycle mount only)
Requires you to have the Pandora® app open and running on your connected/paired device
Allows you to operate Pandora® through the zumo 590
Includes Pandora®-specific controls, such as the like (thumbs up) and dislike (thumbs down) buttons
Displays album artwork via Pandora®
When using this audio option, the media player map tool displays the current song title

MP3 player

Connection type: no connection required to access MP3s; plays MP3 songs loaded directly to the zumo and/or the SD card
Allows you to browse through all available songs by song title, album, artist, genre, and playlist, when that information is available
When using this audio option, the media player map tool displays the current song title

Bluetooth Audio

Connection type: Bluetooth connection; plays any audio transmitted by the paired device (no mount requirement)
Does NOT display album artwork or any information about the audio currently playing
Although you can play, pause, and skip forward/backward, this audio source does NOT allow you to browse the audio on your paired device
Selecting a specific song or audio file must be done on the paired device
When using this audio option, the media player map tool does NOT display the current song/audio title

Line In

Connection type: direct audio connection required via motorcycle mount (not available on automotive mount)
Functions exactly as described in the Bluetooth Audio section above

1Although the USB connection the zumo 590's motorcycle mount will charge any connected device that charges via USB, it will only function as a data connection for media when an iPhone® or iPod® is connected.

2Andriod users may need to go into the Bluetooth setting on the device and enable Pandora each time the zumo is connected, even if the app is open and running.

 

[EMOTO]

The guy from the GPS store said it would only play music if I had a smartphone, which I do not. I will be able to listen to FM radio thru my Sena 20S unit when around town. But, I wanted music when out in the country side riding. Maybe I should look into a Bluetooth item that will play music thru the Sena.

None of the Garmin GPS units require a smart phone in order to play music. You can pair the GPS directly to your Sena and play any music (MP3) that you have loaded to your GPS.

The only thing that I can think that the salesman might have meant was if you want to hear music from the internet, you need a smart phone to play pandora or one of the other internet music sources.

 

[DBlank]

I would also agree that they were discussing the 590's option to use the data plan (internet connection) on a smartphone to stream music from the internet via the Garmin.
It also will let you stream music stored on a phone through the garmin.
If you buy an SD card (like a digital camera card) to enhance the storage of your Garmin you can store mp3 (music) files into the garmin and play music from that.
Most of the other Garmin products also allow for this SD card option.
You might also consider just using a newer iPod as your music source. Make sure it has built in Bluetooth and you can use it to connect to your Sena and stream music sans wires.
This also give you portable music without the gps.
If it is an older iPod you can run a chord to the Sena and or purchase a bluetooth adapter. I found the BT adapters to be less than optimal.

I could be wrong but I believe all of the Garmin Products interrupt the music, even if the music is being played through the garmin, to announce directions. Your 20s will not currently resolve that for you either.

 

[EMOTO]

I would also agree that they were discussing the 590's option to use the data plan (internet connection) on a smartphone to stream music from the internet via the Garmin.
It also will let you stream music stored on a phone through the garmin.
If you buy an SD card (like a digital camera card) to enhance the storage of your Garmin you can store mp3 (music) files into the garmin and play music from that.
Most of the other Garmin products also allow for this SD card option.
You might also consider just using a newer iPod as your music source. Make sure it has built in Bluetooth and you can use it to connect to your Sena and stream music sans wires.
This also give you portable music without the gps.
If it is an older iPod you can run a chord to the Sena and or purchase a bluetooth adapter. I found the BT adapters to be less than optimal.

I could be wrong but I believe all of the Garmin Products interrupt the music, even if the music is being played through the garmin, to announce directions. Your 20s will not currently resolve that for you either.

Have you tried the Sena SM10? It is a 2 channel BT transmitter. I used one and am very happy with it. I keep mine inside my tank bag. I have the output from my radar detector and an iPod going to it, and it works very well. http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/sena-sm10/review.htm

 

[DBlank]

I have not tried the SM10 product but I am using the 20s with good results overlaying intercom with streamed music.

 

[sickticket]

I am interested in a new GPS for the Motorcycle that has the following features:

If you know of one please advise me and thanks.

1) Bluetooth for Phone
2) Has transflective L CD (like the MONTANA 600, or GPSMap 276c)
3) Shows Tracks on Map
4) Plays MP3 Music

Is waterproof for use on a Motorcycle.

If there is a different web site to find out the above please indicate as well.

Dick Hautau, Ambassador

I have been using a Montana 600 for three years and I must replace it because it keeps freezing up when I am using a route. Not bad when I did my Saddle Sore 1000 because I had the route typed out but I just did a rally that I had to quite because the damn unit froze up again and I lost all my waypoints. Going to a Zumi but not sure what model.