Motorcycle GPS

[Duffy]

I have the LG Chocolate phone from Verizon and it has GPS. Since it has the small screen in front its perfect for being able to see where I want to go easily. Its small enough to keep in pocket and not have to carry around another item. To use the GPS application its either 9.99 a month unlimited use or 2.99 for each 24hr use. I don't need the GPS all the time so right now I just use the daily option when need be. If I need it one the bike I put it in the top clear pocket of my tank bag so its protected from the elements and its easy to see and hear. Just an idea too.

PS. If you have Verizon I think the GPS is available on any of them. It helps if you have the screen in front for viewing.

[ssg]

Staring at a 2" screen on the front of a phone in your hand while riding a bike?

[Kenn157]

Is the Garmin Zumo 550 Motorcycle GPS still the gps of choice?

[Cheese]

Is the Garmin Zumo 550 Motorcycle GPS still the gps of choice?

Oh sweet! You can lead the next ride.

[Kenn157]

I'll take that as a yes!

[Currently]

I got the Zumo and it rocks.

I turn it off, go where ever the hell I want and when I am tired and ready to go home, I turn it on and press the HOME button.

It is a great design that needs little improvement.

Check this out ... http://www.zumoforums.com

[Kenn157]

I got the Zumo and it rocks.

I turn it off, go where ever the hell I want and when I am tired and ready to go home, I turn it on and press the HOME button.

It is a great design that needs little improvement.

Check this out ... http://www.zumoforums.com

Good link! So the 660 then?

[ssg]

Good link! So the 660 then?

I have both, (550 and 660) the 660's software is not ready for primetime IMO. The hardware and design is the shizzle.

Software can change...but with a whole version change since I got mine it still fails to impress me, still routes me totally wacky routes every now and then, and depending on what I import into it...it pukes and wont start up properly, or gets in a restart loop, or in general acts like it's playing a practical joke on me.

The 550, once you can get past the narrow screen and thicker is better approach to on-bike GPS, is a more functional unit that takes up less space.

one future difference is the 660 works with MSN direct

I still want to violently smash the 660 sometimes though. On a 2000 mile half planned/half dynamic route I did earlier this year, the 550 is the only one with the complete triplog because it never did anything except perform flawlessly.

[noxin]

Unless you want/need the bluetooth, the 450 is a valid option as well. I use mine constantly and love it. I run it whenever I'm on the bike so I can look at the triplogs and figure out where the roads I liked are.

[ssg]

Unless you want/need the bluetooth, the 450 is a valid option as well. I use mine constantly and love it. I run it whenever I'm on the bike so I can look at the triplogs and figure out where the roads I liked are.

Shy of them not making them anymore and no place having them since the firesale Garmin had, I would definitely recommend the 450 if you can find them. Great unit with no bluetooth annoyance

[SoxPrincess83]

I got the TomTom Rider for my birthday (not sure if it was the older one or the newer one... ) and it's awful. For starters, it's a total bitch to turn on and off. I have to use a key to push the button because my fingers aren't strong enough. Secondly, I had the thing for not even a week and it shit the bed. Now I have to see if I can return it.

[Currently]

Classic example of you get what you pay for.

My brother had his heart set on the tom tom and I told him to go to a store and play with both Garmin and Tom Tom.

He thanked me ... he got the Garmin.

[NobodySpecific]

I got the TomTom Rider for my birthday (not sure if it was the older one or the newer one... ) and it's awful. For starters, it's a total bitch to turn on and off. I have to use a key to push the button because my fingers aren't strong enough. Secondly, I had the thing for not even a week and it shit the bed. Now I have to see if I can return it.

There was a software update that allows you to have the device turn on when it receives power, and turn off when the power is turned off (with an option to cancel and continue running on battery power), which helps immensely with that problem. The cradle for this thing is still a major piece of garbage and I am so thankful that mine was a present because it wasn't worth the money.

[Cambridge K]

Remember to take GPS & ram mount off bike when you leave. They walk.
Remember to use the lock code / PIN # on you GPS if left on bike.
If not - your HOME location will be known by the person who took your GPS.

[ssg]

Remember to take GPS & ram mount off bike when you leave. They walk.
Remember to use the lock code / PIN # on you GPS if left on bike.
If not - your HOME location will be known by the person who took your GPS.

For me "home" is a random spot on the main road I live on, I generally know how to get home once I am to that spot and paranoia peace of mind without it screwing up it's "minutes to home" calculations by much.

One other piece of advice is when you set your forget pin/security location, don't set it in your driveway or on any access road to your house…set it at some location nearby.