GPS suggestions??

ichibunkid.206 · June 15th, 2012, 08:14 AM

Hi Folks,

With summer coming up, and better riding weather with it... I'm looking for GPS purchasing suggestions.

What GPS unit are you using on your MC?

Thanks

Alex · June 15th, 2012, 12:53 PM

Here's a decent, though dated, thread on running GPS on our ninjettes:

Any GPS junkies here?

I'm still running the same 60Cx on the bike, and it works great. Since that thread, the cost of the gadgets has come way down, and the possibility of using smartphones to handle much of the normal GPS tasks is also now a potential for some riders.

The new BMW bike I picked up a few months ago has a slot right in the dash to pop in a particular GPS unit, and it then looks like it's been factory installed. I'm wondering when more and more bikes are going to start to incorporate it that easily.

LoneRonin · June 15th, 2012, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

I'm wondering when more and more bikes are going to start to incorporate it that easily.

Don't count on it happening to sportbikes...

Alex · June 15th, 2012, 01:53 PM

Right, I don't see it being universal any time in the near (or medium) future. Heck, most sportbikes don't even have fuel gauges, let alone GPS.

ichibunkid.206 · June 16th, 2012, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Here's a decent, though dated, thread on running GPS on our ninjettes:

Any GPS junkies here?

I'm still running the same 60Cx on the bike, and it works great. Since that thread, the cost of the gadgets has come way down, and the possibility of using smartphones to handle much of the normal GPS tasks is also now a potential for some riders.

The new BMW bike I picked up a few months ago has a slot right in the dash to pop in a particular GPS unit, and it then looks like it's been factory installed. I'm wondering when more and more bikes are going to start to incorporate it that easily.

Hi Alex,

thanks for the link... by chance do you have a better picture of how the Garmin 60Cx looks mounted on the Ninja 250?

I saw the pic on your original post... but I was wondering if you had a pic of how it looks from a riding position?

Thanks

-Phil

akima · June 16th, 2012, 10:52 AM

I couldn't bare to part with the money being asked for a standalone GPS nav system, but I did need one as I get lost constantly! I ended up buying a smart phone purely to use as a GPS navigation system.

I opted for the cheapest Android I could find: Samsung GT-I5500

I use Google Navigation software on it.

The battery life on the phone is great.

I simply plug the phone into some noise isolating headphones, set the navigation software going and leave the phone in my pocket. It's served me well so far.

Downfalls:
* Sometimes the voice instructions aren't great.
* The software occasionally, silently dies potentially leaving you travelling to far along a road.
* The software doesn't let you plan a custom route.

Pros:
* very cheap solution. Cost me 65 quid for the phone and then 50 pence for a day of internet connectivity.
* great battery life on the phone.
* no screen to distract you from riding
* very easy to use

Jiggles · June 16th, 2012, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

Pros:
* very cheap solution. Cost me 65 quid for the phone and then 50 pence for a day of internet connectivity.

Based on the current exchange rate you could have gotten this for 60 quid!

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-nüvi-4-...6&keywords=gps

akima · June 16th, 2012, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Based on the current exchange rate you could have gotten this for 60 quid!

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-nüvi-4-...6&keywords=gps

80 quid on uk amazon, but that's still very good. Wish I had known about that before.

It has very bad battery life though it seems. Only 2 hours. I guess you could carry extra batteries if they are removable.

Also: does it have a headphone port? Essential!

Jiggles · June 16th, 2012, 11:26 AM

You don't have your bike setup to charge external accessories yet!? O.o

Jiggles · June 16th, 2012, 11:28 AM

It doesn't say if it has a headphone port but I'd guess it doesn't. Anyway, I'm sure you could find a good one for under 100 quid but you already have something that works so who cares

Alex · June 16th, 2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichibunkid.206

Hi Alex,

thanks for the link... by chance do you have a better picture of how the Garmin 60Cx looks mounted on the Ninja 250?

Click the pics twice to go to full resolution, and you can zoom in and see where and how the gps sits.

Whiskey · June 17th, 2012, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Based on the current exchange rate you could have gotten this for 60 quid!

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-nüvi-4-...6&keywords=gps

Nuvi is a car system, doubt it would be waterproof, Zumo is the bike model

Jiggles · June 17th, 2012, 04:01 PM

Making things waterproof is not difficult

Whiskey · June 17th, 2012, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Making things waterproof is not difficult

Making electronics properly waterproof for uk/irish weather is.

I've had mil spec gear go down due to weather

Jiggles · June 17th, 2012, 04:12 PM

Well who wants to live in a place that rains 6/7 days?

Alex · June 17th, 2012, 04:17 PM

It's easier to buy something that is designed to be waterproof and vibration resistant than trying to add those capabilities afterwards. That said, it's criminal that Garmin now has fully capable auto-based devices for $100, and the cheapest motorcycling-specific ones are still at $400 (at list, at least). Those two capabilities, along with a more durable touchscreen that works with gloves, still aren't worth an extra $300.

lgk · June 17th, 2012, 04:20 PM

wouldnt mind getting a weather proof standalone unit.

been using the phone gps in a ziplock bag when it rains.

June 15th, 2012, 08:14 AM	#1
ichibunkid.206 ninjette.org member Name: Phil Location: Seattle Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R Posts: 190	GPS suggestions?? Hi Folks, With summer coming up, and better riding weather with it... I'm looking for GPS purchasing suggestions. What GPS unit are you using on your MC? Thanks __________________________________________________ ATGATT Quote Wild Hogs - Woody: "May be I don't want to wear a helmet, Maybe I don't want anything between me and the road" Bobby: "You will if your head falls on it"

June 15th, 2012, 12:53 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Here's a decent, though dated, thread on running GPS on our ninjettes: Any GPS junkies here? I'm still running the same 60Cx on the bike, and it works great. Since that thread, the cost of the gadgets has come way down, and the possibility of using smartphones to handle much of the normal GPS tasks is also now a potential for some riders. The new BMW bike I picked up a few months ago has a slot right in the dash to pop in a particular GPS unit, and it then looks like it's been factory installed. I'm wondering when more and more bikes are going to start to incorporate it that easily. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

June 15th, 2012, 01:53 PM	#4
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Right, I don't see it being universal any time in the near (or medium) future. Heck, most sportbikes don't even have fuel gauges, let alone GPS. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

June 16th, 2012, 11:26 AM	#9
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	You don't have your bike setup to charge external accessories yet!? O.o __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

June 16th, 2012, 11:28 AM	#10
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	It doesn't say if it has a headphone port but I'd guess it doesn't. Anyway, I'm sure you could find a good one for under 100 quid but you already have something that works so who cares __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

June 16th, 2012, 10:52 AM	#6
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	I couldn't bare to part with the money being asked for a standalone GPS nav system, but I did need one as I get lost constantly! I ended up buying a smart phone purely to use as a GPS navigation system. I opted for the cheapest Android I could find: Samsung GT-I5500 I use Google Navigation software on it. The battery life on the phone is great. I simply plug the phone into some noise isolating headphones, set the navigation software going and leave the phone in my pocket. It's served me well so far. Downfalls: * Sometimes the voice instructions aren't great. * The software occasionally, silently dies potentially leaving you travelling to far along a road. * The software doesn't let you plan a custom route. Pros: * very cheap solution. Cost me 65 quid for the phone and then 50 pence for a day of internet connectivity. * great battery life on the phone. * no screen to distract you from riding * very easy to use

June 17th, 2012, 04:01 PM	#13
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	Making things waterproof is not difficult __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

June 17th, 2012, 04:12 PM	#15
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	Well who wants to live in a place that rains 6/7 days? __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

June 17th, 2012, 04:17 PM	#16
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	It's easier to buy something that is designed to be waterproof and vibration resistant than trying to add those capabilities afterwards. That said, it's criminal that Garmin now has fully capable auto-based devices for $100, and the cheapest motorcycling-specific ones are still at $400 (at list, at least). Those two capabilities, along with a more durable touchscreen that works with gloves, still aren't worth an extra $300. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

June 17th, 2012, 04:20 PM	#17
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	wouldnt mind getting a weather proof standalone unit. been using the phone gps in a ziplock bag when it rains.

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