Gps , what do you use

[TampaBaySean]

I have a garmin in my car and was looking at the motorcycle gps units and was wondering what the difference is ? The cheapest I saw was $300 ! I mean can't I just buy a handlebar mount and use the one from my car ? Thanks folks

[Motorcycle Forum]

[Thundurburd]

I have a Garmin Zumo 450 for my motorcycle and an inexpensive GPS for the car. The Zumo is heavy duty, weather proof, and works well with gloves. The biggest advantage in my opinion however is the fact that the Zumo 450 will support routes which allows me to not only go from point A to B, but to select a specific route to travel. How I get someplace on a motorcycle, typically on back roads etc., is often more important than just getting there. This ability to me is an important feature and not all GPS's have it so be careful shopping, it can be hard to determine if a unit has this feature. BTW, I use the Harley-Davidson planner to program my routes.

A lot of riders do mount a car GPS on their bikes with it seems a fair amount of success. Goto RAM Mounts here to see if a mount is available for the GPS you are interested in.

[TampaBaySean]

Awesome I didn't even consider the weather proof aspect ... The 1st gps I ever owned had the option to choose shortest route by time or miles avoid tolls etc. My new one doesn't feature that . I guess everyone is just in a hurry now lol. I'm gonna check out that Zuma 450 . My wife is a General Manager for Best Buy so I may be able to get a break on the price

[Thundurburd]

The Zumo 450 has been discontinued for awhile (bought mine as a closeout) but is very similar to the 550 which is still current last time I checked. There are several models in the Zumo line, all very expensive.

[tallannie]

I use TOM TOM which is an app on my smartphone. earphones let me listen to the spoken directions If I need it... otherwise I just pull over if I am unsure and look at it in my hand for a second. I would rather dink with my GPS on the side of the road rather than while riding anyway.....

[TampaBaySean]

I have AT&T navigator on my phone but was looking for a mountable one

[slozomby]

I have AT&T navigator on my phone but was looking for a mountable one

the universal mount from rammount and a weatherproof iphone case works well, the garmin tends to be better in bright sun. i try to avoid tech while im riding ( refuse to get bluetooth headset for my helmet)
so the mount stays on my workbench most of the time. and the phone stays in my pocket.

tomtom and navigon are both good iphone navigation apps, i do keep motionx gps runing for gps logs in my pocket (get some neat data from it sometimes), or google navigate and mapdroyd for the android. fans.

if you want more info on hardening a smartphone ( to the point you can snorkel with it or drop it from 30 feet) or gps apps for any non dedicated gps enable device i'll be happy to start a long thread on it

[rapta619]

get a android phone, ram mount and your all set. I used google maps to go on vacation to ocean city,md this year, 1104.9 miles there and back and never got lost, that's going through pa, only lost connection in the Lehigh tunnel.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[Easy Rider]

Deleted.
Memo to self: Must read the whole thread before making a stupid reply !!!

[Easy Rider]

I have AT&T navigator on my phone but was looking for a mountable one

Oh, I see......it's a phone, not a GPS.

I "mount" mine in my jacket pocket and let it guide me only through the earphones.

In your situation, that might also let you listen to music and know when you get a phone call......although actually talking while moving might not work out too good.

Truth is that I never use one on the bike, but I have it with me when in unfamiliar territory, to get me back "home" if I wander too far.

[TampaBaySean]

Yeah I dont use headphones while riding . And like you mentioned I probably won't ever need it , maybe I'll use the $ for exhaust

[Easy Rider]

Yeah I dont use headphones while riding .

maybe I'll use the $ for exhaust

I use ear buds. Small, light and very effective with the noise.

Your bike already HAS a perfectly good exhaust !!

[slozomby]

I use ear buds. Small, light and very effective with the noise.

Your bike already HAS a perfectly good exhaust !!

dual earbuds are illegal to use while operating a motor vehicle in most states.

[Easy Rider]

dual earbuds are illegal to use while operating a motor vehicle in most states.

Eh, what's that you say ?? I can't hear you.

Yet it seems to be perfectly OK to wear high isolation ear PLUGS.

I find that with the buds and tunes not too loud......I can still hear "road noise" better than inside my cage.