GPS systems

Has anybody had any good experiences with a bike mounted GPS system like the TomTom Rider or the Garmin Zumo?

 

I've had my TomTom Rider for about a year. Used RAM mount components attached to the front tank bolts. Very pleased with it, especially on long-distance trips. The Rider has taken me to out-of-the-way places I never would have attempted with a paper map on a tank bag.

There are a lot of GPS-related threads on this forum as well as on VFR Discussion Group and Sport-Touring Net. WARNING: this topic seems to provoke an amazing level of partisanship. Along the lines of "The one I own is great while I've heard that everything else is garbage."

Do you have any specific questions about the TomTom that I can answer?

 

Over the last 9 - 10 years, I have used several Garmins, been pretty happy with all of them. Although the pace of pregression is seriously sharper now. Used to be a I could get a couple of years out of a unit, now they come out with newer versions so quick...

for good prices try www.gpscity.com
may not be the absolute cheapest out there, but I can vouch for there customer service and not screwing around with you
have used them for the last maybe 3 units???

 

The DC bike show is next week and I decided that I have been lost for the last time. I will check out the units in person there. From everything I have read the TomTom Rider and Garmin sound like the best for bikes. I appreciate your imput and will check out the sport touring website you mentioned.

 

There are pics in my gallery of my Garmin SP2610 mounted on my bike.

:smile:

 

I purchased a GPS unit for my wife for Christmas and she loved it. I borrowed it for a trip and was sold. I invested in the ZUmo 550 for my car and bike riding experience and I can truly say it was the best money I have spent.
I fabricated my own mount on the VFR using the upper tank bolt locations. It puts the unit over the stem and with my helmet it is just below my field of vision. I dont mind because it reduces the distractions. I also purchased the Scala Rider bluetooth for my helmet and get the directions perfectly.
I Love being able to go out, try to get lost and then hit the "Go home" button. I also planned a few rides on my computer and downloaded it into the Zumo with no problems.
The only problem I did have was the XM Radio antenna that came with it, it worked but does not send the sound through the bluetooth Scala. I will need a wired speaker system. No problem, I just put MP3 music in it....

GREAT INVESTMENT!!!!

 

I've had the TomTom rider for about a year. I used it in the tank bag until last month I go the RAM fittings to mount it on the tank bolts - it works a treat. That said it has a tendancy if you select "shortest route" to take you on dirt tracks if you let it.
If anyone knows how to easily adjust the volume while riding it would be great to know how - it is either audible at <30mph and completely inaudible above or deafening below 30mph.
Adam

 

I have the Zumo 550, and I'm not thrilled with it. When I put the Heli-bars on my Triumph there is a buzz in the handlebars at 7k, which shakes the GPS unit just enough that the MP3 sound is poor.

The mount is not so great unless you have a cruiser, but I have anothe RAM mount coming this week that should fix the problem nicely.

The touchscreen is great and easy to use, but has given me bad directions 3 times already. While riding this weekend with another friend who has a much older Garmin unit, his GPS showed the road we were on whereas mine only showed direction and didn't recognize the road. Perhaps he has bought the expensive maps where I just have the factory ones? I also know a guy with a Tom Tom unit though, he swears the thing is programmed to get you directly to the ghetto, and gives him bad directions all the time.

I have no desire to talk to anyone on the phone while riding, for Gods sake, that's the whole point of riding is to get away from it all! So I can't really tell you how well the bluetooth stuff works.

In Garmin's defense however, I've only had the thing for a week now, so I haven't really become proficient with it. That's probably why I'm the only guy on the face of the earth that has anything bad to say about the Zumo.

 

If you haven't ran the Garmin updates already, I'd say give that a try... That seemed to improve routing (and voices for sure) and added some extra features for the bike gauges, etc...

Also switch from shortest to fastest routing.

I think the Zumo is a pretty damn nice package. I just wished NEXRAD data was available with the weather... I don't want to see city forecasts, i want to see realtime radar!

 

Fitting a GPS (TomTom) - or any other driver accessory on a VFR

Having failed to make any of the fixing methods and brackets provided with my TomTom work - DavidVFR, sent me details of the RAM-MOUNT system.... all is solved, and I am sure this will work for virtually anything you may want to mount on the bike.

You need the RAM-B-149ZA - this bolts into the existing fuel tank bolts (make sure you keep the rubber washers in position) - some say you need longer bolts, but I have had no problems. The other end fits (make sure the holes are fully clean of casting residue) onto the TomTom cradle.

Then, if you use a tank bag you will need the RAM-B-201 and RAM-B-230. This will fix to the first bits and lift the GPS unit up, above the tank bag.

It all works beautifully - no vibration, infinately adjustable... and not expensive, the whole lot cost me £43 ..... I suspect those of you in the US will get it for $43... that seems to be the way it works on most of these things.

I will try to load pictures onto the site now - so you can see the finished result.

.... Now all I have got to do is get the speed camera locater working on the GPS unit :third:

 

Thanks for the pics. This is very helpful!!

 

I know the RAM mounts are quite popular and well regarded, but I use and have used on my last few bikes mounts from http://www.gadgetguy.net/ , very well made, and excellent customer service.

 

I recently bought a bike with a garmin street pilot. I'm guessing the unit is a year or more old, sold it's 'old school' now. I've never used a gps on a bike or car really. It's SWEET to have one. Aside from finding places in your own town or out, I find that I don't worry about checking out other places in a busy area where navigation is tough, strange cities... I bought the bike in San Diego-i don't live there or know the area. Being able to find my way back to my buddies house from no matter where I was is excellent.


I have a mount from saeng.com. The base plate is all plastic though and the lip has cracked 1/4 the way around. Should be a metal piece...

 

I have the Zumo 550. I have to say its better than the tom tom. The Zumo comes with everything for the car and bike. I spent six months looking into GPS systems for my bike. Zumo is the way to go. There is a lot of revews about bad customer sevice for the Tom Tom. The Garmen updates and adds extras to there GPS all the time, because of customer feed back. I use techmount to mount it to my bike. Is a lot better than the ram mount. I have pics if you would like.

 

I've had a 2610 for a few years and am very pleased with it, except for one thing. It's not waterproof. Not in the least, not in the slightest. I'm on my second one. Now I wrap it in a gallon ziploc bag when it rains. Looks like hell, but it's cheap and effective.

And it has to be connected to work - no batteries. That's a pain for route planning, but not hard to work around. So that's two things - I went into biology 'cause I wasn't good at arithmetic...

I have a 5th generation VFR, yellow. The pre-packaged system that mnost shops sell for the VFR doesn't work - the tank bolts are farther apart than the holes in the metal diamond-shaped mounting plate. The holes (slots, actually) in the mount that uses the u-shaped bolt to go around handlebars fit perfectly, however. You'll need some longer bolts to hold it down, though.

The 2610 is a big sucker, and takes up a good bit of room. If I had the dough I'd get a Zumo.

Regards,
C

 

Is it supposed to be? I thought all Garmins were? I have had all of mine exposed to the wet, and never had an issue.

 

The 2610 is supposed to be waterproof, I haven't had any problems with mine so far. Fingers crossed...

:smile:

 

How does the XM subscription work with the Zumo? I have a car unit and pay monthly...with another unit (Zumo) will I have to pay extra for that?

 

I'm using a Magellan 2200T. Claimed to be water proof?
No vibration and it works fine.

 

I also have the Zumo 550 I think its a great little unit except that garmin does not have as many updated roads here in the US than they have in Europe. Overall I give it a 8 out of 10. I have used ram mounts and tech mounts. Hands down I will and do use techmounts... Just bought a second one for my VFR. I have one currently for my Hayabusa.

I agree that the Zumo should have better weather capabilities ie: nexrad radar, cause some of the other garmin units have it. the mp3's work great, bluetooth works great. I have my phone hooked through bt to the zumo, zumo hooked to my stereo Nolan helmet.