What is a good GPS for a bike.

G

Garvarg

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We have all done it. Gone for a good long ride one week, try to find the road again and cant.
If only I had a GPS that would record as I drive, that would solve the problem . Right?
Is there a good but inexpensive one I can get to put on my bike?
Thanks
 
Garmin make a couple waterproof GPS's like Zumo or Nuvi. I got a GPS and RAM mount from http://www.gpscity.ca/
Search the web for a mount that will fit your bike. Find something that doesn't obstruct your instrument panel, but that you can see over a tank bag if you ever use one. You will likely pay 100 to 200 for the mount, 50ish for the GPS holder, and about 300 for the GPS. I have the Nuvi 550 and put marine charts in it as well for my boat.
 
backtobikes said:
Garmin make a couple waterproof GPS's like Zumo or Nuvi. I got a GPS and RAM mount from http://www.gpscity.ca/
Search the web for a mount that will fit your bike. Find something that doesn't obstruct your instrument panel, but that you can see over a tank bag if you ever use one. You will likely pay 100 to 200 for the mount, 50ish for the GPS holder, and about 300 for the GPS. I have the Nuvi 550 and put marine charts in it as well for my boat.
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100-200 for the mount + 50 for the gps holder? :rolleyes: My entire RAM mount setup cost me about $80 including next day shipping, including a universal device ram mount.
 
backtobikes said:
You will likely pay 100 to 200 for the mount, 50ish for the GPS holder, and about 300 for the GPS. I have the Nuvi 550 and put marine charts in it as well for my boat.
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WHAT?? I don't think so.



OP: Make sure you get a GPS that you can connect to your computer and upload the "tracks". Also make sure you can download routes to your GPS. Not all GPS can do this.

I have the Garmin Legend Cx in a RAM mount. (RAM mount w/cradle = about $40)
 
There are trackers that are designed to do only that and are relatively cheap.
transparent_spot2.png


I have one not using - never fired it up if you are interested

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=101

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spot2_icons_track.png
Track Progress: This feature allows you to send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress in near real time using Google Maps. With your SPOT account you have the ability to set up a SPOT Shared Page which allows you to show your SPOT GPS locations to others on a Google Map.
Read more

HOW IT WORKS:
Once activated, SPOT acquires and sends your GPS coordinates to your SPOT account automatically every 10 minutes for 24 hours or until canceled. SPOT tracking must be reengaged to continue. Creating a SPOT Shared Page allows you to share your GPS route with your friends and family easily in near real time on the web through a personal link. You can make your Shared Page private or public. Your choice! Just share that url with your friends and family and they can easily track your adventures. You can also link your SPOT Messenger to SPOT Adventures, a social portal, where you can set up a profile and blog with others sharing their SPOT adventures.

TIPS FOR USING TRACKING:

To engage tracking – Turn the unit on, wait two seconds. Press and hold the OK button down UNTIL the green light goes out and the two lights (ON/Off and Check/OK) blink together.

Positioning – To ensure tracking reliability it is recommended to place SPOT in a horizontal position with the SPOT logo facing the sky.

It is possible that some Track messages may get blocked by environmental factors. Track Progress messages are scheduled every 10 minutes to ensure overall performance.
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Saw one on a dual sport up in Alaska - guy was from Texas on a long loop. :confused1:
 
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Hmmm. If Garvarg isn't interested in that, then I am. Let me know if Garvarg takes it. Thanks, m.breen.
 
"Track Back" at Princess Auto this week, two models at 60 and 80 bucks. No funky roadway pics, just direction.
 
I use an Android phone with the My Tracks app (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.maps.mytracks&feature=search_result) to do route tracking. If you want navigation, get yourself some soft foam earbuds that will fit under the helmet, plug them into the phone and run the Maps app with a destination set (works with My Tracks running). You can even listen to music while you're riding this way, as the nav app will pause it to give you directions as you get close to turns.

My Tracks will also let you save the tracks to Google Maps and share the route with others.*


* Be sure to check the "Top Speed" value in your tracks map before sharing publicly. The GPS on the phone is not super accurate and might get you in trouble.
 
DoubleJ said:
"Track Back" at Princess Auto this week, two models at 60 and 80 bucks. No funky roadway pics, just direction.
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Too much money for too-limited functionality. Spend a bit more and get a proper hiking GPS that gives much more waypoint marking and detailed track-back routing capability even if you didn't bother to store waypoints along the way.
 
You could get by with an old, used, GPSmap by Garmin.

It's a handheld unit but paired with a bicycle mount or thrown in the tank bag with the screen showing it'll do the trick. Make sure it's a color model and you can setup previous tracks as routes on the computer and assign them a color code.

I used a 60CS last year for just what the OP is describing, not great for actually navigating, and a bit of a pain to keep powered, but it did the trick.
 
Nuvi 550. They're reasonably priced. I used it to navigate from here to Vancouver and back. No hiccups. I also have a ram mount and a connection directly to the bike's battery.

I'm pretty sure the Nuvi records where you're going (if you ask it to), but I've never used the feature so I can't say for sure.
 
i ran into a biker the other day at Canadian Tire. We was showing me a waterproof garmin that he just bought for $150 with unlimited map updates. I already have a nuvi 550 so I didnt get the model number or anything but it looked cool.
 
flameboy182 said:
How does the digital fuel gauge work?
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You provide an estimate of your average fuel economy at your typical city driving speed, and and your average fuel economy at your average highway driving speeds, and the gps will calculate your overall fuel usage based on your route since your last trip reset.
 
Depending on your phone you can get 'map my ride' type of app. I've used it for my pedal bike with a blackberry and iPhone and it works well and allows you to share the maps with others.
 
Garmin 2720 off e-bay or similar (2610, 2620, 2820, etc.) is the cheapest option for a good waterproof GPS. This was Garmin's motorcycle compatible GPS before the Zumo's. Update to the latest maps and IMO works just as well as the newer gps's. Been using them for five years and have no plans to change. Next, there's the Nuvi 550 which runs about $250 plus mount and wiring. There is also the option of a RAM Aqua Box which allows you to use any non waterproof gps on your bike, a bit bulky but works from what I've heard
 
I picked up a 3g iPhone for $100 and some things don't even need a data plan - NavFree for one.
Good tunes - great screen and useful for more than one thing.
MapQuest and others need a connection.
Still exploring the potential.
Lots of mounts available and a good screen but you do need a power outlet for almost any GPS as they require a lot of power for screen and updating.

The tracker only units don't use much at all - hook into the computer later.
 
I have the 6gb plan on my iPhone and tested the MotionX GPS app today for .99 cents. Worked great never lost the signal during my 8 hour ride and used 11.2mb of data. I was very impressed with what I saw today and will continue to test and advise.
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