Opinions from GPS users wanted

[rob650]

Hello Everybody,

I'm looking into buying an inexpensive one, to replace the paper maps I always drag around.  I've never gotten to use one for more than a few minutes, or take along one on a ride.  

Are they (essentially) like having Google Maps in a box?  Able to zoom and and out, find your own location and surrounding roads?  Zoom in to see secondary roads that may not appear on a paper map?

Thanks.

Rob

[MrRiden]

I've used an inexpensive Magellan unit and found it added to my enjoyment on the road due to its feature of finding things like gas stops, points of interest and so on. Not as detailed as Google but detailed enough to be practical on the road. You can go and spend a lot of cash on a gps that has many features but try a basic one and see if it's your cup of tea. Around 125.00 should outfit you with a basic unit and it most likely won't be water proof but that's why they make Ziploc bags!
Rich

[rob650]

Good to know, I've heard positive things about Magellen units.

My biggest interest is being able to manipulate the map view, see my location and surrounding areas for smaller secondary roads or alternate routes, etc...

[Bob_Roller]

I know this is low-tech, but there is a series of road atlas's available for the western US, by Benchmark Maps.

Available in the chain type book stores for about $20 each .

The maps get down to dirt roads, and identify 4 wheel drive only roads, and also identify local sites of interest, that you can look up on the internet .

The maps are available for California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Washington state .

You can plan your route ahead of time with  pretty good accuracy with these, then use your GPS for fine tuning your route instructions .

[DeeG]

My biggest interest is being able to manipulate the map view, see my location and surrounding areas for smaller secondary roads or alternate routes, etc...

Yes, you can do that.  Depends on how far 'in' you zoom.  I THINK most all the GPS's use the same supplier for the mapping data.  Navteq, I believe.  So, doesn't matter what brand GPS, the maps are all the same.      I know on mine I can zoom down and see just about every USFS dirt/gravel road, and all the side streets and such.

If you're looking to get a nice unit, check out the refurbished models that some manufacturers sell.  They work just as good, but at a fraction of the price of new.  

I'm pretty partial to Garmin, as I have been using their products for almost 20 years.  

[drewboid]

Using a Garmin Quest for the past year - good but not great. Small screen and older technology but waterproof.
Ocassionally it has tried to route me across the divider of a major highway and I don't always agree with the route it picks. The Quest II with all the maps built in seems worthwile. the Quest I requires you to download the maps you require.
Handlebar mount with a link to my Autocom headset works well.

Larger touch screens are nice - Pay your money and take your choice.
I like having the convience of never being too lost.

[Lucky_Lou]

I dont trust any of them i will look up a route on the map before i set off if im unsure......Last year i googled a route to Barmouth in north wales (beautifull beaches) from wakefield if i had followed it i would have ended up in the sea at ellsmere port the junction numbers on the motorway were all wrong.
Lou

[Bengt_Phorqs]

There are no wrong turns on a motorcycle!  The most memorable rides are often the ones where you "discover" new routes.  I'll stick with the paper maps and save my bucks for places that don't discount meals for seniors.  (OK, I'm cheep and have a good comfort level for the unknown.)

[steve_wicks]

as my daughter discovered, a GPS can, and will often take you through dodgy areas that you would normally avoid........

[rob650]

So, doesn't matter what brand GPS, the maps are all the same.I know on mine I can zoom down and see just about every USFS dirt/gravel road, and all the side streets and such.

Do most portable GPS units function in this way?

I'm not so geared towards being able to plot routes or locate points of interest, or voice directions.  I want to be able to pull the GPS out of my tank bag, turn it on and manipulate the map view of where I am and the surrounding roads.  Again, similar to "Google Maps" zoom in / zoom out style.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Mine works that way.  It is a Garmin small, hand-held unit that has been on the market a long time.  It is waterproof enough for motorcycling (3 meters, or something like that...), but the screen is not very big, compared to most on the market these days.

I really like the RAM mount better than a tankbag window.



http://www.pbase.com/tomfarr/gpsr_on_motorcycle

Mine is black & white (grey scale), but my next one will be the color version of this one.....maybe.....
A big screen would be nice if you could find a plain-jane.


I use mine exclusively as a speedometer, and ever since I broke the tripmeter reset knob, it is now my fuel gauge, as well.

[DeeG]

Do most portable GPS units function in this way?

I'm not so geared towards being able to plot routes or locate points of interest, or voice directions.  I want to be able to pull the GPS out of my tank bag, turn it on and manipulate the map view of where I am and the surrounding roads.  Again, similar to "Google Maps" zoom in / zoom out style.

Pretty much.  If you're not going to use it to plot a route around the country, you can find a pretty inexpensive unit that was designed for a car. Keep in mind that XM/MP3 capabilities, touch screen, big screen, water resistant, etc all add to the cost.  

A simple, basic unit will work just fine for what you want to do.  The biggest thing after purchasing, is keeping the maps current.  I update mine every two years.  However, Garmin has a new offer where I can pay $120 and get updates for free for the life of the unit.   (Firmware updates SHOULD be free and available at the manufacturers website)

And yes, Mr Zumo has routed me the wrong way on one ways, roads that don't exist, etc.  I like the convenience, but my tank bag ALWAYS has paper maps in it.......    

[aussie]

I recently went interstate and used my phone (Nokia) which has gps to find the place I was looking for..... it was fine for the most part but a couple of times it told me to turn too early - (or possibly that's just me  ) but to get back on the right track took quite some time in peak hour. However, I did find the place I was looking for in the end.

[rob650]

A simple, basic unit will work just fine for what you want to do.  The biggest thing after purchasing, is keeping the maps current.  I update mine every two years.  However, Garmin has a new offer where I can pay $120 and get updates for free for the life of the unit.   (Firmware updates SHOULD be free and available at the manufacturers website)
 

Map updates cost $?  Is this a standard thing for consumer GPS brands?

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I've been using the same maps since I bought mine 5 years ago.

I use it to augment my sensibilities, not to replace them.