So who is upgrading their GPS unit first

[SirFish]

Looks like Garmin is dropping another GPS unit, the 2820, on the market. Who is "upgrading" first? Figures its only a few months after I bought mine But I got mine on sale dammit!

Bluetooth and mp3 player features look pretty cool though. Wonder if this is the unit BMW is using for the Navigator III, or if it's the 2720.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/02/garmins-streetpilot-2820-gps-with-mp3-player-xm-and-bluetoot/

http://www.garmin.com/products/sp2820/

[gigantic]

Unless they port their PC software for Mac OS, I won't be getting another Garmin. Looks like I'll be getting a Tom Tom Rider, next.

[Rapid Dog]

...I'm in the market for a nice used model...

[jackbunce]

Originally posted by gigantic
Unless they port their PC software for Mac OS,...

They announced they will be doing this by the end of the year.

[Highlander179]

sorry, no mention of A2DP Bluetooth Stereo audio support

too bad. kinda makes having built in XM and MP3 worthless, now doesn't it.

[xk49]

Go with the TomTom, it has the best data. After all, isn't that why you are purchasing the unit, for the data/map! The MP3 player isn't going to help you a whole hell of a lot when you can't get the correct directions to where you want to go.

[Migs]

Well, I bought my GPS because it didn't have Bluetooth and XM and iPOD or MP3 etcetc. I'm afraid that if I tried a stereo of some sort I might like it and then want it. Then comes the helmet speakers (since I dont have external) with chatterbox type thing added with cell phone tie-in. Then I have to talk to people when I ride and plug in all the wires for intercom and stereo and and and... next thing you know I'm riding a GoldWing. Not that there is anything wrong with...just not for me. And I don't want to talk to anyone when I ride...
Hell, I had to buy the direct wire to eliminate the cig plug/speaker set-up

[SergioK]

I like the fact they finally started putting BT on these things. Only problem is, now I gotta get a BT adapter for my V1 (but they don't make one as of yet), and a BT enabled helmet (the BMW System V would cost me an arm and two legs).

[John Diakonis]

Out of curiousity is anyone using a Garmin Palm type gps unit? 3600 M3, M5? I know they're not waterproof but they have some nice features.

[dee jones]

Can someone tell us more about the Tom Tom Rider?

[pwillikers]

I bought a Pocket PDA GPS; a NAVMAN PiN 100 (which is a rebranded Mitac Mio 168) from Fry's for $200. It has an integral GPS. It came with NAVMAN SmartST V2 GPS software. I added a 1 Gig SD card for maps. The primary basis for deciding on a PDA instead of a dedicated GPS is that is small and multipurpose (mp3 player, scientific calculator etc., I'd really like it if it were a GSM phone also). I stick it in the tank bag map sleve and plug in the charger and headset. After using it, I discovered that the included NAVMAN SmartST V2 app will only go from here to a destination. There's no way to route way points along the way. I construct elaborate back road routes on my PC beforehand that avoid freeways and population centers. The lack of this routing capability is a show stopper for me. It is essential to how I control my "off the beaten path" routing. As a result, I've been trying out different map software because this limitation.

The PPC mapping apps have generally been disappointing. Microsoft Streets & Trips PPC is worthless; it doesn't create routes on the PPC. Delorme Street Atlas Hand Held can at least do routing on the PPC but the "mobile map" creation process and "find" functions are onerous.

After much scrounging, I found one very useful site, gpspassion.com. A wealth of info and they are great with speedy responses and good unbiased info (unlike here . GPS' on motorcycles are dangerous and must be used judiciously. I want a GPS to talk me through a route I've planned. Good speech guidance is paramount as are simple, clear displays. I try to not look at the display while riding unless absolutely necessary.

So, my requirements for a GPS in priority order.
1. Ability to create routes with many (25+) waypoints such that I have granular control on the route.
2. Multi-state maps on the SD card available to the mapping routine. Please, none of that rectangle map construction ala Delorme SAHH for me thanks. I just want all the maps available at all times.
3. Fast route and reroute generation (some are really, really slow).
4. Clear voice guidance with optional TTS.
5. 3D perspective map guidance
6. Ability to plan routes on the pc and download them to the PPC.
7. Big finger menu navigation on the PPC touch screen.
8. Very high contrast map display.

Of all the PPC Map/GPS software I've tried, CoPilot Live PPC 6, alk.com, is the first (and only) to earn my coveted "acceptable" designation. (it's expensive though, $200 just for the software, $100 if you do a competitive upgrade which I did with SmartST). I'm sure they're thrilled. Even customer support is good. I had a minor install/license problem, emailed tech support and got an answer the next business day just as advertised!

PPC GPS Software - Thumbnail Reviews:
CoPilot Live Pocket PC 6: acceptable - includes capable PC map/route app. for route planning. Entire US map fits on a 1 Gig SD card. PPC app. is configurable, with twenty-five waypoints per route, yeah baby! TextToSpeech guidance is marginal, but at least it's there, menu layout should be more intuitive.
NAVMAN SmartST V2: unacceptable - no waypoints allowed in the route.
Delorme SAHH 2005: unacceptable - slow map redraw, kludgey map mgt., "find" is terrible.
MicroSoft ST 2006 PPC: unacceptable - abject garbage, kludgey map mgt., no on-PDA routing. What? Bill are you kidding?

[SirFish]

So, my requirements for a GPS in priority order.
1. Ability to create routes with many (25+) waypoints such that I have granular control on the route.
2. Multi-state maps on the SD card available to the mapping routine. Please, none of that rectangle map construction ala Delorme SAHH for me thanks. I just want all the maps available at all times.
3. Fast route and reroute generation (some are really, really slow).
4. Clear voice guidance with optional TTS.
5. 3D perspective map guidance
6. Ability to plan routes on the pc and download them to the PPC.
7. Big finger menu navigation on the PPC touch screen.
8. Very high contrast map display.

PW...sounds like you just described the difference between a $200 gps unit and an $800 gps unit. Try one of the higher end units (my garmin 2620 does all of these except 3d mapping, the 27xx and above models do that too) and you will see that all of yer requirements are met. So as with everything else in life, you get what you pay for. PDA's as a whole, suck.

[ExarKunONe]

Forget the GPS, just bring Jeff Williams with you.

[MikeBetz]

pwillikers,

Can you listen to mp3's while the GPS software is running? Does the GPS software mute the music when it gives you a voice prompt?

B.T.W. I think the PDA idea is great. Should be cheaper to upgrade or buy other software and get the latest feaures than to buy a new GPS every time something nice comes along - like 3d display.

TTFN
Mike

[wswartzwel]

I use an Ipaq PDA, with a Garmin 10 bluetooth reciever
( http://www.garmin.com/products/gps10/ ) 1 gig memory stick holds detailed maps from Mapsource "City Select" software, & MP3's with room to spare. perhaps not as good as what Paul is using, Not 3D, but so far has worked well for me. BTW Some of those GPS boards have a wealth of info.

Yes you can listen to MP3 while the GPS is up and running.

[Jeff Williams]

I heard that.
Question, can you get the Ozzie Osborne,"turn the fack left, turn the fack left, this piece of shyt is worthless", add on pack?

jeff

[bradzdotcom]

i've heard that even when you give people a marked map AND a mileage turn sheet AND a turn-only route sheet AND you mark the actual road itself with every right/left/straight involved.....they still can't find their way around.

dats what i've heard.
not sure if it's true....almost unbelievable, eh?

[Rapid Dog]

...who needs a GPS when you've got Brad...and then John Lyon to fall back on...

The Tom Tom Rider looks interesting, yeah, tell us more...
Hey Sergio, I could swore I saw you talking animatedly inside your helmet when I was behind you...does that chatterbox thing have a phone pick-up or what?...was the wife calling?

[bradzdotcom]

a friend had one of those magic boxes that was hooked to his cell phone, gps and mp3.
if you called the phone, it auto-answered and muted his stereo.

one of the guys who couldn't make the ride sat at home, followed the route on a map and figured out when we would be in the twisty stuff.

then he called larry and when the phone picked up, he screamed "For gawd's sake Larry slow down! you're gonna kill yourself!"

everybody (but larry) thought that was pretty funny.

[repoe3]

you know, GPS's, phones, all those "things" (except the occasionaly tunes) just dont have a place on a bike for me (except in the tank bag, perhaps). i deal with widgets and whackos all day long or in the car...give me a bike without all that stuff to preoccupy my attention, thank you :P

repoe3