Nice bike GPS on the cheap

SLO-BOB · 12-24-2008, 03:59 PM

I know a lot of guys here ride so I figured I would post. I bought a Garmin StreetPilot 2720 motorcycle/car GPS on Ebay for a whopping $116.19 delivered. By far the least expensive, and maybe best, GPS I have ever purchased. It's listed as a refurb but I couldn't tell it from new. It's loaded with CityNav...2008 and waterproof. A lot of guys use the Zumo 450/550 but they are $$$! This is a nice, cheap alternative that is well reviewed on rider's forums. Be aware that the streetpilot series GPS units are rather buky, not at all like the slim units such as a 255W. But, it is built t take abuse. Unfortunately, spring is a looooong way off so I'll have to test it in mycar.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=120336945213

legion · 12-26-2008, 06:52 PM

How are you mounting it to the bike?

SLO-BOB · 12-26-2008, 07:12 PM

An outfit called "Gadget Guy" makes some pretty nice stuff. I'll probably get this one and mount it on a bracket between the two windscreen mounts. That puts it above the gauges and tank bag but not obscuring the road.

I like this one because I can just mount it and leave it w/o worry of it being ripped of at a gas station or restaurant while travelling. The downside is it's price. The whole kit will cost double what I paid for the GPS itself.

greglepore · 12-26-2008, 07:31 PM

There are a number of less expensive mounts-I bought one of these about 3 months ago and love it. Waterproof, vibration proof, easy to use on the bike, and garmin makes an inexpensive hardwire kit.

SLO-BOB · 12-27-2008, 05:43 AM

What did you get Greg?

greglepore · 12-27-2008, 06:31 AM

http://products.ram-mount.com/rammount/productdetail.aspx?partnumber=RAM-HOL-GA9U

Granted, it doesn't lock, but its really nice for 11 bucks. You can always tether the gps if you're worried.

The only thing I don't like about the 2720 is the lack of internal power, it needs either usb power or an ac adaptor for indoor programing.

SLO-BOB · 12-27-2008, 06:44 AM

I was also considering the Ram mount - nice stuff too.

agent213 · 12-27-2008, 12:55 PM

My zumo 550 came with RAM mounts.... basically goes on the bar on the clutch lever bracket. it's pretty slick, pairs with my cellphone and holds all the MP3s I want for longer hauls. weatherproof, and locks in place. When i stop, i unlock it and throw it in my pocket - haven't had any troubles with it yet.

legion · 01-09-2009, 05:09 AM

I think I'm going to pick up a Streetpilot 2720 as well.

My only question...

My friend has the Zumo 550 and he has it set up so he can hear direction in the BlueTooth headset in his helmet. How the heck do you hear the 2720?

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Does anyone else see the obvious problem with being on a motorcycle and staring at some electronic screen doohickey - even worse than being in a car staring at one?

legion · 01-09-2009, 05:22 AM

I have the Garmin C340 in my truck. At the time I got it, I paid extra to get a model that says the street names. I don't look at it very often, and when I do it's a quick glance--no different than when I'm checking the gauges.

That's also why my friend with the Zumo 550 got that model. Like I said, it networks with the bluetooth headset in his helmet so that he can hear directions over road/engine noise and doesn't have to look at the unit.

SLO-BOB · 01-09-2009, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

I think I'm going to pick up a Streetpilot 2720 as well.

My only question...

My friend has the Zumo 550 and he has it set up so he can hear direction in the BlueTooth headset in his helmet. How the heck do you hear the 2720?

You don't. Not well anyway. However, I haven't figured out how guys hear phones, music, and GPSes in their helmets anyway. I wear earplugs because it's so loud. I know I'm missing something because a lot of guys have bluetooth helmets, but either way, I don't want distractions.

Like you said, it's just a glance same as gauges. Most guys will program the route and have waypoints. The GPS just gives you a heads up. Also, they are no substitute for checking a map before the trip. I've had many a GPS send me on a goose chase.

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

I use a Garmin I3 in the car. I downloaded the red light camera location info into the Garmin and when I approach an intersection with a red light camera I hear a beep and a message appears on the LCD.

legion · 01-09-2009, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLO-BOB

You don't. Not well anyway. However, I haven't figured out how guys hear phones, music, and GPSes in their helmets anyway. I wear earplugs because it's so loud. I know I'm missing something because a lot of guys have bluetooth helmets, but either way, I don't want distractions.

Like you said, it's just a glance same as gauges. Most guys will program the route and have waypoints. The GPS just gives you a heads up. Also, they are no substitute for checking a map before the trip. I've had many a GPS send me on a goose chase.

I don't wear earplugs under my helmet. Mostly because I just ride around town and never go much faster than 45 mph.

Some of the more expensive ($100+) BlueTooth headsets have active noise cancelling. This would cut down significantly on wind noise even if there was no sound coming out of the headset. (It will still send a "cancelling" sound making your helmet sound silent.)

legion · 01-20-2009, 05:09 PM

I ordered the 2720. It comes tomorrow.

I also ordered the Garmin motorcycle mounting kit, which consists of a wire to supply power and a bracket to hold the GPS. There is nothing to actually mount to the motorcycle.

This is what I'm thinking of getting:

http://www.cycoactive.com/ram/ram26.shtml

GDSOB · GDSOB's Garage

I ride a KLR.

Been looking at one of those fancy stick on compass thingies at the Walmart.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I have no desire to put more electronic farkles on my bike. So I bought a NIB Garmin 250, the one that's super thin. I use it mostly in the car. But when I need it on the bike, I throw it in my tank bag and have a powerlet adaptor in case I need it for longer than the battery will last. When I get to where I really need the GPS, I can easily fit it with no wires into the map cover in my tank bag and with the volume all the way up, can hear it with my helmet on below hwy. speeds. That's good enough for my needs.

SLO-BOB · 01-20-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

I ordered the 2720. It comes tomorrow.

I also ordered the Garmin motorcycle mounting kit, which consists of a wire to supply power and a bracket to hold the GPS. There is nothing to actually mount to the motorcycle.

This is what I'm thinking of getting:

http://www.cycoactive.com/ram/ram26.shtml

That's more or less the mount I think I'll end up with too. My bars are "shaped", not tubes so I'll need a different mount, but no biggy.

That BMW specific cable below your stuff is pricey! I just mounted a weatherproof cig lighter socket under my tank - actually looks pretty damn good - and I'll use the stock Garmin plug.

SLO-BOB · 01-20-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

But when I need it on the bike, I throw it in my tank bag .... When I get to where I really need the GPS, I can easily fit it with no wires into the map cover in my tank bag and with the volume all the way up, can hear it with my helmet on below hwy. speeds. That's good enough for my needs.

I did that for awhile. It worked fine, but the GPS moved around in the map pocket which got annoying. I'm sure I could have devised something simple to cure that, but the Garmin was cheap and I didn't like the Magellen I had.

legion · 01-20-2009, 07:04 PM

I don't have a tank bag.

Hell, I don't have any bags on my bike.