GPS for motorbikes

[cwyap]

I think it is time for you change to a new love.

Hahaha... Bro JasonLee, which to change as "new love"? Missus? No way! She'll "potong" before anything else.

I have used the Nuvi series before - ok la for driving but for jungle & prolonged uses, naw..... they lose hands down to the handhelds; the only advantages the Nuvis have are voice prompting and large screens both of which I can live without. But free punya Nuvi I don't mind having .

[Abg Acid]

here, found one local on-line shop selling a bracket for Nuvi 2xx. It can be handle mounted on motorcycle and bicycles, maybe?

Anyone has seen or tried this?



The link here
http://www.m3shoppe.com/index.php?page= ... &Itemid=26

[yoladu]

I should be able to help you about GPS on motorbikes. Presently I am using the Nuvi550 with ram mount, don't settle for anything less. What bike are you riding ?

Wow, excellent answers,.. I posted a thread, leave it ,.. and and come back few hours later, and most of my enquiries are answered. Bless you all.

Thank you all for your views, I ve considered them all. And to zamad and Jason, your post has certainly stirred up my interest in getting one. It makes a lot of sense, a practical GPS with few frills is what its all about. I dont know why I overlooked at 205w before. Should have studied that particular model earlier, and its cheaper too.

Yes, I m a practical person and I make things work. And I dont really need a GPS working all the time during the ride. I studied maps prehand,. memorising places and intersections, so much so it has become a second nature to me. And its pretty easy for me to get from town A to B even on foreign land,. but its when I get right into towns and locating a place thats when the butterflies start playing in my tummy. So I presume, 3-4 hrs power wont be so much an issue. Anyway, I will have a terminal ready from my motorcycle as a back-up recharging. It has 12v but at 9 amp, which is slightly less than a car. Will that be a problem?

Before my Nuvi550, I was using the Nuvi200W. On all the Nuvi, including the 205w, the screen is really difficult to read under strong sunlight. If your bike has a headcowl, and your GPS can be tucked right under it, with some shade, and the backlight turn up to max, it makes viewing much easier on the eyes.

The 205w wouldn't last even two hours on battery with backlight at 50%, so your power socket on your bike will come it handy. Don't worry about the power load, the GPS draws very little power, even less than one of your signal lamp.

The standard garmin charger may have some fitting issues with power sockets. Even if it fits, it will pop up under heavy pounding if you have to go off-road.

Waterproofing.. That has been considered too. The GPS will be in my waterproof tank bag most of the time, and taken out only when needed. A plastic sheath should be good enough as Keong suggested. Asking around for directions from locals can add a lot of fun and adventures on the road,.. but not on busy roads in the city on foreign lands, with language you cant comprehend, it may sound like a duck speaking to a chicken. Hilarious but frustrating.

Rain is always a biker greatest enemy. When i was using my 200W, I have a ziplock bag standby, I just slip it on whenever it rains but viewing will become an issue. Besides rain, dust will also kill your 205w as it is not IP67 rated. You can use duck tape to seal up the SD card slot.

After all the troubles, I decided to get the Nuvi 550 which is fully waterproof.

As for bracketing it to the bike? Again it wont be an issue,. most of my bikes have front screens, and the suction mount should serve well just like a car's screen. Am I right at this? All I need is another security, a string or cord tied up to the GPS, just in case it flew off on bumps or potholes..

The nuvis, unlike the handhelds, don't have a hole for you to secure a cord. I can guarantee you, the suction mount will not stick to your screen for long. Seriously, you don't want your GPS to drop off when you are moving even at 100kph. Invest in a ram-mount, you will thank me for that.

On theory , everything seems to be at place now, and looking forward for a garmin 205w. I had just look at the specs, and I love this fucntion..

With its "Where Am I?" emergency locator, you always know your location. Simply tap the screen to get your exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and fuel stations.

But beside these, does 205w has
1. Altitude
2. Temperature
3 atmospheric pressure gauge
(is it too much to ask from a GPS? )
4, Charging unit from an AC supply ( that would be my 1st back-up charging option)

Thank you in advance again.

Regards
AA

the Nuvi550 is similar to the 205 in terms of features and function, more importantly the 550 is more rugged and waterproof which makes it ideal for bikers. It may be above your budget but the convenience will pay back many times especially on such a trip

[Abg Acid]

Thanks bro appreciate it.

I ve goggled the nuvi550, it looks exactly like 205 bonus is that it is waterproof.
But seems it is not available locally.
And with a price tag of Suggested Retail Price: $ 299.99 USD , it is still in the affordable range.

Where exactly you bought this 550 may I ask?

regards
AA

[yoladu]

Thanks bro appreciate it.

I ve goggled the nuvi550, it looks exactly like 205 bonus is that it is waterproof.
But seems it is not available locally.
And with a price tag of Suggested Retail Price: $ 299.99 USD , it is still in the affordable range.

Where exactly you bought this 550 may I ask?

regards
AA

Previously the 550 was available in Singapore at Eastgear but I just checked their online site, it's not available anymore.



I got mine from Amazon, just checked, it's going for USD248. If ship to Singapore by vpostusa, total price should be about SGD400, that's really a great price.

[keong8260]

Abang Acid, quickly get yourself a GPS and introduce it to your fellow biker, then more people (bikers) will use MFM map.

More user = More track and POI contribution

Question about GPS, don't hesitate to ask at here.

If we got bike question, then we will not hesitate to you too...

[Abg Acid]

yeah Keong.

I ve been thinking of collecting coordinates for good value-for-money accomodations In Thailand Laos and indochina for fellow travellers on bikes. Aslo coordinates for halal food places. We always have difficulties locating halal food on foreign land.

As for POI, it should be easy. Some toruist maps and guidebooks has provided the coordinates.

regards
AA

[keong8260]

yeah Keong.

I ve been thinking of collecting coordinates for good value-for-money accomodations In Thailand Laos and indochina for fellow travellers on bikes. Aslo coordinates for halal food places. We always have difficulties locating halal food on foreign land.

As for POI, it should be easy. Some toruist maps and guidebooks has provided the coordinates.

regards
AA

I will wait for your Thailand Track and POI...

[Abg Acid]

After a lot of discussion, I decided not to delay my purchase on my 1st GPS device. It should open a new world to me for this transition. A big jump for me indeed from the old way of locating places and roads from hard copy maps.

Havent really seen the potential of a GPS and need a lot of study, tutorials, trials and errors, before making it a usefull travelling companion.

I know with GPS at hand, it will make my trips less worrying but on the other hand it could also mean that I will be keeping less contact with the locals. Asking for directions from locals can add a lot of fun and gain experience and knowldge on a motorcycle trip abroad. Its a great way of making friends and learn their cultures too. Being friendly abroad, shake hands and you will not only get answers, at certain time you may even be escorted to the lodging place of your budget by them. You may even be entertained with suggestions where to go and what to see.

regards
AA

[printserver]

What model have u gotten?

I rode from SG to Phuket with a 205W. On occassions when it rained, i used a zip-lock bag. Only problem when using the ZL is the view of the screen....