A good GPS

[PatM]

I use MicroSoft Streets and Trips to do my routing as it is so much easier than using Gramins Map Source...$25 wellspent

+1

[PatM]

I run a county GIS which provides roads and addresses to our 911 center, along with a whole bunch of other map related issues.  The maps that go into GPS units come primarily from NavTec and Tele Atlas.  All of them get their data from guys like me.  There is a very good reason that 911 uses our data and not Google Maps or MapQuest.  If you think your yearly update from Garmin is truly up to date, think again.  They update things like gas stations and hotels more often than roads.  Personally, I almost never use the auto routing function.  I build my routes on my computer, road segment by road segment and load that into the unit.

I wasn't referring to the map base but the OS.
I agree about the map base though.

[ToadRide]

I use a Nuvi 550. Waterproof and reasonably good to see in the light. I picked it as I couldn't see dropping 5 bills on a gps. It does have it shortcomings though. No bluetooth but I don't mind that. I turn off the voice on all my navigation anyway. Something about the text to speech bothers me. I miss my Streetpilot 2720. I liked the way you could configure data fields. I like to know the sunset times and other data. I guess I should look at a trail gps. The montana looks very attractive.

What he said. Trudging along with my 550. Cheap and still working. Don't need Bluetooth. U need to hardwire it tho. Battery is only good for a couple of hours. And if your riding a Stelvio, the lighter plug will vibrate out of the socket in seconds.

[FJRmgm]

I use MicroSoft Streets and Trips to do my routing as it is so much easier than using Gramins Map Source...$25 wellspent

another +1 to this - very easy to use and create a route.  

And I use a Nuvi 770 - not waterproof but with the addition of a ziploc sandwich baggie it has been through some MAJOR rain with no issues.

Tried MapSource once, what a POS that is..

[Cablebandit]

Just an FYI...Mapsource is out, Basecamp is the current Garmin mapping solution.

[Windblown]

I went to a Montana earlier this year.  Missing a few bells and whistles and is a bit bulky in hand but is the best compromise I've found for my uses which range from car, to motorcycle, to dirt bike, to hiking and hunting.

Base camp isn't all bad, I still have mapsource on my PC as well.  They aren't intuitive but I find they work well once I spent enough hours beating my head against a wall learning to use them.

[Justin]

Just an FYI...Mapsource is out, Basecamp is the current Garmin mapping solution.

And Basecamp sucks even worse that Mapsource. Streets and Trips is so much better than either. (in my humble opinion)

[Cablebandit]

Meh, Basecamp works fine for me.  But I took 5 minutes to learn how to use it.  


I can't stand Streets and Trips.

[sprint_st]

As long as you ride major roads that have been around since the big flood, just about anything "works."  Also, EASY usually means, you usually allow internal routing to define a route.  Internal routing is different from version to version.  Internal routing also will cause routes to blow up if there are flaws which are very common on back roads.  

My experience has been that if you want bulletproof routes that don't explode on you out in the middle of nowhere you need to do things the HARD way.  What's the hard way?  
1. Check the route from start to stop zooming in on major intersections.  The route should follow EXACTLY the road segments you want.
2. Make sure you don't make long sections with lots of major intersections.  Lots of smaller segments usually has far fewer problems.
3. Make sure your unit version matches the version of MapSource.
4. Don't use Basecamp!!!  Route creation in Basecamp uses way too much autocreate.

[Cablebandit]

If you want an exact route, use a track.  Then create a route to layer on top of that so you get turn by turn direction etc.

[sprint_st]

If you want an exact route, use a track.  Then create a route to layer on top of that so you get turn by turn direction etc.

Tracks are not a guarantee of an exact route.  If you do a track conversion to a route it is far from a clean conversion because of version issues.  If you are going to do an overlay, then why not just build your route segment by segement???

[Cablebandit]

If I'm building my own I create a route.  If I get something from somewhere else you either need to rebuild it yourself or share the track.  Tracks are the preferred way to SHARE items.


I've never had any issues with track conversion due to version issues.  That said, I don't use a  moto-specific GPS either.

[st2sam]

Any of you guys know whats the cheapest (cost wise ) new GPS, it doesn't have to be MC specific, you can buy that will let you plan routes?
CB, I like the Montana but it's out of my price range.
What say ye?

[Yankee Dog]

Any of you guys know whats the cheapest (cost wise ) new GPS, it doesn't have to be MC specific, you can buy that will let you plan routes?
CB, I like the Montana but it's out of my price range.
What say ye?

Look at the Nuvi 500 or 550. They are waterproof and in the $200 range.

[bomber]

also, serach for refurbished units -- you can get more GPS for your money if you're willing to give up a little warranty.

[st2sam]

Look at the Nuvi 500 or 550. They are waterproof and in the $200 range.

Thanks. The $200 range is  fine ........

also, search for refurbished units -- you can get more GPS for your money if you're willing to give up a little warranty.

Thanks. A factory refurbished unit will work, I'll do some research....

[sleazy rider]

Garmin factory refurbished has the same warranty as new.

[Carbonero]

+1 on the Nuvi series.  

[HipGnosis]

 If I get something from somewhere else you either need to rebuild it yourself

If I get a route from someone or the web, I load it into MapSource, recalculate it and make adjustments as need before doing a save-as.

+1 on the Nuvi series.  

I've got 2 refurbished 765's.  The only problem is that they can be hard to read with a full sun over your shoulder.
Oh, and... one of em won't work very long with bluetooth AND music player on WHILE following a route (which is why I got the second one) so that ones in the car now.

[HipGnosis]

Any of you guys know whats the cheapest (cost wise ) new GPS, it doesn't have to be MC specific, you can buy that will let you plan routes?

I was reminded over the weekend that the GPS in my car has a map thats 2 yrs old - it reminded me by finding and routing me to a restaurant that's not even there any more.
A new map is $60.  I can get a new GPS for $100, with lifetime maps.  That there is a no-brainer.
But which one..
I found this Garmin  Support  Frequently Asked Questions page:
Which automotive Garmin devices have the ability to receive routes transferred from a computer?  (which also means you can 'plan routes' on them)
https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId=%7B9bca0be0-5f38-11dd-c66b-000000000000%7D