Decent Starter GPS

Aladinbama

Aladinbama

Joined
Sep 11, 2011
Messages
343
Location
Pearland, Tx.
Bike
97 ST1100 04 ST1300
I'm a GPS newbie, but tech savy (mostly anyway).
I'm looking for a good GPS system that I can use on my ST1100 (and my car). I realize I'll have to get a weatherproof cover if I don't get a waterproof unit. I also realize $$$$ deteremines what you get.
I'd like to keep it under $150 +/- some change for the unit itself. I'm looking more for a Garmin since they are the standard. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
 
I picked up a Garmin 2555 for under $100. I'll have to buy a waterproof case for it, but those are pretty inexpensive. Oh it has the life-time updates for traffic and maps too! :)
 
Hi All:

I'm too newbie to the whole GPS thingy (actually new to the ST thingy as a whole). I too would like to buy an expensive, but something that takes me to point A to B, unit preferably with Bluetooth so it can connect to the Scala Rider G9. Any suggestions? Also, the bike came with the MCL sport touring risers with a Powerlet socket that is live (my friend plugged in his heated jacket to test it). Can plug in the GPS socket, and if yes what type of cable do I need?

Sorry for the many questions.
 
If you want tunes, the Garmin Nuvi 700 and 800 series have an MP3 player built in. They can be found mucho cheap on Craigslist or fleaBay. Many need a new battery, but they are less than $10 and easy to change. No new Garmins have the player.

Greg
 
I have a Nuvi 765t. You might find a left over new one on Amazon or eBay. I think it does pretty much everything the Zumo 660 does. Has stereo MP3 player, Blue Tooth and will accept custom routes. The best feature though is the external stereo head phone jack which allows me tie it in to the audio system and helmet speakers. It is not advertised as water proof like the Zumo but I have had it some pretty heavy rain with no problems. After a couple of years the touch screen went bad. It was out of warranty but Garmin has a program that will let you exchange it for a refurbished one for a $100.00. At that rate I could go through 5 or 6 of these before reaching the costs of one new Zumo.
 
I just called a local GPS store and was told that none of the nuvis will bluetooth with the helmet headset( e.g., Scala Rider G9). So how do you guys keep up with the directions from the GPS? I know the unit will read off the streets and directions through the internal speaker, but in a motorcycle I'm sure you can't hear anything. I really don't want to take my eyes off the road to look at the GPS screen.

I know the Garmin Zumo version has all the bells and whistles, I refuse to expend 600+ for a devices to take from point A to point B.
 
Timing! I have a Garmin Nuvi 260W you can have for $40 and shipping. Power cord, dash mount included- works perfectly, accepts map upgrades too. Drop me a PM if you (or anyone else) want it.
 
I have a 1455LMT and a 2795LMT that I use a freezer bag with the pull cinch that I can close around the base. I drove 1500 miles in a storm in May 2011 and it never got wet. The touch screen works as well. If you need a better pic let me know.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3303 (Large).JPG
    IMG_3303 (Large).JPG
    97.8 KB · Views: 24
Cucho said:
I just called a local GPS store and was told that none of the nuvis will bluetooth with the helmet headset( e.g., Scala Rider G9). So how do you guys keep up with the directions from the GPS? I know the unit will read off the streets and directions through the internal speaker, but in a motorcycle I'm sure you can't hear anything. I really don't want to take my eyes off the road to look at the GPS screen.
Click to expand...

I used to simply look at the screen but then progressed to using the voice prompts by using the audio out jack on my Garmin Nuvi 765 to connect to my Scala Q2 using the provided cable. At first I resisted using the cable because I wanted wireless but it was pretty easy to adapt to.

Since then I purchased an AmpliRider and I have my iPod and GPS running into it, then one cord to my Scala. Works like a charm!
 
Gizmo said:
I used to simply look at the screen but then progressed to using the voice prompts by using the audio out jack on my Garmin Nuvi 765 to connect to my Scala Q2 using the provided cable. At first I resisted using the cable because I wanted wireless but it was pretty easy to adapt to.

Since then I purchased an AmpliRider and I have my iPod and GPS running into it, then one cord to my Scala. Works like a charm!
Click to expand...

Hi Dean,

It seems that the nuvi765 is discontinued, and I'm not sure if any of the other nuvis have the audio out option. Sorry for my ignorance but where exactly in the headset would you plug in the cable coming from the GPS audio out? I know the headset has a jack to connect your MP3 via a cable but isn't that for audio out and not audio in.
 
Yes, it was discontinued in 2010 or 2011 when I bought my first one! But they are readily available online from ebay and Amazon. I saw one today that even had a recent map update for <$100. But don't pay any attention to the traffic receiver - that service was discontinued at least a year ago so the power cord may have the receiver in it but it is useless (except for power). No big loss at all.

The Scala headset jack is to put audio into the headset. So the cord that comes with the Scala can be connected to a GPS or an MP3 - in either case you are sending sound from the portable device to the Scala headset. If you want to swing down this way I can show you my set-up, but you can probably ride to Lyle's place quicker. Although he might be using wireless with his Zumo...
 
Gizmo said:
Yes, it was discontinued in 2010 or 2011 when I bought my first one! But they are readily available online from ebay and Amazon. I saw one today that even had a recent map update for <$100. But don't pay any attention to the traffic receiver - that service was discontinued at least a year ago so the power cord may have the receiver in it but it is useless (except for power). No big loss at all.

The Scala headset jack is to put audio into the headset. So the cord that comes with the Scala can be connected to a GPS or an MP3 - in either case you are sending sound from the portable device to the Scala headset. If you want to swing down this way I can show you my set-up, but you can probably ride to Lyle's place quicker. Although he might be using wireless with his Zumo...
Click to expand...

Would it be possible for you take a pic of your set up and send it over?

Lyle has deep pockets so he can afford the Zumo :)
 
Uncle Phil said:
Peaklife & the Rage both have Bluetooth connections ... ;-)
Click to expand...

A lot of GPS are bluetooth capable but to connect to a mobile phone and not to a helmet headset. The ones you are suggesting, can they bluetooth to the Scala Rider G9?
 
Cucho - Since I connect mine to a bluetooth music receiver, I don't know for sure. The music receiver setup provides a 'hardwired' plug for use with my Valk CB system. I did Google Peaklife & Scala and found a V-Strom site in the U.K. that said they did not have any luck connecting to an older Scala. Probably too much sugar for a nickel, but I'd be glad to test it if someone has a Scala laying around they want to send to me which I would return after the test. It does appear to connect to other BT headsets but not phones.
 
Scala Q2 Pro + Peaklife works fine for me.
Too bad that whenever the BT connection is lost - like you walk into a gas station/toilet - you need to exit your nav software to reconnect and restart the navigation application.
Other than that it works fine
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom