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Author Topic: Who uses GPS?  (Read 5006 times)

Offline Buddha

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Who uses GPS?
« on: January 03, 2006, 09:56:07 AM »
I love riding my bike on trips, but am not a big fan of the freeway. So I was looking at getting a GPS where I could program it to take the more "country" roads for my trips. Has anyone else done this or used GPS on their bikes in general?
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Offline Vidrazor

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Who uses GPS?
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2006, 01:51:28 PM »
I've been wondering about GPS units myself. For the most part, I can make do with good maps, but I can see it coming in handy if you somehow get really lost in bumf*!k.
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Offline neoseity

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Who uses GPS?
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2006, 05:22:58 PM »
I just got one as a gift. Just gotta figure out how to put the juice through a usb cable to power it and then mount it...
I'm sure it will come in handy as I have gotten lost in BFE before...
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Offline Airmotive

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Who uses GPS?
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2006, 08:53:45 PM »
How much you wanna spend?
A basic unit for 100 bucks will get you to the correct city.

I just bought my wife a Garmin 2720. It's waterproof, and has a full North American Database. Want to know the nearest chinese restaurant? You want Cantonese or Manderin? 7.2 miles, turn by turn, you'll be there at 7:16 PM...and here's the phone number if you want to order ahead. Absolutly brilliant. 800 bucks.

The new 2730 also has satellite weather radar overlay of the moving map...in case you want to avoid that thunderstorm up ahead.
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Offline Buddha

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Who uses GPS?
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2006, 09:38:09 PM »
Are you able to map your own routes? I can't say that I need one that will give me all of the restaurants or numbers, but I would like to be able to take the less congested roads from point A to point B.
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Offline b4cruz

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Who uses GPS?
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2006, 10:04:47 PM »
i know i don't like the Cell phones with GPS
unless you have a special data plan
they make you pay for the minutes/bandwith
you use as you are tracking on GPS
plus an extra monthly fee and on and on

on the really cheap end
some mapping software will let you make routes
@ home on your coputer then input them into
your portable device if you dislike paper maps
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Offline B12NScott

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Got GPS?
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2006, 12:18:30 AM »
I have an older Megellan Sportrac Pro.  I can down load maps to it and set routes.  Without it I would get lost in a paper bag.  I have mounted it to my DRZ, but have not found the right spot on my B-12s.  Its the non color model, so you can pick them up for about $100.00 nowadays.
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Offline aussiebandit

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Who uses GPS?
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2006, 04:24:59 AM »
I hate to say this, but after some discussions on this site about Highway Pegs, touring screens, heated hand grips etc etc and now GPS, I'm begining to wonder whether or not most of us, myself included, would be better off saving our pennies and buying a BMW......
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Offline Red01

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Who uses GPS?
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2006, 06:07:39 AM »
Naaaaw... but I'd settle for a FJR.  :wink:
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Offline aussiebandit

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Who uses GPS?
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2006, 06:30:33 AM »
Personally I'll stick with the B12 and use old fashioned maps, winter gloves, thermal underwear, cool suits etc for summer, but highway pegs is something I want.

But, if I had to rely on my wife to read the map, then I'd get a GPS.
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Offline scooter trash

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Who uses GPS?
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2006, 11:48:44 AM »
At least with GPS you don't have the problems of folding a map at 65 mph.  :duh:
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Offline tacoman

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gps
« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2006, 02:14:31 PM »
I've had a GPS for about 8 years now.  Its the old style without street maps etc.  Its great when you don't have street numbers or names.  In my case, no roads at all.  I use mine primarily in the boat.  It saved my a-- one time when I was out in the straits (Juan de Fuca in Wash state) and it started getting dark and a little foggy.  I started to panic but it lead me right back to port.  I won't venture out without it.
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Offline FrankB12

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Who uses GPS?
« Reply #12 on: January 04, 2006, 04:29:09 PM »
I have the Magellan Explorist 200.  It was pretty inexpensive (around $100). Quite honestly, I wished I had spent a little more on a unit with better detail.  The maps are not super detailed, and I would have liked an external power connector (12VDC??).  I used it a lot the first few months of the riding season last year, but stopped using after that.  

I do, however, like the 'speedometer' feature that is more accurate than the Bandit's.
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Offline Jacknife

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Who uses GPS?
« Reply #13 on: January 04, 2006, 07:57:48 PM »
Tom Tom have just released TomTom Rider for the bike market here in the UK, It's been out a few months in the States, good system. I have one of there systerms in my Van for going to address i dont know where they are. Would like the TomTom Rider but its about £600, around $1100.00 dont know how much cheaper in would be in the states!

Nice but expensive.
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Offline Vlad

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Who uses GPS?
« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2006, 08:42:35 PM »
I have a Garmin E-trex Legend C and am quite happy with it. It's small enough to carry in the pocket when not in the cao or on the bike, has very detailed maps and excellent routing (used many times to find the nearest gas station or  a coffee shop). I have it on USB power while on the bike so it doesn't waste any batteries. It's waterproof too. I haven't found any remotely serious flaws with it and use it literarily everywhere I go, even on my bicycle. If I knew how usefull and fun to use it is I would have bought it a long time ago. I just love to get lost on purpose and find my way home. Just my 2c.
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Vlad lives in Toronto, Canada and rides http://bandit.xxc.cc
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