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GPS - which one

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 8:06 am
by GRAgusta
In Spetember I will be taking my wife to Italy on the R1100S; we will visit friends in Switzerland, visit Lake Como - my wife has found a restuarant that is apparently frequented by George Cloony..... - then we will visit Varese to see where my MV Agusta was born.

Finally my wife willl wave her Lewis Hamilton flag at Monza during the F1 GP, before we wind our way back home to Scotland.

So, I would like to come into the 21st century and use a GPS.

Apparently - according to John Clark BMW in Dundee - the BMW GPS does not have a fitting kit for the R1100S.

So, my question is what does the forum consider to be the most suitable GPS for me to use?

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 8:23 am
by Vince
I think the Zumo with euro maps should do you nicely. I have the 500 and am very happy with it (can use it in the car as well with optional car mount (500). With hindsight I wished I'd paid the extra for the 550 which had the car mount included and euro map preinstalled with bigger memory.

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 8:25 am
by JoeC
The start of another great debate!
Never used one before on a bike but I think the general concensus is ... it's up to you.
TomTom are clear, fairly quick in operation and easy to use.
Garmin almost as good but you can pre plan a route via your PC and then download the route to your Garmin.
However, I think you can now do this with TomTom via some web software and Google maps.

Over to some people who have used them on a bike ...

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 8:48 am
by Karlos
Hi Gragusta

Welcome to the site.
I have the Tom Tom Rider 2 Europe, my brother has the Garmin 550 Zumo, what can I say he is happy with his, I am happy with mine, you pays your money you takes your choice.. :wink:
There really is not much difference in either as regards user friendliness or planning your trip on the pc both are just as good as each other.
On holiday I always take a map with me to find the nicest twistiest roads and then only use the Tom Tom if I happen to get lost :oops:

Un saludo

Karlos

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:10 am
by JoeC
Halfrauds are doing some deals at present but there are other sites doing them as well :

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... gory_84370

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:56 am
by Blackal
The Zumo is the best option for Europe, I think. The R1100s handles the bulk of the unit very well, and my preference is a replacement clutch reservoir cover, with a RAM-ball fitted. There are a couple of threads devoted to the subject on this forum, and a few pics too - have a look through.

If you want the clutch reservoir mount - I think they are only available from the USA, but you have time to sort that out before September. There are a couple of links to the USA site in the threads mentioned.

Back to GPS units...............

You will never regret getting the Zumo (550) but you could well regret opting for the TomTom :?

The Zumo 550 is a remarkably good unit, with all the accessories included in the price.

Al :D

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 5:33 pm
by timbox2
Ive got the Tom Tom, sometimes I wish Id have gone for the Zumo, but to me, having to fork out extra for the headset makes the Garmin considerably more expensive.
I believe the Tom Tom is easier for entering Post Codes.

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 6:42 pm
by darkness
The Zumo 550 is ideal for the bike, big buttons allow zooming etc on the move, and mapping via Northing/Easting couple with Google overlays.

Overal good package.

Darkness

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 8:05 pm
by Dave H
I have a zumo for touring europe and use a pda with tomtom 6 for work, when I had problems with the tomtom support was dire, yet garmin were on the ball.
find the garmin clunky to use, but the pda is quick, the mapping appears to
be better on the garmin.
www.zumoforums.com/

link will give you an insite into the zumo world, there has been some issues with the zumo just dieing in use, mine has done it twice, but removal of the battery usually restarts it ( make sure you have a suitable allen key ) I don't do the software updates at the moment because the last time the zumo became un usable