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#15 Reply
Posted by
Bønne
on 26 Mar, 2014 00:36
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I´ve got the original Honda GPS for the Varadero, which in fact is a Garmin Zümo 550 in disguise
. The benefit in
buying the Honda model was that it came with bracket, wiring and remote control made for the Varadero, so it was
just plug & play.
But I don´t think it´s available anymore as Garmin no longer sells the 550 model. Now it´s the Zümo 660 model
that´s intended for motorcycles.
Despite some limitations in capacity when making long routes, I´m very happy with it and, as Jolly Green Giant, I
also use it as a platform, coupled with my SonyEricsson cellphone, my Interphone F4 intercom and my Ipod, all via
Bluetooth.
As it´s the only GPS I´ve had, I don´t know anything about BernardBernard or whatever the competing brand
are called
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#16 Reply
Posted by
jackyork
on 26 Mar, 2014 04:50
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Use what works for you but I only offer my own experience. After years at the top, Garmin have lost it for me; the usability is totally gone with gadgets and graphics and I have difficulty finding the 'clever' things it can do. I read a digital camera review, when they were new and what the guy said struck a chord with me as it applies to all 'tools'; that was, when picking up a new camera, he never read the instructions first, as he wants to see how simple it is to use; the 'EASE' of use being all.
I'm also not too happy about music in the helmet on motorcycles; I think you need all your wits focused when riding although I do sometimes sing to myself on long straight roads.
You can find your way (as I did) round a TomTom by pushing the buttons but Garmin; you need night school. (and the one I have turns itself off when you pick it up). They do, Bernard, have a nasty habit of sending you on detours when you least expect.
In the early days, Magellan was a big player but not well thought of, shows how things change. Have to say, my Garmin Nuvi 250 is still a brilliant 'tool' but they 'lost their way!' in my humble but worldly opinion.
JK
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#17 Reply
Posted by
zebulon
on 26 Mar, 2014 20:50
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I've used my Nuvi 760 for years in an Otterbox to protect; Think it's more readable and practical than a Freeze bag
He is still riding on an other bike I see sometimes ...
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#18 Reply
Posted by
Ironman.WP
on 29 Mar, 2014 08:59
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A mate of mine works for Tracker (the folks that track down your stolen car or bike). His company only uses Tom Tom (partly because the have shares in Tom Tom and partly because their systems are working off of Tom Tom GPS navigation) ...apparently Tom Tom used to supply Garmin with maps. The union however didn't last and Garmin broke ties with Tom Tom in doing their own thing. Now Garmin's mapping is a couple of years behind in most of our cities. Can't say it's the situation world wide though.
Like I said, this is word of mouth and not factual investigation by me...
I don't own either one, but have used both for work. Garmin took me through Central Johannesburg to get "around" it to an address. In my humble opinion the Tom Tom kicks ass!
My 2 cents..
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#19 Reply
Posted by
Two Plugs
on 29 Mar, 2014 22:25
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New 'big' Honda's (including the Crosstourer) are now as 'action' temporally delivered including the TomTom Rider in the Netherlands.
Garmin maps are not only 'a little behind' in South Africa, its the same in Europe. Partly because TomTom (every TomTom, also the car based 'one' and 'go', but also the off-work build in TomTom devices in f.e. Mazda, Toyota, Renault and Fiat - they can't be wrong either!) are standard equipped with a feature called 'Map Share'.
Roads change by up to 15% every year, depending to the country where you live. To ensure the best navigation experience, TomTom does everything in its power to create the best maps and allows it customers (voluntary) to report changes in road situations. These reports help to detect changes in your area and keep future versions of maps as accurate as possible. Reported changes are double checked by TomTom's map supplier before shared amongst other TomTom users.
I have used this feature a couple of times (reporting f.e. an intersection which was changed in a roundabout, etc) but I download the free 'map share' updates every month.
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#20 Reply
Posted by
jackyork
on 30 Mar, 2014 06:13
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Re; Nuvi 750 ...as I said, Garmin WERE good but they 'lost their way'.
But even when they were good, I've been led a merry dance by them with experiences like Two Plugs's & the Jo'Burg connection.
I was tempted by a Nuvi 250 for 23euro yesterday. Can you load TomTom maps on it?
JK
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#21 Reply
Posted by
Past It
on 30 Mar, 2014 14:55
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I have a Garmin Nuvi. I also have a £50.00 Chinese GPS off of ebay, it uses Igo maps.
On a recent trip to Yorkshire – 250 miles – in the car, I used both of them.
The Chinese GPS was far superior to the Garmin. Both in display and updating when 'off route'' Whilst the Garmin was still telling me I was off route, the Chinese GPS had already plotted the new route. The Igo maps were far superior to the Garmin, with the location being very precise.
For £50.00 you get the latest GPS software and maps. This is cheaper than just updating maps on the Garmin.
The Chinese unit also has a number of other functions, music, photos, games, etc. It has a built in battery – lasts about 4 hours – also socket to power from the bike. It has a earphone socket and a mini card socket. It is not sold as being waterproof but I have used it in the rain on the bike with just a smear of Vaseline over the joints and connections. I have had it 18 months now and it is my GPS of choice.
My original bike GPS was a motorcycle specific Garmin bought in 2002 for £675.00! It still works but the maps are not longer supported by Garmin
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#22 Reply
Posted by
Two Plugs
on 30 Mar, 2014 19:05
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I know about your 'Chinese' experiences, Barry and re-reading your comments (also on the UK forum) I am impressed by the Chinese GPS you are using. It proves one more thing... In fact, GARMIN are like BMuu motorbikes... They are BY FAR OVERRATED. That's also the reason why I mentioned Magellan, which actually invented the customer SatNav navigation far before Garmin or TomTom kicked in.
And if you look at the price... Hilarious! That's worth a try.
I think most GPS devices these days, can deal with Google maps (more- or less adjusted)
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#23 Reply
Posted by
zebulon
on 31 Mar, 2014 20:07
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Tomtom's maps are used by Apple in their mapping soft "Plans"... competing to Googlemaps.
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I've been wondering which SatNav is better for ages.
From reading these replies, I have to say it's very close between Garmin & TomTom, but I think TomTom just nudges into the lead. Do the Rider IV and 660 both have speed camera warnings and current speed limit readouts?
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#25 Reply
Posted by
zebulon
on 01 Apr, 2014 13:53
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I've been wondering which SatNav is better for ages.
From reading these replies, I have to say it's very close between Garmin & TomTom, but I think TomTom just nudges into the lead. Do the Rider IV and 660 both have speed camera warnings and current speed limit readouts?
Yes for the 660
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#26 Reply
Posted by
Two Plugs
on 01 Apr, 2014 22:14
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I've been wondering which SatNav is better for ages.
From reading these replies, I have to say it's very close between Garmin & TomTom, but I think TomTom just nudges into the lead. Do the Rider IV and 660 both have speed camera warnings and current speed limit readouts?
Yes for the TomTom.
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#27 Reply
Posted by
jackyork
on 03 Apr, 2014 01:58
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@Welshwizard. you KNOW we can't call them that! Here in UK they are Safety cameras; and don't get caught with the facility in France or they fine you and confiscate the kit.
JK
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I could be wrong but I don't think the french police will check to see if you have safety camera locations or danger zones loaded.
I mean at the same time they could see max speed
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#29 Reply
Posted by
jackyork
on 03 Apr, 2014 03:17
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re; gendarmes, I think you'll find France disabled when you try to download the info, I seem to remember from my last update. It may still be on some of the older units and I escaped without detection but with said gendarmes and touristes Anglais, you never know.
Certainly when the legislation came in they were jumping people but the novelty will have worn off a bit as with the breathalyser.
JK