GPS Benifits for the ignorant...

crx81 · 04-29-2005, 11:27 PM

Ok, I admit it... this is a stupid question. What are the benifits to GPS units while riding? I know a lot of people use them, but I'm completely GPS ignorant.

Is this something that's only useful when touring, or are there other uses that I'm unaware of?

Squid Killer · 05-01-2005, 09:30 PM

I dont use mine while riding (in motion) but find it very useful to find gas stations and places to eat while traveling. Mine has very detailed maps that tell every business I might need along the way. All I have to do is pull over and take a few minutes with it.

Moon · 05-02-2005, 04:35 PM

There is also the "entertainment value" of seeing your max speed, avg speed, distance traveled etc....

mykrowsy · 05-03-2005, 08:43 PM

It also works nice in compass mode, if you're just riding wherever random roads take you. Plus, you get a real-time view of your actual speed. Bike speedos usually read high, especially if geared down for whee... i mean acceleration. GPS units with mapping also track your route, so u can use it if you get lost, it will tell you where you came from.

VIVID1 · 05-04-2005, 10:59 AM

I use mine as a moving map mostly, so I can always tell what roads are coming up and what direction I’m riding. Makes it easier to follow my route.

g®eg™ · 05-11-2005, 02:25 PM

makes it easy to plan a"cool" route vs. the slab, etc.

madiaz · 05-11-2005, 07:23 PM

greetings,
which brands and models is everyone using?
how does the mapping work? it shows what route you took and then you can re-trace?

How specific are the maps on you're units? do they show all the liitle country roads and secluded roads?

Are they realy worth the extra $ over a traditional map and compass? Any one that used this method previously doesn't the GPS unit take out some of the adventure and romance of exploring?

thanks, regards, m.a.d.

kangaroooski · 05-12-2005, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madiaz

greetings,
which brands and models is everyone using?
how does the mapping work? it shows what route you took and then you can re-trace?

How specific are the maps on you're units? do they show all the liitle country roads and secluded roads?

Are they realy worth the extra $ over a traditional map and compass? Any one that used this method previously doesn't the GPS unit take out some of the adventure and romance of exploring?

thanks, regards, m.a.d.

I currently use a Garmin GPS III+ (will hopefully move up to a GPS V+ soon), and really enjoy it. With the III+ it has a North American base map for all the highways and other major roads. To get the secondary/country roads I have to download info from a Garmin cd on my computer for each county that I want. The downloaded maps are very specific, and depending of the program that is used it can bring up all the information that you need. I use Garmins "roads & recreation" for both the US and Canada.
I love my GPS and will not go riding without it. It is the most used/fun mod that I ever did to my motorcycles. But I also do not enjoy being lost at all! So I guess it might take some of the adventure out, but because of my GPS I know I have gone more places than I ever would have without it.

g®eg™ · 05-12-2005, 07:34 AM

I have a Garmin StreetPilot 2610.
It has most of the North American basemap loaded on to a 1 gig CF card.
it's a graphic "moving map". I can use the Map Source software to plan my routes & I can also download trips to my computer.

mykrowsy · 05-12-2005, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kangaroooski

I currently use a Garmin GPS III+ (will hopefully move up to a GPS V+ soon), and really enjoy it. With the III+ it has a North American base map for all the highways and other major roads. To get the secondary/country roads I have to download info from a Garmin cd on my computer for each county that I want. The downloaded maps are very specific, and depending of the program that is used it can bring up all the information that you need. I use Garmins "roads & recreation" for both the US and Canada.
I love my GPS and will not go riding without it. It is the most used/fun mod that I ever did to my motorcycles. But I also do not enjoy being lost at all! So I guess it might take some of the adventure out, but because of my GPS I know I have gone more places than I ever would have without it.

I also have the GPSIII+. Where did you find the Roads & Recreation software? Also, how many counties will it hold before the memory's full?

thanks,
Mike

bumblebee · 05-12-2005, 09:24 AM

I buy maps from the State and county DOT's...much cheaper and they don't need batteries

VIVID1 · 05-12-2005, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madiaz

greetings,
which brands and models is everyone using?

I use the GARMIN V

DiverDown · 05-12-2005, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIVID1

I use the GARMIN V

Same here, still trying to figure it all out, but really like it so far.

kangaroooski · 05-12-2005, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykrowsy

I also have the GPSIII+. Where did you find the Roads & Recreation software? Also, how many counties will it hold before the memory's full?

thanks,
Mike

I found the R & R software on ebay, I think I paid about $20 per cd. Alot better than $80+ brand new in the stores.

The III+ will hold about 10 counties or so depending on the detail of the county. The more roads/information the fewer the counties. The III+ will hold 1.42mb of memory and is not upgradable, this is the only reason I have looked into getting a GPS V. The V will hold about 19 mb of info I think.

I hope this helps.

kangaroooski · 05-12-2005, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bumblebee

I buy maps from the State and county DOT's...much cheaper and they don't need batteries

I dont use batteries either, mine is hardwired!!!