The Garmin Thread

[evl_twn]

Originally Posted by BizJetGuy

I'm done with iPods.

I'm on the search for an alternative and now thinking about a combination music machine/GPS solution. If not, there look to be some good alternatives.

Be careful with the Apple critique... the bond runs strong among many!

I got a Garmin Nuvi 350 this past spring which has a built in mp3 player. It uses SD cards, and I currently only have a 2GB card. I've thought about getting a 4GB card, but the 2GB had enough music on it to last all of a 21 hour ride, and I still had a bunch of stuff on the card I didn't even get to.

The battery has lasted all the way from here to Putnam before, which is about 2.5-3 hours, but I had it powered from the bike on the trip, running through the Chatterbox.

Amazon has them now for only $159: (was 199 when I bought mine )

Amazon.com: Garmin nüvi 350 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech: Electronics

[SomeStrangeGuy]

Originally Posted by evl_twn

I got a Garmin Nuvi 350 this past spring which has a built in mp3 player. It uses SD cards, and I currently only have a 2GB card. I've thought about getting a 4GB card, but the 2GB had enough music on it to last all of a 21 hour ride, and I still had a bunch of stuff on the card I didn't even get to.

The battery has lasted all the way from here to Putnam before, which is about 2.5-3 hours, but I had it powered from the bike on the trip, running through the Chatterbox.

Amazon has them now for only $159: (was 199 when I bought mine )

Amazon.com: Garmin nüvi 350 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech: Electronics

make sure that:
a. Your device supports either SD and or SDHC cards.
b. Your card readers support SD and or SDHC cards.
c. You buy an SD or SDHC card for it.

There is a difference, I believe 4gb is the max for SD whereas SDHC is 32gb or something?

[BizJetGuy]

Originally Posted by evl_twn

I got a Garmin Nuvi 350 this past spring which has a built in mp3 player. It uses SD cards, and I currently only have a 2GB card. I've thought about getting a 4GB card, but the 2GB had enough music on it to last all of a 21 hour ride, and I still had a bunch of stuff on the card I didn't even get to.

The battery has lasted all the way from here to Putnam before, which is about 2.5-3 hours, but I had it powered from the bike on the trip, running through the Chatterbox.

Amazon has them now for only $159: (was 199 when I bought mine )

Amazon.com: Garmin nüvi 350 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech: Electronics

How is the weather resistance of the unit? Do you think it would hold up in wet weather riding?

[evl_twn]

Originally Posted by BizJetGuy

How is the weather resistance of the unit? Do you think it would hold up in wet weather riding?

It's not weather resistant according to the Garmin site. When I got stuck in the rain, I just stuffed it back in the tank bag, and got it back out when it cleared up.

If you want waterproof with mp3, you'll want to check out the Zumo.

[BizJetGuy]

Originally Posted by evl_twn

It's not weather resistant according to the Garmin site. When I got stuck in the rain, I just stuffed it back in the tank bag, and got it back out when it cleared up.

If you want waterproof with mp3, you'll want to check out the Zumo.

Yeah - I'm looking at closeouts on the 2730. The 550 is a little too much dosh...

[/threadjack]

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by BizJetGuy

Yeah - I'm looking at closeouts on the 2730. The 550 is a little too much dosh...

[/threadjack]

I've resisted the Zumo for quite awhile now because of the price ($675new/$590 refurb) but resistance is becoming futile...

[luvtolean]

I like the Bimmer version of it.

[BizJetGuy]

Originally Posted by evl_twn

It's not weather resistant according to the Garmin site. When I got stuck in the rain, I just stuffed it back in the tank bag, and got it back out when it cleared up.

If you want waterproof with mp3, you'll want to check out the Zumo.

Probably should put this in another thread but here goes...

Does the nuvi have an outlet for earbuds/headphones? Couldn't find that info on the amazon description.

[ND4SPD]

Originally Posted by BizJetGuy

Probably should put this in another thread but here goes...

Does the nuvi have an outlet for earbuds/headphones? Couldn't find that info on the amazon description.

Nope, you gotta tape it to the side of your head.

[evl_twn]

Originally Posted by BizJetGuy

Probably should put this in another thread but here goes...

Does the nuvi have an outlet for earbuds/headphones? Couldn't find that info on the amazon description.

Yep. I used a 1/8" cable to send directly to my chatterbox, so I have never (until just now) tried it with earbuds. It works great!

The right side has the card slot, USB ports, and audio out.

If you look close on the display, I currently have 313 mp3 tracks on it.

[BizJetGuy]

Alright - I decided to stop threadjacking the iPod thread...

Here's my criteria:

GPS (duh.)
mp3 player
Ability to load custom maps
FM transmitter for audio directions/music over car radio
Bluetooth (optional)
Motorcycle capable (vibration resistant, etc.)
Affordable (less than $300)

I've been looking at the discontinued 2730 and now looking at the nuvi 660. The Zumo, especially the 550, is the cat's pajamas but I can't squeeze that much out of the piggy bank right now.

I've heard that the nuvi 660 won't accept custom maps from Google Maps but is there another way to generate custom maps?

Any other options out there with real-world experiences?

[Baketech]

You ride a SportTourer, and left out waterproof....

Spring the $590 bucks for a factory refurb Zumo 5-fiddy, so I can borrow it....

[BizJetGuy]

Originally Posted by Baketech

You ride a SportTourer, and left out waterproof....

Spring the $590 bucks for a factory refurb Zumo 5-fiddy, so I can borrow it....

Zip-locks go a long way... when you're on a budget

[SomeStrangeGuy]

Originally Posted by BizJetGuy

Zip-locks go a long way... when you're on a budget

But expensive and you only cry once. Trust me I know budgets, but replacing your make-do gps because it got a little wet is going to piss you off a lot more than laying out the cash initially.

However...the 27xx are waterproof, as is that new Nuvi 500 or whatever (which I haven't looked at in awhile so it might actually cost more).

[BizJetGuy]

Originally Posted by SomeStrangeGuy

But expensive and you only cry once. Trust me I know budgets, but replacing your make-do gps because it got a little wet is going to piss you off a lot more than laying out the cash initially.

However...the 27xx are waterproof, as is that new Nuvi 500 or whatever (which I haven't looked at in awhile so it might actually cost more).

Looked at the specs on the nuvi 500. It's basically just GPS. No music, no bluetooth, no FM transmitter.

I think it might be a fool's quest unless there are still a few 2730's floating around out there for a song (as long as it includes the XM antenna).

Might have to put this one on the wish list for later.

[ND4SPD]

Hey Biz...

AMA members to get discounts on Garmin products

[DEPO]

I own the Zumo 550 as some of you have seen on my Uly and it is awesome.

It does everything then some....

To me well worth the money to have.... waterproof, high powered GPS, with MP3, Bluetooth, and etc...

[BizJetGuy]

Santa brought me a nuvi 750. So far, so good but I've only done a few short trials in the cage.

Picked up a couple of 2GB SD cards (on sale 50% off at Radio Shack, BTW) and have only put about half capacity on the first card. Me likey. MP3 player works well and the FM Transmitter is just strong enough for the car. It will take some getting used to with regards to navigating through the touch screen but it's fairly intuitive and, by the time I actually attach it to the bike, I'll have a pretty good handle on it by then as I'm using the unit to find locations for work when traveling. It will be interesting to see how it navigates me through Toronto and surrounding areas next week.

I believe I've figured out how to mount it to the bike and I just need to pick up a couple of items from RAM - there is a mount that fits at the steering head for the Aprilia and I can mount the unit in the RAM Aquabox which will protect it from any weather and still allow touch screen functions. Also need to pick up a power cord from powerlet - all relatively minor and available items.

I've also been able to create a few custom routes on the unit itself but it's a little labor intensive. I'll be interested to see how Mapsource works in route programming.

It looks as if this unit will serve a good multi-purpose role for me since it travels light, is portable and easy to switch between vehicles (car/bike/rental car/walking). It's well-rounded enough to where I can use it effectively in most any application and the battery function means it's not tied to the cord.

[SomeStrangeGuy]

Toronto Canada? you got maps for there?

[BizJetGuy]

Originally Posted by SomeStrangeGuy

Toronto Canada? you got maps for there?

North America - hope it's still there

BTW, Kudos to Garmin support - the nuvi's don't come with Mapsource software but a friendly email to Garmin support and a disk is on its way. No charge.

[BizJetGuy]

The North American map worked well in Toronto although once the unit commits to a route, it will do everything it can to get you back on the road it wants you to get on. Seems there is no fine line between highways and no highways.

Still, it got me where I needed to go (for the most part) and helped find a British Pub... or two.

Again, superior support from Garmin. When I returned from my trip, I found they had sent the mapsource software (free) and I now have the ability to construct custom routes on my computer and transfer them to the device. This will make for some interesting fun this riding season.

Now that winter is officially here, I'm in no huge rush to get my set-up mounted on the bike. However, I plan to get the aquabox and a few other bits to start bodging it together over the next few weeks. I love the ability to use this unit in the car and on foot. I'm sure the functionality will be good on the bike, as well. The good thing about getting this in the winter is that I should be familiar with the menus, etc. in the car instead of learning "on the fly" on the bike.