GPS Question

Hello

I've been looking for a new GPS, but I dont want to break the bank with the cost of a Zumo. Do any of you know of a GPS that will allow "Custom Routing" so I can create a route and then upload it to the GPS? Any input would be appreciated.

 

Have you tried EBay for the Zumo, if that is what you really want, you might be able to pick up a slightly used one for cheap(er). Eithere that or look at the car ones, you can get most of the Zumo features for cheaper. Costco sometimes has a Garmin in theri coupon book, not sure of the model.

 

I ended up buying the zumo for the ability to create my own custom routes.
This was a few years back. There might be units now that allow you to do custom routes.

 

I was looking at the Zumo 220 it will allow the custom routes that I want and alot more. I think I'll just pull the trigger and get the Zumo. Thanks for your input guys.

 

Zumo cost more than $400. And that might be your concern.
If having no issue with the small display and less functional, you can have a look at some Gamin handheld GPS. I.e Garmin Etrex Vista. That costs abt $200.
That one also can provide track log and routing function. I have one and it 's good for me while riding outside of City.

 

I use a Garmin Nuvi 750 and it works great, it does custom routes, but it isn't waterproof. Not that big of a deal for me since I don't ride in the rain much anymore. They can be found for around $200.

 

FJ12, Lets see a pic of that mount you have there...

 

I bought the parts separately, but here it is all together at GPSCity.com: Ram mountl
Here's a pic, not the best but gives you an idea. You just throw away the part that goes around the handlebar and bolt the other piece on using the gas tank mounting bolts. I put longer mounting bolts just to be on the safe site. I also used some compressible foam to make the GPS be really solid in the mount. I also wired in a power cable from the fuze box so I can plug the Nuvi in while on the bike.

 

I have one of those mounts ordered and was waiting for it to arrive to see how much longer the tank bolts should be.
Stock bolts are 28mm long according to the parts diagram.
What length did you end up using?

 

A little off-topic, but still GPS related and somewhat relevant to the mounting.
Do any of you have any suggestions for making the GPS easier to read when in bright sunlight?
Even at 100% brightness level, it has very little contrast.
One thing I just thought of but haven't tried would be using the nighttime setting.
I have only used the daytime setting and the nightime setting might have more contrast.
If we ever get another sunny day, I'll try it.

Still looking for suggestions, though.

 

Dunno what length is in mm, but the bolt I'm using has 1 3/8" threaded area. Hope that helps. Looks like about 35mm. It's probably a little long, but it was all the hardware store had on hand at the time.

 

Thank You!

 

depending on your model the brightness and the contrast may be different controls, you may also be able to set your GPS to change from the daytime setting to the nighttime setting automatically at sunrise/sunset each day.

 

My Garmin 205W seems to have just a brightness control. Didn't find anything for contrast.
It has a Daytime setting, a Nighttime setting, and an automatic option.
I have never had the occasion to use the nighttime setting so I have no idea how it looks in the sun.
I thought possibly there was an anti-glare screen cover that might help.

I also think the UV protection in my faceshield and the UV protection in my sunglasses may be too much UV protection.
Shield is clear, shades are not.

 

do you have a manual to check? Even my 1st GPS, about 12 years ago, had both brightness and contrast. And that was only a monochrome display.

And the routing was simply straight line!
And you couldn't even have the detail maps of the whole state loaded at the same time!
And there were no POIs! (I don't think)

 

Kind of. :biggrin:
It came with a "quick start manual" that doesn't tell you much more than the typical advertising brochure.
I probably should do a search and see if there might be:
1. On-line manuals
2. A GPS forum

I bought it at Best Buy I think and I might get some help from some of their people.
The problem there will be finding someone that knows enough about the unit to be of any help.

Thanks for the help.
I probably should quit hi-jacking this thread.

 

Oddly enough, it doesn't look like you do have contrast, but you have a currency converter??? Hmm, which would most people use???

http://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/nuvi200_OwnersManual.pdf

 

FWIW,my unit is the 205W and it isn't listed as being covered by that manual.
Garmin ha so many different models that I haven't a clue as to what the differences might be.

I will defintely take a long look at the manual you linked to.
Probably will learn a few things that apply to the 205W.
Thanks.

 

Thanks for all the post. I ordered the Zumo 220 from Amazon today.

 

Why do you need GPS? Do you deliver packages?

Seriously just asking .