Noobie needs help selecting GPS

ogsarg · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 25, 2006 Posts: 15

I'm pretty overwhelmed looking at all the options and having never used a GPS (other than in a Hertz rental) I'm having a hard time deciding what features are important. Here are my needs/desires:

Primary use will be on a Guzzi. I do lots of backroad riding with poor to nasty pavement.

I would also like to be able to use it in a rental car when I travel for business.

Looking for a good balance between small size and being able to read screen/use controls.

I'd like to use the system to help find alternate roads.

My budget is in the 500-600 dollar range for everything but could stretch it if worthwhile. That would be for GPS, handlebar mount, and any other necessary accesories.

All suggestions welcome.

Thanks

SpeedTriple1050 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 11, 2006 Posts: 10

I can fully recommend the TomTom Rider, but I have no experience with other systems. It's listed at $899 on their site but you should be able to get it cheaper if you search around. The car mounting kit is extra. If you want to listen to the instructions then you either have to wear the single in-ear head phone or buy a bluetooth speaker, like the ones people use to talk on their phones 'hands free'. Hopefully somebody else can let you know if the other systems have speakers fitted to the GPS.

Kritou · Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:33 pm Post subject:

No contest ....... Quest 2

nigel1100 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 03, 2005 Posts: 16

Kritou

I agree.....Quest 2 all the way for me.
I can use this on my Harley, in my Discovery and good for when I am in the field. Brilliant for tracking back to the car, when on foot.

Regards

Nigel

ogsarg · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 25, 2006 Posts: 15

The Quest does seem to have what I'm looking for. Any recommendation for a mount to 7/8 bars?
Any other accesories that would be important?

Thanks

Kritou · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 7:19 am Post subject:

You need the RAM mount kit - Google for the US site and ask their advice on the specific connecting bits for your bike. Then basically you want a cradle (RAM-HOL-G15) and the audio adapter to get the voice output (ACQ-35) These are about $20 ea. The latter feeds then to your earpiece/helmet speaker

You may later wish to power the Quest from the bike and the QPAC-35 ($55) will step down the voltage from 12v to 5 as well as providing the audio as above - but I suggest you start with the simpler audio only package and run the Quest on it's internel batteries (good for more hours than you can stand riding a HD!)

The prices above are a rough conversion from £ to $ and you may find it somewhat cheaper if purchasing in the US where I presume you are

ogsarg · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 25, 2006 Posts: 15

Thanks for all the input. I have a Quest 2 and Ram mount on the way. I am going to try using it without any voice commands on the bike for now and see how that works out. I really don't like speakers in the helmet, but I'll put in something if I find I need it later on.

Here in the states I got a good deal from buydig.com and free shipping.

XJR · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:50 pm Post subject:

Guys, can you tell me the benefits the Quest2 has over the original Quest?

Kritou · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:23 pm Post subject:

XJR · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:34 pm Post subject:

Ah, but that would take half the fun out of my bike trip!!!! Laughing

Jelster · Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 12:38 am Post subject:

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