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After much ridicule about my crumpled, old fashioned maps, I've decided to get up to date and purchase a GPS. I have a Garmin, hand held etrex with such a small screen that there is no way to see and use the GPS while riding a motorcycle. I would like one that is large enough and durable such that I could use it both for my off road riding(I do frequently tip over) and for dual sport. My etrex doesn't show the obscure, remote, 4WD/ATV trails but I suppose that is more a function of the software.

Anybody have any favorites or thoughts about what I should be looking at....I'm open to any suggestions!

My first and only is a Garmin GPSMAP 60, now the 60x. A few of us (Troy for one) have them and have had great luck with them lasting through thick and thin. My first one lasted many years (5?) and much abuse (motorcycling, camping, canoeing, etc.) before it lost its water proofness (I think it found its way to the bottom of my duffel where it got banged around). I was happy enough with it I got a 60x.

That said, what I don't like about the 60 is that you can't rotate the screen from portrait mode. Thus it has to be mounted above the bars and sticks up a bit because otherwise the antenna will catch on the front brake cable. This high mount is ok for DS but limits the rider's ability to hug the bars on steep climbs doing gnarly stuff.

My new thought, as yet unacted on, is a GPS with a screen that can be put in landscape mode and then mounted right on top of the bar clamps. Right where a bar pad would go. That would be down low and awesome for gnarly stuff and still very usable for DS.

Color display is pretty much a requirement for me.

Most of the guys I ride with have Garmin's and that way our routes and tracks are all compatible, as is loading routes, maps, etc. from one laptop while on an extended trip. There is software that converts routes and tracks.

Perhaps the Dakota or Oregon series, if they do landscape.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145

safiri wrote:
Perhaps the Dakota or Oregon series, if they do landscape.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145

The Montana does go into landscape mode. I'm asking Santa for one because I wore out my Colorado.

I think the last time I looked for a Garmin 60 they have been discontinued. I think the replacement model is a Garmin 76. Has enhanced performance and features from the 60 series.

Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GPSMAP-60C ... 209&sr=8-1



This is still the unit I'd purchase if it will see off-road use. By "off-road", I don't mean an occasional rutted road. I mean flipping the bike end over end down rock ledges. My 60CS (not x) has seen amazing abuse for 4 years and continues to serve me. I would not expect any electronic device to stand up to what this thing has.

I keep a lazy eye on the latest units, and right now, the 60CSx is still what I'd purchase if my old 60CS lets me down. The 'x' is much faster and accepts a micro SD card to load more data.

Thanks for the comments....I can't believe how many different gps models are on the market...makes it very confusing. I checked out KTM talk and most of those riders use some version of the 60cs. Guess I will check those out among others and the Nuvi 500...a friend has that model and really likes it.

It is very confusing with all the new models. You'll probably want to steer clear of the Nuvi if you want to do offroad trails. AFAIK they won't accept tracks and the only maps you have are the ones it was made with. I don't think the 60csx has a much bigger display than your etrex, but the 60csx is what I use.
In my opinion, rideforum is the best place to get gps info. Troy and Safiri coached me, ajayhawkfan too. ADV has a pretty good gps forum, but some of the keyboard commando jo mamma attitude spills in a bit.
You can get free topo maps @ gpsfiledepot.com, garmin roads and rec is no longer copyright protected and is freely shared, pretty outdated though. It will show gravel roads, but you have to zoom in to the 1/3 mile scale, on garmin topo it's usually 1/2 mile. I don't know much about city select, unlock codes, etc. I like mapsource software but the latest thing is basecamp.
I usually use tracks, (follow the purple line) but some use routes. I don't care for touchscreens but the montana is supposedly improved over zumo. I don't need bluetooth, xm radio, or a camera so the basic model is what I'd have my eye on. I never thought about running one in landscape, but I am now!

I was thinking about getting a GPS as well. I asked my canyoneering friends what they used and the unanimously said get the 60csx. It can bang around on rocks as they drop down canyon walls, survive waterfalls and not become misprogrammed by swinging around and banging into a backpack while on as do the touch screen models.

Stu

In my opinion, the 60CSx is the best GPS for the price out there. They have been discontinued so finding one may be a little harder now.

I have had two 60cx's. They are pretty tough but not bullet proof. I was at Chadwick once and we stopped at stumps springs on a super hot day to stick our head in the creek. When I hung my camel back over the bike my kickstand bolt broke and the bike fell over and smashed my gps inside the camel back. The good thing is Garmin will fix it for $50. Basically they will just swap it at the Olathe offices for a refurbished one.

I have heard that the newer models have much better antennas. Search for some of "MoRidin's" posts on KTMTalk. He's seems to be in the business and had a lot of reasons why the newer models were better. That being said I am happy with mine.

Defnitely go for the csx over the cx if you do any rough trail riding. The elctronic compass is worth the extra money.
Jim

ajayhawkfan wrote:They have been discontinued so finding one may be a little harder now.

Again, it is IN STOCK at Amazon.com, so not difficult to find at all.

stimmer6253472 wrote:Search for some of "MoRidin's" posts on KTMTalk

MoRidin is our riding buddy from the St. Louis area and a member here on RideForum.NET.

randykidd wrote:I can't believe how many different gps models are on the market...makes it very confusing.

YES! Heck, just try to figure out the difference between all Garmin's NUVI models! What is their marketing plan that has them creating 8,000 models?!

I have a simple, older NUVI for use in my car and love it. However, the thing wouldn't last a day on my KTM at a place like Chadwick. It's also not waterproof, although you can purchase a clumsy waterproof box for it. Katbeans points out that you should try to be aware of the different feature sets. For example, the 60CS was my fist GPS, and I'm still using it after years of serious abuse. When I purchased my NUVI for the car, I assumed it would have similar features--both from Garmin and all. What really hit me odd was that you can't create a route and load it on the NUVI (at least not my old NUVI model). It's great for every-day automobile navigation. However, if you want to create an interesting back-highway route, I don't think it's even possible on my NUVI--no feature to load routes.

MoRidin is a big fan of the newer eTrex units, and he is in a position to know what he's talking about when it comes to GPS and navigation. When I rode his bike for about 30 minutes, I found the screen detail hard to interpret, but then again, I'm sure you'd get used to it.

When Garmin launched the Colorado series, I was excited about a couple features, but they really aren't useful unless your riding buddies also have Colorados. First, you can see the other riders position on your screen up to 2 miles away...with the ability to chain between units. So if your sweep rider is 5 miles back but you have other Colorado units between you with less than 2 mile gaps, you can see everybody's position. Second, you can use Bluetooth to share data (routes, tracks, waypoints). I've not seen these features used--just read the marketing material, and as you know, things don't work as good as the marketing material says.

troy wrote:

ajayhawkfan wrote:They have been discontinued so finding one may be a little harder now.

Again, it is IN STOCK at Amazon.com, so not difficult to find at all.

stimmer6253472 wrote:Search for some of "MoRidin's" posts on KTMTalk

MoRidin is our riding buddy from the St. Louis area and a member here on RideForum.NET.

randykidd wrote:I can't believe how many different gps models are on the market...makes it very confusing.

YES! Heck, just try to figure out the difference between all Garmin's NUVI models! What is their marketing plan that has them creating 8,000 models?!

I have a simple, older NUVI for use in my car and love it. However, the thing wouldn't last a day on my KTM at a place like Chadwick. It's also not waterproof, although you can purchase a clumsy waterproof box for it. Katbeans points out that you should try to be aware of the different feature sets. For example, the 60CS was my fist GPS, and I'm still using it after years of serious abuse. When I purchased my NUVI for the car, I assumed it would have similar features--both from Garmin and all. What really hit me odd was that you can't create a route and load it on the NUVI (at least not my old NUVI model). It's great for every-day automobile navigation. However, if you want to create an interesting back-highway route, I don't think it's even possible on my NUVI--no feature to load routes.

MoRidin is a big fan of the newer eTrex units, and he is in a position to know what he's talking about when it comes to GPS and navigation. When I rode his bike for about 30 minutes, I found the screen detail hard to interpret, but then again, I'm sure you'd get used to it.

When Garmin launched the Colorado series, I was excited about a couple features, but they really aren't useful unless your riding buddies also have Colorados. First, you can see the other riders position on your screen up to 2 miles away...with the ability to chain between units. So if your sweep rider is 5 miles back but you have other Colorado units between you with less than 2 mile gaps, you can see everybody's position. Second, you can use Bluetooth to share data (routes, tracks, waypoints). I've not seen these features used--just read the marketing material, and as you know, things don't work as good as the marketing material says.

I have a Colorado. It has some very nice features but would not buy it again and I'm guessing that is thought of many because it has already been discontinued. The major problem is the engineering around the power plug. It is easy to break the connection in the body. I have had to sent it back 3 times for that. I'm sending it back again because of that problem and because the "rolling rocker" is wearing out.

When fixed it will be my back up GPS if Santa is good to me and delivers a Montana under my tree.

ajayhawkfan wrote: I have a Colorado. It has some very nice features but would not buy it again and I'm guessing that is thought of many because it has already been discontinued. The major problem is the engineering around the power plug. It is easy to break the connection in the body. I have had to sent it back 3 times for that. I'm sending it back again because of that problem and because the "rolling rocker" is wearing out.

When fixed it will be my back up GPS if Santa is good to me and delivers a Montana under my tree.

Good info--for off-road use, a strong power plug connection is critical. You can't get more solid and secure than the connection on the 60CS(x). I think MoRidin accidentally yanked his power cord and damaged his eTrex. Garmin replaced it, though.

You've been pretty good from what I hear, Eddie, so I bet Santa delivers on that Montana. We look forward to the field report!

Thanks for all the information....I definitely know more about GPS then a month ago. Based on feedback from this forum, and my research, it seems that the Montana 600 is what I'm going with. Has the advantages of the 60cs but with the bigger touchscreen. Kindof expensive, although much cheaper on Amazon at $459, then anywhere else.

randykidd wrote:Thanks for all the information....I definitely know more about GPS then a month ago. Based on feedback from this forum, and my research, it seems that the Montana 600 is what I'm going with. Has the advantages of the 60cs but with the bigger touchscreen. Kindof expensive, although much cheaper on Amazon at $459, then anywhere else.

I don't know what model Montana you are interested in purchasing. But if you are purchasing the basic model there is only the base map which is useless unless you only drive the interstates system.

I was thinking of paying the extra and getting the 650T with the topo until I read the following from a review:

"I do not recommend paying the extra for the 650t; I suggest getting the Montana 650 instead. The 650t includes preloaded 100K scale topos, but you can get much more detailed 24K scale topos for free at GPS File Depot. The 650t might make sense if you tend to travel around the US a lot though."

http://gpsfiledepot.com/

You guys know more about this than I do but unless I'm missing something, it seems to make more sense to download the 24k region as needed. My trips tend to be in small, concentrated areas like south missouri, north arkansas and taylor park in colorado. Plus...I like the free stuff!!!!

If you didn't already get one for Christmas, I highly recommend the 62S Garmin. I love mine. Battery life is nice and long and the unit is pretty rugged. I only use mine as a back up for when my phone battery gives out but I love it when I need it. Just my 2 cents on the issue. Happy New Year everyone!

Santa delivered a Montana 650t!!!!

Something I found out the hard way. If you want to add City Navigator buy the CD. Do NOT purchase the downloaded version. The downloaded version goes directly to the GPSr and not the computer. You can only use the City Nav maps on your computer when your GPSr is connected to the computer. With the CD you can download them onto your computer and use the map anytime.

Now I'm getting familiar with BaseCamp because they are phasing out MapSource.

ajayhawkfan wrote:Something I found out the hard way. If you want to add City Navigator buy the CD. Do NOT purchase the downloaded version. The downloaded version goes directly to the GPSr and not the computer. You can only use the City Nav maps on your computer when your GPSr is connected to the computer. With the CD you can download them onto your computer and use the map anytime.

ARGH! Sounds like false advertising to me. It's like when I buy a computer and one of the features is "Comes with Windows 7", but as it turns out, it's not the same product as going out and buying Windows 7. If I buy it, I have a license I can put on any computer. With the OEM on the purchased PC, it's only valid on that hardware. That's fine, but TELL ME UP FRONT--don't advertise it as if it's the same thing.

Oh and while we are on the subject of stupidity, why is it when I purchase a DVD I have to go through so much CRAP to watch the movie--forced trailers, etc. Meanwhile, the guy who stole the movie torrent enjoys instant play and portability. Look, I don't plan to steal movies, but why should the guy who steals the product have a better user experience?! My daughter's Barbie and Disney movies are the worst--10+ minutes of crap before I can start the movie. HEY, a 4.5 year old's attention span is short enough and now I have to baby-sit the damn DVD player so I can eventually START the movie.

troy wrote: ARGH! Sounds like false advertising to me. It's like when I buy a computer and one of the features is "Comes with Windows 7", but as it turns out, it's not the same product as going out and buying Windows 7. If I buy it, I have a license I can put on any computer. With the OEM on the purchased PC, it's only valid on that hardware. That's fine, but TELL ME UP FRONT--don't advertise it as if it's the same thing.

Oh and while we are on the subject of stupidity, why is it when I purchase a DVD I have to go through so much CRAP to watch the movie--forced trailers, etc. Meanwhile, the guy who stole the movie torrent enjoys instant play and portability. Look, I don't plan to steal movies, but why should the guy who steals the product have a better user experience?! My daughter's Barbie and Disney movies are the worst--10+ minutes of crap before I can start the movie. HEY, a 4.5 year old's attention span is short enough and now I have to baby-sit the damn DVD player so I can eventually START the movie.

Do you feel better?