Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS
best gps device best gps device
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS How to find your way - traditional map, compass and road signs, or GPS and more
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Jul 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: costa rica
Posts: 37
best gps device
hi everyone,
looking for a good gps system for my stock klr 650.
any opinions?
dave
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 16 Jul 2007
rhinoculips's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Dillon, Colorado USA
Posts: 73
I used a Garmin 60cx on my ride to South America and loved it. Good for using on and off the bike, color screen, uploadable world maps onto an expandable mini-SD card. They are not too expensive and buying a new one on Ebay they are even cheaper. Though, if I were to buy a new GPS it would upgrade to the very similar 60csx that has an electronic compass and barometer(altimeter) Thus, I could track my elevation gain/loss through out each day. I do recommend using a power cord instead of AA batteries(even if you use the rechargeable ones)
Last edited by rhinoculips; 16 Jul 2007 at 03:53.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 16 Jul 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinoculips View Post
Though, if I were to buy a new GPS it would upgrade to the very similar 60csx that has an electronic compass and barometer(altimeter) Thus, I could track my elevation gain/loss through out each day.
You can track your alititude using the 60Cx ... may be not with the same level of accuracy (and that only if you recalibrate frequently for weather changes to the barometic pressure). The 60Csx also uses more battery power = shorter battery life. I have the 60Cx too .. would not spend the extra for the 's' version!. Happy with the 60Cx. But it depends on what you want to do with it .. if you want to use it on and off the bike then I'd say the 60Cx is it.

The question is like asking - What is the best bike?
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 16 Jul 2007
rhinoculips's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Dillon, Colorado USA
Posts: 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Warner View Post
You can track your alititude using the 60Cx ... may be not with the same level of accuracy (and that only if you recalibrate frequently for weather changes to the barometic pressure).
You are correct, you can track your real time Altitude with the 60cx, but it will not store your min. and max. altitude and display the vertical gain and loss over the entire ride on a nice graph. A feature I wish I had while riding through the Andes. It is a feature that is far from being necessary, but then again so is a GPS in general. Its just another toy and convenience that I love to have. Don't get me wrong, the 60cx is the only way to go for a "basic"(in todays world) GPS and I don't regret my original choice.

As for the 60csx being more power hungry...I understand it doesnt use up batteries that much faster, but then you wouldn't need to worry about that if it was plugged into the bikes battery. I highly recommend this anyway. If you use any GPS on its own batteries, then you will have to take precautions to secure the batteries inside to protect from vibration and the arcing(?) and pitting that can occur. This leads to battery contact problems. Do a search on the HUBB for the necessary mods if you choose to run of the AA's. A power cord bypasses the AA batteries, thus no vibration issues.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Estonia
Posts: 351
The built-in compass in CSX is good only if you hold the unit completely horizontal, so when mounted on bars (usually at angle) it reports wrong direction.
I recently got 60CSX and first tests indicate that I get 2+ days on 2600 mAh Panasonic re-chargeable batteries. The feature I really like is the ability to log track in GPX format onto microSD card, so track memory is basically unlimited and can easily log entire RTW-like trip without downloading into computer in between. There is a separate GPX log file for each day.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Jul 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rebaseonu View Post
The feature I really like is the ability to log track in GPX format onto microSD card, so track memory is basically unlimited and can easily log entire RTW-like trip without downloading into computer in between. There is a separate GPX log file for each day.
The amount of memory avalible on the card depends on teh cards size, the totoa size of the maps you have loaded to it .. for instance City Nav Europe is around 1.5Gb .. so a 2Gb card would have 500Mb left for tracks. I find my tracks average about 0.3 Mb per day (some more, some less -set on automatic most detail ) so that would be about ummm .3 * 360 = 100M per year .. 5 years ... hummm why am I trying to save data space by setting the loging to automatic?

I prefer to have seperate cards for each contient ... and maybe a couple of spares..

--- The battery holder mods are already done on the 60 x series .. well the main oine of rubber behind the contacts. Bit of grease and you should be good to go.

---As for ploting the altitude .. well not something I do, so I had not looked for it.
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How useful is a GPS? worstell Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 18 14 Jan 2010 06:23
GPS - best of both worlds? 5x4x4 Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 9 11 Jul 2007 11:06
GPS supplier in France/Spain - Urgent JulianVoelcker Equipping the Overland Vehicle 6 9 May 2007 19:47
GPS Volunteers needed for Ripley meeting Glynn Roberts HU Travellers Meetings - UK 1 18 Apr 2007 20:24
"GPS based emergency call device" Lars Equipment Reviews 2 22 Oct 2004 05:08

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:14.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top