GPS used now?
 

Technology changes pretty fast. What are most of the riders buying/using/upgrading to now? We are staying on paved roads most of the time on our RTW going through south america, africa, etc. and will use maps most of the time, depending largely on road signs and maps, but in cities, to locate a hotel, a site, etc., we thing a GPS would be invaluable. It needs to be waterproof, mountable, preferably hard-wirable. The selection is bewildering, never having used one. Advice is desperately needed.

Joe

Joe, I got a Garmin 60CSx for Christmas having previously used Garmin IIIs & Vs. It fits your criteria being waterproof (within limits), easily mountable (with an expensive but well made and lockable Touratech mount) and hard-wirable. Nearly everything about it is better than my earlier models (I'm having trouble getting used to the colour screen) but the main advantage is the use of data cards. No more running out of maps due to limited capacity but make sure you look for the 'x' with the exchangeable cards. There are larger units but the 60's size suits my bike. The Zumo was apparently specifically designed for motorcyclists so have a look at that too. There must be other brands (e.g. Magellan) but I like the Garmins and I'm used to their software too. Hope that helps a bit. Stephan

Search the online sellers to see if you can get one of the now discontinued Garmin 2610's. They've been selling off the old stock at silly prices on the last few months - around £200 in the uk, and I've heard $350 mentioned in the states. Superb piece of kit that'll do everything you need and a lot more.

You won't go wrong with any of the recent Garmins - the 2610, 2720, quest, Zumo's and 60CSx models all have their pro's and con's, depending on what features you feel you need. Also budget for any additional maps you'll need in addition to the ones installed as standard.

The TomTom Rider is an option, but there have been some unfavourable reports about the unit's reliability - I'd stick to Garmin myself.

Maps make the difference!
 

I agree that having a GPS with city detail is nice .. but that detail comes from maps you put on to the GPS .. so what you really need to look at is the maps avaliable for the GPSes... !

Things like Garmins 'World Map' sound good .. until you look at the detail avalible .. !!!!!! Only the main road between cities .. and the detail is not good .. and no hotels, camping grounds, petrol stations err gas stations .. You'll find coverage of umm less frequently travelled places lack maps ..

So what you are after may not exits today. You can get some really usefull stuf from http://mapcenter.cgpsmapper.com/catalogue.php but it is limited to what people have done for free.

So look carefully at the map data avalible for the GPS brand you are considering .. than having chosen the brand then select the model...


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Once you have finished your travels you may like to make a map and put that info up for others to use, or even correct and/or add to what others have already done on http://mapcenter.cgpsmapper.com/ ?