Looking for cheap GPS
 

Hi folks,

I never had a GPS before. I don't want to spend a lot of money for it. I already used the search and considering a Garmin 2610.
Or should I go for a new Zumo or tomtom rider?

What do you think? Any other recommendations?

Cheers,

Frank

Frank
The others may be good and have larger screens but personally I wouldn't buy a GPS that I couldn't happily carry around in my Camelbak or jacket pocket. That way, it gets used and is useful much more often.

Currently, I have a 60CSx. The screen is hard to read in strong sunlight but otherwise it's excellent. If you have a look at that range, go for the 'x' which takes micro-cards and can carry all the maps you'll need.
Stephan

Tomtom
 

I am happy with my Tomtom Rider 2 Europe.
Good RAM mount and bluettooth headset standard. Western Europe standard.
Specialy build for bikes.
Because it has an internal battery, you can also use it when you walk or on a bicycle.
It does not have all the functions a Garmin has but I don't need them.

Gps.
 

Hi.
As mentioned the gpsmap60csx is a smashin bit of kit.
I've had about 5 different units over the years from the basic to tom tom rider.
The 60csx is the most versatile.
It runs on 2x AA bats which last fairly well and is truly pocket sized for use off the bike.
The tomtom is just a bit too big I found for walking around with and needs to be charged on the bike or with a mains charger. Still good as a navigator though!
Failing that there are the etrex range which go from ulta simple to a CSX version that accepts memory cards.
A mate has a zumo and he seems happy with it but again, good screen on the bike but a little to big to walk around with are his thoughts.
Dave.

Here you go...cheapest one out there...but it looks like they're out of stock.

If you have never had a GPS before you could think about picking up a Garmin GPS V - they are to be found for almost nothing but will give you turn by turn navigation but don't talk to you , don't have a colour screen and don't have huge memory but they are a fine but of kit and people are almost giving them away. If you are limiting the range of travel , for example you want it 90% of the time for the greater london area it'll do , but when you want to head off across Europe you will find it's limited 19mb internal memory and slower serial port connection lacking. It's a great way to start messing with the Garmin software and getting a feel for GPS use.
The other very good feature about the GPSV is the track log - it works really well compared to many later models so if you do a lot of off road wilderness trekking where you don't need street maps - it's brilliant !

I went up from one of them to a 60c , the little brother of the 60csx mentioned above . More memory , in colour and with fast USB connection but a lot more expensive in comparison.

I've had my 2610 for only 6 months and they're going for half what I paid now. I've put a 2GB Compact flash card in it and loaded the whole of Europe on there. I'm quite happy with it, but it is a big old lump, which is unusable off the bike. This doesn't bother me though as I can usually find my way back to my tent from the shower block!

There are not many 2610 on Ebay and they are still going quite expensive.

I am considering now to buy a more modern one. I could get a new Garmin Zumo 400 or TomTom Rider 2 both for the same price.

Which one would you chose?

Thanks,

Frank

I bought the Tomtom Rider 2 Europe, less then a year ago, because it is very easy to use and, here in the Netherlands a Rider with Europe maps was cheaper then a Zumo with Europe maps.
Also, the Tomtom comes with a Rammount and a good bluetooth headset included in the kit so that made it even cheaper.

I had (and still have) a Tomtom One in the car and even my wife used it without a problem from the first day we had it so when I wanted a GPS for the bike, the choice was obvious. It was the cheapest and doing exactly what I needed..

Garmin Zumo
 

I vote for the Garmin Zumo 550, I’ve been using it in Europe on holidays since they came out. Very Happy with it...

But the Zumo 550 is quite more expensive. How is the 400? As I could get the 400 for about the same price as the TomTom Rider2.

Can you get world maps for both devices?

Thanks,

Frank

Tomtom Maps
 

I know Tomtom has maps for Europe, Southern Africa, North America, Australia, Hongkong and Singapore but as far as I know they don't have maps for Northern Africa, the rest of Asia, the middle East and South America.
You can check it for yourself at the Tomtom website.

I've seen that the TomTom works with Navteq maps. Could I buy any (e.g. old cheap version) and put it on SD-Card?
For example a 2004 Navteq CD is sold for about 20 EUR for many European countries.