This is probably why Jay and I are good travel companions. I don' t need a GPS unit to get me to Salem, OR. I only need it when I'm there and want to find a hotel or museum at 1350 Main Street which often involves turns on city streets that aren't apparent on a state map.
Sean is probably correct that if you use a GPS a lot on the MC, better is better and make the investment. But I've had no problems with my Nuvi in 4 years. But I only charge it at night and the charge lasts about 10 hours and I don't have it on during the bulk of the day for the reasons Jay cites. If budget is an issue, spend the money on the Sena and cut back on the GPS because there are good lower cost alternatives. I'm sure you know you can E-mail the states' visitor bureaus you plan on going to and getting info packets and maps for free by return mail.
Sounds like a great trip for you and your Brit friend.
From: emrat@googlegroups.com [mailto:emrat@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jay Clawson
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2014 8:26 AM
To: emrat@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [emrat:5992] Roadtrip. GPS/Intercom questions
I second Norm on the Sena SMH10. I do a lot of long distance riding by myself and really appreciate the Bluetooth feature for listening to music.
Regarding GPS units – I only use a GPS when I'm in a city or where I need to fine-tune the final miles to a destination. I generally rely on a map in the map case on top of my tankbag to map my route for the day. Actually, for your trip to Utah, a standard roadmap is more than adequate to plan your route and track your progress during the day. I find the GPS to be distracting since it doesn't provide the "big picture" regarding where you are in relation to the local terrain, nearby roads, towns, etc.
Since my GPS use is intermittent, I find the GPS on my cellphone (I use Windows 8 phones) to work perfectly and to be extremely accurate. The cellphone works as my source of music too with Bluetooth connection. A power adapter to my bike's accessory power outlet keeps the cellphone charged all day for music. However, the GPS function drains the cellphone battery after a few hours, which is usually adequate for my intermittent GPS usage.
BTW, you can buy a Nokia Lumia 635 Windows 8.1 "no contract" phone for $69. I added a 64GB microSD card for another $24 (both phone and card from BestBuy or Radio Shack). For less than $100 you have a backup phone, 64GB storage for music, and a GPS. I slip it in the map pocket of my tank bag where it stays dry and where I can see the GPS when needed. The Nokia Here+ GPS app works great and is free.
Jay
From: emrat@googlegroups.com [mailto:emrat@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Norm Wright
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2014 7:12 AM
To: emrat@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [emrat:5989] Roadtrip. GPS/Intercom questions
Jay and I bought Sena SMH10's 2 years ago before our west coast trip and you save money when you buy the 2 unit package. I bought mine off the net. They don't stretch a mile but they are very effective and tie into your cell by Bluetooth if you really get separated. It allows music input too from your phone or MP3 player.
I have a four year old Garmin Nuvi which is road accurate. They are lower cost than the units devoted to MC use but it works fine for me. I carry a sandwich bag in case of rain. My model does not have blue tooth but it does not really bother me because the visual is fine and if I'm in a town and need the voice, if you are ridng at 45 or less and open your visor I can hear the voice. I'm sure others will have thoughts on GPS but with my smartphone, the quality of the GPS unit is less important to me than the communicator.
Have a great trip. More on Utah parks and routes later. Zion is awesome. Norm
From: emrat@googlegroups.com [mailto:emrat@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of limeycardwell
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2014 10:30 PM
To: emrat@googlegroups.com
Subject: [emrat:5989] Roadtrip. GPS/Intercom questions
So my British biker buddy is flying over next April 28th and we have 8 full days to go on a road trip. He rides a Vulcan 1700 back home but it seems he is limited to renting an Indian or HD if we can't find him a bike to buy before then but that will be another subject in a month or two. Our road trip will be taking I-70 West to Fruita or Moab, check out Arches & Canyonlands the next day, down to Zion or which ever is the better park. Ive never been to Vegas so a couple of days there, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, back into Colorado and maybe Ouray or similar on the way home.I will start a thread for the at a later date also :0)
For this post tho, I am interested in portable GPS units (i had a Garmin Nuvi years ago until somebody nicked it out my car) and the bike to bike intercom systems. Its seems theres a huge price difference for these gps units, like $200 to $800 and while I would prefer the cheaper one, I was wondering what features are really needed for using on a motorbike? Same goes for the intercoms, obviously I don't want to cheap out here coz I am reading that the better ones like the Sena 20S have up to a mile and a half range which I had no idea was even possible, plus they can integrate with your phone and gps etc. So I've got loads of reading up to do but if any of you guys have any suggestions/recommendations then I would love to hear them?
Cheers,
Limey.
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