Best GPS value/quality/price/features. Which one do you use and why?

Discussion in 'Common Items on Husqvarnas: Tires/tubes/grips/etc' started by Alberto, Aug 20, 2014.

  1. Alberto Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Costa Rica
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2011 TE250
    As the title says, I would like to buy a GPS to help me navigate in the woods, I live in Costa Rica, and its easy to get lost. What brand you prefer and why? Which one has the most features and the best price?
  2. CCP Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    NJ
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    04 WR250 11 WR250
    MotionX GPS app if you have a smartphone - does everything my handheld GPS does and a lot cheaper.
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  3. Alberto Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Costa Rica
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2011 TE250

    Good info, can't seem to find it on the Play Store, as I have android :-(
  4. Cosmokenney Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    North Auburn, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '17 TX300
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yamaha FZ-09
    Since you have an android, try Maps.Me. Completely off-line. Relatively accurate.
    Alberto likes this.
  5. Alberto Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Costa Rica
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2011 TE250
    What about GPS files, how do I get and import some routes/trails?
  6. Motosportz CH Sponsor

    Location:
    Vancouver WA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2021 TE250i, 570 Berg, 500 KTM, 790R
    Other Motorcycles:
    many
    I have a cell phone with all the goodies and apps. Works great. Still use a Garmin as it is just better at it, runs longer, is waterproof and much more durable, and I don't have to have my $600 phone int he elements. I have the color touch screen Oregon 450. Absolutely love it. Touch screen makes the unit small (no buttons), works great with gloves on, has gobs of memory for storage, USB interface is flawless and EZ. I have tried a lot of them and will buy nothing but Garmin. Any of the garmin models with the color touch screen are excellent.

    [IMG]
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  7. Motosportz CH Sponsor

    Location:
    Vancouver WA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2021 TE250i, 570 Berg, 500 KTM, 790R
    Other Motorcycles:
    many

    With the garmin and a few programs it is amazingly EZ to both transfer and to draw and plan and then upload.
  8. shilo020 Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Redlands, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TE310 2010
    Garmin Zumo probably best but very pricey. Big bright screens. Can hard wire in to bikes battery. Shock proof.
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  9. shilo020 Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Redlands, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TE310 2010
    I have shook apart two Garmin Vistas. Have a Garmin 62s now. I think it is hard to see and it cannot be hardwired to the battery.
  10. Cosmokenney Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    North Auburn, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '17 TX300
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yamaha FZ-09
    Best way is to email them to your self. When you tap the attachment in the email, Maps.Me takes over and saves the KML/KMZ file on the device and they become available from within the app. Another android app that I really like is Maplets. Here in the states it has an amazing database of downloadable georeferenced map files for places like OHV areas, State and local parks and so on. They usually have the official trails on them and all of the rules and regs.
    Alberto likes this.
  11. Johnrg Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Santa Barbara
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2013 TE 310 R
    Other Motorcycles:
    Ducati Sport Classic/Ducati SFV2
    My Garmin 62s is hard wired to the battery using the cable shown at the link below. Has inline fuse and usb connector. I keep the usb end tied in a mini plastic bag and attached to the bar when not in use. Works dandy for 2 seasons now. It can be hard to see and get accustomed to, but mainly because the user interface requires knowing well how it all works and that takes time. Otherwise it's excellent and I map things first in Basecamp and transfer.

    There are secondary applications too so you can use existing trail guide images superimposed on your topo maps. G-Raster is one and it slices up images into small easily digestible files within a KMZ (google earth file) so you can bring it into Basecamp and the GPS. (You first take a map image and open Google Earth, then select "add" then "image overlay". You reposition the image so it matches points in the Google map and save as a KMZ file. Open KMZ in G-Raster and it spits out the sliced and diced new KMZ.)

    The 62s is a nice size too as I take it with me when mountain biking as well. You can set it up with the included profiles for road use, hiking/trail, mtb/trail, Husky/trail so your interface can be road and route based with directional arrows for roads or follow tracks/trails. Pretty deep, and I learn more as I use it.

    When seeking base maps it comes with a global map but if you own a Garmin road type gps you can pass those street maps to the gps too using Basecamp. Depending where you live you do need a topo base map but this website has been great for topo maps of other states... http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/state/all . Thes take up some space on your computer but free is a great price and got me across the US recently just fine. Also... When you need to create a ride and scout out what others have already ridden and mapped but are not generally known of go here... http://www.gpsxchange.com/phpBB2/index.php .
    Post one track you have made yourself and you are then entitled to download all the tracks you want.

    Wire Kit:
    http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-11131-10-USB-Power-Cable/dp/B004M4TZF6/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1408570982&sr=8-11&keywords=garmin gps wire

    G-Raster:
    http://gpsinformation.org/G-Raster/G-Raster.html

    WP_20140731_11_53_39_Raw__highres.jpg
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  12. glangston Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Gardnerville, NV and Mammoth Lakes, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2012 Husqvarna TE 310
    Other Motorcycles:
    2012 BETA 350 RS
    Garmin 60csx. Small screen but adequate. Use my phone a bit too. I don't hardwire mine but do have the ability to run it off the battery if needed.

    Would like the larger screen Garmin down the road but not a big deal. 60 has been improved quite a bit but the case remains similar.
  13. w2ge Husqvarna
    B Class

    Location:
    Voorhees, NJ
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2011 TE 310
    Other Motorcycles:
    2010 BMW R1200RT
    I use a Garmin Zumo 660 on my street bike but a Garmin map60csx on my Husky. Topo maps from gpsfiledepot, I can create custom routes in Mapsource or BaseCamp but must lay down via points to follow the trails. It doesn't lay down like on Navteq street maps.

    I have it mounted in a locking Touratech shock mount along with a safety backup wired tether.

    Nothing like a GPS, greatest invention since the spork, or Foon. ;)

    Attached Files:

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  14. shilo020 Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Redlands, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TE310 2010
    Thanks Johnrg. Just ordered two of the wires. I have tried the Garmin cigarette lighter versions and USB into cigarette lighter versions and can't keep them connected. With my Vistas, eventually I broke the upper end where it connects to the GPS too. The 60 was awesome with a nice interface and good features, like the Vista. It was easy to see and had a durable way to attach power to it too. Really hardwired. The 62 is not the same as a 60. Not as good. But alas the 60 is no longer available. The 78 is the same as the 62 but with a much better power connecter to really hardwire it. So if (when) I get a new one, it will probably be a 78 ($200) or a 78s ($300 with compass and altimeter although I don't really use them on the bike).
    Centerline likes this.
  15. shilo020 Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Redlands, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TE310 2010
    Oh, and RAM Mounts.
    Motosportz likes this.
  16. reveille Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Northern Illinois
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2014 FE501
    Other Motorcycles:
    2015 300 XC W
    I now use a Garmin Oregon 550T and like it a lot. I had a 60cs prior and the Oregon is miles ahead is function and ease of use. I use lithium batteries and they last for 2 solid days of use. I gave up on hard wiring due to vibration issues. A friend of mine uses a Garmin Montana with the hard wired ram mount with good results but that setup is pricey.
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  17. Johnrg Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Santa Barbara
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2013 TE 310 R
    Other Motorcycles:
    Ducati Sport Classic/Ducati SFV2
  18. River-Runner Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2012 TE511, 2012 TE310
    Other Motorcycles:
    2015 KTM690 Enduro


    We use the Garmin 60csx's as well. The Gold Standard for many years. They communicate well with your PC which makes planning trips easier - not all of the Garmin's play well with your PC. They are getting cheap used as well. I bought a 62 series, but went back to using the 60's series. The RAM Mounts are a great product. Very little problem with the RAM Mount shaking loose or moving while riding.

    I've found trying to use my Samsung Galaxy S-4 phone with Backcountry Navigator is tough as the screen get's washed out by the sun. I was really pumped up about using Backcountry Navigator on my Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Tablet with bigger screen, which works really well at home - but it too had the problem of the screen getting washed out by the sun or just bright light - was not worth trying to use outdoors.
    ray_ray likes this.
  19. Tinken Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Hesperia, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    MY12 WR511
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yamaha
    I use the Garmin 62s, for the money, it has the highest accuracy while moving due to its quad helix antenna.

    However, if money is no object and you have to have the absolute best, the Garmin Zumo 590LM is the hot ticket. And yes, you can load topographical maps right onto the 590lm.
    https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-road/motorcycles/zumo-590lm/prod145273.html

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  20. wrtimmy Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2014 WR300
    I've got the Backcountry Navigator Pro app (Android) - works well, seems pretty accurate, and the maps go down pretty low, and is offline. While at home on my wifi you download the regions you want the map for and load it into the app (very easy - all within the app itself).

    Go out with a charged battery, open up the app, set it to record your track and turn off the screen - in the backpack it goes.
    I set my into airplane mode once it's running but really there's no need - I commute 50 minutes home from work and it running my whole drive home and barely made a difference to my battery life (HTC one).

    I'd recommend it for sure.
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.crittermap.backcountrynavigator.license
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