I've been lusting after the new Montana from Garmin...
best ALL around gps??
- Thread starter yukondood
- Start date
keeponriding
Don't want a pickle Just wanna ride my motorsikle
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
I was using the Nuvi 550; It's fine as a freeway GPS...though difficult to use if you are traveling off-the-map kinds of places connecting tiny towns...they may be on google maps or mapquest, but not in the on-board database. It's also next to useless if you traveling off-road...or, if you're sent a bunch of tracks, following a long-tour with mixture of street and off-road. Glove-friendly and waterproof, I also got one for less than $180.
Then I dropped it....still works, and case is cracked; Waterproof?...not so much.... so, I go in search of the "perfect GPS".
I just bought a Montana 600....still not cheap, especially after adding city guide maps...and, I may also have to buy the topo maps as well....but, if promises are what they appear;
Big screen....navigates with waypoints, routes and tracks, glove friendly and waterproof...18 hours on a charge. I did not opt for the one with a camera....that's what I have a camera for. All the comments I've read were quite positive and it ain't cheap (probably $600 after buying the maps and ram mount holder)......and I used to laugh at the Harley guys and all of their chrome.
Then I dropped it....still works, and case is cracked; Waterproof?...not so much.... so, I go in search of the "perfect GPS".
I just bought a Montana 600....still not cheap, especially after adding city guide maps...and, I may also have to buy the topo maps as well....but, if promises are what they appear;
Big screen....navigates with waypoints, routes and tracks, glove friendly and waterproof...18 hours on a charge. I did not opt for the one with a camera....that's what I have a camera for. All the comments I've read were quite positive and it ain't cheap (probably $600 after buying the maps and ram mount holder)......and I used to laugh at the Harley guys and all of their chrome.
keeponriding
Don't want a pickle Just wanna ride my motorsikle
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
Yup...and found it for $475...such a deal!
I wanted to jump in but not get stuck with a big inital cost while I figured out what I was doing. Bought a garmin 2610 on eBay for $75 early this year and it has been great. Was planning to upgrade but am not sure why I would want to now.
keeponriding
Don't want a pickle Just wanna ride my motorsikle
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
Pine, I felt the same way...so dipped in with a reconditoned nuvi 550...helped me better understand what I wanted in a MC GPS....and which features were more/less important. That's why I settled on the Montana.
colorider
Moderator
Global Moderator
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
Note my post above concerning the 2610. Still a great GPS , IMHO. A couple quirks, but still a good one. Mine died (the screen delaminated) in '07 while on a trip in Alaska.toompine said:
+1 I've had mine on three bikes now. Works as advertisedwarnabrother said:WOW.. no one has mentioned my Nuvi 500
100% waterproof (tested).. can load tracks easily, good size and cheap..
but no bluetooth.. but it doesn't bother me one bit to be honest.. I just follow the arrows..
awesome little units IMO.. much cheaper than the Zumo's and nearly as motorcycle friendly..
keeponriding
Don't want a pickle Just wanna ride my motorsikle
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
The Nuvi 500 and 550 are essentially the same unit; The differences being the pre-installed NA Map software, where I think the 500 has only US?
The hardware and operating software are both the same and are excellent freeway/major road units. I had less positive results when attempting to navigate smaller county or local roads.
The hardware and operating software are both the same and are excellent freeway/major road units. I had less positive results when attempting to navigate smaller county or local roads.
keeponriding
Don't want a pickle Just wanna ride my motorsikle
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
A little bit ago, I dropped my Nuvi 550...crunched the top corner and split the case. GPS still works, but probably no longer water-proof.
I started looking for a replacement. I'm now at the point that I feel a GPS is an invaluable tool for riding; So, with my Nuvi cracked, it was time for replacement.
After scanning available options, I decided on the Montana 600...also purchased City Maps navigator, as well as the DVD of US topo.
An extremely strong GPS, the case is hard rubber (so avoiding the damage of the fall incapacitating my Nuvi), plus, it has a much larger screen surface, making navigation much easier. It also is capable of downloading tracks, for navigating a combination of on and off-road trips...along with a much more expansive interface for navigating. I've only taken short trips so far, but I find it head and shoulders above the Nuvi...as was the price; Nuvi I got for $170, Montana set me back a cool $470, plus an additional $30 for City Nav and $70 for Topo....however, as is all too often the case you do get what you pay for.
The Nuvi was a good vehicle navigator; The Montana is a great MC, vehicle, hiking, boating and probably more navigator, with more detail, more screen landscape and an imrpoved interface.
I started looking for a replacement. I'm now at the point that I feel a GPS is an invaluable tool for riding; So, with my Nuvi cracked, it was time for replacement.
After scanning available options, I decided on the Montana 600...also purchased City Maps navigator, as well as the DVD of US topo.
An extremely strong GPS, the case is hard rubber (so avoiding the damage of the fall incapacitating my Nuvi), plus, it has a much larger screen surface, making navigation much easier. It also is capable of downloading tracks, for navigating a combination of on and off-road trips...along with a much more expansive interface for navigating. I've only taken short trips so far, but I find it head and shoulders above the Nuvi...as was the price; Nuvi I got for $170, Montana set me back a cool $470, plus an additional $30 for City Nav and $70 for Topo....however, as is all too often the case you do get what you pay for.
The Nuvi was a good vehicle navigator; The Montana is a great MC, vehicle, hiking, boating and probably more navigator, with more detail, more screen landscape and an imrpoved interface.
Looks like the Montana is the pick of the newer GPS for a great all-rounder. Waiting on mine... Got a deal on 650t at ems.com, but looks like they are sold out now. Back up to $589 at gpscity.com. Mine should be here Monday! woo hoo!
As has been said, the Garmin 2610 is a classic motorcycle GPS, but not an all-rounder since it's not powered when off the bike. Just so happens I have one for sale - new refurb 9 months ago... make me an offer.
Trevor
As has been said, the Garmin 2610 is a classic motorcycle GPS, but not an all-rounder since it's not powered when off the bike. Just so happens I have one for sale - new refurb 9 months ago... make me an offer.
Trevor
keeponriding
Don't want a pickle Just wanna ride my motorsikle
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
Wow That is a great deal...same price I paid for the 600...good score!
I hope the Zumo 665 I just bought works out ok. I'll load my Garmin Topo's that I bought years ago (it does not need a license key!) and see how it does off-road.
If anyone is interested, thru midnight tonight (Sunday 27 Nov), Bike Bandit (www.bikebandit.com) is running a special on Garmin GPS's...most of them are $100 off, and if you are a AMA member you get an additional 10% off. Plus free shipping.
I just bought a Zumo 665 for $629.99 delivered. Amazon is $800.
I just bought a Zumo 665 for $629.99 delivered. Amazon is $800.
colorider
Moderator
Global Moderator
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
The Montana still interests me as a possible replacement when my Zumo 550 dies.keeponriding said:
Keep us posted on how it works out for you!
Rod
Actually I think I wasn't clear in my post - it was an even better deal than the $589 at GPScity.com - I paid $480 for a montana 650t at ems.com. But that deal is gone now...keeponriding said:
Trtevor
Did you get the Zumo 660 or 665? The 660 is listed at $649 and the 665 is listed at $799.99. Not sure what the difference is between the two? I have a Zumo 550 now and have been wanting to upgrade but not sure yet is the price of admission to the 660/665 is worth it.stevepsd said:
If I had the bucks, I'd probably go with the Montana. What I'd like to see is a 7" gps-enabled tablet that is waterproof. Bet it's only a year or so away.
But the nearly disposable refurbished Nuvi is hard to beat. My Nuvi 885 can do all the routing, music, etc, and I just hold a baggie on it with a rubber band on it in the rain.
Microcenter.com and their brick stores were recently selling these as refurbs for a whopping $85 with a warranty.
From another GPS thread:
My work GPS is the Oregon and I'd strongly advise AGAINST it for use on the bike. The screen is just a bit narrower, but crosses the line into being too small.
Plus, the Oregon is hard to see in daylight. As a hiking and work GPS it's really good but the display is frustrating to use on the bike.
But the nearly disposable refurbished Nuvi is hard to beat. My Nuvi 885 can do all the routing, music, etc, and I just hold a baggie on it with a rubber band on it in the rain.
Microcenter.com and their brick stores were recently selling these as refurbs for a whopping $85 with a warranty.
From another GPS thread:
My work GPS is the Oregon and I'd strongly advise AGAINST it for use on the bike. The screen is just a bit narrower, but crosses the line into being too small.
Plus, the Oregon is hard to see in daylight. As a hiking and work GPS it's really good but the display is frustrating to use on the bike.
I had a cheap nuvi for a while but sent it back - very difficult to see in full sun. That was one attempt to get a newer GPS for the bike without spending the big bucks. After that I decided to stick with my old 2610 (did I mention it's for sale?) and see if anything comes out that's does what I want, is affordable, and works on a bike. There are a few that would work (Garmin 62 series for example) except the screen is way too small for me. Eventually it became clear that to get what I want I needed to bite the bullet and pay the money - and so ended up with the Montana. It'll be here today. Report soon on the blog http://supertenere1200.comCheckswrecks said:But the nearly disposable refurbished Nuvi is hard to beat. My Nuvi 885 can do all the routing, music, etc, and I just hold a baggie on it with a rubber band on it in the rain.
Microcenter.com and their brick stores were recently selling these as refurbs for a whopping $85 with a warranty.
Trevor
Old thread warning.
I'm looking to pick up a GPS for my trip in May. How has the Montana been working out? I think the Zumos are way over priced for what you get. Any good suggestions for a Nuvi. I would not mind putting a bag over it for rain.
I'm looking to pick up a GPS for my trip in May. How has the Montana been working out? I think the Zumos are way over priced for what you get. Any good suggestions for a Nuvi. I would not mind putting a bag over it for rain.